What do you think of Turkmenistan Airlines? Also follow me on www.instragram.com/gotravelyourway for daily updates :)

@Footballrebrand

Жыл бұрын

love the vids

@user-vy8bd4ny8q

Жыл бұрын

Josh I was on the shittiest Irish Airline ever. Cost Dublin to London very cheap at 30 Euro RETURN. Yes, return in 5 days only 30! But when I saw the Plane !!!!! Oh God what a rust bucket from the 1960s! Even Smoking was permitted each seat has ashtrays! The 40 min normal journey took 2 hours ,as the Pilot flew way off Course (I think he was It was the bumpy to say the least. Landing was treacherous, but we finally skidded onto the runway at Heathrow. I think I might change Airlines for the journey home✈

@peterabbott1974

Жыл бұрын

Personally, I would love to go to the country now after that video, very good, lovely people by the looks of it and a shame about their leader and I would think that they can run international routes like that because they have more gasoline than they have people‼️😎

@SirEricN

Жыл бұрын

This was a very unique video indeed. Being by yourself in empty airport and an empty locked hotel is eerie yet extremely

@TheLoxxxton

Жыл бұрын

If this was ironic then fairplay but if the comments are genuine then welcome to the latest version of Turkmenistan tourism marketing board. The place looks bloody awful.😮

While other aviation KZreadrs post another boring business class review and complain of the current state of British Airways or whatever, here is Josh giving us quality aviation content. This is next level stuff and I am happy that you show us airlines and destinations other people in your space never want to touch. Well done. More of this please!

@safferms

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you. Josh is in a different class.....1st Class. Must be the German in him.😂 (As as German myself, I can assure you there is no bias in my comment 😇😇).

@OGSandEater

Жыл бұрын

Nonstop Dan is starting to get on my nerve.

@danielradubradatan1788

Жыл бұрын

True bro!!

@zakimarzuki8227

Жыл бұрын

@@OGSandEaterThat guy complained way too much.

@tryingmybest206

Жыл бұрын

Exactly, if I have to see another video saying "cRAzy EmIRates First CLASS :O :O".... they're all so generic and miss out on the true joy in travel

Turkmenistan Airlines used to be very popular for British Indians with Punjabi heritage a decade ago. The airline was operating LHR via Ashgabat to Amritsar twice a week by B757. The flight was always full load.

@msingh9634

Жыл бұрын

But it was terrible to fly on. Just a moving map for IFE. Crew barely spoke English. Old 757.

@ant647448336

Жыл бұрын

I remember seeing the queue for this flight from BHX being met with a massive queue for check-in.

@DissertationAcademy

Жыл бұрын

I flew on it twice to stop in Turkmenistan. Myself and my two colleagues were the only ones whose final destination was Ashgabat - everyone else would continue to India! This was 2007-8. And yes the entertainment was a map and a picture of the President!

@supot2523

Жыл бұрын

yes, also for Germans to go to Bangkok via ASB.. amongst the cheapest tickets on the market at that time.

@Reiden199

Жыл бұрын

Maybe not Turkmenistan, but Uzbekistan (or either) because once i used to fly Tashkent to LHR fully loaded with passengers from Amritsar, and it was on 757)))

I went to Turkmenistan twice for work. In 2007 and 2008. This video brought back lots os memories. I remember that the person who checked our passports on arrival was the same even though the two trips were 8 months apart. The airport completely deserted. Domestic flights were on a 727 that the country had just received from the US. The airport was still litered with parked planes from the USSR time. The people are kind. Even though it is a muslim country it is a different take on Islam. White ks the colour! The entire city is covered in marble, as is the airport. Definitely an experience of a lifetime. There isn't much to see as 90% is desert. Some cultural attractions related to the silk road are worth visiting.

@ciegacita

Жыл бұрын

what type of job sends someone to turkmenistan?

@MiguelMoital

Жыл бұрын

@ciegacita It was part of a project to train a group Turkmen funded by an international organisation.

@bryanbrune3767

Жыл бұрын

@@MiguelMoital I was in the Peace Corps there 2005 - 2007. Were you just in Ashgabat?

@MiguelMoital

Жыл бұрын

@bryanbrune3767 We also went to Mary, Turkmenbashi and Balkanabat. Turkmenbashi's airport was an airbase with a warehouse which worked as a terminal. -17oC outside on the return flight!! (January). What about you?

@bryanbrune3767

Жыл бұрын

@@MiguelMoital I was in Koneurgench, in the Dashoguz region by the Uzbek border. If you think -17 is bad, it was -30 at my site when I arrived in December 2005. It actually hurt to breathe if you went outside without your face covered.

“He finds help in Austria.” World class. Bravo 👏🏼

@JoshCahill

Жыл бұрын

I was hoping someone would get the joke 😂😂😂

@MaryPoppins-tu1ms

9 ай бұрын

Did not get it .English is my 3-d language.

@MaryPoppins-tu1ms

9 ай бұрын

I did not((( Not my native language and who you ve been talking about? Thanks...@@JoshCahill

Hey Josh, as you asked for it in the video. The Airline makes money with cargo. I was able to handle it a lot as I'm a former Ramp Agent for Fraport. We also had almost no passengers on it but it was everytime absolute full with cargo. Most of the time Cargo from Frankfurt via Ashgabat to Beijing. Sometimes also Cargo in the cabin and flowers! Flowers, flowers, flowers^^. The hole bulk hold was full of packed flowers most of the flights. So yes, they do the most money with cargo. Also they have 2 A330F now in the fleet that fly to Frankfurt sometimes.

@JoshCahill

Жыл бұрын

That’s very interesting to hear! I saw both 330F in Ashgabat and IL76s.

@Chrisag1988

Жыл бұрын

Ah yes i forgot about the IL76s. It’s an interesting airline and as you already said in the video very friendly people most of the time. Nice that you had a good experience with them 👍🏼

@weskolodziej

Жыл бұрын

@@JoshCahill are you russian ?

@georgemartin1436

Жыл бұрын

That is the only thing that makes sense! "Learn something new every day"

@joaomartins-mt9mg

Жыл бұрын

That starts to make sense, then. Thanks 4 sharing!

This is the best video you've ever done. The whole experience was surreal, bizarre, and hilarious, all at the same time. Thanks, Josh.

@vangen08

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, great fun😂

@livefreeordie6863

9 ай бұрын

Who would've thought that, after competing in the Ms. Universe competition, "Ms. Turkmenistan" actually works at the airport. OMG, I'm in love 😮

Flew from Ashgabat to Türkmenbaşy twenty years ago. Interesting experience. Never seen so many policemen in one area in my life and most of them wanted to see your passport. There was a curfew from 11pm -7am so you had to get to the airport before then if your flight was before 9am. The airport at Türkmenbaşy was something out of a movie. KGB listening in was still a ‘thing’ so the bar owners used to turn the music up very loud to help obscure our conversation. Almost got arrested outside Türkmenbaşy airport after flying in by helicopter from a Jack up rig as our agent was 15 min ultra late. The aircraft was held together by sticky tape and glue and every seat was taken. I seem to recall the price of a ticket was $5 but as Europeans we were charged $400 each way. A bloke with a broken back was carried onto the aircraft in sheets shaped like a hammock. The people in the front row on both sides of the aircraft were turfed out and off the aircraft. The stewardesses stepped over the guy when serving tea and sweets. (Candy). All in all an experience never to be forgotten. The mushroom soup in the hotel in Ashgabat was and still is the best mushroom soup I have ever tasted. Another lasting memory was none of the locals ever smiled.

@supot2523

Жыл бұрын

sounds somehow familiar to me. Went to ASB on a business trip around that time.. yes, police was present everywhere - and passport was a must.

In 1967 I was the only passenger on a DC3 on Wien Alaska Airlines from Fairbanks to Nome, Alaska - a 500 mile trip. The flight attendant sat down on a seat across the aisle from me, and we had a nice conversation on the trip.

@mindyourbusiness4369

2 ай бұрын

Ancient times of Aviation

No wonder their aircraft are so well maintained…they hardly transport any passengers….what a bizarre and surreal experience this must have been…the gentleman at the airport gave me major Borat vibes 😆

@moboluwarinmaku2071

Жыл бұрын

WaWaWeeWa....😂😂

@acdccris

Жыл бұрын

North Korea is exactly the same

@neodonkey

7 ай бұрын

@@acdccris NK is not like this at all. Everything is falling apart in NK, as a tourist you just get a facade. This is a beautiful expensive and well maintained airport and beautifully maintained planes. This costs major money to run. Their government can presumably afford it with all the oil and gas they own.

@munyachikuni2368

4 ай бұрын

​@neodonkey when we're you last in North Korea?

„Not an airline for Non Stop Dan“😅😂

@formerlyinpragur4736

Жыл бұрын

...and Sam Chuy!

@Sedna063

Жыл бұрын

Well, they only fly the well known brands in high class. Not sure why we need at least two Qatar Business Class reviews from Dan every year…

@mergat2970

Жыл бұрын

​@@Sedna063people like watching videos of things they dream of

My thoughts: 1) Window in the loo! 2) Plane is either well maintained or barely used. 3) "Prisoner of Ashkabat" 4) Slightly like N Korea: big, empty buildings... except these buildings are more than a shell, but still big. And empty. 5) Don't end up like Warmbier. Exploring a hotel / airport may not be taken as "innocent fun" in some countries. 6) Also, your sponsor, that VPN thing: Bypassing internet police may also get you the Warmbier treatment.

I spent about a week in Ashgabat 20 years ago. Niazov was still the President and ruled his country with authority and...weird decisions. If I remember well, he decided to rename the days of the week, monday being his mother's name, tuesday, his sister's etc etc... He built also a kind of marble Eiffeil Tower with his golden plated statue on top, this statue rotating so that it always face the sun. He also wrote a book of poetry (the Rukmana ?), that every kid at school had to learn. He also sent that book on space and it's now rotating around earth. I remember also to 2 very big stadiums in Ashgabat which were always empty and his portrait was everywhere in the streets. The cars have to be all white, and clean. If Police notice a stain on your car, you'll get trouble. I left the country by a night flight with a Armenian Airline Antonov 24. A great moment also...🤣🤣🤣

@JoshCahill

Жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@anorthedge4422

Жыл бұрын

The interesting point to know is that the present president was the dentist of Nyazov, who unfortunately died young at the age of 56. I wonder what the poor man died of.....

@isseosman3574

Жыл бұрын

Wht about still same role

@yurig2530

11 ай бұрын

@@anorthedge4422 poisoning by dentist.

@berdigylychrejepbayev7503

9 ай бұрын

well yeah we experienced those times.

I laughed way harder than I supposed on the stab at Nonstop Dan.

@JonathanGonzalez-ct9yu

Жыл бұрын

Nonstop whining

@QuarioQuario54321

Жыл бұрын

When?

@Yukis.aviation

Жыл бұрын

Nonstop “aLl My ReViEwS aRe SeLf FuNdEd”

@Ashwin-zg7rt

Жыл бұрын

Non stop business class reviews

@legouniverse8976

Жыл бұрын

Nonstop avoiding economy class.

What an experience, Josh! I too can’t see how the airline, the hotel, the airport & more can survive with literally no customers to pay staff wages & other expenses. I’m still surprised at how you’re able to discreetly use your GoPro, without being discovered & locked up in a cell in some of these lesser known locations! A great journey, & so well told mate ❤

@worldkat1393

Жыл бұрын

I assume the government just tanks the loss.

@pat-orl

Жыл бұрын

@@worldkat1393 yes, they see value for the country in just having access to london and beijing, I think they are right

@JeanClaudeCOCO

Жыл бұрын

@@pat-orllso they don’t want to lose their slots in those markets. They pay hefty fines if not in use and could be taken from them. It cost tens of millions to get those slots back. These are prestige route for many of these authoritarian regimes. They have plenty in rich minerals and it costs them chump change to ‘create’ an industry such as airline even if it stays empty. Fuel is nothing to them since it’s in abundance, everything is state run even the hotel Josh stay at and all the employees work for the state. It’s about keeping up appearances all for the good of the leader.

@pat-orl

Жыл бұрын

@@JeanClaudeCOCO there also must be an elite class that is appeased by the access to the world

@billyshearer117

Жыл бұрын

Freight

That "agent to business class" is absolutely beautiful 🔥

You’re the only aviation blogger I can physically stomach to watch at this point. And you’re classy and interesting

@chrisp3922

Жыл бұрын

Sam Chui is better

@vinny3410

Жыл бұрын

​@@chrisp3922yeah no he's a shill

@philipjohn1254

3 ай бұрын

What about Noel Phillips?

Josh as a fellow av geek you’ve found a golden nugget of an Aircraft/operator there . Very informative video too 👍

Such a beautiful airport! Turkmenistan is one of my favorite flags because while I typically like a simpler flag, I make an exception for certain flags that look cool because of it being more complex, and Turkmenistan is one of them. There are five stars on the Turkmen flag to represent both the five regions of the country (Ahal, Lebap, Mary, Balkan, and Daşoguz) and the Five Pillars of Islam. A carpet is on the hoist side to signify the historic Turkmen carpet industry. There are five different designs for the five major Turkmen tribes, which from top to bottom are the Teke, Yomut, Saryk, Chowdur, and Ersari. The olive branches at the bottom were added in 1997 to represent peace as Turkmenistan became a neutral country in 1995. Besides former president Gurbanguly, their first president Saparmurat Niyazov or as he called himself Turkmenbashi was just as weird! He almost built an ice palace with penguins in the middle of a desert, built only one hospital in the country to make people go to the capital, ordered all libraries outside the capital to shut down, renamed the months of the year after his mother, the Ruhnama, national icons, etc, and named a city after himself. He made people read his book the Ruhnama, basically his book of opinions that all Turkmen had to agree with. If you want to drive, you had to pass a test about the Ruhnama. He even had a golden statue of himself that rotated so that it would ALWAYS face the Sun, to symbolize that his era was the golden age! Yeah, he was insane.

Both cabin crew and airport staff seem to be very nice. They really seemed to care about your well being and understanding. Kudos for Turkmenistan people.

As an aviation geek who loves flying but also hates sharing space with strangers, Turkmenistan Airlines offers my dream flights where you can have an entire row (or 15!) all to yourself 🥳

@markpusko2480

Жыл бұрын

Philippine Airlines lets you buy adjoining seats for US$50 so you can have a row to yourself 😀

@felipe_pachec031

Жыл бұрын

You’d be lucky to find a plane with 1.307.674.368.000 rows all for yourself.

I used to fly with them very, very often from Frankfurt to Bangkok and back again with only a very short change in Aschgabat. At that time, the flight tickets were over 300 euros cheaper than with the other airlines that also flew to Bangkok. Food and drink was very, very plentiful because those on board had it

@supot2523

Жыл бұрын

Yes, also they had roughly the cheapest business class tickets to Bangkok ex Frankfurt.

@LF-lb7zo

5 ай бұрын

@tombauer3396 is the flight on Time? The layover in asghabat is very short, just 1hour.

It was worth watching this video just for the 'crew wearing hotel slippers'! That's brilliant! And as for being locked inside an empty transit hotel...that was super creepy! Great video, loved it!

@frausmithy

Жыл бұрын

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 That's really interesting! Thanks, certainly must be some connection. I just loved the idea of being able to wear slippers to work 😄

It was impressive to see the hospitality that the staff at the airport provided you. Also it was cool to see you enjoy the food on the airline. Hopefully next time you can go out and about and do tourist activities.

I work for a fret airline, we go to Ashgabat sometimes and stay in the same hotel that you did the "Lachin". The reasons there are very little windows and so high is that Hotels accommodating airlines crew have to provide rooms sort of day light proof. (we often do night flights and good sleep is very important) hence these funny windows. Mostly the clients of the duty free shops are the airport personal and airlines crews (like in every airports, except this one have no passengers as clients base) but still I don't know how they survive! We only go to the Fret terminal and walk to the hotel, trust me the Fret terminal is as empty as the passengers one ! Its my first time on your channel, its very interesting ! I never met anyone flying this Airline in my life!

Maybe the secret of keeping your planes spick & span is to restrict pax to 10% loading maximum?

@JoshCahill

Жыл бұрын

Great strategy 😂

I flew some 20 years ago with them Frankfurt to Bangkok via Ashgabat. It was a real adventure. We had a technical fuel stop in Ashgabat. The flight was operated with a B757. For the fueling procedure we had to deplane and we had to take all of our belongings with us. The fuel stop took hours when we went back to the aircraft I noticed that the B757 had shrink to a B737. I thought we will never make it to BKK with a B737 since the fuel capacity was not the same as a B757. As soon as seated the crew made an announcement in Turkmenisch , the second was in Russian where I understood Delhi. What an adventure I thought. I had a very memorable flight over the Himalayan mountains. In Delhi we had a second fuel stop before flying to Bangkok. In the past 20 years I had hundreds of flight but this one was one I never forget. The return leg was quite uneventful B757 BKK-ASB-FRA

@joeb5080

10 ай бұрын

That wasn't a "fuel stop" in Ashgabat. That was a layover. You had two flights. FRA-ASB and ASB-BKK. Turkmenistan Airways cannot legally fly directly from FRA-BKK, because it is neither a German nor Thai airline. They can sell you two separate flights, and you can connect at their hub in ASB. Because the ASB-BKK flight was just a B737, they had to make an actual fuel stop at DEL.

"It's not an airline for Nonstop Dan" LMAO! That made me chuckle

Bizarre is the perfect word for it! So strange just like a ghost town.

The algorithm is alive with Turkmenistan this and Turkmenistan that right now. Well for me it is anyway, so I'm really glad you did a flight review if Turkmenistan Airlines. The cleanliness of the airline and friendliness of the staff are a big plus. The country has had a change of regime and I think they are preparing to relax the rules and open up to more travelers and tourists in the coming years. Many thanks for doing this review.

@dynasty1hertha79

Жыл бұрын

very Interesting

That airport and staff put most European airports to shame! Amazing access - Thanks!

@MC-di7op

Жыл бұрын

i agree but you have to take into consideration that he is literally the only passenger at the airport 😂

@wesendreizehn6710

Жыл бұрын

What would you rather have? Democracy or these kinds ofairports?

@SD_Alias

Жыл бұрын

But as an ordinary citizen of Turkmenistan you would never see that airport from inside.

@snsnsnsn88

Жыл бұрын

​@@SD_Alias you can see if you work there

@SD_Alias

Жыл бұрын

@@snsnsnsn88 That are just a chosen few people…

Josh is really growing on me. Really informative, fun and friendly. In the lavratory I tried to see the camera brand but couldn't - could anyone else? Oh, hilarious locked in the hotel

@JoshCahill

Жыл бұрын

This is a beautiful comment - thanks a lot! It’s a GoPro 11 if you were wondering.

I was in Turkmenistan very difficult to get visa ! The capital Ashgabat is so empty no people like in this Arline ! The flight attendant family must be connected to government to get this job ! Must say the people are shocked to see foreigner 😂 and the are very nice 😂 Turkmenistan is dictatorship country like North Korea ! This was amazing review love it every moment ❤

@oliverblank6515

Жыл бұрын

How did you manage to get the Visa? I would like to visit this country soon

@MC-di7op

Жыл бұрын

@@oliverblank6515same

@antasosam8486

Жыл бұрын

They are not like North Korya, more like Gulf monarchies. Least democracy of course. Or like Lybian Jamachirya.

@elena79rus

Жыл бұрын

@@antasosam8486 No, they are not. Gulf monarchies are free open countries where anyone can go and locals can go out. Turkmenistan is a completely closed dictatorship, the closest to North Korea nowadays.

@anethers7545

6 ай бұрын

@@oliverblank6515 my visas for Turkmenistan were approved by the Minister For Oil, my company applied for around 20 and 3 were approved, but I absolutely loved my 9 months there

There were only 40+ passengers on my flight with 777-300er from NY to Dubai in 2022. For more than 10hours. Was best flight of my life 😭🥹😂

I remember taking The Birmingham, UK to Amritsar route that stops through Ashgabat. Probably around 2007/08. The airport did feel quite strange but it was the old Soviet building as they seem to have redeveloped it now

As if the nearly empty huge airport wasn't enough, it's even more bizarre that their London flights go to Stansted and not Heathrow! Their impressive airport was built by Turkish construction company Polimeks, costing over two billion dollars. The tribal carpet patterns (‘Carpet Gul’) located on the roof of the main terminal building, which are the symbols of the five provinces of Turkmenistan, registered by Guinness as the ‘Largest Gul in the World’ record. The building is in the shape of a giant falcon, another symbol of the country, and echoing the logo of Turkmenistan Airlines. Besides Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is also famous for the Darvaza Crater, a crater located in Ahal Province that has been continuously burning since 1971. The story goes that Soviet engineers were drilling in the area as an oil field when it collapsed within days, forming the crater, with the engineers choosing to flare the crater to prevent emission of poisonous gases but underestimating the volume of the gas.

If most of their flights have an avg of 30 pax onboard I'm not surprised the toilet is spotless. The cabin crew will be bored out of their mind and cleaning will be the only thing to do haha. Excellent video Josh, really enjoyed this one.

I've flown to Albania from London (for work) - long story! Suffice to say, there wasn't many people on the flight, no business class seating - the front few rows were full as were the back few rows and only the window seat on one side of the plane. Someone wanted to move to an empty seat from the back and the cabin crew said no as the plane was at its weight limit for cargo and it would upset the balance of the plane on takeoff - this was an airbus a300. Suffice to say, it took nearly the whole runway at gatwick to get off the ground, longest takeoff I've ever been on and took ages to climb. Landing was skimming fields for a minute or so before slamming into the runway as the tarmac started and took the whole length of the runway to stop, though didn't actually stop as the pilot done a very tight 180 at the end just before we went off the runway!

Another interesting experience I had was at Dulles Airport flying Suncoast. I checked my baggage at the curb, got my ticket at the counter, and checked in at the gate by the pilot. He just moved from position to position.

Very unique experience indeed! Always love to see the Turkmenistan triple 7's when I am out spotting. Never imagined they are flying basically empty :D

What a fantastic vlog and journey. That gorgeous airport and no one there!! Brought back a memory for me. 1978 I was on a TWA Boeing 720 from ORD to MCI with only 5 passengers. 1 guy in first class. And 4 of us in economy (then called Coach). Safe journeys Josh!

Being the only guest at a locked-up hotel.....surreal.....also kind of reminded me from the Shining film.....you were lucky you didn't bump into the scary twins 😂

@dynasty1hertha79

Жыл бұрын

yeah! !!

What a wonderful caring gate agent. You should have asked her out for dinner for some company in the deserted airport. But, I doubt there is a restaurant in that airport that is open. As usual Josh, another great review!

Fascinating. I saw a trip report for this airline pre-Covid (and pre-EU ban) and the flights were quite busy, on the India-UK via Ashgabat route, even with tourist visas for Turkmenistan hard to come by. How times have changed.

Thanks as always for taking us on a very special adventure! Living precariously through you!

Once again a great video from one of the legends aviation vloggers. Thanks for the upload Josh Cahill. Keep up the great work.

@ 18:51 it may sound strange, but I really appreciate the aggressiveness of the agent sent to help Josh with his long transit and need for hotel. It’s obvious she wants to make sure that Josh is taken care of and that she realizes the discomfort a passenger can feel having to wait with no idea of what will be happening yet.

Such an interesting life and experience (experiences) you have, Josh. Great to see a bit about different countries and so glad you had a good experience. You were so calm about your passport, I would have had an instant anxiety attack! And you have good nerves going through all these experiences and unknowns!

@dynasty1hertha79

Жыл бұрын

oh yes I was scared by hell just seeing this. ..he did a fantastic job!

Well well.... you do have adventures! Better to be locked into a nice comfy hotel than alone in the airport. It must be very easy to keep everything clean and neat when no one uses any of the facilities!! Looking forward to your next installment!😊

The surface area of the 777 wings are amazing.

That seemed like the most chaotic hotel check in ever

That was definitely a bizarre experience. I can't imagine being locked into the hotel over night. Too weird. Another one to check off your bucket list.

The "modern" covid test does not require the bud to be shoved all the way up the nose or to swab the throat. It is a lot more friendly. When exactly did you film this? The airline has to operate these flights so as not to lose its slots at the various airports. It also helps to keep its aviation ecosystem running. Just amazing how it manages to fly 30 pax for 7 hours on a B777. The airport infrastructure is amazing though. Thanks for the most amazing travel experience review on KZread!

@calebrw

Жыл бұрын

One sign said 11 April 2023. About 18:10 into the video.

@mattg7372

Жыл бұрын

Covid testing anymore, waste of time / unnecessary; & most test are made in filthy factories in China (thus safer not to test)

@neilrmartin1984

Жыл бұрын

All the more bizarre as the Turkmen government has never officially acknowledged Covid's existence

@InTeCredo

Жыл бұрын

Yes, Lufthansa was "caught" flying about 10,000 empty flights during the pandemic as to preserve its landing slots around the world. Lufthansa claimed it was for cargo...

@expressdotpc

Жыл бұрын

Etihad used to fly empty from Heathrow to Abudhabi to keep landing slots when Jet airways went bust. I sent mum and brother to Abudhabi for holiday and it cost us a whopping £250 per person return

Loved this video! The Soviet Union in the 20th century. Thank goodness it was a 777 and not a Tu-154...

@gustavevilleneuvedehoff-un5459

Жыл бұрын

What’s wrong with the awesome TU5? Way better than MDs of that era.

It's like viewing a dystopian sci-fi film(The airport). North Korea-Eritrea-Turkmenistan. Similar experiences similar people similar everything. It's not about money it's about showing off that they are great even when people suffer.

You were very polite and wholesome!!!! I loved this video so much and made me feel like I was there for the ride! Glad the algorithm worked for a change and you earned a new sub!

10:44 This is chicken cutlet with buckwheat. A classic Soviet Union dish.

Great review - the UK flight at least pre COVID was all about transit passengers from the sub continent. I think there was also a direct Ashgabat - Birmingham flight.

@ablair37

Жыл бұрын

they was or at least according to wikipedia

@msingh9634

Жыл бұрын

Yes it flew to Delhi and Amritsar in India. The flight was awful.

@Roadent1241

Жыл бұрын

@@msingh9634 Small, cramped, inconsistent temperatures, unfriendly crew, turbulant?

@markwalker2627

Жыл бұрын

​@ablair37 no there was and was 757 5 times weekly from BHX at 1 point. Some flights upgraded to a 777.

Excellent review, loved it, I worked at Boeing for 34 years and retired. Got to work on 757 from start to delivery, work assembly to parts procurement, some installation, on the 777 for the #1 airplane including testing thru flight test, up till the 170th airplane appreciation for mentioning those well built,well tested and delivery, 757, 777, and retired from flight line in Boeing Field Seattle, Washington. Hope your trip went well.

My wife is from Turkmenistan and I met her in Ashgabat while working on the Turkmen language. Bring your own water!

This is a great video. For me Turkmenistan is a country that is misunderstood. While it may be bizarre but the people are welcoming and friendly. I plan on visiting Turkmenistan in the future.

The 'Business Class Agent' that helped you around 18:50+ was gorgeous, I love her hair too. Nice and friendly people :)

@stanedgie5910

5 ай бұрын

aggree, wow she is a stunner and her hair is beautiful

And I thought North Korea’s Air Koryo was bizarre and surreal, but this takes it to a new level.

Wow the empty Airport was craze. The woman had so many jobs lol. She was the gate agent, hotel front desk, bell hop, and she said she specifically assists businesses class passengers. I wonder if she's the ticket agent, baggage, and TSA security lol

What an adventure!!! Such a lovely video as per usual. Thanks Josh , now let me book this also 😂😅

Our family was on an almost empty Swiss Air in 1975 from Zurich to Basel within Switzerland and in 1982 I was on a brand new Aer Lingus 747 with only 45 passengers on board and even for those days my airfare was really cheap at £48.00 return from Dublin to Madrid. The reason it was empty is because it was going to Madrid during the World Cup to bring Irish people back home.

This has to be one of your most epic videos ever! Truly awesome! As a fellow traveler I always admire your adventures

Travelled in 2008 with Turkmenistan Airlines through Koryo Tours from Beijing to Ashgabat. Flights were fine, view on the way over during the day over the mountains was amazing. No entertainment on board but food & drink were pretty good.

Hi there Josh, man this review makes one almost want to fly to Beijing just to take a this flight to Turkmenistan just to experience this well maintained airline. It looks amazing.

This should be one of the most memorable journey ever!! I wonder how much you enjoy the food, both breakfast and the flight to London, it looks so ....

I served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan. This brings back memories. That airport looks a lot nicer than the one it replaced.

As a general rule passengers don't even realize that there are some really heavy cargo up underneath of them and no Airline is flying anywhere near empty. Cargo is always available and they may not get as much money as they want but they're getting a ton of money to offset the cost

Josh just made a lot of people want to visit Turkmenistan hahaha! Anyway, I believe apart from the airline making a significant amount of their revenue from cargo, i feel like if they open up to more people, the service will be nowhere near as pristine. The washrooms won't be as clean, food wouldn't be as fresh, they'll simply be short-staffed. So, of course their real representation would be on the domestic flights, or basically the ones which have heavier traffic. What a bizarre experience (in a good way!) otherwise!

I am a turkmen and I love this video !!! Shows how friendly our people are! Open for questions :)

Wow! the airport is so sparse, the staff looked so excited to address you Josh! 😄

When the flight is empty like this, you should've asked for an upgrade

Oh no…don’t repeat what the lady told you about the company and get her in trouble.😨🤫

Wow! They actually have the makings of a fantastic airline. Fascinating, modern, comfortable airport and very well maintained aircraft. Great flight and ground crew. Economy seats better than a lot of Western airlines (even if the IFE was lacking, that can be fixed). They seem to have a lot of the infrastructure necessary for a great Hub and spoke model airline competitive with the big ones. Makes you wonder why they are so isolated, hard to book and empty. They'd obviously need a few improvements but they could be great.

@JeanClaudeCOCO

Жыл бұрын

They’re not looking to grow into a Dubai of Central Asia. Technically they have great infrastructure to do that but they’ll leave it to Kazakhstan. It’s all about service to the leader and the leader in return create a world in his country where his people can’t escape. They’ll have everything they need but at a cost. Everything is controlled in that country with the stated understanding of its inhabitants to be in strict accordance to the ruler. Outsiders are granted access only if you can play by the rules.

@bobmiller7502

Жыл бұрын

@@JeanClaudeCOCO spot on couldnt of said it better myself,,Nailed it brother

@MILADA_2022

Жыл бұрын

@@JeanClaudeCOCO What the f##k are you talking about? I have no respect for countries and certain people who are disrespectful to all of Asia/East and Central Asia.

That look of panic when you discovered that you were locked in the hotel for the night was priceless😂. Then your cry of “HELP ME‼️” made me laugh for 5 minutes 😵‍💫😱😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Reminds me of the time I caught a red eye from Los Angeles to Dayton Ohio on a TWA L-1011. There were perhaps 30 passengers on the flight. The flight attendants told us to sit wherever we wanted to.Everyone claimed an entire center of seats, flipped up the armrests so they could lay down with a pillow and blanket. A snack was served and the lights were lowered and people slept through the night on the flight. That will never happen again 😂

@neodonkey

7 ай бұрын

Had a flight many years ago from the US like that on a 747 back to London overnight, whole row to myself to stretch out and sleep. Arrived just as the sun was rising, and got a gobsmacking view of a glittering London when the plane banked. The passenger in the row ahead of me gasped. It was a very comfy ride, love the 747, love Boeings. The 747 on the way over to the US was an ancient one from the 1970s it had ashtrays and 1970s decor, but it felt like a sturdy old beast.

What an amazing video. Can’t say thank you enough for sharing your travels. Turkmenistan! Danke, Josh!!!

The chocolate bar (sweet) on your flight from Beijing to Ashgabat was Iranian chocolate😂😂 Once, before Corona, I had an experience flying with them, from Ashgabat to Frankfurt am Main, even at that time they didn't have that many passengers!

The restroom looks clean maybe because not many people use it. Only 30 people on that flight with you.

It's just amazing how well that aircraft has held up, especially considering the passenger load 😂😂

Great video. Thought you might like to see these guidelines for the country ! It's also illegal to take photos of sensitive sites, such as: military zones, assets and personnel transportation facilities government buildings Always check with local authorities before taking photos of government or security infrastructure. Penalties can be severe and can include: imprisonment your equipment being confiscated. From Australian smart traveller site.

@dynasty1hertha79

Жыл бұрын

He was just a lucky guy!

makes sense to not have movies with the massive licensing fees for them, with so few pax onboard. But damn what an experience.

Probably one of my most enjoyable videos you have put out there! Really enjoyed that one! What a cool and unusual experience!

Wow the cabin crew speak English so we'll. Didn't expect that from such a discrete airline.

Incredible, the airport staff acted like they had never seen a transit passenger before but nice looking facility.

@RoyalFlushFan

Жыл бұрын

Considering mandatory COVID check (in April 2023), they duration of the layover, booking options and overall numbers of passengers on these flights, they likely hadn‘t seen transit passengers in a while.

@wyqtor

Жыл бұрын

@@RoyalFlushFan Wait, wasn't this the country without COVID, where there were only restrictions and face masks because of the "dusty air"? 🤣🤣

Utterly Weird but in no way unpleasant. Whole thing reminded me of a scene from the 1960s TV series The Avengers where other than the participants there were no other people seen - no extras etc. Everything seemed nice and people very friendly though and to have such a large plane to yourself - well that is unique. I wonder post Covid would it have been much busier. Makes me want to see what Turkmenistan is like to visit. Well done Josh on a very unusual AvGeek video - very compelling!

@frankbarr1101

Жыл бұрын

@@horseathalt7308 Ha Yes I remember the Prisoner as well but Avengers with Patrick McNee and Diana Rigg also featured a lot of scenes with only relevant actors and no extras!- Same effect -spooky

So surreal. I remember empty airports like this in late-night 1960s. Reminds me of Stephen King's story of "The Langoliers."

Josh learned the word “sag ol” to say thank you and kept saying spasiba the rest of the video 😁

Omg hysterical 😂 First I can’t believe they only had 3 flight attendants on a 777 that’s nuts. I guess they don’t have to follow the 50 seat rule per one FA even if the flight is empty. But I’m sure you know how to evaluate yourself from a 777. I also loved that you mentioned Dan and Noel love them too. The people looked so nice the airport amazing and fabulous hotel. Love how clean everything was. Glad you did this one as I don’t think I’ll ever visit a country like that one. You be so brave 😂 Another great review 👍✈️

That whole layover was just bizarre, culminating in being locked in the hotel for the night. Rather reminiscent of a Stephen King novel.😱

it was quite funny how Josh was talking to the nurse in airport in English and she was talking in russian and they could understand each other😁

20 years ago, I read a book by the title Road to Nowhere. There was a chapter about Turkmenistan. It was tragicomical, the most surveilled and controlled country I had ever heard of. And the most frightening one that would scare me away. It's so nice to see your video about a country that seems to be cutting edge and friendly, though still under a certain control. But it seems to be totally different now. I will read more about it, and whether tourists are welcome at all. And yes, I noticed the eagle shaped terminal at the end, when you were taking off for London. It's amazing!

As a flight attendant it’s very cool to see you this happy just to fly ❤

It's a kind of a childs dream, get locked over night in a toy shop. 😂

I once flew from Lisbon to Lunada as the only passenger on a TAP 747.

I have never seen airport staff so happy to have a customer!