Ultra Long Haul Flight Diary – An honest account of flying London to Sydney

Last updated: 17 July 2023

Originally published Feb 2017. You may have noticed from Twitter and Snapchat that I’ve been in Australia recently.  One of the many things I love about Australia is that it’s stupendously sunny pretty much all the time however the downside is that it’s a 24 hour ultra long haul flight from London.  If you’re like us and tend to fly economy, by the time you’re 5 hours into a flight you’re ready to reach for the emergency exit and throw yourself out.  So what’s it like to fly for almost an entire day on an ultra long haul flight?

After 8 hours you’re sick of the person next to you, tired of the recycled air, and fed up with being squished into a 18 inch wide seat with a pitch of 32”. This is my diary of an ultra-long haul flight. If you haven’t had the delight of flying for 24 hours (including a short layover) and want to know what it’s like then this post is for you.

06:00 GMT – 5 ½ hours before take off

It’s a very early 06:00 start to get to London Gatwick airport (LGW) for my 11:30 flight.  I know London traffic is generally awful but today it’s particularly horrendous.  With Russ as my dedicated chauffeur, he’s doing the best he can and it still took us a staggering 2 hours to get from our home in East London to LGW.

I tell myself don’t mind the early start because I have lounge access, or so I thought. My Lounge Club membership card in hand, I excitedly approached the only Lounge Club lounge at LGW South. I’m told it’s at capacity and there will be no further entries until 11:00. It’s currently 09:00. So I’d have to wait right until my long haul flight is boarding before I can use it. After two attempts to get in, I give up on my dreams of scoping out any lounge, after all it’s the only lounge in the South terminal.  

So instead I find a spot in a restaurant.  Ordering eggs and coffee at Wondertree I score a table with a view of planes taking off AND a power point.  It’s a good start. I use the time to top up the power on some my devices.  Phew! My battery is running low and I’m unsure if my seat will have in-seat power.    

I kill as much time as I can and I resist boarding too quickly.  I’m content to wander around the gate before this onslaught begins.  Can you tell I’m anxious? 

11:00 GMT  – ½ hour to take off

My long haul flight is called and boarding begins at 11:00.  My flight is scheduled for an 11:30 departure and despite the thick fog that has blanketed the city it looks like we’ll depart on time.

An orderly queue forms at the gate with passengers eagerly present their passports & boarding passes to the crew. I’m not that eager, I pace around the gate.  

The First Leg – London to Hong Kong

11:30 GMT – ¼ hour to take off

I find my seat, 60K.  I’ve paid for window extra legroom so I’m optimistic about the experience. Generally I loathe window seats but this is no ordinary window seat, I strut my stuff down to the back of the plane. Uh oh, there’s a man in MY seat. Ugh. I politely ask him to move but he appears not to speak English. A combination of pointing at my boarding pass, the seat he’s sitting in, and the convenient sign indicating which seat is window & aisle, he moves.  I settle into my seat, feeling pretty bad for making the man shift.  I tell myself I’ve paid extra cash for my seat and I’m gonna have it.

I greet my seat neighbour who had zero interest in communicating.  Ok fine no problem, headphones on.  

We buckle up and prepare for taxi and take-off.

11:45 GMT – 15 mins in

We push back at a little behind schedule as I note my cabin crew names.  I have two female cabin crew that will be running my section, Tiff and Chilly.

It’s smooth rise into the clouds over London. It’s a rare treat to be able to stare out the window during take off.  Everyone else is settled into their In-Flight Entertainment (IFE), mine is still tucked into my seat, a requirement of my “special” seat.  

I’m flying with Cathay Pacific and on the newest addition to their fleet.  The Airbus A350. The IFE on the new aircraft looks swish.  Easy to navigate and utilise. My “special seat” means I have a remote tucked into my fixed armrest, for everyone else it’s a touchscreen.  I watch my neighbour bash the screen, hoping the guy behind me doesn’t do the same.  

12:00 GMT – 30 mins in

The seat belt sign is off and people begin to unpack from their cabin bags and settle in.  I pull my IFE out of the seat and as I haven’t been to the cinema in months I’m keen to see the latest movies.

My first pick is Cafe Society. Russ is the movie buff in our relationship so I just pick it based on the cast.  Verdict: Ugh, it’s ok. It kills the first 90 mins of my long haul flight but I’m baffled by the ending.

13:30 GMT – 2 hours in

Oh yay food! My stomach does a Mexican-wave of joy. I’m starving!  My choices are Chicken, Sea-bass or Vegetarian.  I opt for the stir-fried chicken, mushroom sauce, jasmine rice and vegetables. The side is a minted pea and bean salad.

The absolute highlight is the cookies and cream Haagen-Dazs ice cream.  

14:30 GMT – 3 hours in

I snooze for the next hour while watching Frozen.  The man next to me is still asleep. I envy his solid snooze. I wonder if he’s popped a sleeping pill as it looks as though nothing could wake him.

I’m feeling clever, I’ve managed to fit my carry-on on the floor in front to elevate my legs. I look behind, the man behind me is clearly asleep. I recline the entire way, wrap myself in a blanket and grab my eye mask. I really need a nap.

17:30 GMT – 6 hours in

I wake up to the smell of pot noodles. I remember there’s snacks available via the call button. I figure I’m awake, I may as well jump up for a loo break (no queue, woohoo!) and order some noodles.  I’m grateful I have my sneaky window exit, I’d hate to wake up anyone just so I can get up. Oh no, I’m trapped. My case on the floor has blocked me into my seat. Maybe I can wait? No, I have to get up. The urgency has set in. I must get up.

It’s some hybrid version of yoga as I step over my case, whack my head on the overhead bin, stumble and manage to save myself before I fall on the guy in front as I lunge past him. My final resting place is clutching onto the crew seat at the exit row. Ok I made it. Phew. Haven’t figured out how I will get back into my seat…I’ll worry about that later.

The noodles are tasty but quite a challenge to eat in the dark. I could use my light, but I’m likely to blind myself and awaken nearby neighbours. I persist in the dark.

18:15 GMT – 6 ¼ hours in

The cabin is still in ‘sleep’ lighting. I convince myself I should get some more sleep before the lights come back on and people start moving around. I find a movie I’ve seen a thousand times as it should make perfect background noise while I get some sleep. Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone.

21:00 GMT – 9 hours in

I awake to movement sounds seeping through my noise cancelling headphones and light creeping under my eye mask.  It’s breakfast time.  After 3 hours snooze I’m feeling alright but hardly hungry.  The choices are eggs and sausage or seafood congee. I wish I had the internet to Google “Congee”. I play it safe and ask for eggs.  Overcooked scrambled eggs, pork sausage, potato cubes are the main meal.  Complemented with yogurt, fruit juice and tea. It’s alright but I’m really not hungry, I eat for the sake of eating. I feel gross and in need of a shower.  

The man beside me ordered Congee.  It’s some sort of gruel. It could pass for a variety of rice porridge. Either way, I’m thrilled I didn’t go with it.

22:00 GMT – 10 hours in

Cabin crew quickly whizz through the cabin with their trolleys packing up breakfast trays and rubbish.

It’s the top of the drop and begin our descent towards HKG.  I peer out my window and see endless water with boats that look like cruise ships. Maybe they’re tankers or shipping containers? There’s a lot of small islands that appear uninhabited.

22:30 GMT – 10 ½ hours in

Crew are instructed by the Pilot to take their seats for landing. Score, we’re almost there.  I mentally high-five myself for surviving the first leg of the ultra long haul flight. 

23:15 GMT – 11 ¼ hours in

Touchdown! It’s a very gentle landing. It suddenly dawns on me I haven’t been in Hong Kong since I was a little girl.  I take a moment and wish I’d extended by layover to explore this vibrant city. I promise myself, next time.  The cabin disembarks very quickly.

Layover In Hong Kong

I have 90 minutes for my transfer to my next long haul flight. That’s not as much time as you’d imagine.  Fortunately my bag has been checked straight through to Sydney so I don’t need to collect it. However I quickly discover HKG is a huge airport with many layers.

I’m routed through another security screening for transferring passengers.  Liquids, laptops, shoes, the usual palaver. Despite my frustration, it’s a relatively simple process.

23:30 GMT – 11 ½ hours in

I find a ladies loo.  I pull out my packing cube with my fresh clothes and my wash cloth.  It’s a makeshift shower in the sink to freshen up.  New shirt and new underwear for the next 9 hour flight.  I’m feeling pretty chuffed with myself as I strut through the terminal. I’m a new woman, happy to stretch my legs and get the blood flowing through my limbs.  

I begin to wonder how good I’d feel if I had lounge access?

The terminal is humid, the big windows display a hazy Hong Kong.  I look at the signs to find my gate, wow this airport is huge.  I wonder how long it’ll take me to walk to my gate? Do I have time to window shop?

00:15 GMT – 12 ¼ hours in

I dawdle at a leisurely pace and eventually find my gate and boarding commences.  The queue to board forms in an orderly fashion.  My eyes follow the queue, wow. There’s easily a couple of hundred people in it. Ugh no, I’m not queueing yet.  I find a power outlet to charge my phone and begin my pre-flight stretch routine.

The Second Leg – Hong Kong to Sydney

00:30 GMT – 12 ½ hours in   

Boarding almost complete so I jump in at the last second.  Quickly find my seat, 40C. The overhead bins are definitely a better shape on the previous newer A350 aircraft. At 6ft, I’m at a full stretch to reach things at the back. I wonder how shorter passengers or the petite cabin crew manage. We don’t have time to ponder these things, I chuck it all in and take my seat and ready to get the second part of this long haul flight underway. 

It’s an aisle seat however there’s no seat in front of me so there’s plenty of room to stretch my legs.  I look around. Uh oh. There’s two very small babies in the row in front. I’m already regretting my “extra legroom” seat choice wishing I’d picked a different one. First class – I wish!

01:15 GMT – 13 ¼ hours in

Boarding is complete. The doors are armed and cross checked.  We push back from gate.

01:30 GMT – 13 ½ hours in

We’ve missed our scheduled take off so we’re sitting in a queue for take off. By now my phone is now flat and I can’t use my in flight entertainment or in-seat power as it’s tucked into my seat cavity.  Can’t use it until the seatbelt sign goes off.

Like a teenage boyfriend going in for a move, I yawn, stretch my arms up and look around. Then I spot it. My seat neighbour is watching a movie with subtitles.  I discretely watch, turning my head at a weird angle. I have no clue what the movie is, or what it’s about.

02:00 GMT – 14 hours in

We finally take off and soar into the clouds on the second leg of this ultra long haul flight.  It seems to take forever to climb, I notice the seat belt sign remains on longer than usual.   

My new seat-neighbour is an armrest hog. She has the middle seat so it seems fair for her to have it. I would like half an inch though.  I grab a sideways glance, she looks sleepy. I nod subconsciously, that armrest will soon be mine.

02:30 GMT – 14 ½ hours in

Breakfast service starts.  A mixed scent fills the cabin.  I’m offered the breakfast options; an omelette or rice vermicelli noodle.   I debate the choices and ask myself what do I want at 2:30am. I’m really not hungry.  I reluctantly opt for the omelette.  

04:00 GMT – 16 hours in

I found myself faffing about while everyone is asleep. I start to write a post using my tablet and swish fold out keyboard case (a gift from my darling husband) and realise I can prop my legs up on my cabin bag. This is excellent and superbly comfortable.  

I feel inspired and could totally have another G&T while I write. Annoyingly the bar has dried up, I loathe using the call bell for something I can easily get myself. Alas, I cave and use the call bell, G&T received.  

My initial concern over the nearby babies seems unfounded.  They haven’t made a peep.  I begin to wonder if I’ve jinxed myself by even thinking this.  I’m also sceptical the peaceful silence won’t last.

I check the flight map to see how far we’ve got to go. We’re over Manado which I later google to find out it’s North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

I check the time 5 ¾ hrs to go. Ugh! I’m frustrated by my IFE, it’s noticeably not as user friendly as the new A350 aircraft. There’s ten minutes of ads to contend with before I can begin to watch a movie. Also, the flight map isn’t interactive like the A350. There’s something to be said for that, not realising how good it was on the other plane.  I wiggle to find my groove, the seats definitely aren’t as comfortable and the seat belts aren’t as long.

While I’m comfortable and content with all this leg room, I’m feeling fed up with being in a plane for this never-ending long haul flight.  

The seat belt sign has come on about 5 times so far. Most times seemingly unnecessarily.

05:00 GMT – 17 hours in

The restlessness sets in. I down two G&Ts in quick succession as the fatigue starts to take hold.  I tell myself I really wanted to stay awake this leg so I’ll be tired when I land in Sydney. I’m scheduled to land late evening so my flight plan was to sleep first leg and remain awake on the second so I’d be tired by the time I finally get home.  

I look at the map again. Shocked, it can’t be seriously ten minutes since I last looked at the flight map. I notice we’ve just passed the Equator. My God, it has taken so long to get this far already.

Someone in the row behind me opens his window shade open. Seriously.  What the hell? It’s meant to be sleeping time and yet kapow here’s the sun.

I begin to watch War Dogs. The movie looks good but I’ll soon succumb to napping, I’m sure of it.

08:00 GMT – 20 hours in

I’m desperately trying to stay awake. I put on another movie, London is Falling, but find myself nodding off.

I try again to work on a blog post for a while but just feel like doing anything else but.   I need the loo but look up to see the line forming as people wake up. Forget it, I’ll wait.  

I get an error message on my IFE.  Ugh. I will have to go back and re-watch much of what I slept through.

The baby in front is still asleep.  Incredible. With all the sound, light and movement it can’t stay this way for much longer.  

08:30 GMT – 20 ½ hours in

Called it, the baby is awake.  Cabin crew quickly bring the trolleys through the cabin as passengers rouse to the smell of dinner.  I opt for the braised beef with white rice and vegetables.  I really want something bland, I’d kill for a cheese toasted sandwich right about now.   

As people around me awaken and devour their dinner, the rest are obviously fed up and want to get off. The elderly man across the aisle is wearing a body belt over his trousers and hasn’t taken off his across-body satchel for the entire flight. He’s obviously uncomfortable and over it.

Restless in their seats, they appear to have rediscovered their window shades and are blinding me.

I’m frustrated. My IFE is finicky, I can’t pause my movie without it restarting the whole movie.  

My bum is numb now but I’m grateful I can stretch my legs at will. however I am pretty much over this long haul flight.

09:00 GMT – 21 hours in

I give up on my movie, utterly frustrated by the sync between sound and video. I check the flight path, ugh. The last hour is absolutely tedious. Tick tock, Tick tock the minutes drag by.

10:00 GMT – 22 hours in

We begin our descent into Sydney.  Cabin crew begin their walk ensuring seat belts are securely fastened, tray tables are in their full upright position and luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front or in the overhead bins. Sound familiar?

I breathe a strong sigh of relief.  I’m home.

Final thoughts

Flying for almost an entire day on a long haul flight is not something everyone will experience.  If you are flying soon, I hope the above has provided you with an insight into what it’s really like to fly ultra long haul.

Have you flown an ultra long-haul flight?
What was your experience like?

Tell us in the comments below.