Here's What Happens When You Fly Tajikistan's National Airline

[@noelphilips]

Big thanks to Ridge for sending me this wallet and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you want to check them out! > ridge.com/noel

[@andrewboyle1978]

Would never use Ridge, after the whole Trevor Jacobs saga, paying a pilot to skydive out of a plane, just to crash it on purpose, faking an engine failure!

[@lucazkaralis1001]

100% that's Jackie chan leading the team onto the plane

[@sb1056sb]

Nothing to do with your video, but I was playing GTA Liberty City Stories the other day have you used the theme tune in your videos before? It’s driving me mad to find it out.

[@theephatman2025]

It should be noted that the Ford Bronco giveaway is only available to the USA, not the EU, Australia, canada or the UK.

[@bodyloverz30]

Do they have a VIP Lounge?

[@SomonAirTJ]

Thank you very much for a wonderful review! 🙏 We are always happy to see you onboard! ✈️

[@noelphilips]

Thank you so much for the wonderful flight!

[@Вперёд-к5ь]

Tojikiston is a very beautiful country. the people are very kind, they respect their guests very much. Always kind of tourists. I recommend everyone to come to Tajikistan 🇹🇯🇹🇯🙏✌️👌

[@beckymunro2071]

What a sweet and polite young man you found on this flight. As always another fun watch as you travel on the different airlines around the world.

[@noelphilips]

Thanks for watching.

[@Bozewani]

he loves travelingjustlikeido

[@grayhalf1854]

Shame Noel got his name wrong!

[@pravinpatel350]

Samir not Samuel.

[@stuartpaulsmith3186]

Yeah, that's what I heard him say! Then, he lent in to say, "not Samuel. Samir." Nevermind 😊

[@liondoeseverything3965]

Just discovered that Uzbekistan Airlines has a transatlantic flight from Tashkent to New York. This seems like something Noel should try!

[@jer4whlr0210]

Very nice young man!! His English was wonderful! And Dushanbe does look amazing. Bucket list!

[@egpx]

@5:40 Those Tesco Clubcards are a damn sight more useful than I ever suspected and I must remember to take mine the next time I visit Tajikistan.

[@hvideos2832]

17:19 Kid: "My name is Samir" Noel: "Oh Samuel, my son is called Samuel" 😂😂😂

[@fastandfurious3173]

He's a silly boy isn't he.

[@Vince_ExE]

Who ??? ​@@fastandfurious3173

[@glennkamers]

How many times can you mention Tajikistan and Dushanbe. Noel: Yes

[@mazchen]

Ouagadougou

[@manchestair]

Vologda

[@NANICU]

Noel Philip's flight reviews are my favorite drinking game 😜

[@59withqsb12]

Fun fact, "Dushanbe" means Monday in Persian, and the "Du" is the number 2, because it's two days after Saturday, "Shanbe", the sabbath day in the Zororastrian tradition (whose calendar informed the Jewish calendar and its own shabbat). Since the 7th Century this area has been Muslim where the big day off is Friday, thus after Panjshanbe comes "Jumma", the Arabic word for Friday and the holiest day of the week in Islam. So linguistically two sabbaths, even though the Saturday one is no longer regarded as such in society.

[@bradbel]

Now that is a “fun fact.”

[@59withqsb12]

@@bradbel I forgot the funnest bit. Dushanbe was the location of a big market on a Monday, and grew to be known as "Dushanbe-Bazar"

[@robn8726]

Actually it’s Tajik which is a dialect of Persian. If it was Persian it would be doh-shanbe

[@RibasFilms]

Nice info. Thank you

[@bhojjadamotabanda]

In Portuguese too Monday is called "Segunda" (or Segunda Feira), Segunda of course cognate with "Second".

[@robertholmes4721]

I love when we get videos of airlines I’ve not heard of! It sends me into a Google deep dive into the airline and try to learn everything about it.

[@MrRavshan100]

Omg never thought you are gonna review my country airline. Thanks

[@neilevans160]

I've flown from Istanbul to Dushanbe with Somon Air and I must admit I was very impressed too. You are right about the hostess uniforms - quite unusual but very classy. And Dushanbe is an amazingly clean and safe city. I enjoyed the video and great to see Somon getting a bit of publicity 😄😄

[@hakarmalm7756]

Would absolutely love to visit Tajikistan! Thanks for showing us your flight on Somon Air.

[@markstedman4592]

Great video Noel love these 'off the beaten track' flights.

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gregorybaker330]

Not totally related to flying but some of my students at a Chinese medical university were from Tajikastan and very impressive young people and always stated I would be very welcome to their country.

[@haroof]

Very impressed with that flight.

[@usmonjonmajidov7667]

Thanks for a good view of my country.

[@noelphilips]

My pleasure!

[@Albatross-365]

Shame there wasn't much footage of Tajikistan, just one quick outside shot and some night taxi footage. Would have loved to have seen more.

[@hakarmalm7756]

Absolutely agree

[@respectedgentleman4322]

I guess he's worried about doing too much tourist stuff as people come here for flights, and he doesn't want to alienate them. Must be a delicate balance. But I for one would be happy to see more of the places he visits.

[@DanTheCaptain]

I actually think he was being careful because Tajikistan isn’t the freest country on earth. If I’m not mistaken it’s one of the least visited countries on earth and is hard to get in as a tourist. I believe Noel even mentioned that he previously failed to secure a visa into the country. It could be he didn’t want to attract too much attention and possibly get in trouble with authorities.

[@Micg51]

@@DanTheCaptain dang. I have travel benefits as a pilot, and always researching weird places to go.

[@DanTheCaptain]

@@Micg51 Tajikistan has had one president since 1994 and is an authoritarian regime known for corruption and a number of human rights violations. It’s not quite as bad as Turkmenistan (which is considered the North Korea of Central Asia), but still not a place I’d want to get into trouble in.

[@Elektra1210]

I didnt know this place existed until today and I thought I knew geography well. TY for making me learn about another place!

[@SkyHighGuys]

I love this channel. There’s something soothing and enjoyable about a good ol Noel video at 5:22am.

[@artemesaulkov2010]

Central asian countries have kind, welcoming people, BEAUTIFUL landscapes/nature and food is something else

[@denisemarie6997]

You had the most gentlemanly seat mate of the year! Who needs IFE when you can have a chat with a pleasant fellow passenger?

[@crampatron3932]

Noel flys with airline's most people will never even hear of. Another great video as usual Noel.

[@noelphilips]

Many thanks!

[@msingh9634]

Can you fly Turkmenistan Airlines please

[@annettewalter2273]

I know very little about Tajikistan, that was very interesting. The airport staff seemed very polite. Beautiful country. Amazing presentation with the food and I loved your seat companion, so polite and well spoken.

[@joshuav9005]

Love to see small airlines in obscure countries getting it right

[@Kat-ci1mv]

Gorgeous views out of the plane windows! Also, beautiful architecture in this city! That was great to see! Thanks Noel!

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janellek21]

Almaty has best weather in most glorious nation of Kazakhstan. Jagsimash! Next time you go to Tajikistan you should try to fly from Dushanbe to Khorog. The flight goes through several narrow mountain passes at low altitude. Back in the USSR days Aeroflot used to pay the pilots triple wages on the flight because it was so dangerous.

[@swanvictor887]

erm.... sorry Jane, you're not selling me on that flight...!!

[@najiiklove]

Jane sold me on it.

[@Eric_G65]

Would have liked to have seen the hotel room. The lobby looked very nice, I wonder how the room was. That little kid was awesome! Thanks Noel!

[@Fitzrovialitter]

17:21 The boy states his name as Samir which Noel translates to himself - for no discernable reason - as 'Samuel'.

[@DaveMansbridge]

What an amazing airline , I think it really puts SCAT to shame . Doing my homework on Dushambe. Thanks again great trip out

[@simonhutchings6073]

The Somon Air B739’s look very impressive. I’ve only ever seen one and I think it was in FRA . Very enjoyable vlog as always.👍

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@roseogrady8785]

They have GOT IT RIGHT... Thank You.

[@kat.nicolette]

The little interview with the boy was the highlight of the video ❤

[@jevvvNZ]

Looking lovely and clean and modern these days. When we visited Tajikistan in the late 1990s the only direct flights in were via Mongolia. Instead, we had to fly in to Tashkent, Uzbekistan then drive across the border to Khujand then fly to Dushanbe. Taxiing out to the end of the runway when leaving Dushanbe they left the doors open until turn around for takeoff!!! Probably on one of the Tajik planes you saw across the runway.

[@voxley19]

You went to Tajikistan- wow! And the video was fantastic too.

[@JimboPC]

What a splendid video as always. The new seat mate actually made me smile, after I've had a bad day. So great. :)

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ecclestonsangel]

My day is not complete without your loo review, Noel! I love it; it's so funny!

[@johndewey6358]

Tajikistan is a beautiful country with wonderful hospitable people. You will be amazed at how much water and snow this country has.

[@mariawerner8447]

My apartment had no water at all during the Summer months (+52 degrees) My students told me this was normal

[@parvizr.1801]

@@mariawerner8447 In which city did it happen?

[@mariawerner8447]

@@parvizr.1801 In Dushanbe. Apparently the part of the city where I lived always had this problem

[@bjzagers]

Bedankt

[@noelphilips]

Thank you!

[@lucascalma605]

Welcome back once again Noel! So I can see that Somon Air's business class does look beautiful, and feels a bit more special than the economy class at least in my own perspective. Also, Tajikistan is overall a beautiful country with indeed some of the most beautiful architecture you've just showed me even for just a stay for one day. Also, did you just change your uploading habits from Sunday to a different day? Or is that just temporary for some reason? Anyhow, good that you still managed to upload a video this week once again Noel!

[@jackbruce708]

He sent a message out on Sunday saying he wasn't going to upload on Sunday for respect of the Queen's death

[@gobbledygook5786]

It was to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and her tragic passing recently. She will be missed.

[@belugast]

Great video Noel, love these off the beaten track locations.👍 Good luck moving to the USA, now we expect more South American content as its only "down the road" from Houston.🤞

[@ftwi1]

Oh he’s moving to Texas?

[@belugast]

@@ftwi1 yep he wants to get fat quick on burgers n steaks! 🤣

[@markclayton626]

Lovely vid Noel, thank you fella 🙏👍

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markclayton626]

@@noelphilips Noel, Love your vids on air-travel, your sense of humour etc, but what made me laugh so much recently, sorry don’t mean to be nasty, but what do you think of Sam (another air-travel maker), Botox job?

[@aslobos]

Such beautiful cities. 🥰💐. Loved that handsome young man on your flight. 💙💙

[@simonhackett3198]

Great video as always. I was intrigued by the Tesco Clubcard to get into the lift of the hotel at the start of your trip to Istanbul!!

[@samanthagross1423]

The food you eat on airplanes always looks way better than the food I eat on a daily basis. 😆 I just want to say, thank you for all of the work you put into your videos and for doing what you do. I very rarely get the opportunity to travel and have only flown on airplanes a handful of times in my life. I adore your videos and always look forward to the next one. I hope you get the opportunity to come back to the U.S. and do some more domestic flights around the country and visit more states. I live in Nebraska - you've been here before (Alliance!). It would be great to have you come to the eastern part of the state. Wishing you and your family all the best!

[@mholtebeck]

The Alliance video was one of my favorite Noel Phillips videos (which is like your favorite kid (or in my case- favorite student). I'll never get Tajikstan, and some of the places that he goes to I don't even want to visit. it is still great seeing all the places that Noel goes. One day I would to go on a trip with him

[@rais1953]

In Malaysia the food served on Air Asia has gained such a reputation that I heard they had opened some ground based restaurants to sell the food to non passengers. It's one of my favourite points about Air Asia that if you pre-pay food and luggage you get something equivalent to economy on a legacy airline but Air Asia's food is better!

[@samanthagross1423]

@@rais1953 Hopefully some day I will get to experience it! :)

[@rais1953]

@@samanthagross1423 In Western Australia we are just 4 hours away from Bali and other beautiful Indonesian destinations Samantha. I don't necessarily recommend Bali because it's too touristy. But a flight to Bali puts you 15 minutes away from the next, equally beautiful island Lombok which has the facilities without the glitz. Or west of Bali is Java, an island 1000 kilometres long containing 5 provinces. My favourite destinations there are places up in the mountains where it's springtime 365 days of the year.

[@AEKaczor]

5:42 I love using my Tesco Club to get into my hotel room….😂

[@markmulvihill1227]

Got to go there next Noel...The Airline is cool and the country looks great...Mark

[@julieleimkuehler1409]

Been loving your train vids. Idk what kind of time constraints you're under, but seeing the local area around be so cool 🤩

[@erestew]

I flew from Dushanbe to Istanbul in 2004, Tajik air business class (Tragic air) on an old soviet TU-154 so I don't want to hear any complaints about Somon's 737 fleet.

[@davidbrown5628]

That little boy was the best!

[@Powney888]

Kid: My name is Samira. Noel: my son is called Samuel Kid: look of confusion 😂

[@shimonsieskel4482]

Thought he said Samir

[@orangepeeI100]

I heard Samir

[@fleurkus]

I thought he said Samir.......

[@parvizr.1801]

He said Samir. Samira is girls' name

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

Ihave not fly on Tajiksitans National Airlines.Great work

[@rais1953]

Thanks for that unexpected review Noel. Who could know without going there that Somon Air was going to be so good?

[@Flajetcollector60]

Well done as always Noel. Thank you for introducing me to a country and airline I was not aware of ! Great video once again.

[@noelphilips]

My pleasure!

[@tommorningstar6373]

Agree on the livery. The flight attendants' uniforms are right up there with Emirates for classy presentation. Sparkly too.

[@racheldawes2725]

Such a great video- really enjoyed seeing your enthusiasm for Tajikistan- will definitely remember this recommendation and watch your video again!

[@noelphilips]

Thanks so much!

[@kennethchongweithart7905]

What a polite little boy...👍👍👍

[@AodhanP]

Another really interesting and varied video, already looking forward to the next one. Keep them coming Noel 👍

[@noelphilips]

Thanks 👍

[@Krunchy71]

Have you ever been to Paris? You could do the Noel Philips Louvre review.

[@richardhaughton4303]

Again a brilliant video, you introduce us all to new places to visit thank you

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tibor2181]

I remember flying Somon Air 4 times a year from Frankfurt to Dushanbe when i lived in Tajikistan from 2011-2015. Getting some flashbacks thanks Noel

[@DanielEAC80]

Hey baldandbankrupt! it's good to see you back on youtube.. cheers man!

[@TheRareVideosXL]

What an amazing flight experience and a fantastic video as always.

[@noelphilips]

Thanks a lot!

[@Markus22MUC]

I was looking forward to this video since i spotted your flight confirmation during the SCAT video check-in :D

[@eoinhealy7194]

Really interesting video. Keep up the good work

[@6120mcghee]

As always, great video, Noel. My condolences to you and the British nation on the loss of the Queen. Where you at home or abroad when you got the news?

[@alexlawson1291]

How did you use a tesco clubcard to get into your room? 5:44

[@ricardoalvarez7648]

The absolute smoothest transition into an ad at 07:22 "do you fancy getting your hands on my socks... new ones, that is" 🤣

[@ScottWineGuy]

Love the video...watching w/ my new Kazakhstan Scat mug...Cheers!

[@HughesyTech]

Almaty Airport the same as what I remember when I was there back in 2018! Can't wait to go back!

[@jimhesch1404]

Another winner. Always positive. Always a gentleman.

[@andrewevers2359]

Lovely T shirt in the Ridge ad!!

[@Potatofarmer1898]

Been watching more and more vids on Dushanbe and Tajikistan. The city seems pretty lit! Would love to visit.

[@nuggetmeister0910]

Hey man, just wanted to say I was behind you at the Global entry interview line awhile ago in houston, just wanted to say love your videos!!

[@noelphilips]

Haha you should have said hi! That ended up being a long old ordeal 😂

[@nuggetmeister0910]

@@noelphilips Was kinda out of it hahaha, Just finished a grueling 32 hour journey from the philippines to Houston 😅😅

[@StephenThickett]

It looks an amazing and beautiful city

[@useradmin1556]

BORAT Noel such amazing places to visit Noel.........they look amazng indeed 252 countries........so you should not get stuck for places right best wishes Noel Vin

[@Leanne_P23]

Always look forward to your videos. Always curious to see what airline you choose to travel on next

[@BRAIRCO]

The little boy, adorable !!!!!! and with a very good English !!!!!

[@Steve-xf4uv]

I had never heard of Tajikistan or the airline. Looked fantastic, meal made me go for a snack, and the two flight attendants were -- stop that. I agree, would love to visit there. Is it far from Russia ? Not going there. I'll look into this place on the net, Thanks Noel. You always discover these amazing places ,some I've never heard of !

[@parvizr.1801]

Tajikistan is in Central Asia. Once it was a part of the USSR. It is quite far down in the South from Russia.

[@monibstar]

finallly new video yeah!!

[@AsifIqbal-ip8kh]

Anybody else spot noel using a tesco club card in the lift or am I seeing summat? Great vids noel keep it up mate...

[@CookingAroundTheWorld]

Anyone who doesn't know you Noel, just needs to watch that exchange between you and that 9 year old boy. You are the nicest bloke in the skies.

[@Doodlesburg]

Why is he using a Tesco Clubcard at 5:42?

[@bwolper]

That was a delightful video.

[@teazerfemi]

Thanks so much for this lovely video I love airlines that are not really popular but doing fantastic well inflight

[@noelphilips]

Many thanks!

[@gertvandalen8584]

Great video as always, please do this kind of destination review more often! :)

[@maxbspqr]

Tajikistan rocks! Good people there!

[@thabomabuza7340]

Your videos always hit the spot when you upload on a Sunday afternoon.🤪

[@hashbrownfob]

right? For me it's posted at 7am on Sundays. Perfect way to just wake up, chill on the couch and watch.

[@joaoacast]

What a fantastic flight to Istanbul! Very nice mate and dream landing.

[@mortillery2306]

Amazing. Feel land locked in the US with all these amazing areas to visit.

[@ailisonkelland]

Ive seen dushanbe so many times on the moving map flying to Singapore it has a special place in my heart! Also flying over many places that you see on the news about the afghan war not so much....

[@lemonbr]

Thanks for going to Tajikistan 🇹🇯 Noel! I lived there for three years and agree that Dushanbe is a great place and the people are really amazing. Unfortunately their despotic regime isn't. Somon Air is controlled by the president's brother in law and is used to enrich the regime and even to fly back kidnapped dissidents.

[@MarkMaddyGriff]

5:42 WTF, a Tesco Clubcard to open your Hotel Room with??!! I had to slow that down to 0.25 speed to see it!

[@cengizurkmez83]

Superb as always

[@noelphilips]

Thank you so much 😀

[@edwardlees4585]

Every time Noel says Dushanbe I automatically think of the film 'Spies Like Us' as that's about the only time I've ever heard the city mentioned.

[@CaperGirl42]

Your so lucky to be where Dimash Kudaibergen is... my goodness I would LOVE IT! as much as I love planes...lol

[@ianrsa8422]

Great vid Noel. Might have to put that place on my list.

[@noelphilips]

You should!

[@jessekiefer0206]

Besides the entertainment the food looks good!

[@yourveryowngenie]

Jagshemash, what a great video