Mass Vomiting Flight: 26 Qantas Passengers Sick

Twenty-six passengers were rushed off a Qantas flight for medical treatment in Sydney after a stomach bug struck mid-journey, triggering a mass vomiting episode.

The sick passengers - all Australian - were part of the same tour group and were suspected of contracting the gastro intestinal illnes before they boarded the 14-hour flight in Santiago, Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said.

The ill passengers were moved to seats at the rear of the plane near where four toilets were situated, Australian Associated Press reported.

The Boeing 747, with more than 300 people aboard, was met by ambulance paramedics when it landed at Sydney airport and the ill passengers were quarantined, Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said.

Passengers well enough to leave were escorted through the airport with minimal exposure to other passengers, the New South Wales state Health Ministry said in a statement.

Authorities said the passengers' symptoms were consistent with the norovirus infection, a common cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis.

The airline spokesman said he could not say when the flight crew became aware of the sickness on board but it was not an emergency that could have resulted in the flight being diverted.

"They've known for some time in the air that sickness was aboard so they were able to call through and organise for the appropriate authorities to greet the aircraft at the arrival, and those passengers were quarantined," Mr Enright said.

Qantas said other passengers had been advised to keep a close eye on their health over the next two days and to seek medical advice if they felt ill.