Qantas flight lands safely after mid-air scare

Photo / file

A Qantas plane has landed safely in Brisbane after a burning smell was detected in the cabin.

The flight from Los Angeles landed safely at 6:40am (AEST) after the pilot called ahead for emergency services to be on standby.

A Qantas spokesman said a faulty fan in the cabin rest area had caused the burning smell and the pilot had radioed asking for emergency crews to be on standby as a precaution.

He said the incident was compounded by a medical emergency, in which paramedics boarded the flight to help an elderly woman who'd apparently suffered a stroke.

The 747 would be back in service, as scheduled, later on Friday morning, the spokesman said.

cameraman Craig Berkman was on the flight and told the broadcaster staff were moving up and down the aisle towards the back of the plane trying to find the source of the smell, after reports of fumes in the cabin.

"At one point they were running their hands up and down the walls of what appeared to be a toilet cubicle, perhaps looking for some sort of warmth," he said.

"We found out later that there were fumes apparently detected in the cabin.

"It certainly did cause the staff on the plane some consternation but there was apparently no drama, because we landed safely."

-AAP