A Qantas flight from Brisbane was turned back mid-flight on Sunday after the cabin crew reported “an unusual smell.”

A spokesperson for the airline said in a statement the flight, to Rockhampton on a Boeing 717, returned to Brisbane after crew members reported the smell in the aircraft galley.

“Crew were assessed by ambulance officers on arrival in Brisbane and two were taken to hospital for further medical checks,” the spokesperson said.

“They were released last night.”

Flight QF1798 was originally scheduled to depart Brisbane at 6.10pm and arrive in Rockhampton at 7.20pm. But it was forced to return to Brisbane while in the air near Hervey Bay after crew members became unwell.

Ambulance Queensland said two women in their 20s were treated for symptoms, including nausea and headaches, about 8.26pm after reportedly being affected by fumes.

“Both patients were transported in stable conditions to Prince Charles Hospital,” Ambulance Queensland said in a statement.

The Qantas spokesperson said passengers weren’t affected by the smell and all would be re-accommodated on flights on Monday.

Last month, a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was forced to land in Cairns after reporting engine failure mid-flight.

Qantas is replacing its fleet of 717s, which have been used by the airline since 2004, with Airbus A220 aircraft.

The 717 has recorded no fatalities since its first flight in 1998. The aircraft has completed more than 29,000 flights for Qantas and Jetstar over the past 15 years.