Man who flew on World’s longest flights back to back spent 71 hours in economy
We all know that feeling of just wanting to get home from holiday. You've been at the airport since 5am, you're already delayed, and a kid has been crying behind you the entire flight. It's going to take more than a free bag of peanuts to sort out your mood, and to be honest, the only thing you want is your own bed. So, just imagine flying the world's longest flights back-to-back and having to do it in economy.
Sorry, there's no caviar and a glass of bubbles here.
This was the mind-boggling mission of aviation fanatic Noel Philips, who back in 2018, took on the challenge of flying from the UK to New Zealand (and back) in just three days. Our heads hurt from thinking about the jet lag alone.
Philips explains how technology has come a long way, meaning we can fly halfway around the world without the need for refuelling. The world's longest commercial flight is now the 18 hours and 27 minutes it takes to fly from New York's JFK to Singapore's Changi, and while Philips' video is before that took off in 2020, his trip to New Zealand is still an epic one.
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Philips firstly shows us what it's like to travel from London in the United Kingdom to Perth in Australia. Qantas' lengthy 14,500km (9,000 miles) journey takes a head-banging 16 hours and 45 minutes, so if your flight departs Heathrow at 1pm, you wont get to Perth until after 1pm the next day.
Jumping form Perth to Aukland with a quick stop in Sydney, he's then forced to undertake the 17 hours and 15 minutes from Aukland to Doha via Qatar. Until the JFK to Singapore trip, this was the world's longest flight.
Spending an almost unbroken 72 hours on planes, Philips was rightly apprehensive about the journey. We all know that flying isn't exactly great for your health, but at least Philips isn't trying to 'raw-dog' his aerial marathon.
Saying, "It's 25,000 miles, how bad can it be?" these were Philips' immortal last words before he took to the skies.
He was pretty happy on his first flight, saying: "The aircraft itself is so comfortable and it feels just like sitting on the ground. Even an economy class the seats are really comfortable and I've not got cramp or anything."
But how long did it last? Although the vlogger says the economy seats were a lot more comfortable than he expected, his mood would soon change after Perth. The seasoned traveler admits the idea of being away from home and not being able to speak to your loved ones due to timezone differences is a bit of a struggle.
With his Auckland to Doha flight then delayed, fatigue set in as he said he was starting to feel 'insanely tired.'
Still, after settling in for his Auckland leg and putting a blanket over his head to get some rest, he again said he was impressed with economy class and all the leg room.
By the time he was ready for the final leg of his journey from Doha to Heathrow, Philips had clearly had enough: "I really could do with some rest and relaxation right now, my muscles are aching and I am so sore after these last two ridiculously long flights." He eventually made it back in one piece and this epic journey was completed.
While many weren't sure why you'd want to undertake back-to-back trips on two of the world's longest flights, they were glad that Philips did the hard work so we don't have to.
Next time, we'd recommend first class if you can afford it.