Flying to St Helena Airport

This trip to the St. Helena Airport took place on 15 February 2020, before the major current travel restrictions. Here's a video with my thoughts on that situation:
jeb.flights/travel
This video is about flying to the St. Helena Airport. St. Helena Airport is one of the most challenging airports in the world. Less than ten commercial airline pilots are certified to land here!
At either end of the runway are massive cliffs, which create challenging wind conditions.
I’ve wanted to visit St. Helena for a long time. When the St. Helena Airport received its first commercial flight in 2017, the trip became far more viable for me. Before St. Helena Airport opened, a trip there required a five day boat trip just to get there.
St. Helena’s role in the Age of Exploration cannot be understated. The Portuguese used St. Helena as a secret base for restocking their ships (they left a heard of goats and planted citrus trees. It then became a key possession of the British East India Company before it was suddenly converted into a prison for the world’s most feared man - Napoleon. He died there, too. Today, it’s a fascinating British Overseas Territory accessed thanks to the St. Helena Airport.
In this video, we’ll explore the flight’s route, the passenger experience, and even peak behind the scenes at the St. Helena Airport to understand how it all works.
Here’s a link to the unedited take-off and landing footage:
• Airlink E190 St Helena...
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Music:
Feels Right - Cody Francis
She Folded a Paper Plane - Franz Gordon
Big World for a Minnow - Trevor Kowalski
Starting Again - Cody Francis
Lion’s Drift - Trevor Kowalski
Fair Fight - Martin Klem
Come Find Me - Out Linear
Alien Comedienne - Radio Night

[@GreenerGrass]

*PLEASE NOTE* I took this flight before the current travel restrictions. I am no longer traveling and recommend the same for you. #StayHome! For the latest information about traveling to St. Helena, check this website: jeb.flights/HLEtravel

[@anishraja9655]

thx i have loved your channel. Especially considering you live in Atlantra, where I live.

[@kberry9822]

He lives in Greensboro

[@johnsymons76]

Jeb, Thank you SO much for flying to Saint Helena! I have been anxiously awaiting this vlog. Looking forward to your upcoming reports. Take care and stay safe. ♥️🙏🏽🛫🌎

[@hunterchapman4483]

Hi jeb remember elon musk the gamer? Thats me, i am staying safe inside, and thnaks for reading my comment on the bday stream, i appreciate your content during theese times, from, Hunter

[@hunterchapman4483]

Also, i seem that sam chui only shows expensive seats, but you give us history, which i love and i love that you dont just show your flight, but also the history, and why its important, i really appriciate this video because i am i. The state with the most cases for the whole u.s, and knowing you also shared a birthday on the same day made me not feel alone, and thank you for still getting out content, and if you could, please reply to this so i know you saw it, i also have a quesrion, do you ever watch sam chui?

[@Wendoverproductions]

It's great to see more people going to St Helena! It might be the most amazing place I've ever visited

[@GreenerGrass]

You certainly have a lot of fans on the island! I can’t wait to return. As you said, it’s such a friendly place!!

[@suenodeposadas]

I never thought I would find you here.

[@vinaymadhugiri3]

Most people: Avengers Endgame was the most ambitious crossover in history Sam from Wendover: Hold My Beer

[@MrChaitusk3]

I watch Wendover Productions video as soon as I see the notification. One of my favs..

[@joannaswerdlow7426]

Love you wendover

[@gj1234567899999]

Seriously the St Helena tourism department should give you some kind of reward! I want to go there now!!!

[@PapaVanTwee5]

I watched the Wendover video on this, and it was an impressive feat! Can't wait to see your take on it.

[@HillelFriedler]

Yay a wendover fan do you watch half as interesting as well?

[@camerakid2311]

Same

[@steveharrison1765]

Great documentary by Wendover productions on this Airport and island. I never knew it was a British Colony shame on me I'm British 😂😂😂

[@leefrancis2962]

Same

[@chrisding1976]

@@steveharrison1765 hard to remember everything when almost everything used to be British

[@francois8069]

We built that airport! Ons of the best jobs i ever worked on. Im South African

[@francois8069]

@-a e no idea mate, havent lived there since the airport was done. But i dont recall that

[@wadahbottle]

R/whooosh

[@nandowzmhlongo]

Whereabout in South Africa are you from? I'm from Richards Bay KZN.

[@BusTravelinMan]

Hello, my name is Toon from Holland and I watched the video about the airport on St. Helena with great interest. I saw in the comments that you write that you worked at the airport. Maybe you can answer some questions that I'm very curious about. These are questions about how they built this airport. How did they get all the construction equipment and building materials there? And how did they get or make all the asphalt with which the runway was made? The planes are also refueled there for the return flight. But how do they get that kerosene (jet fuel) on that island? Quite a few questions but thank you in advance for an answer!

[@MarcoV_dj]

@-a e it doesn't look that deserted to have a Wilson bud yet.

[@quan-oh-re2258]

Hi, I am a descendent from st Helena. My grandpa was born there and move to Durban South Africa I believe in his early twenties. I gave been dying to make this trip for a long time and hopefully when this pandemic is over I will do. This video is the highlight of my week thank you Jeb

[@billywatson8551]

As a flight attendant for a major US airline and fellow AV geek, I always enjoy watching your content Jeb. Very informative with splashes of kind humor mixed in. Stay safe during this period of uncertainty and the industry will be looking forward to welcoming you back aboard when things normalize!!

[@helanat9477]

Im glad to hear that Jeb is staying safe and still posting while we all go insane stuck at home.

[@victoriagirowetz]

Helana T true

[@YULTraveler-]

Thank you M Brooks, because of your video, I am going to St-Helena in December for 10 days. I am one of your followers and I loved that video and the way you present it. Now I am going and I can't wait. Thanks a million times. Benoit

[@delanaprithilall7654]

I'm so excited to see there is a airport my grandfather is from St Helena, I'm so planning on visiting as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

[@kidsok98]

Hope you will. Cheers from Argentina

[@dennis141288]

@@kidsok98 please don't try to claim this island, too.

[@marcostj01]

@@dennis141288 say that to the Special Committee on Decolonization of the UN

[@Wookieeoo]

We're probably related

[@leroypharezsias4064]

My great great grandma from my dad side is from there and so are many families residing in Cape Town and even know 2 who live in my home town, Hout Bay.

[@kirt121]

What a watch this was. As an Englishman with heritage in Saint Helena ( My grandparents were born there ) I cannot wait to one day visit. It will be a special moment for me

[@miscellaneoussarnian5282]

Saint Helena is such an untouched gem of the South Atlantic, along with her sister islands Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. 🇸🇭

[@SK-ik5zi]

Great video, great flight. St. Helena airport has a very interesting history. As a Brazilian, a have to say that for us Embraer is a reason for pride.

[@davidhume6363]

3 years late to the party but I have just arrived on St Helena to try out a job. Your video was my guide thank you, spot on. Only update is an airbridge to the plane! Landing was the most amazing experience popping out below the cloud base and being confronted with massive unforgiving cliffs is a truly unforgettable experience. Thanks again Jeb

[@GreenerGrass]

Best of luck! I hope to get back to St Helena again soon!!

[@davidhume6363]

@@GreenerGrass been here a week, what a magical place!

[@Sushibites160]

@@davidhume6363hi! Where are you from? I’m interested in traveling to St. Helena but just as a tourist, nothing work related. Did you have to apply for a visa? How is the country and weather like? Please keep me updated!! 🫶🏻

[@RubbishGimpy]

Amazing stuff. How much is the flight?

[@napoleonwon9196]

You forgot to mention that the airport is at nearly 1,000 ft amsl with drops straight into the ocean at either end. And about 1/3 of the runway, at the southern end, had to be built up 600 or 700 ft to fill in a valley! This was a huge civil engineering project in its time. I stood on each end of the runway during late construction and looked down into the sea! It was scary! All that said, I preferred to visit St Helana (twice) by ship. It added to the mystic and sense of isolation.

[@josephpickard3108]

I had a friend at university who grew up there. He was really interesting in that he was like a person from another planet. He had an English accent, but one from the 1960s. His cultural references were so limited because of the isolation that everything seemed new and innovative. The day he came to the UK for study, he said, was like going to the Moon. The tube system was a nightmare, nobody would help him get to the train station and people made fun of his hat.

[@lvke_dylan]

Who was your freind I may know him

[@beverlyw.8196]

That is a sad situation for your friend. I hope things are going better for him now.

[@beverlyw.8196]

That is a sad situation for your friend. I hope things are going better for him now.

[@blackmamba5380]

This is something that happens a lot. The same happens to me when from a small island in the Aegean Sea i had to go to Athens for studies where all " clever " students wants to go. People with such specific roots with every possible obstacles they may deal with are worth to be admired not just hoping for them the best saying that from our safety. It may also happen that they are not such idiots as most people often think of them usually starting from the very first moment they hear the name of place they come from without knowing anything else about this person. His english would only be a problem for sofisticated people who think they know everything...

[@sportingdirector1]

NOT THE HAT!!!

[@atxgti4218]

Where can I give this a “love” rather than a “like?” 😊 what a cool experience! I’ve watched a video about this airports development and it’s pretty cool what they had to overcome due to the steep cliffs at either edge of the runway.

[@richardfrancis5406]

Thank you....awesome aviation and travel video...That is like the most deserted place on earth with commercial jet service.....I cannot think of anywhere else like it...

[@stephenburnage7687]

Easter Island, maybe?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Nice Jeb! Was that your flight crew in front of you as you were heading down the escalators?

[@GreenerGrass]

Thanks so much for watching, Paul!! As you know, your QF 747 retirement video was amazing. (In case someone reading this comment hasn’t seen that video, here’s a link 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH25kJhmrKeZfpI) I think that was our crew, but I’m not 100% sure...

[@radicalnomad1]

I'm intrigued by remote areas so I decided to see if I can find videos about St Helena, and what do you know, it's my favorite aviation KZbinr!! 💯💯

[@larryfisher7056]

I took this flight in September 2019. Your excitement was shared by everyone on board my flight also. The aircrew got an enthusiastic round of applause while taxiing to the terminal. This trip was on my bucket list for about 50 years.

[@itsashyyt3336]

Can't wait for this video! I also watched the Wendover Video on this. Stay safe in quarantine as well!

[@khaccanhle1930]

I'm very glad that the people at St Helena were finally able to get an airport. I know what it's like to be in an isolated location with no quick way to get help with things like medical help or repairs of something important breaks. By the way, I've been into Paro airport twice. It's a real hoot.

[@OliviaAndreoli]

The Paro airport is my favorite in the world!

[@christophersmith5849]

went to St helena over 30 years ago when there wasn't much there, i did get a beer in the pub at the top of the hill and had a great time walking the beaches watching the turtles, amazing when your only 14 to be in such an isolated place

[@nycflyertravel]

Amazing video! This flight has been on my list ever since it started a few years ago. Thanks for shining the spotlight on St. Helena!

[@trekkermueth3074]

I too enjoy a window seat. I was surprised at how dry Namibia is. I've never been that far South in Africa. Thank you for sharing your adventure to St. Helena. I hope we are all flying again soon. Stay safe.

[@edwalenigroup2976]

Anyone who has watched the documentary on the creation of this airport will know why the Embraer 190 was preferred. Embraer the company brought out their technical team and digitally mapped the various flight conditions the airport faces and added it to the E-190 flight software. That documentary will also explain why the airport was built where it was and why the challenges of the wind weren't clear until it was closer to be finished.

[@johnnyboy3949]

You need to go on the raf flight from the U.K. to the falklands. I’ve not done it yet but it’s on my list!

[@guyshaw]

At last! Been waiting for this video ever since you told us about it! Thanks Jeb. Your videos are informative and to the point without unnecessary footage and commentary. Take care. See you in the skies :)

[@imrankhawaja7480]

I think u r the first and only one blogger to go their by plane ... I appreciate u ❤🇶🇦

[@justinsolomon3951]

My friend was on that flight with you. Small world.

[@achkzafandi4467]

Your whatsapp I whnt ask you plz?

[@hunterchapman4483]

Guys, listen to Jeb! Stay inside, but if you can stay 6 feet apart go outside daily, remember only fly when abaulutly needed too

[@MrVielanda]

I flew to SH in austral winter in 2018, it was one of the first winter flights since the inauguration and the situation was probably even more extreme. The JNB-HLE leg was just perfect, as in your video, and seeing the island coming out of nowhere in the South Atlantic is really unforgettable. For the return journey from SH the plane could not come back the following week as there was either wind or fog, so it only got there four days later to pick us up! It's just that extreme but that's exactly what makes it so magical and the ultimate trip for any geek. St Helena somehow continues to try to remain remote... It's the closest you'll ever get to landing on an aircraft carrier. Thanks for the video

[@zachmatt3]

Can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to this. I recall when the airport opened, and became interested in a place I never knew existed. Thanks for a great adventure.

[@avioncamper]

More Jeb, yeah..... One week stuck at home and I'm going bonkers.

[@victoriagirowetz]

avioncamper Me to

[@kberry9822]

Same

[@aqimjulayhi8798]

I've been stuck for 3 weeks now, another week to go unless the govt announces an extension(most likely)

[@diannegoldthorpe4833]

Thanks for your travel videos Jeb your helping keep the nation safe. My bucket list is getting longer and that makes me happy 🙂

[@diannegoldthorpe4833]

Sane and safe. Someone fix my auto correct the replies are getting crazy! Lol

[@swisspuppy]

I want to go to St. Helena because not only hard to reach there but also the historic sight of Napoleon’s final destination. Thanks for your lovely video.

[@juniorcampbell2980]

This trip is on my bucket list. Thanks for the video

[@Koji.Lee.29]

Your channel just gets better and better and I think it’s already about 1 year of me watching your vids and I can see It actually has improved keep it up Jeb😀

[@HoneyBadgerFarm]

We were in that gate area at JNB in December....and we get the same feeling as well. Both times we were headed to Maun.

[@louier9033]

Couldn't agree more with what you said about the window views over Africa.

[@prestonsaviation8480]

Amazing trip report Jeb! I’m so glad you shared this unique and one of a kind airport with us!

[@adaiku]

Thanks for the video. Had long thought of going to St. Helena, intrigued by the isolation and thought of five days by ship just to get there. Still intrigued, but can't help feeling something is lost when one of the world's most isolated places isn't that isolated anymore. Still, that flight though doesn't look exactly 'easy,' and am sure regular air service is great for those who live there. Thanks again!

[@dimitrigutzwiller829]

I have been there las year! It's absolutely a fantastic Island 😍. And history of this Island and Napoleon is incredible. But the flight remains one of the best things ever, the landing is so challenging! There is also a stop in Namibia for refueling, for the case, they can't land due to some very strong winds.

[@rogeryoung8429]

Jeb! Thank you thank you for this video! St Helena is a major bucket list trip for me. The availability of this airport is so monumental for the island and travel options. Thank you for also providing interesting info about airport operations, the meteorological aspect etc. Very informative and interesting!

[@kberry9822]

The E-190 is my favorite plane

[@flavioandra]

brazilian jet

[@steveburnell7625]

Fantastic!! I can’t wait till we’re all back in the skies! Especially you! Your videos make me so happy! Glad you’re safe and healthy

[@manlouie8783]

St Helena was the final resting place for Napoleon. He was first exiled to Elba Italy and then escaped back to France to start the "Hundred days" campaign. Eventually He was defeated at Waterloo. This time the British made sure Napoleon cannot easily escape or be rescued by the French, so the British sent Napoleon to this far far far remote location, St Helena. I will add the trip to St Helena to my Bucket list. Thank you.

[@Purette]

I'm very disappointed that you did not show us around St. Helena after your arrival! Such a rarity to be in such a remote spot on the Earth!

[@thepourchos2848]

Great job, Thanks for sharing.. Praying for all in the airline industry

[@markuspasang9490]

Lucky you, Jeb! Only few people could get this priceless experience.

[@chrismartinus2622]

An item that was on my bucket list a few years ago - travelling to St Helena by ship - was cancelled when they built the airport. Too easy to get there now! :-)

[@trooperdgb9722]

It is still possible to go by ship. Aircraft can NOT supply St Helena ...there is a ship called MV (not RMS) St Helena that does cargo runs regularly now.... They have limited cabin space for passengers.... I believe it is 550 GBP one way from Capetown... and takes 7 days.

[@theart8039]

Fun fact, one of my ancestors who was a Brtish Naval Officer spent two weeks with Napoleon in St. Helena, his diary states what a gentleman he was ..enemy and friend

[@GreenerGrass]

Amazing!

[@patrickmiskelly5913]

Awesome experience to such a remote island, thanks for sharing!

[@nigelnyamukondiwa481]

Airlink 🇿🇦 is hands down the best airline in Southern Africa!

[@TiMOThy931GBO]

7:11 small snack? More like a small meal.St.Helena is beautiful I fell in love with it when I watched the crew of SVDelos sailed there.I would love to visit one day.

[@jevmobile]

I’ve recently been operating flights to st Helena and it’s great to be involved with supplying this great island.

[@liamkettley4549]

Think this might be my favourite video of yours - awesome flight mate!

[@Nachspeil]

Thanks for the video Jeb!

[@desertsailorii]

Reminds me of landing at Sedona, AZ. Also referred to as the USS Sedona. Like a carrier landing with 500' cliffs off each end of the runway. Thanks for your videos.

[@CloudDayLight]

desertsailorii I’ve been there. Somethings always eerie over their tho

[@dinidheere3208]

Beautiful island

[@Financial_Digest]

Love your channel Jeb great video!

[@gregorycoppola7865]

I absolutely love this video!! Great job Jeb and thanks for sharing it with us!! Love the once and a life time experiences like these...

[@zachmetsch9213]

Great content, after the current situation you should do a economy class showdown like the transcontinental one, I suggest JetBlue’s 321NEO

[@parker6227]

Ive Been o The Jet Blue Trans Continental from LA To New York A Few Times In Business Class It Was great

[@lrodr169]

Great experience. Hope to try this flight someday.

[@fbagbey]

Excellent narration. Doubt I'll ever go there so thanks for this virtual experience.

[@davearnold1139]

Hallelujah brother hopefully one day they will be checked back in the sky but not all of us will see that beautiful island I am hoping I will be one of them and hoping I will put my feet back into the plane stay safe I wanna great Ireland to visit

[@MauroGuerreiro]

Did you know that other bigger planes tried to land there and failed to do so safely? The Embraer ERJ-190 was the only one that succeeded. As the South African company already had planes of this model, that is why it was the only one accredited for this route.

[@dc10fomin65]

Voce deve ser Brasileiro, nao ?

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

I’m glad you finally got to visit St Helena. It’s a very remote and interesting place. Napoleon lived his final years there

[@jerav8or699]

These videos are the only thing keeping my hopes up during quarantine haha

[@popitgirl2156]

Nice one jebby and again happy birthday

[@samuelb.9515]

WOW Jeb, that is nothing short of amazing!! I have always dreamed of going to St. Helena and hope to go some day! This looks like an incredible adventure and I now have a better idea of what it is like. Great job!

[@auggith]

I'm from South Africa, and you are totaly right. Africa is the most beautiful continent out therr

[@harrytrueman4216]

Wendover productions has a really good documentary on St. Helena airports the history and turbulence issues.

[@alexboshaw]

so glad to see another video from you, Jeb! I hope that you and your family are safe and healthy!

[@ryanhunter616]

Awesome video. Keep it up.

[@luiiiiiclor]

Thank you Jeb for the trip report. Now we can fly to where Napoleon had his self isolation (forced quarantine) 😀😀😀 Just injecting some humour

[@steve3ri]

Very interesting video. Never heard of this place before. Thanks.

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

Great video, thank you! Traveling from Europe to South Africa across that incredible continent across north, Sahara then equatorial Africa before southern Africa in the daytime was a great memory for me, what an amazingly diverse continent and memories of interesting and lovely people wherever I traveled in that part of the world.

[@irishinusa1615]

Loved this, thank you. Informative, so interesting. Looking forward to seeing more like this👍 delighted to know you are at home😁🥂 cheers

[@asadbaloch1926]

Is this a country or what.didnt hear before but looks so beautiful island

[@joebennet770]

fantastic video Jeb!

[@butternuggetplayz438]

Fly a QANTAS regional 717 in Western Australia. (Edit) or Virgin Australia from Perth to Christmas Island.

[@harttsteen9128]

Ride a pushbike (Edit) from Novosibirsk to Magnitoborsk (Edit), in Russia. ( Edit). What does it mean this "edit"?.

[@joshpaterno4336]

Hartt Steen the stuff before “(Edit)” was his original comment and the stuff after “(Edit)” was him editing his comment to add that last part

[@beverlyw.8196]

@@harttsteen9128 Really?

[@harttsteen9128]

@@joshpaterno4336 Josh, thank you for this I really did not know what this "edit" was about You wrote to me 5 months ago. Wow! As you, Josh, can tell I don't read them all.

[@DennisBunnikTravels]

Sensational video mate - you're right every av-geek (and history buff) will want to do this trip one day. You've definitely made me add it to my list. Hopefully the skies will soon be open again. take care and stay safe, cheers D

[@GreenerGrass]

Thanks for watching! Let’s count on heading to St. Helena together on the other side of this!

[@Micter]

First few minutes, best history class ever!

[@michaelslattery2515]

LOVED this video Jeb. Made me homesick for the South African highveld. Great video.

[@mvgamer9637]

Delta fligjt 201 occasionally flew over this remote Island depending on the optimul route. I believe this was Deltas longest flight 16 or 17 hours between Johannesburg and Atlanta

[@rduffy9948]

Like everyone who loves to travel, l can't wait to be at an airport, getting on a plane, and going ANYWHERE. What an interesting journey that was. Thank you. Stay safe.

[@ofrikahn1071]

One of my favorites trip reporters

[@davetissue]

Great video! Just want to share some new update about St Helena that I heard from friends there: because of the current restrictions, unsurprisingly, the flights between South Africa and HLE are suspended. This means there's currently no regular links from St Helena to the outside world, apart from military planes, since the HMS St Helena was decommissioned after the airport began its operation. And in addition to that, the operator of this route, Airlink, is switching to independent ticketing and branding from SAA, and no longer accepts tickets issued previously under SAA's system (which doesn't feel right at all). SAA has stated that they won't offer a cash refund either, and will only give travel vouchers, which are pretty useless for the Saints. And we are talking about multiple thousand Rands each way. This challenging time is probably much more serious for St Helena.

[@kmvstudios9072]

You should make videos on the following (once we are able to travel again) 1. Shortest flight in the US (SFO-STS) 2. Longest flight on a regional jet (SFO-MSN) 3. Alaska’s Milk Run 4. Shortest A380 flight (DXB-MCT)

[@Jin_Sakai71]

Hey jeb brooks I know you won’t see this or respond I just wanted to say you are my favourite travel reviewer and I hope you are staying safe . I have been a subscribers sence 2016 and I most say your video are amazing keep it up and stay safe .

[@CodyOnTheGo]

Amazing video Like always Jeb !

[@leeoldershaw956]

They can never fly JNB HLE nonstop because of fuel reserves but they almost always can fly HLE JNB nonstop because of tailwinds and nearby alternates for JNB. Some CPT-HLE flights have been nonstop and HLE to CPT is nonstop.

[@caroledowney6908]

You take the most interesting flights to destinations few have heard of before. Keep going! Be safe Jeb.

[@safeatthird6060]

Damn never knew this island was around learn something new every day, pretty cool.

[@majy1735]

Never heard of Napoleon's exile after Waterloo?...

[@adamgosse6472]

Hey Jeb, I've been enjoying your videos for a few months now, and I must say this is one of the coolest trips I've seen! Thanks so much for sharing these amazing experiences. Stay safe!

[@GreenerGrass]

Thanks so much for watching, Adam!!

[@thejazzguy13]

What an amazing video Jeb! I think I may just have to put St. Helena at the top of my bucket list :D How long did you get to stay on the beautiful island?

[@calebzarraonandia1969]

great video really liked it

[@LennyTeh]

Hey Jeb. My friends and I were on this same flight from Johannesburg and we stayed at the same hotel with you. I thought you looked familiar but wasn't sure and was too shy to ask (and couldn't confirm while there because internet was slow). Anyway, thanks for posting and allowing us to relive this experience through your video. St. Helena is an amazing place and the journey there and back is part of the adventure especially for us aviation fans.

[@GreenerGrass]

I stayed at the Consulate, but ate at the Mantis several times. I wish you’d said hello! Not sure about you, but I can’t wait to go back to HLE!!

[@marcusdamberger]

Hopefully St. Helena will be connected to some proposed submarine cables, South Atlantic Express cable SAEx, or possibly Googles proposed Equiano cable with a branch to St. Helena. The South Atlantic has a lack of submarine cables connecting Africa and South America, with a ton between north America and Europe. With SAEx and Equiano that would add quite a bit of much needed diversity. With the proposed connectivity, some satellite constellation companies are interested in St. Helena's location, being there is virtually nothing in the south Atlantic to connect and track those satellites from. At least with any reasonable connections that don't use other satellites to connect through. All St. Helena has right now is a 50Mbps satellite connection for all 4500 residents. Who knows, maybe if St. Helena gets enough capacity in the future it might become an offshore data center!

[@afcgeo882]

I’m guessing that the A220 is the only other aircraft that can make that airport right now? Maybe an A318 or a 717? If so, that’s incredibly limiting.

[@Dave_Sisson]

The airport was built to take A320 and B737 size aircraft. But the wind shear was too strong on test flights, so it is now restricted to smaller planes that usually need to land with a tailwind.

[@calebzarraonandia1969]

you should see the Wendover productions video on this video it's really good