Overview

• Flight QF63, an Airbus A380 registered VH-OQL, turned back over the southern ocean due to a satellite-communications issue on the isolated Sydney–Johannesburg route where such systems are required.
• Qantas said no mayday or other emergency call was made during the flight.
• Accounts differ on timing, with flight-tracking showing roughly nine hours airborne while other reports say the turnback began about four hours after departure.
• The aircraft returned to Sydney for engineering inspection as Qantas arranged a next-day service for affected travelers.
• Flightradar24 data cited by Business Insider indicates the same A380 operated a Los Angeles flight the following day.