Twenty-nine hours. One economy seat. One very tired travel creator. Josh Cahill has taken on some of aviation's most extreme challenges over the years, but his latest video — tackling what he calls the world's longest flight in economy class on China Eastern Airlines departing from Auckland International Airport (AKL) — may be his most gruelling yet. The verdict? A mixed bag that will make even the most hardened economy flyer think twice before booking.
The Route, the Ticket Price, and the Boeing 777
Cahill's mammoth journey originates at Auckland International Airport, with China Eastern operating the route aboard the workhorse of long-haul aviation — the Boeing 777. This marks the first time Cahill has covered Auckland International Airport on his channel, making it a genuinely fresh piece of geography for his audience. The ticket price? Eye-watering for economy.
The flight cost me $1,419 US dollars.
For nearly $1,500 in economy class, expectations are understandably high — and that price point alone sets the stage for Cahill's mixed assessment of the experience. It's worth noting that Cahill has covered China Eastern Airlines five times previously on his channel, including a glowing review of their new A350 business class and a ride on the controversial COMAC 919 — making this his sixth China Eastern coverage and his first deep dive into the airline's ultra-long-haul economy product. Notably, fellow aviation YouTuber Noel Philips reviewed China Eastern in the same month, delivering a similarly mixed verdict that praised the cabin crew but slammed the catering and aircraft condition.
The In-Flight Experience: Food Saves the Day, Everything Else Is a Grind
If there's one thing China Eastern gets right at 35,000 feet, it's the catering — and Cahill is emphatic about it. The crew, he says, were a genuine highlight throughout the marathon sector, going above and beyond to keep passengers fed and watered. His practical tip for anyone attempting a similar ultra-long-haul economy adventure? Stay hydrated, and don't underestimate how much water you'll need.
The crew was super lovely throughout this entire sector and they do something they do really well here at China Eastern. It's feeding you.
Beyond the food and crew, however, Cahill's assessment of the overall economy class experience on the Boeing 777 is far less rosy. Twenty-nine hours is an almost incomprehensible amount of time to spend in an economy seat, and the physical and psychological toll is palpable throughout the video. By the time the aircraft finally began its descent into China, Cahill was running on fumes — and he made no effort to hide it.
After 29 long hours, we finally started our descent into China. Honestly, I've never been this happy to see a plane descend into an airport.
The Verdict: Cahill Draws a Hard Line on Economy Ultra-Long-Haul
For all the praise directed at China Eastern's crew and catering — a consistent strength the airline has demonstrated across Cahill's previous reviews, including his 2018 business class A350 review — the overall economy experience on the world's longest flight simply doesn't hold up. The seat, the duration, and the cumulative discomfort of nearly 30 hours in a standard economy cabin add up to an experience that Cahill is unwilling to repeat in the same cabin class.
I wouldn't probably do it again. At least not in economy class.
That single sentence is the most damning line in the entire review — and it speaks volumes. Cahill isn't dismissing China Eastern Airlines outright; the airline's catering and crew clearly impressed him. But the structural reality of economy class on an ultra-long-haul route of this magnitude — departing from Auckland and clocking in at 29 hours — is simply not something he'd willingly subject himself to again without a serious cabin upgrade. For travellers considering this route, Cahill's message is clear: the food is good, the crew is lovely, but your body will pay the price. Budget accordingly — and perhaps start saving for business class.
