07:23 - Source: CNN
9 countries, 8 days: Around the world at low cost
CNN  — 

Last month, CNN’s Richard Quest spent eight days almost completely airborne.

The task at hand?

Fly around the world in eight days, exclusively on budget airlines.

The globe-trotting adventure is showcased in two special editions of Business Traveller.

The first saw Quest travel east from London to Singapore.

The second installment, first airing on CNN International on May 12 at 0930 BST/1030 CET and now available to watch online, sees Quest and his team make it to Australia, cross the dateline, and return to their starting point in London.

During his journey, Quest accepted viewer challenges on social media.

Using the hashtag #flywithquest, you sent him to the base of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, across Wakiki’s golden sands and tasked him with eating some of the world’s more unusual local delicacies.

There were more than 3,000 #flywithquest posts, with the U.S., Australia and the UK being the most involved.

Here are some of our favorite challenges.

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Meet the pilots

Mission accomplished @christineadair! Quest snapped pics with cabin crew around the world, from the pilots that steer the ship, er plane…

To the cabin crew that keep the peace:

From Australia…

To Malaysia:

MORE: Low-cost airlines: They changed the world – but what next?

Sample the local fare

Business Traveller fans had no shortage of food advice for Quest during his journey.

The infamously pungent fruit is a local delicacy in parts of Asia, and while at Singapore’s Changi Airport, he found some (though judging by his face we’re guessing it wasn’t to his taste):

This Dubai camel burger seemed much more to his liking.

And of course, what would an Australian meal be without some Vegemite?

MORE: Travel fails: Tourists who went to the wrong airport

Get photographed with a local landmark

What’s a round-the-world trip without some sightseeing?

Quest got his adventurer hat on while hitting Prague’s historic stone bridge…

Posed in front of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building…

And felt the sand beneath his feet in Hawaii.

His final landmark challenge was at New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, shortly before his return trip to London.

CNN
Here's Richard Quest's quick take on his round-the-world trip on budget airlines, with photos from the field. At 40 minutes, Easyjet was the shortest flight. There was no Wi-Fi or recline on seats. It's faithful to the original low-cost model with some frills for business. A solid product.
CNN
Quickest turnaround, but brutal boarding process. No seat-back pocket and the safety card is laminated on the seat. The crew sells lottery cards. Non-EU citizens can't use the app for boarding passes.
CNN
We got a free meal on a five-hour flight -- a flagrant breach of the low-cost model! Has a business section and seat-back video. No app.
CNN
The flight was from Sharjah Airport. Air Arabia is faithful to the low-cost model. You pay for everything on board.
CNN
The original Asia low-cost airline and stays true to the model. No credit cards are accepted on board. There is no alcohol for religious reasons, although AirAsia X serves it. Carries adverts on overhead bins.
CNN
Uses new 787 Dreamliner, with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Crew go out of their way to show what they call Scootitude -- dancing in the aisles and handing out chocolate and masks to children.
CNN
This was the longest flight: eight hours, 56 minutes. Plane was a new 787 with leather, powered seats, business section and seat-back video. Jetstar has the best paid-for amenity kit. Clean, efficient flight.
CNN
This was the oldest plane (a 24-year-old 757) with a dated interior. There are no hot drinks and no meals -- but it's cheap.
CNN
JetBlue has the best food and the most freebies: Wi-Fi, basic TV and a snack zone. It has the most legroom in a standard seat (32-inch pitch). Planes feature business section, seat-back video and proper seat power.
CNN
This was the newest plane: a two-week-old 787-9 with business section, seat-back video and proper seat power. Norwegian's a pioneer in long-haul low-cost flights.

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