Canberra hospitality ... stranded passengers sit and wait on a military tarmac in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Finally exhausted passengers tottered out of the arrival gate after 6pm, looking spent and bedraggled.

And this is just the latest incident in what has been a horror week for fliers with passengers on seven flights hit with delays and diversions across the board.

Confusion and delays ... stranded passengers from the United Airlines flight from San Francisco bound for Sydney. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

United Airlines’ flight UA863 was due to land at Sydney Airport from San Francisco but undertook an “emergency diversion” as a result of debris on the runway.

The Boeing 777 only had enough fuel on board to get to Canberra where it landed about 9am AEDT — but passengers were not allowed to disembark.

Although Canberra does accommodate international flights, they were no customs or immigration officers on duty so United made the decision for passengers to remain on board.

A Canberra Airport spokeswoman said they would have organised immigration facilities had the airline requested that, and agreed to pay for the service.

Lunch is served ... a passenger Tweeted this image of the emergency catering. Picture: Twitter / Siobhan Heanue Source: Supplied

Tarmacs are no fun ... passengers try to amuse themselves while the delays continued. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

“We would’ve been open to that possibility but we didn’t get the request from United,” said the spokeswoman.

“They’ve elected to keep their passengers on board.”

After four hours in the stationary aircraft without food or water, passengers were allowed off on to the tarmac where food trucks had been organised to provide refreshments.

A sanitation truck also visited the aircraft to empty the sewage tanks, ensuring the toilets could continue to be used.

Nightmare diversion ... passengers on board a United Airlines plane were not allowed into Canberra Airport after their 15-hour flight. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

A United Airlines spokeswoman said they had to wait for a fresh crew to arrive from Sydney to bring the aircraft back to its original destination.

“We have confirmed that snacks and beverages have been provided and the toilet has been serviced,” she said.

Shattered tourist Christina Glenn, was looking forward to spending her first day in Sydney at the beach, not inside a plane.

Waiting....Stranded passengers sit and wait on a military tarmac in Canberra. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

She said many passengers were adamant Australian airports had a lot to learn from America.

“There were a few people saying you wouldn’t see something like this in the states,” Ms Glenn said.

“I don’t think American passengers would have put up with it,” she said.

Australian Elizabeth Cikos, was visibly distressed when she came through arrivals and singled out Sydney Airport as the culprit in the latest incident.

Wiping back angry tears, the older woman said she felt emotionally spent after the ordeal.

“Sydney Airport are to blame for this, they have a lot to learn from the Americans,” she said.

“This shows we really need a second Sydney airport.”

Movement on the tarmac ... a new captain and crew board the stranded plane. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

“When we were finally allowed off the plane (in Canberra), we were herded around like cows.”

“We had to line up for food like prisoners at the back of the truck,” Ms Cikos said.

American passenger David Felice was feeling the lasting effects of being stuck on the tarmac for so long.

“I’m sunburnt from being out there for hours,” he said.

Other passengers were more understanding however.

Catherine Chant from Sydney said even though their journey had been stretched from 16 hours to more than 20, she thought the diversion was handled well.

“We did get to see Tony Abbott and the Ukrainian President (in Canberra),” said Ms Chant.

But Auckland’s Nicki Lidstone who was travelling with her two daughters and husband felt the stopover was “embarrassing”.

“There seemed to be a lot of too-ing and fro-ing,” she said.

A Sydney Airport spokeswoman said the runway was closed for 35-minutes due to debris in the form of a piece of plastic or rubber.

“Safety and security are our highest priorities,” she said.

A bad day ... New Zealand passenger Nikki Lidstone waits to board. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Another United Airlines flight was diverted to Brisbane, and a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Sydney went to Newcastle instead.

The Canberra Airport spokeswoman declined to comment on United Airlines’ policy to only carry enough fuel to divert to Canberra from Sydney, given its limited capacity to process international passengers.

“We only provide the infrastructure — it’s not up to us to tell airlines what they should or shouldn’t do,” she said.

Tarmac stroll ... passengers had no food, water or toilet facilities for four hours. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia