United Airlines passengers stranded in American Samoa, miss New Year Eve celebrations in Sydney

Hundreds of travellers missed out on Sydney‘s New Year’s Eve celebrations by more than seven hours after they were stranded on a remote island due to an engine failure and a date line flip.

Around 325 passengers were on United Airlines flight 839 from Los Angeles, which was expected to land in Sydney on Saturday morning in time to see the world famous fireworks and to ring in 2023 later that night.

But the Boeing 787 was forced to make an emergency landing almost two thirds of the way into the flight at American Samoa’s Pago Pago Airport due to a mechanical issue with the right engine.

New details have emerged of how the plane was forced to spend an hour circling the runway early Friday before landing because the runway didn’t have enough lights for the aircraft to safely land.

Passengers also spent almost a full day touring the island and drinking beers on a deserted beach as a replacement plane made the mercy dash to Pago Pago from Sydney.

The Boeing 787-9 replacement plane left early Saturday but because American Samoa is on the wrong side of the International Date Line, passengers didn’t arrive in Sydney until 7.15am Sunday.

Affected travellers and their families have shared mixed reviews of the unplanned detour.

Passengers (pictured at Pago Pago airport) travelling from LA to Sydney were forced to spend almost a full day on a remote island after their plane made 

While many had nothing but praise for the hospitality of both island locals and airline staff, others fumed about missing New Year’s celebrations, including a US newlywed on her honeymoon.

It’s understood the plane had to circle the island for at least an hour to make the emergency landing waiting for the sun to rise because the runways at Pago Pago have no lights.

Adding to the challenge is that the runways are 3,000m (about 10,000 feet) long, just a few hundred metres above the 2,740m (9,000 feet) needed to allow the aircraft to take off and land.

‘As a parent whose kid was on this flight, the plane lost one of its two engines … The plane had to circle Pago Pago for an hour, until daylight, as the 10,000 foot runway does not have lights,’ a US man tweeted.

‘I’m thankful the runway is 10,000ft as their Boeing 787 needs 9,000 feet. They had to circle the island until sunrise as runway does not have lights.

‘We are blessed the and pilots and crew navigated the situation well. The kids and passengers were well cared for by the islanders.’

Passengers spent a day stranded on the idyllic island waiting for the replacement United Airlines plane (pictured at Pago Pago) to arrive

The 325 passengers finally touched down in Sydney around 7.15am on Sunday

Around 4400km from Sydney, Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the US located in the South Pacific Ocean, south-east of island nation Samoa.

A United Airlines spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the airline arranged an island tour for passengers along with the opportunity to spend time at the beach.

The US man confirmed his daughter and her fellow travellers toured the island and relaxed at the beach.

‘My daughter is now stranded, United decided to fly another plane in …should depart 3am 12/31 Pago Pago time,’ he wrote.

‘They showered at hangar, got tour of Island and drinking beers on deserted beach.’

Another US man added: ‘My brother-in law’s parents were on this flight and are hanging out in Pago Pago at the moment.’

The mother of another traveller wrote: ‘Just spoke with (my son) and he said the Samoan ppl (sic) have been incredibly generous (as they always are) and everyone is being looked after before their flight early tomorrow morning.’

United Airlines South Pacific Regional Manager Susan Lilley was part of the crew that made the mercy dash to Pago Pago and shared several photos.

‘What a privilege to be part of the rescue flight to bring to SYD customers diverted to PagoPago. A huge thank you to the amazing HA ground staff that turned the situation into a memorable adventure with heart warming hospitality,’ she said.

A photo of passengers sitting in the terminal waiting to board the late night flight summed up the ordeal.

While many happy travelllers could still smile after a full day of delays, others couldn’t hide their frustration.

The flight rom Los Angles was forced to land in Pago Pago due to a mechanical fault with the engine

Stranded passengers spent Friday on an island tour of Pago Pago (pictured) and enjoyed beers on a deserted beach

It’s understood another United Airlines flight between Sydney and the US was cancelled to free up a plane for the mercy dash.

Leonie Butta’s son and two granddaughters were on the flight but could not get any update from the airline when she first heard the plane had been diverted in the Pacific.

‘What United did was the perfect solution to the problem. There’s nowhere else to stop over that part of the Pacific. It was really good, terrific decision-making – so why didn’t they just tell everyone?’ Ms Butta told The Guardian.

‘They seemed to be oblivious to it. That made me feel worse. And I thought: “My god. Is this is a dream?” Maybe this didn’t happen? Maybe the plane’s just gone?

A newlywed US couple were also on the flight for a Down Under honeymoon.

‘Starting our honeymoon stranded on American Samoa as United Airlines couldn’t get us a plane for over 21 HOURS. didn’t want to see NYE in Sydney or anything, this airport hangar we are stuck in is great,’ the bride fumed.

Both travellers and United Airlines staff with full of praise for the welcome and hospitality from airport staff (pictured) and locals in Pago Pago

United Airlines confirmed the travellers, who left Los Angeles Thursday night local time, finally arrived in Sydney on Sunday.  

‘Flight 839 diverted to Pago Pago, American Samoa to address a mechanical issue, a a spokeswoman said.

‘We made use of our facilities, including available hotel options, to accommodate our customers, and flew in a new aircraft to the island so they could finish their trip to Sydney.’

The airline didn’t comment on whether affected travellers will receive further compensation. 

United Airlines crew who made the mercy dash to America Samoa were full of praise for ground staff at Pago Pago (pictured)