Qantas passengers sent to hospital after AC malfunctions SYDNEY, March 4 (UPI) -- Two passengers aboard a Quantas in Australia were hospitalized Monday after the cabin temperature soared because of air-conditioning problems, officials said. Flight QF2260, was taking 30 passengers to Lord Howe Island from Sydney but had to return after the problem became apparent, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The flight crew requested medical assistance be available as a precaution. An ambulance service spokesman said paramedics checked passengers and crew for heat related issues, and treated two female passengers at the scene for dehydration then transferred them to a nearby hospital, where they were listed in stable condition. Some passengers told the newspaper that cabin temperature rose by about 40 degrees. Qantas said the QantasLink plane experienced a "technical issue with the air-conditioning system." Passenger Peter Marosszeky told the Morning Herald the air-conditioning failure was unusual. "Normally [the planes are] very reliable," he said.