A man says he flew across the world in under 80 hours for $2,900. He took 9 flights on 6 airlines and visited 5 countries.

Sama Ansari PourJul 1, 2023, 16:04 IST

Noel Philips flew around the world in 80 hours. One of his stops was Sydney, Australia.Noel Philips.

Noel Philips, a travel YouTuber, flew around the world in 80 hours on low-cost airlines.
He flew 25,276 miles from Houston, Texas, on six different airlines in April.

It had been 61 hours. Noel Phillips was on an eight-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu. It was rammed full, a reclined seat had been shoved in front of him, and he couldn't sleep. He was exhausted, he told Insider.

Noel Philips on his flight from Sydney to Honolulu.Noel Philips.

It had been 61 hours. Noel Phillips was on an eight-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu. It was rammed full, a reclined seat had been shoved in front of him, and he couldn't sleep. He was exhausted, he told Insider.

He had five rules: he had to fly around the world in less than 80 hours on low-cost airlines, all in economy. He also needed to visit both hemispheres and each flight had to take him further east – no "backsies" were allowed, he said.

Noel Philips' five rules.Noel Philips

He had five rules: he had to fly around the world in less than 80 hours on low-cost airlines, all in economy. He also needed to visit both hemispheres and each flight had to take him further east – no "backsies" were allowed, he said.

The three-hour flight from Houston to NYC was probably one of the nicest flights he took on the three-day-long trip because he was in a fresh state of mind, Philips told Insider.

The legroom on the Southwest flight was good, Philips said.Noel Philips.

The three-hour flight from Houston to NYC was probably one of the nicest flights he took on the three-day-long trip because he was in a fresh state of mind, Philips told Insider.

He landed at La Guardia to the sight of the Manhattan skyline. After a short three-hour layover, he was ready for his first long-haul flight to Barcelona, Spain.

Philips flew from New York to Barcelona, Spain on Level.Noel Philips.

With 62 hours remaining, he connected to his third flight, from Barcelona to Athens, Greece. "I was exhausted by this point because I'd been up for well over 24 hours," he told Insider.

Philips thought the Vueling seats were comfy but the food wasn't great.Noel Philips.

With 62 hours remaining, he connected to his third flight, from Barcelona to Athens, Greece. "I was exhausted by this point because I'd been up for well over 24 hours," he told Insider.

He landed in Athens at 11 p.m. and took a taxi to a hotel where he slept for four hours before his 11-hour flight to Singapore at 9 a.m., he told Insider.

Philips flew into Athens, Greece, from Barcelona, Spain.Noel Philips.

As Philips stepped onto the plane, he wasn't impressed.

Philips flew from Athens, Greece, to Singapore with Scoot.Noel Philips.

Philips arrived in Singapore and had a shower in a lounge that he had access to thanks to his Priority Pass, he told Insider.

Philips ate mac and cheese and watched "The Crown" on his Jetstar flight to Melbourne.Noel Philips.

Then, he said he got a worrying text: "Jetstar have canceled your next flight."

Philips was rebooked onto a Qantas flight.Noel Philips.

He proceeded to board an hour-long Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney. He ended up crammed in a middle seat.

Philips got a taxi from Sydney Airport into the city during his layover.Noel Philips.

After his quick stop in the city, he took a taxi back to Sydney Airport for his eight-and-a-half-hour Jetstar flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, which cost him $530.88.

Philips on his Jetstar flight from Sydney to Honolulu.Noel Philips.

He landed in Honolulu on time, which was nice, he said. Thanks to having Global Entry, he sped through customs in 20 minutes and was ready for his six-hour Southwest flight to Phoenix, Arizona.

Philips finally returned back to the mainland US and landed in Phoenix, Arizona.Noel Philips.

He landed in Honolulu on time, which was nice, he said. Thanks to having Global Entry, he sped through customs in 20 minutes and was ready for his six-hour Southwest flight to Phoenix, Arizona.

After six hours, he was finally back in the mainland US and about to take his last flight back to Houston, Texas.

Philips was relaxed and had a fun chat with a flight attendant.Noel Philips.

After 79 hours, nine flights, and eight back-to-back layovers, he finally landed back in Houston. "You feel like there should be some sort of an achievement, but it's a bit of an anti-climax," he said.

Philips landed back in Houston with 45 minutes to spare.Noel Philips.

After 79 hours, nine flights, and eight back-to-back layovers, he finally landed back in Houston. "You feel like there should be some sort of an achievement, but it's a bit of an anti-climax," he said.

One of the most challenging parts of the trip was planning it, Philips said.

Philips lost money whilst planning the route.Noel Philips.

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A man says he flew across the world in under 80 hours for $2,900. He took 9 flights on 6 airlines and visited 5 countries.

It had been 61 hours. Noel Phillips was on an eight-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu. It was rammed full, a reclined seat had been shoved in front of him, and he couldn't sleep. He was exhausted, he told Insider.

He had five rules: he had to fly around the world in less than 80 hours on low-cost airlines, all in economy. He also needed to visit both hemispheres and each flight had to take him further east – no "backsies" were allowed, he said.

The three-hour flight from Houston to NYC was probably one of the nicest flights he took on the three-day-long trip because he was in a fresh state of mind, Philips told Insider.

He landed at La Guardia to the sight of the Manhattan skyline. After a short three-hour layover, he was ready for his first long-haul flight to Barcelona, Spain.

With 62 hours remaining, he connected to his third flight, from Barcelona to Athens, Greece. "I was exhausted by this point because I'd been up for well over 24 hours," he told Insider.

He landed in Athens at 11 p.m. and took a taxi to a hotel where he slept for four hours before his 11-hour flight to Singapore at 9 a.m., he told Insider.

As Philips stepped onto the plane, he wasn't impressed.

Philips arrived in Singapore and had a shower in a lounge that he had access to thanks to his Priority Pass, he told Insider.

Then, he said he got a worrying text: "Jetstar have canceled your next flight."

He proceeded to board an hour-long Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney. He ended up crammed in a middle seat.

After his quick stop in the city, he took a taxi back to Sydney Airport for his eight-and-a-half-hour Jetstar flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, which cost him $530.88.

He landed in Honolulu on time, which was nice, he said. Thanks to having Global Entry, he sped through customs in 20 minutes and was ready for his six-hour Southwest flight to Phoenix, Arizona.

After six hours, he was finally back in the mainland US and about to take his last flight back to Houston, Texas.

After 79 hours, nine flights, and eight back-to-back layovers, he finally landed back in Houston. "You feel like there should be some sort of an achievement, but it's a bit of an anti-climax," he said.

One of the most challenging parts of the trip was planning it, Philips said.