Passengers on board the Nancy-Bird Walton, Qantas' first airbus were left waiting on the tarmac for over four hours last night due to low oil pressure in one of the engines. It is the first time one of Qantas' three A380 planes have been grounded.

"We've boarded passengers, [the captain has] started the engine and he's received an indication light in the cockpit of low oil pressure in one of the engines," a Qantas spokeswoman said.

QF12 from LAX to Sydney was due to depart at 10.30pm local time but is now due to leave about midday local time.

All passengers were taken on buses to two hotels and provided with accommodation.

"In no way was this a safety issue, but Qantas will always take precautionary measures and ensure safety before schedule," the spokeswoman said.

"Technical issues happen to aircraft all around the world every single day, we have not had a recurrence of issues with any of the A380s and not the Nancy-Bird Walton," the Qantas spokeswoman added.

One passenger on the plane said it left the terminal, but had to be towed back two hours later where they waited a further two hours.

"To their credit the captain kept us informed ... Everyone was saying happy Australia Day, there was a fair bit of comradery," she said.

"Several passengers had switched flights because they wanted to experience the A380 as well," she said.

The Qantas A380 holds 480 passengers and cost $350 million each.

The Herald had a journalist on the flight.