Australian's 'flight to nowhere' takes him to California aircraft graveyard he refused to believe existed
Published on Oct 01, 2025 at 8:27 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Oct 02, 2025 at 4:35 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
An Australian journalist’s ‘flight to nowhere’ takes him to a California aircraft graveyard he refused to believe existed.
He boarded one of the strangest flights of his life, one that would have no return ticket – well at least no return ticket for the plane he was on.
The journey started like any other: friendly crew, smooth skies, zero turbulence. The only difference? He was the only passenger on board.
Instead of heading to a vacation hotspot or business hub, his Qantas Boeing 767 took him to Victorville, a desert town in California known as one of the world’s biggest airplane graveyards.
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This ‘flight to nowhere’ to a California aircraft graveyard
Meet OGG, a Qantas Boeing 767 airplane that has carried more than five million passengers in its 25-year career, which is the equivalent of 140 round-trips to the moon.
However, this journalist from 60 Minutes Australia was taking part in this particular Boeing 767′s final journey ever, one with no return trip.
OGG was heading from Australia to Victorville, a dusty town in the Mojave Desert, where the scorching heat is perfect for storing old aircraft, because with no moisture in the air, there is no risk of corrosion.
This makes Victorville the California aircraft graveyard where airlines from all over the world send their retired planes after a long life of service.
The perfect airplane resting place
The journalist reported an ‘eerie’ feeling when walking among the abandoned gigantic planes that had been sent there to live out the rest of their retirement.
Not every plane sent to the California aircraft graveyard is destined for the scrapyard, though; some are so well-maintained that they can be brought back to life with the simple flick of a switch.
This means that some of these retired planes can become usable second-hand airplanes for budget airlines with less money.
It was a weirdly emotional goodbye for OGG, but who knows, maybe one day, it will fly for a different airline once more.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
