The main thing is that someone was looking after him, and he must be OK if he's been described as a friendly cat. He might be questioning what's going on around him, but it sounds like he's dealing with it like a trooper.

Only a few more hours to go - he'll be so glad to see you!

(After all this crap is over, send QANTAS the biggest complaint letter in history - what a bunch of bureaucratic cretins )