The way this video escalated from "Oh I might not be able to enter the country" to "Turkmenistan is basically North Korea" to "Passengers and crew drinking in the aisle during takeoff", you're crazy. What a trip, super ballsy.
I flew with Turkmenistan from Birmingham to India over 20 years ago, never again!! Almost go arrested at Ashgabat airport for taking a photo of my father drinking out of a china cup on the layover...they proceeded to ask me to take my film out of my digital camera. Madness.
I remember these days, the classic T5 Turkmenistan flight, Air India alternative. Everyone would get this flight instead with the Ashgabat stop over where they would check your passport 10+ times moving from A to B, B to C.
Yes experienced this flight too. Like budget airlines seat space on long haul flight. One to remember though. The airport seems to have been updated a lot since we travelled there 9 years ago.
Not just that... They didn't even had a conversation about that. Just the regular _why would we care about aviation standards_ drinking and have fun crew.
My dad told me that in the late 1960s, he was the last passenger to board a domestic US flight on a 727, as they were holding it for him as his inbound flight was delayed. The door closed and the aircraft pushed back when he was only halfway down the aisle to his seat in the rear, which he discovered was occupied--as were all others on the aircraft. By this time, the plane was taxiing away from the terminal. A somewhat bewildered flight attendant said to follow her, and she put him in her jump seat and stood with her back against a wall in the rear galley. She just hung on to whatever she could during takeoff and landing.
"My dad told me that in the late 1960s, he was the last passenger to board a domestic US flight on a 727, as they were holding it for him as his inbound flight was delayed. The door closed and the aircraft pushed back when he was only halfway down the aisle to his seat" Up to that point I experienced the same in Budapest on a Malev flight (November 1999, coming from SKG, going to AMS). Luckily my seat was a bit more to the front and free.
Same thing happened to me going to Margarita from MIA on Viasa in the early 90s. I was an airline pilot in Canada and I was using a space available pass. I boarded the 727, went to the back and the seats were full. The FA said, "sit here." It was a jumpseat. I sat beside a guy in a suit and thought he was crew. During taxi he never got up to check seat belts. In fact I never saw any crew perform pre flight demos. Turns out this guy was a regular passenger. He said on his last flight they put a guy in the lavatory! During climb, I stood in the galley to stretch my legs. Passengers started lining up and asking me for drinks. I quickly learned to find my way around, cut up a few limes and made Cuba Libras, poured wine and beer. I even found snacks. An hour later the purser comes back, gives me a thumbs up and then leaves!
I've seen that happen once too, on a UAL flight about 10 years ago. Small aircraft, full flight, with one extra crew member who really needed to get back home I guess. He stood in the rear galley and braced himself against the wall during takeoff/landing.
I have flown with Turkmenistan airways from Gatwick to Turkmenistan then on to Bangkok. It was a freaking nightmare. The staff was bonkers. The plane ride was crazy. They drove it like they stole it when taking off and an economy class. It was like an aeroplane movie. I was expecting chickens and goats to walk down the aisle
My dad told me that actually happened on a KLM flight in the sixties to Mecca. Some passengers were planning to butcher the goat and planned to roast it on a campfire in the aisle.
It always amazes me how Noel manages to film on airlines with the most strict no camera rules. Yes he was caught, but the footage wasn’t deleted. Very impressive to say the least.
@@hardopinions ‘The Noel Phillips Airport Security Review’: The segment we don’t really need but would be funny to see at your expense. - Did they warm up the gloves before the cavity search? - Was the pat down therapeutic or a little rushed? - Did TSA squeeze out absolutely all your toothpaste or leave a little leftover? - Were you able to fool the currency sniffing dog by talking a foreign language?
Nah it's cause business class almost always has more lenient luggage allowance for the cabin so they don't bother with weight check or if there's 2 pieces
It's one of those weird culture things there. They treat you different (like really different) if they realize you're not a goat farmer or whatever normally flies their shit airline in sardine class.
@@michaelkitchin9665 LOL you gotta already be hammered to have that amount of balance and poise or have really good sea legs. Being a bass fisherman and no stranger to standing on the front deck of a boat in high wind and swells I have pretty good sea legs so doubt I would have had any issues standing during takeoff either.
I was once on a chartered cargo flight crewed by Eastern Europeans. One fellow set up an electric stove in the galley, put a massive stock pot on the burner, stuck a chicken in that, and preceded to chop vegetables as we were taking off and ascending. I wished I. Plus have taken photos but I didn’t want to risk hurting his feelings they were very kind to me.
eastern Europe was a completely different place back in the day. I was stationed in Germany with the army from 90-94 and had the opportunity to travel alot but mostly did so on trains and met a lot of interesting and wonderful people that way. Especially in Czechoslovakia and Hungary (If you could avoid getting mugged by the gypsy children in Budapest). Loved it
I sometimes get it mixed up with the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. I also confuse Banjul, The Gambia and Bangui, Central African Republic. I have to think for a sec before getting them right.
Turkmenbashi didn't rename a day of the week after his mother, but yes, he did rename the month of April/Aprel after his mother Gurbansoltan. Other months were changed like Oguz for June/Iýun (Oguz is a legendary khan of Turkic people), Baýdak (Turkmen for flag) for February/Fewral, and Sanjar for November/Noýabr (Sanjar was the last ruler of the Seljuks). For the days of the week, Friday (or Anna in Turkmen) was simply changed to Annagün and means "Mother Day", but Friday was already called that before the change. He also closed all hospitals outside Ashgabat to force people to go there and 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 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. Gurbanguly didn't actually rename anything after himself as he gave up that right when he became president, but that of course didn't stop him from building golden statues of himself just like Niyazov as you mentioned as well as going after silly world records! The one with Gurbanguly on horseback at 11:30 was built because he's obsessed with the Turkmen national animal, the Akhal-Teke, which is on Turkmenistan's emblem. The one on the emblem is specifically Niyazov's pet horse Yanardag! Of course, a monument to Yanardag was built in Ashgabat in 2014. After Gurbanguly stepped down in 2022, his son Serdar became president in a snap election. He granted his father the title "National Leader of the Turkmen People".
About 15 years ago I flew from Frankfurt am Main (Germany) to Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) on a Lufthansa Airbus A340-600. There were 6 people on board, including myself.
Noel, thanks for another great video. I'm your fan from Ukraine. We are living through war times within last few years, and your videos are helping me to beat depression and forget about all horror happening around. You are doing very valuable job, for me personally. I appreciate it!
My heart goes out to you, the people of Ukraine. This war needs to stop and Putin needs to withdraw troops immediately. Easier said than done. Your strength is amazing to endure such travesty against man kind. :-)
No problem for those people standing and drinking on takeoff. But who knows what would have happened to you if you were caught filming that sunset lol.
As a former flight attendant with Lufthansa I can very well remember my layovers in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Well, it definitely wasn't the most popular layover-destination 😂 But it was o.k. Our company asked us not to go out alone, if we wanted to do so. When Lufthansa started to fly to ASB in the early 1990's, the atmosphere in that city was a kind of friendly, relaxed post-Soviet Union than in the early 2010's when political tensions in that country grew and the atmosphere was not that pleasant anymore. For us, the crew, it was a perfect hotel-layover to do the annual income tax declaration 😅
I spent a month in Turkmenistan for work. It’s definitely a country that needs to be visited. Ashgabat is surreal but get into the smaller towns and the locals are so friendly. Ashgabat's new airport terminal was opened by President Berdimuhamedov the day before I was due to fly home. Reputed to have cost 2.35 billion US Dollars (with rumours stating in excess of 3 billion) it was indeed very grand. The Falcon shape stands out and at night, a multitude of lights give the impression that it's flapping it's wings. I travelled home the following day being one of the first customers using this terminal. I was one of three.......
Noel, I’ve seen you and Josh Cahill interact and be friendly so just wanted to point out that he spent overnight in the airport hotel while flying Turkmenistan Airlines just recently. Very much enjoyed this view of things also. Thank you for doing what you are doing. Greetings from 🇨🇦
Yes, and I remember that Josh was the only guest at the hotel, and he was simply locked there alone overnight - and by "alone" I mean it literally, there were no hotel staff there either! Fortunately someone did appear in the morning, in time to unlock him, serve him breakfast, and get him on his way for his onward connection.
Haha, I was on a Turkish air flight from Istanbul to Bishkek Kyrgyzstan and it was full of businessmen standing around drinking, plus the certain smell of cigarette smoke throughout the flight.
Oh, Bishkek, I fell in love with that place!! I also took domestic flights there, to Osh and back, and on one of those flights my seat neighbor fastened his seat belt using one half of mine. So I had no seat belt to fasten...but the flight attendants didn't care and I didn't say anything 🤪
That was a walk in the park. I’ve been via Turkmenistan twice. First in 2000, second in 2015. In 2000 the airport was a carbuncle of 70s architecture. We were led into a seating area and , when coming back from the toilets, myself and a friend were approached by a guard/soldier and it was suggested we were taking photos and we were asked for a bribe to sort it out. We stood our ground and got away unscathed. The flight “entertainment” was a continuous loop of the national anthem. The second time was far more impressive - the airport is as it is today, nice and clean and there is even a pretty decent lounge. The architecture of Ashgabat is also quite interesting to say the least with its questionable monoliths and buildings.
It’s not that they censor the sunset. They don’t allow firming because you may ‘accidentally’ film a military base / airport while filming the sunset. How do I know? I’m from a country that formed the same thing
This was really interesting to watch and nerve wracking! Was surprised the guards in the airport didn't tell you to stop filming but luckily for us they didn't so we could experience with you. I know one or two people were giving out about the breaking of rules regarding the filming the sunset etc, however, they were breaking their own rules with the take off situation. I also thought you were respectful as you were complimentary about the flight crew and all and expressing how different things were, odd and fascinating which is a normal reaction in my view . So thank you for the great video.
I had a similar experience on a Faucett airlines flight from Miami to Lima many years ago. Bags stowed on seats, people wandering around during takeoff and landing and the cabin crew ran a bingo session throughout the flight. The bingo actually started before we took off!
🎉🎉🎉 Thank you so Much for what you do. I truly enjoy watching your videos. I’ve been subscribed to your channel for a while now and I absolutely love each one. Oh and CONGRATULATIONS 🎊🎉🎈🍾 on getting over a Half a Million subscribers. That really makes me happy for you. Blessings from Paso Robles, California, Carlos 🙏❤️😀
Had s similar experience in a Moscow to Tbilisi in the mid 90s. Started rolling and everybody else in first class (Georgian elite, at the time) stood up, schmoozed and started drinking. Did so the whole flight. Nice people. Very different era.
Just discovered your channel 3 days ago, watched alot of them and subbed!!! Always interesting, every video is unique, you my sir, have gained a bonafide follower!!! Stay safe, live life, laugh, love and be happy! p.s.- aviation geeks are amazing, don't let the trolls tell you different!
'inadvertently'? It's obvious to anyone that will happen once the vid was uploaded for the whole world to see. Still, to a RUclipsr, views always come first.
I once experienced on an Iberia flight how the pilots seemingly had forgotten to make the anouncement for the cabin crew to take their seats for take off. The plane rolled onto the runway and only then did the pilots speak out the famous words: "cabin crew, please take seats for take off", before immediately pushing the throttle forward. I saw a flight attendant crawl his way up to the jumpseat holding on for dear life to whatever he could find.
The Turkmenistan Airlines flights from BHX used to often leave a nearby gate when I was flying every week. I have never seen so few people take so long to be boarded! I'm sure on more than one occasion it was on final call for longer than it took to open the gate and board the full A320 I was on.
Thanks for sharing this video with us Noel, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially at 25:05 for obvious reasons :) Glad to see you enjoyed the mysterious country of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan facts: Ashgabat International Airport's design was inspired by a falcon which is also the logo of Turkmenistan Airlines. Falconry is a historic part of Turkmen culture, as according to UNESCO, falconry originated in Central Asia and the Iranian Plateau and spread via cultural and trade links to East Asia, North Africa, Europe, and later in the 16th century CE to much of the rest of the world. “Gushchy” is what falconers have been called in Turkmenistan since ancient times. The warriors of Oguz Khan, the founders of the Turkmen nation, the inhabitants of ancient Parthia, and the sultans of the Seljuk dynasty all released their hunting birds on the territory of modern Turkmenistan. The eight-angled star (octagram) you see on Turkmenistan's planes and at the airport (like above and below you at 13:52) is called Rub el Hizb which is an Islamic symbol that helps facilitate the recitation of the Quran. On the Turkmen flag, the carpet on the hoist side of the flag has the traditional designs of the five major Turkmen tribes, the Teke, Yomut, Saryk, Chowdur, and Ärsary. The five stars next to the crescent represent both the five regions of the country (Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary) and the Five Pillars of Islam. Turkmenistan has been able to afford building many marble buildings like Ashgabat's airport and the Ashgabat skyline thanks to large natural gas reserves.
I was the Lead civil engineer for the Dutch team that designed this airport from scratch (a vast empty area) - the terminal itself and the airside facilities, but i never got permission to actually go there and see the end result! Thanks to this video, i finally got to see it!!
I flew on them from PEK to ASB before covid... business class as well. Loved the blankets and the quirky service. Good you got entertainment! We just had a picture of a waterfall the entire flight.
Thanks Noel, this was a great review… I laughed when the guys were standing up drinking on a dry airline… during takeoff … just crazy!!! 😂 I have been watching your channel for a while and completely enjoy your reviews. Good luck on the instrument rating and know you’ll do just fine. ~ Jeff
Flying one day from Marseille to Istanbul, my Turkish Airlines flight was diverted to the secondary airport, Sabhia Gocken (on the Asiatic side of the city) due to heavy squalls at Ataturk. We landed and were instructed to prepare for disembarkation. With luggage and people in the aisles we were then told that we were taking off for Ataturk. We held on as best we could, took off and flew across the Bosporus, making a smooth landing and taxiing to our gate for a much delayed arrival. I believe that the only injury was to a young man that I accidentally hit on the head with my carry on luggage. I’ve never heard of another incident like it until the one you have described!
Good lord. Noel manages to find the craziest plane known to man to review for his audience! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place where so many things are banned it’s not even funny! Noel you were very brave to take your camera around. I thought that lady would snatch that thing right out of your hands at one point! I was worried for you! Fascinating airport though.
Dude you are the bravest podcaster I’ve seen yet. You just never know when countries like that might need a hostage to get one of thier people released. But hey, I loved it!
They wouldn't bother as it would lose their chances of westerners travelling on their flagship airline. After all they need all the foreign currency they can get.
Another good video man. Can't wait for more! I just really appreciate how much bravery you have to fly on these airlines with really strict rules to make videos for us.
How is amazing the place Avaza Caspian waves and birds sing it down Life is so wonderful in motherland My sunny and beautiful Turkmenistan Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan!
The sketchiest flight I ever had was from Manchester to Orlando, I booked it through Thomson holidays as a fly drive package and I think the original airplane may have been replaced by a French ex military looking plane, no inflight anything, no food, no radio, no TV.. the plane was literally falling apart at the seams, including duct tape on the walls. Al, the crew were French and no British speakers or announcers.. it even had some wooden paneling. That was my last time booking Thompson holidays. lol.
You are a brave man, Noel! I had some anxiety for you while watching this vid, but it was extremely interesting and informative. Thank you for flying fearless!
I remember about 30 years ago flying from Amman to Dubai with Air Jordan and the moment we took off the ground everyone in the plane lights up a cigarette, the crew, the passengers, everyone smoked.
I remember people smoking in the 1960's on a flight.Then in the 80's.Everyone seemed to smoke everywhere lol.I've even been in Spanish Banks with the Bank Manager smoking like a chimney offering me a cigarette! Then the Cashiers counting money with a Cig in their mouths lol
I took a HKG>BKK flight in 1986 with Cathay and it was overbooked with around 20 passengers stood in the aisles at the back of a rancid old 747. What was worse - an engine compressor failure - the whole thing rattled the whole way there as we didn't turn back! That was one flight I was glad to get off. Great video - thank you.
I chowed down at the Primeclass Lounge in Frankfurt yesterday when this video was released. The food was okay and it was luckily empty when I arrived but it filled up quickly afterward. Cool lounge.
flew from LED to KBP way back when in Soviet times. No seats left. Stood the whole way, including takeoff and landing. Some places, the rules don't apply. Surprised they're even allowed to fly into FRA.
i was on an internal kingfisher flight in India once where half the passengers were up and milling around during landing, when we hit the runway they all fell over but this did not deter them as they formed a disorderly line the get off while taxiing, the pilot slammed the brakes on at the gate and they all fell over again.
Reminds me of a Dan Air flight I took to Aden in the mid 1960s. They had a small bar and I stood up for hours. I recall not being in the best condition when we arrived and the heat hit me!
As a German, it infuriates me to see how rude the woman at the Frankfurt airport counter was. She doesnt greet him, she doesnt respond to his polite greeting, she just says „invitation“. Incredibly rude. It reminds me how I got into a heated argument with an immigration agent at Willemstad, Curaçao, a few years ago, she was behaving in the same way. This kind of attitude makes me sick
I mean, I can only imagine that, with the Turkmen government policies about outsider travel being what they are, she’s just trying to be as “by the book” as possible to keep her job and not get herself into any trouble.
Wow, Noel! Another incredible journey, even on one of the world's most mysterious airlines. It's remarkable how you navigate through these strict no-camera rules to give us a glimpse into these unique experiences. Can't wait for your next adventure. ✈🌍
Those guys getting on must have been people of some rank within Turkmenistan going to Thailand for partying. The kind of rank or connections that means the crew don’t dare oppose anything they do.
Flew there back in 2010 from Baku (Ashgabat). After spending a night in a hotel headed off to Turkmenbashi. A very interesting trip. I must have shown my passport at least a dozen times to a dozen different people. But the people themselves were fine if not a bit stern. Nobody laughed in the 10 days i stayed there. The flight from Ashgabat to Turkemenbashi was bizzare. Thankfully it stayed in the air when it needed to. Tea and sweets were the offerings on in flight service. Oh almost got arrested by two policeman in Turkmenbashi but thats another story. Next time Noel try and fly inhouse in Turkmenistan. It is possible. Just difficult.
Fascinating insight to Turkmenistan Airlines. In the mid-1990s I took a domestic flight in China (KWL/KMG) and as soon as we touched down about 20 or 30 passengers got up and started taking their luggage from the overhead compartments as we whizzed down the runway at 200kp/h. Cabin crew shouted at them but the passengers took no notice. An experience I don't imagine I'll ever repeat.
Oh well, the same thing can be seen also after a Wizzair landing in Skopje, North Macedonia, or a LOT Polish landing from Tbilisi in Warsaw, you don't have to leave Europe for that....
Turkmenistan used to serve Birmingham with the 777, 737 and 757 I wondered why they served us. They stopped before Covid probably because they got banned flying into EU Airspace. I think Brummies used them as a cheap alternative to Emirates as I believe one of the most popular destinations they connected to was Bangkok and China was second
Brilliant video, filming there took some guts! I've been interested in what Turkmenistan Airlines must be like for a while now, as they visit my local airport in Exeter, Devon quite regularly, apparently operating a charter flight for students.
Really cool, thanks for sharing Noel! The Yes Theory guys spent time in Ashgabat and the country, it seemed like a really unique experience. Perhaps for your next visit with Turkmenistan Airlines? XD
I know you’ve survived it Noel as I seen it on instagram but even I was nervous watching this for you. It seemed like a cheap flight but of course it was a risky flight but thank you for good video again Noel.
The way this video escalated from "Oh I might not be able to enter the country" to "Turkmenistan is basically North Korea" to "Passengers and crew drinking in the aisle during takeoff", you're crazy. What a trip, super ballsy.
"This is your captain Borat speaking. I like you."
Hopefully noone important in Turkmenistan watched this video. Alot of people might lose their jobs.
@@hawky225At the very least 😬
haha
@@hawky225Good point. They miss nothing so it will be seen.
I flew with Turkmenistan from Birmingham to India over 20 years ago, never again!! Almost go arrested at Ashgabat airport for taking a photo of my father drinking out of a china cup on the layover...they proceeded to ask me to take my film out of my digital camera. Madness.
I remember these days, the classic T5 Turkmenistan flight, Air India alternative. Everyone would get this flight instead with the Ashgabat stop over where they would check your passport 10+ times moving from A to B, B to C.
Yes experienced this flight too. Like budget airlines seat space on long haul flight. One to remember though. The airport seems to have been updated a lot since we travelled there 9 years ago.
How can you take film out of a ‘digital’ camera? Do you mean film camera?
@@emirates247he means the security guard don’t even understand his digital camera vs film cameras.
Considering it was at the dawn of the new decade, not surprised. Lol
standing up drinking whisky during takeoff is absolutely gangster
Which is probably more or less what those guys really are.
They are definately somebody somebody not to be mess with that's why crew don't dare get them to sit -
@@Rendarth1exactly, I imagined they were some friend/family of the higher ups, why they weren’t bothered to follow rules at all
Not just that... They didn't even had a conversation about that. Just the regular _why would we care about aviation standards_ drinking and have fun crew.
"Hell low, these is cap tain Borat speaking. Well come on board of my are o plain. Wee whish you have an nice fight."
My dad told me that in the late 1960s, he was the last passenger to board a domestic US flight on a 727, as they were holding it for him as his inbound flight was delayed. The door closed and the aircraft pushed back when he was only halfway down the aisle to his seat in the rear, which he discovered was occupied--as were all others on the aircraft. By this time, the plane was taxiing away from the terminal. A somewhat bewildered flight attendant said to follow her, and she put him in her jump seat and stood with her back against a wall in the rear galley. She just hung on to whatever she could during takeoff and landing.
"My dad told me that in the late 1960s, he was the last passenger to board a domestic US flight on a 727, as they were holding it for him as his inbound flight was delayed. The door closed and the aircraft pushed back when he was only halfway down the aisle to his seat"
Up to that point I experienced the same in Budapest on a Malev flight (November 1999, coming from SKG, going to AMS). Luckily my seat was a bit more to the front and free.
Same thing happened to me going to Margarita from MIA on Viasa in the early 90s. I was an airline pilot in Canada and I was using a space available pass. I boarded the 727, went to the back and the seats were full. The FA said, "sit here." It was a jumpseat. I sat beside a guy in a suit and thought he was crew. During taxi he never got up to check seat belts. In fact I never saw any crew perform pre flight demos. Turns out this guy was a regular passenger. He said on his last flight they put a guy in the lavatory! During climb, I stood in the galley to stretch my legs. Passengers started lining up and asking me for drinks. I quickly learned to find my way around, cut up a few limes and made Cuba Libras, poured wine and beer. I even found snacks. An hour later the purser comes back, gives me a thumbs up and then leaves!
I've seen that happen once too, on a UAL flight about 10 years ago. Small aircraft, full flight, with one extra crew member who really needed to get back home I guess. He stood in the rear galley and braced himself against the wall during takeoff/landing.
What on earth?
@@nightshift5201 Good Ol' Viasa, probably had newer planes than curren DC9s we have coming to the island today
Being German speaking, the conversation between the two ground agents at Frankfurt is absolutely hilarious 😂
what do they say?
They don't understand each other, his German does not seem to be the best. This makes her angry and she says like 'man, you should understand me'
Same! Ich laughed really hard 😂😂
I thought they were speaking spanish lol
Indeed, as working at FRA myself that was my highlight!
Wouldn't be suprised to See Noel knock on the gates of North Korea soon, asking where he can connect to Hawaii 😂
I wouldn’t joke.
I have flown with Turkmenistan airways from Gatwick to Turkmenistan then on to Bangkok. It was a freaking nightmare. The staff was bonkers. The plane ride was crazy. They drove it like they stole it when taking off and an economy class. It was like an aeroplane movie. I was expecting chickens and goats to walk down the aisle
It’s Turkmenistan airlines
I was doing voice to text and it wouldn't let me edit it
My dad told me that actually happened on a KLM flight in the sixties to Mecca. Some passengers were planning to butcher the goat and planned to roast it on a campfire in the aisle.
Thanks for the laugh and for reminding me not to fly Turkmenistan😂
This comment is so funny
At check in they fought like a married couple 😂
It always amazes me how Noel manages to film on airlines with the most strict no camera rules. Yes he was caught, but the footage wasn’t deleted. Very impressive to say the least.
I reckon Noel likes tempting fate, hey?
Swap out your SD cards on a regular basis if you suspect your getting into trouble
@@josh3771 hide them in your shoes
@@AlonsoRules use prison pocket for extra safety!
@@hardopinions ‘The Noel Phillips Airport Security Review’: The segment we don’t really need but would be funny to see at your expense.
- Did they warm up the gloves before the cavity search?
- Was the pat down therapeutic or a little rushed?
- Did TSA squeeze out absolutely all your toothpaste or leave a little leftover?
- Were you able to fool the currency sniffing dog by talking a foreign language?
Haha, "the sunset was highly classified"... made my day :-)
They want to preserve it for in-person tourism..?!
I love how when then found out you were business class they suddenly just said all is ok 😂
Yeah only thing required in that country appears to be having money.
That’s true on most airlines anyway
Nah it's cause business class almost always has more lenient luggage allowance for the cabin so they don't bother with weight check or if there's 2 pieces
Money can be helpful in some cases...Business class= you get better treatment!
It's one of those weird culture things there. They treat you different (like really different) if they realize you're not a goat farmer or whatever normally flies their shit airline in sardine class.
standing and drinking during takeoff is a level of dedication i have never seen before lol
I'd love that kind of balance and poise.
@@michaelkitchin9665 LOL you gotta already be hammered to have that amount of balance and poise or have really good sea legs. Being a bass fisherman and no stranger to standing on the front deck of a boat in high wind and swells I have pretty good sea legs so doubt I would have had any issues standing during takeoff either.
I was once on a chartered cargo flight crewed by Eastern Europeans. One fellow set up an electric stove in the galley, put a massive stock pot on the burner, stuck a chicken in that, and preceded to chop vegetables as we were taking off and ascending. I wished I. Plus have taken photos but I didn’t want to risk hurting his feelings they were very kind to me.
eastern Europe was a completely different place back in the day. I was stationed in Germany with the army from 90-94 and had the opportunity to travel alot but mostly did so on trains and met a lot of interesting and wonderful people that way. Especially in Czechoslovakia and Hungary (If you could avoid getting mugged by the gypsy children in Budapest). Loved it
They learned a lot from their former Russian Komrads.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Ashgabat
lol
that's it, you've given me at last the key to always remember the capital of Turkmenistan
I sometimes get it mixed up with the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. I also confuse Banjul, The Gambia and Bangui, Central African Republic. I have to think for a sec before getting them right.
🤣🤣
😂
You gotta fly Air Koryo now, brother.
My dream flight is on their IL-62 since they're the only ones still using them
Is North Korea even letting in people since Covid?
Hes gotta fly Aeroflot
he might be able to fly with them but we might not hear from him ever again
I went to North Korea is 2015, flew their Tu-204 into Pyongyang from Beijing. The plane made many unusual noises. Kinda freaky.
Turkmenbashi didn't rename a day of the week after his mother, but yes, he did rename the month of April/Aprel after his mother Gurbansoltan. Other months were changed like Oguz for June/Iýun (Oguz is a legendary khan of Turkic people), Baýdak (Turkmen for flag) for February/Fewral, and Sanjar for November/Noýabr (Sanjar was the last ruler of the Seljuks). For the days of the week, Friday (or Anna in Turkmen) was simply changed to Annagün and means "Mother Day", but Friday was already called that before the change. He also closed all hospitals outside Ashgabat to force people to go there and 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 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.
Gurbanguly didn't actually rename anything after himself as he gave up that right when he became president, but that of course didn't stop him from building golden statues of himself just like Niyazov as you mentioned as well as going after silly world records! The one with Gurbanguly on horseback at 11:30 was built because he's obsessed with the Turkmen national animal, the Akhal-Teke, which is on Turkmenistan's emblem. The one on the emblem is specifically Niyazov's pet horse Yanardag! Of course, a monument to Yanardag was built in Ashgabat in 2014. After Gurbanguly stepped down in 2022, his son Serdar became president in a snap election. He granted his father the title "National Leader of the Turkmen People".
About 15 years ago I flew from Frankfurt am Main (Germany) to Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) on a Lufthansa Airbus A340-600. There were 6 people on board, including myself.
Why you wanna go there ? 😂
@@AS-fn3qk was Business trip.
Via Baku? I did that trip several times
2:29 the dynamic between two groud agents is funny😂 2:29
bureaucracy at its finest
@@timeisahumanconstruct9251 Nah, typical patriarchal socialites. She got the job knowing English, German, Russian and Turkmen, he just pretended😂
that was a bit funny, but that older lady agent had it all together. Well done !!
Noel, thanks for another great video. I'm your fan from Ukraine. We are living through war times within last few years, and your videos are helping me to beat depression and forget about all horror happening around. You are doing very valuable job, for me personally. I appreciate it!
My heart goes out to you, the people of Ukraine. This war needs to stop and Putin needs to withdraw troops immediately. Easier said than done. Your strength is amazing to endure such travesty against man kind. :-)
I'm so sorry you have to go through so much turmoil and heartache brought upon you by that tyrant, Putin. I can't imagine. ❤
All the best my friend I hope and pray for you and your country and for peace, the Russians are evil
All the best to you and your beautiful country!!🫶🫶🫶
All the best. We stand with & pray.
$5 says Noel is never flying Turkmenistan airlines ever again.
He shouldn't.
Ya he’s definitely on a no fly list there now 😅😂
Seeing that he gave you a heart for your comment, seems you are right on point.
No problem for those people standing and drinking on takeoff.
But who knows what would have happened to you if you were caught filming that sunset lol.
As a former flight attendant with Lufthansa I can very well remember my layovers in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Well, it definitely wasn't the most popular layover-destination 😂
But it was o.k. Our company asked us not to go out alone, if we wanted to do so.
When Lufthansa started to fly to ASB in the early 1990's, the atmosphere in that city was a kind of friendly, relaxed post-Soviet Union than in the early 2010's when political tensions in that country grew and the atmosphere was not that pleasant anymore.
For us, the crew, it was a perfect hotel-layover to do the annual income tax declaration 😅
First Josh tried it, now Noel. What a strange country! Who knew sunsets could be censored!
Yeah, one RUclipsr does it then another. Nothing original here.
Which Josh?
I’m from OMA and it’s always a treat to hear us mentioned. Surprised it happened to be in a video about Turkmenistan!
I spent a month in Turkmenistan for work. It’s definitely a country that needs to be visited. Ashgabat is surreal but get into the smaller towns and the locals are so friendly.
Ashgabat's new airport terminal was opened by President Berdimuhamedov the day before I was due to fly home. Reputed to have cost 2.35 billion US Dollars (with rumours stating in excess of 3 billion) it was indeed very grand. The Falcon shape stands out and at night, a multitude of lights give the impression that it's flapping it's wings.
I travelled home the following day being one of the first customers using this terminal. I was one of three.......
"Needs to be visited", yeah nah
Noel, I’ve seen you and Josh Cahill interact and be friendly so just wanted to point out that he spent overnight in the airport hotel while flying Turkmenistan Airlines just recently. Very much enjoyed this view of things also. Thank you for doing what you are doing. Greetings from 🇨🇦
Yes, and I remember that Josh was the only guest at the hotel, and he was simply locked there alone overnight - and by "alone" I mean it literally, there were no hotel staff there either! Fortunately someone did appear in the morning, in time to unlock him, serve him breakfast, and get him on his way for his onward connection.
And he always calls you Noil.
The flimsy airport hotel with the broken light fixtures and furnishings? 😅
You can see some of the same people in that video as well. Brilliant.
Haha, I was on a Turkish air flight from Istanbul to Bishkek Kyrgyzstan and it was full of businessmen standing around drinking, plus the certain smell of cigarette smoke throughout the flight.
🙀
Oh, Bishkek, I fell in love with that place!! I also took domestic flights there, to Osh and back, and on one of those flights my seat neighbor fastened his seat belt using one half of mine. So I had no seat belt to fasten...but the flight attendants didn't care and I didn't say anything 🤪
God, that's so baller, haha
That was a walk in the park.
I’ve been via Turkmenistan twice. First in 2000, second in 2015.
In 2000 the airport was a carbuncle of 70s architecture. We were led into a seating area and , when coming back from the toilets, myself and a friend were approached by a guard/soldier and it was suggested we were taking photos and we were asked for a bribe to sort it out. We stood our ground and got away unscathed. The flight “entertainment” was a continuous loop of the national anthem.
The second time was far more impressive - the airport is as it is today, nice and clean and there is even a pretty decent lounge. The architecture of Ashgabat is also quite interesting to say the least with its questionable monoliths and buildings.
What did you think of the then cult of personality, Türkmenbaşy? Did you read his book while there?
Imagine listening to a national anthem out loud for ten plus hours. (That is if it's not the Azeri one. That one can play forever!)
It’s not that they censor the sunset. They don’t allow firming because you may ‘accidentally’ film a military base / airport while filming the sunset. How do I know? I’m from a country that formed the same thing
This was really interesting to watch and nerve wracking! Was surprised the guards in the airport didn't tell you to stop filming but luckily for us they didn't so we could experience with you. I know one or two people were giving out about the breaking of rules regarding the filming the sunset etc, however, they were breaking their own rules with the take off situation. I also thought you were respectful as you were complimentary about the flight crew and all and expressing how different things were, odd and fascinating which is a normal reaction in my view . So thank you for the great video.
Thank you for your kind words.
@@noelphilipsdo you know the plane you flew on?
Nevermind you said it, but nice video too
I had a similar experience on a Faucett airlines flight from Miami to Lima many years ago. Bags stowed on seats, people wandering around during takeoff and landing and the cabin crew ran a bingo session throughout the flight. The bingo actually started before we took off!
🎉🎉🎉 Thank you so Much for what you do. I truly enjoy watching your videos. I’ve been subscribed to your channel for a while now and I absolutely love each one.
Oh and
CONGRATULATIONS 🎊🎉🎈🍾 on getting over a Half a Million subscribers. That really makes me happy for you. Blessings from Paso Robles, California, Carlos 🙏❤️😀
Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you Noel! Been watching you for a few years and always enjoy your videos!!
When you think about it. Noel does look a bit like the perfect spy.
Had s similar experience in a Moscow to Tbilisi in the mid 90s. Started rolling and everybody else in first class (Georgian elite, at the time) stood up, schmoozed and started drinking. Did so the whole flight. Nice people. Very different era.
Just discovered your channel 3 days ago, watched alot of them and subbed!!! Always interesting, every video is unique, you my sir, have gained a bonafide follower!!! Stay safe, live life, laugh, love and be happy! p.s.- aviation geeks are amazing, don't let the trolls tell you different!
Noel just inadvertently had that second flight crew jailed for life😂 lol.
Well, nah, they're now just operating a bodega in New York City...
'inadvertently'? It's obvious to anyone that will happen once the vid was uploaded for the whole world to see. Still, to a RUclipsr, views always come first.
@@Frank_Nemo They'd still be nothing without people like us watching, so who's really at fault here?
😂😂😂😂😂
😂
I once experienced on an Iberia flight how the pilots seemingly had forgotten to make the anouncement for the cabin crew to take their seats for take off. The plane rolled onto the runway and only then did the pilots speak out the famous words: "cabin crew, please take seats for take off", before immediately pushing the throttle forward. I saw a flight attendant crawl his way up to the jumpseat holding on for dear life to whatever he could find.
The Turkmenistan Airlines flights from BHX used to often leave a nearby gate when I was flying every week. I have never seen so few people take so long to be boarded! I'm sure on more than one occasion it was on final call for longer than it took to open the gate and board the full A320 I was on.
Thanks for sharing this video with us Noel, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially at 25:05 for obvious reasons :) Glad to see you enjoyed the mysterious country of Turkmenistan.
That was a fun vid, wacky and wild experience! Cheers for sharing Noel!
Turkmenistan facts: Ashgabat International Airport's design was inspired by a falcon which is also the logo of Turkmenistan Airlines. Falconry is a historic part of Turkmen culture, as according to UNESCO, falconry originated in Central Asia and the Iranian Plateau and spread via cultural and trade links to East Asia, North Africa, Europe, and later in the 16th century CE to much of the rest of the world. “Gushchy” is what falconers have been called in Turkmenistan since ancient times. The warriors of Oguz Khan, the founders of the Turkmen nation, the inhabitants of ancient Parthia, and the sultans of the Seljuk dynasty all released their hunting birds on the territory of modern Turkmenistan.
The eight-angled star (octagram) you see on Turkmenistan's planes and at the airport (like above and below you at 13:52) is called Rub el Hizb which is an Islamic symbol that helps facilitate the recitation of the Quran. On the Turkmen flag, the carpet on the hoist side of the flag has the traditional designs of the five major Turkmen tribes, the Teke, Yomut, Saryk, Chowdur, and Ärsary. The five stars next to the crescent represent both the five regions of the country (Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary) and the Five Pillars of Islam. Turkmenistan has been able to afford building many marble buildings like Ashgabat's airport and the Ashgabat skyline thanks to large natural gas reserves.
Wasn't expecting an Omaha, NE shout in this video - happy to say that's my home airport and it's never a stressful place to depart from
I was the Lead civil engineer for the Dutch team that designed this airport from scratch (a vast empty area) - the terminal itself and the airside facilities, but i never got permission to actually go there and see the end result! Thanks to this video, i finally got to see it!!
Whoa small world 😅 & casually being an airport designer . Cool stuff
I flew on them from PEK to ASB before covid... business class as well. Loved the blankets and the quirky service. Good you got entertainment! We just had a picture of a waterfall the entire flight.
Thanks Noel, this was a great review… I laughed when the guys were standing up drinking on a dry airline… during takeoff … just crazy!!! 😂 I have been watching your channel for a while and completely enjoy your reviews. Good luck on the instrument rating and know you’ll do just fine. ~ Jeff
Thank you! Appreciate the support! Noel
I expect a few "missing" Turkmenistan crew after this video is published.
Noel’s Qatar Airways moment!!
You bet? From what I see, they wouldnt care less. The committee will probably laugh over it.
I just "Love" your Great Sense of Humour!! Many thanks from Canada!!
Wow, thank you!
Oh my, what a strange airline indeed. Didn't seem too bad despite the camera ban. Thank u for the backstory Noel!
Flying one day from Marseille to Istanbul, my Turkish Airlines flight was diverted to the secondary airport, Sabhia Gocken (on the Asiatic side of the city) due to heavy squalls at Ataturk. We landed and were instructed to prepare for disembarkation. With luggage and people in the aisles we were then told that we were taking off for Ataturk. We held on as best we could, took off and flew across the Bosporus, making a smooth landing and taxiing to our gate for a much delayed arrival. I believe that the only injury was to a young man that I accidentally hit on the head with my carry on luggage. I’ve never heard of another incident like it until the one you have described!
My heart jumped every time you pulled your camera out! Thanks for taking one for the team Noel and showing us this super weird airline!
Noel has a magnet in him that attracts him to experience weird flights.
Good lord. Noel manages to find the craziest plane known to man to review for his audience! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place where so many things are banned it’s not even funny!
Noel you were very brave to take your camera around. I thought that lady would snatch that thing right out of your hands at one point! I was worried for you! Fascinating airport though.
your mischievous smile when you get through security screening never gets old
Great review Noel between you and Josh Cahill you take chances and show the good, the bad and dangerous, superb pal cheers
I LOVED that check-in agent in FRA. You can tell she is a real character. And I say that in a good way.
GREAT video, Noel, as always!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dude you are the bravest podcaster I’ve seen yet. You just never know when countries like that might need a hostage to get one of thier people released. But hey, I loved it!
They wouldn't bother as it would lose their chances of westerners travelling on their flagship airline. After all they need all the foreign currency they can get.
Brave, haha, good one that made me laugh
I don't think the UK has reasonable diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan so I don't think that would happen
😂😅😂
You watch so many movies man...
You really take some fascinating flights that are not taken by many passengers. Huge Respect for your effort and love all your videos.
So nice of you
I kept called it Asgard in my mind every time you said Ashgabat. Great video. That breakfast meal actually looked half decent.
I worked 18 months in Turkmenistan. The flights were the least strange aspect of that time.
Another good video man. Can't wait for more! I just really appreciate how much bravery you have to fly on these airlines with really strict rules to make videos for us.
I really enjoyed every minute of that. You're a brave guy! Well done.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Noel brilliant video ! I actually felt nervous too just watching this adventure.😃👍
Thanks! 👍
How is amazing the place Avaza
Caspian waves and birds sing it down
Life is so wonderful in motherland
My sunny and beautiful Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan!
I was always curious about the aversion to airlines and photos/video.
Im surprised they let you film in Frankfurt to be honest.
Cool vid! Well done.
Enjoyed the watch! Thanks for taking us along!
Glad you enjoyed it
I have seen Turkmenistan Airlines at FRA pretty often, always wondered how they were. Thanks for this peek inside!
The sketchiest flight I ever had was from Manchester to Orlando, I booked it through Thomson holidays as a fly drive package and I think the original airplane may have been replaced by a French ex military looking plane, no inflight anything, no food, no radio, no TV.. the plane was literally falling apart at the seams, including duct tape on the walls. Al, the crew were French and no British speakers or announcers.. it even had some wooden paneling. That was my last time booking Thompson holidays. lol.
Great job. One of the best videos of Turkmenistan I've seen.
Wow, what a fascinating experience that was. It lived up to your description. Well done mate
You are a brave man, Noel! I had some anxiety for you while watching this vid, but it was extremely interesting and informative. Thank you for flying fearless!
The only channel with actual toilet flush sounds as a sound effect
Always watch your latest jolly before Sunday lunch here in Scagglethorpe, North Yorks.
Thank you for sharing your interesting airline.😮😊
I remember about 30 years ago flying from Amman to Dubai with Air Jordan and the moment we took off the ground everyone in the plane lights up a cigarette, the crew, the passengers, everyone smoked.
I remember people smoking in the 1960's on a flight.Then in the 80's.Everyone seemed to smoke everywhere lol.I've even been in Spanish Banks with the Bank Manager smoking like a chimney offering me a cigarette! Then the Cashiers counting money with a Cig in their mouths lol
I took a HKG>BKK flight in 1986 with Cathay and it was overbooked with around 20 passengers stood in the aisles at the back of a rancid old 747. What was worse - an engine compressor failure - the whole thing rattled the whole way there as we didn't turn back! That was one flight I was glad to get off. Great video - thank you.
I chowed down at the Primeclass Lounge in Frankfurt yesterday when this video was released. The food was okay and it was luckily empty when I arrived but it filled up quickly afterward. Cool lounge.
I think Noel's friendly demeanor helps him get through difficult situations.😊
What a video 😊I was laughing all the way. Looking forward to this series. Great work 😊😊
flew from LED to KBP way back when in Soviet times. No seats left. Stood the whole way, including takeoff and landing. Some places, the rules don't apply. Surprised they're even allowed to fly into FRA.
i was on an internal kingfisher flight in India once where half the passengers were up and milling around during landing, when we hit the runway they all fell over but this did not deter them as they formed a disorderly line the get off while taxiing, the pilot slammed the brakes on at the gate and they all fell over again.
Reminds me of a Dan Air flight I took to Aden in the mid 1960s. They had a small bar and I stood up for hours. I recall not being in the best condition when we arrived and the heat hit me!
As a longtime viewer of your channel, this review was by far my favorite ❤️
especially the loo review!
As a German, it infuriates me to see how rude the woman at the Frankfurt airport counter was. She doesnt greet him, she doesnt respond to his polite greeting, she just says „invitation“. Incredibly rude. It reminds me how I got into a heated argument with an immigration agent at Willemstad, Curaçao, a few years ago, she was behaving in the same way. This kind of attitude makes me sick
She's clearly not German. See what happens when you allow anyone to claim they belong in your country?
yeah, also when he mentionned the carry one she directly goes to policing about weight. As a former German, this is peak german attitude.
I thought she was reasonably pleasant, I've certainly come across worse.
Yes, I liked Germany and it's cordial people.
I mean, I can only imagine that, with the Turkmen government policies about outsider travel being what they are, she’s just trying to be as “by the book” as possible to keep her job and not get herself into any trouble.
Wow, Noel! Another incredible journey, even on one of the world's most mysterious airlines. It's remarkable how you navigate through these strict no-camera rules to give us a glimpse into these unique experiences. Can't wait for your next adventure. ✈🌍
Many thanks!
Another amazing Trip. Well Done. If you every come to the state of CT please let me know.
Those guys getting on must have been people of some rank within Turkmenistan going to Thailand for partying. The kind of rank or connections that means the crew don’t dare oppose anything they do.
Yes had the exact same thought must be high-ranking government or business people.
@@MrCjjuengst...or mafia.
@@alpinion323 same thing as above :)
Flew there back in 2010 from Baku (Ashgabat). After spending a night in a hotel headed off to Turkmenbashi. A very interesting trip. I must have shown my passport at least a dozen times to a dozen different people. But the people themselves were fine if not a bit stern. Nobody laughed in the 10 days i stayed there. The flight from Ashgabat to Turkemenbashi was bizzare. Thankfully it stayed in the air when it needed to. Tea and sweets were the offerings on in flight service. Oh almost got arrested by two policeman in Turkmenbashi but thats another story. Next time Noel try and fly inhouse in Turkmenistan. It is possible. Just difficult.
Thanks again Noel.
Enjoyed The Video 👍
Fascinating insight to Turkmenistan Airlines. In the mid-1990s I took a domestic flight in China (KWL/KMG) and as soon as we touched down about 20 or 30 passengers got up and started taking their luggage from the overhead compartments as we whizzed down the runway at 200kp/h. Cabin crew shouted at them but the passengers took no notice. An experience I don't imagine I'll ever repeat.
Oh well, the same thing can be seen also after a Wizzair landing in Skopje, North Macedonia, or a LOT Polish landing from Tbilisi in Warsaw, you don't have to leave Europe for that....
Turkmenistan used to serve Birmingham with the 777, 737 and 757 I wondered why they served us. They stopped before Covid probably because they got banned flying into EU Airspace. I think Brummies used them as a cheap alternative to Emirates as I believe one of the most popular destinations they connected to was Bangkok and China was second
Brilliant video, filming there took some guts! I've been interested in what Turkmenistan Airlines must be like for a while now, as they visit my local airport in Exeter, Devon quite regularly, apparently operating a charter flight for students.
Glad you enjoyed it
I work in a building at the end of Exeter’s runway. There is a certain irony that such a reclusive airline and country is a common sight in Exeter!
Really cool, thanks for sharing Noel! The Yes Theory guys spent time in Ashgabat and the country, it seemed like a really unique experience. Perhaps for your next visit with Turkmenistan Airlines? XD
You and Josh Cahill are insane but I love your videos 👍
You the man Noel!!! Hope Rache is well!!
I was so nervous for that flight you took, never again young Man ! Glad you’re safe
I know you’ve survived it Noel as I seen it on instagram but even I was nervous watching this for you. It seemed like a cheap flight but of course it was a risky flight but thank you for good video again Noel.
What a hilarious check in experience lol. Don't mess with Auntie!!!
I think the guy was the station manager for Turkmenistan Airlines while the lady was just a simple checkin agent. Yet she put him on his place :D
Glad to see I wasn't the only one impressed with her!
Its Noel O'clock..... sounds like we're in for a good one 👍
I love the music subtly in the background of the entire video.