SURREAL TURKMENISTAN AIRLINES - BIZARRE GHOST PLANE AND AIRPORT!

[@JoshCahill]

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

[@Footballrebrand]

love the vids

[@SharonM-q8t]

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

[@peterabbott1974]

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

[@SirEricN]

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

[@TheLoxxxton]

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

[@filipdabrowski780]

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

[@safferms]

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

[@OGSandEater]

Nonstop Dan is starting to get on my nerve.

[@danielradubradatan1788]

True bro!!

[@zakimarzuki8227]

@@OGSandEaterThat guy complained way too much.

[@tryingmybest206]

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

[@nickflintoff8077]

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

[@JoshCahill]

I was hoping someone would get the joke 😂😂😂

[@MaryPoppins-tu1ms]

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

[@MaryPoppins-tu1ms]

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

[@jatar6605]

@@MaryPoppins-tu1mshe’s talking about Adolf Hitler since he was born in Austria but took over Germany and then in WWII invaded the Soviet Union. So, the Austrian leads the German into the Soviet Union (Turkmenistan is a former country within the USSR)

[@FlyGuy88]

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

[@JoshCahill]

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

[@FlyGuy88]

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

[@weskolodziej]

@@JoshCahill are you russian ?

[@georgemartin1436]

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

[@joaomartins-mt9mg]

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

[@MiguelMoital]

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

[@ciegacita]

what type of job sends someone to turkmenistan?

[@MiguelMoital]

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

[@bryanbrune3767]

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

[@MiguelMoital]

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

[@bryanbrune3767]

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

[@speedbird006]

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

[@msingh9634]

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

[@ant647448336]

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

[@DissertationAcademy]

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

[@supot2523]

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

[@Reiden199]

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

[@christianmichael8381]

That "agent to business class" is absolutely beautiful 🔥

[@kennethlee4894]

I loved her too.. And the personality to match the looks too.

[@susipaterson8185]

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

[@vangen08]

Yeah, great fun😂

[@livefreeordie6863]

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

[@thalesofmiletus2966]

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

[@supot2523]

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

[@videbytes]

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

[@mindyourbusiness4369]

Ancient times of Aviation

[@namanula]

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

[@worldkat1393]

I assume the government just tanks the loss.

[@pat-orl]

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

[@JeanClaudeCOCO]

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

[@pat-orl]

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

[@billyshearer117]

Freight

[@domdom1926]

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

[@simonhutchings6073]

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

[@naumtemnomedeusuario]

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

[@MrKevreg]

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

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

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

[@Hans007Dampf]

„Not an airline for Non Stop Dan“😅😂

[@formerlyinpragur4736]

...and Sam Chuy!

[@Sedna063]

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

[@mergat2970]

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

[@LeyendasMusicales]

@@mergat2970I dream at least flying chicken class AA ..lol or Frontier 😢

[@NamLe-pn3dy]

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

[@frausmithy]

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

[@frausmithy]

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

[@BrianGreco]

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

[@chrisp3922]

Sam Chui is better

[@vinny3410]

​@@chrisp3922yeah no he's a shill

[@philipjohn1254]

What about Noel Phillips?

[@elliotoliver8679]

@@philipjohn1254 What about Noel Phillips?

[@elliotoliver8679]

I also like Jayden Wong

[@PplEtr]

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

[@Hrolfr911]

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

[@JoshCahill]

Amazing!

[@anorthedge4422]

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

[@isseosman3574]

Wht about still same role

[@yurig2530]

@@anorthedge4422 poisoning by dentist.

[@berdigylychrejepbayev7503]

well yeah we experienced those times.

[@tombauer3396]

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

[@supot2523]

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

[@LF-lb7zo]

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

[@luisaboucas862]

Hey! I was wondering if you could help me. Do they require a visa if you are just on a layover? Thank you very much!

[@tombauer3396]

@@supot2523 The airline is dirt cheap in everything

[@tombauer3396]

@@LF-lb7zo The time of departure from Aschgabat / Turkmenistan to Bangkok is completely irrelevant, because the onward flight will be in the same aircraft that took you from Frankfurt to Aschgabat / Turkmenistan!

[@RRaymer]

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

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

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

[@moboluwarinmaku2071]

WaWaWeeWa....😂😂

[@acdccris]

North Korea is exactly the same

[@neodonkey]

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

[@munyachikuni2368]

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

[@johnwilliam2474]

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

[@JoshCahill]

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

[@Iamwatchingyou75]

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

[@JonathanGonzalez-ct9yu]

Nonstop whining

[@QuarioQuario54321]

When?

[@Yukis.aviation]

Nonstop “aLl My ReViEwS aRe SeLf FuNdEd”

[@Ashwin-zg7rt]

Non stop business class reviews

[@legouniverse8976]

Nonstop avoiding economy class.

[@gizelop8481]

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

[@MultiTopgearfan]

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

[@markpusko2480]

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

[@Mochi-g4e]

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

[@semperfiblackjack6062]

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

[@jasontempest4233]

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

[@dynasty1hertha79]

very Interesting

[@agcouper]

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

[@MrBillboeing]

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

[@joeb5080]

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

[@wilecoyote5757]

Thanks!

[@hoof2001]

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

[@JoshCahill]

Great strategy 😂

[@JustMe-sn8kd]

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

[@stanedgie5910]

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

[@mauiguy6710]

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

[@ancipital]

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

[@lookinup22]

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

[@bretlir]

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

[@PlaneSpottingBerlin]

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

[@amstergal]

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

[@dynasty1hertha79]

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

[@elevat1on]

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

[@alexandrospanag]

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

[@JonathanWinton123]

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

[@bugx1999]

I loved this video. I felt like visiting this country because of the kindness and friendliness shown by the airport professionals. Come to Brazil!

[@EA00000]

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

[@oliverblank6515]

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

[@MC-di7op]

@@oliverblank6515same

[@antasosam8486]

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

[@elena79rus]

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

[@anethers7545]

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

[@kostafun1437]

I used to fly a few times between Moscow in Bangkok by Turkmenistan airlines, as those were the cheapest tickets available at the time. Moscow Askhabad flight used to be full, and Askhabat Bangkok half empty. There were always nice flight attendants, nice clean planes, comfortable airport and a fun company on a Moscow route :) Turkmen people are really nice and unusual. Turkmenistan could be a great and prosperous country, but being an autocratic dictatorship it builds just a facade, which includes airport and empty planes flying, and a white and empty capital city, but most of a people are still quite poor. Well, as a Russian what can I say? At least they do not invade their neighbors.

[@timo-vt9rt]

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

[@londiniumcross5122]

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

[@neilrmartin1984]

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

[@ablair37]

they was or at least according to wikipedia

[@msingh9634]

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

[@Roadent1241]

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

[@markwalker2627]

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

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

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

[@kennethlee4894]

It is not that surprising the flight doesn't go to LHR. I remember in a review or TunisAir the flight went to ORY and not CDG. Some of these odd ball airlines use secondary airports. What does surprise me is that it goes to Stansted and not even LGW.

[@lipton5428]

@@kennethlee4894They flew to Stansted only temporarily, it was Heathrow for a while but due to Heathrow being a packed and overwhelming airport they looked for an alternative. Now they switched to Gatwick

[@kenwaterman7799]

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

[@aurumnord4837]

I just booked a flight from London to Bangkok with Turkmenistan thru Ashgabat. It was actually very cheap, only 340 dollars and also they have a at least kind of intuitive website now.

[@LynneHobday1]

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

[@Michael-db4sn]

The surface area of the 777 wings are amazing.

[@Sharon181818]

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

[@Greg_Mc]

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

[@rohanvarshnei]

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

[@MC-di7op]

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

[@wesendreizehn6710]

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

[@SD_Alias]

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

[@snsnsnsn88]

​@@SD_Alias you can see if you work there

[@SD_Alias]

@@snsnsnsn88 That are just a chosen few people…

[@bernd6812]

Hello josh, I think it's so beautiful how you get involved with foreign cultures, people and airplanes. Your videos are really a highlight. Best wish to you from germany

[@d.g.1594]

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

[@SelimG]

Kindness brings kindness 😊

[@justahomosapiens1861]

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

[@dynasty1hertha79]

yeah! !!

[@Stixenterprise]

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

[@timona17]

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

[@bryanbrune3767]

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

[@sebinamuwanga]

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

[@calebrw]

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

[@mattg7372]

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

[@neilrmartin1984]

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

[@InTeCredo]

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

[@expressdotpc]

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

[@andrewcordle2424]

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

[@wgarly]

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

[@ogamedia1]

Best places to visit in your country?

[@As-gga]

Hello from Turkmenistan 🇹🇲

[@AndriesZA]

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

[@shellyodonnell7924]

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

[@moldytexas]

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

[@davidjones2870]

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

[@Tom-xy9yy]

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

[@gustavevilleneuvedehoff-un5459]

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

[@eduardoschneider2010]

we need more curious youtubers like you.

[@johnfred2671]

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

[@kennethlee4894]

WOW. I have seen so many of your videos (and Dan's). This video was just total gold. Holy cow. I can't believe I missed this one. Finally something original and exciting in the trip review space. BRAVO! I can't stop looking at that plane and the hotel. They are brand spanking new.

[@elliott7268]

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

[@JeanClaudeCOCO]

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

[@bobmiller7502]

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

[@MILADA_2022]

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

[@vickilund7206]

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

[@khalilbenkhaial5357]

Genuine people and Astonishing Airport 👍

[@roaddogg800]

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

[@germantempo]

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

[@byue3]

You are fun and refreshing to watch. Thank you, Josh.

[@Lad7478]

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

[@semperfiblackjack6062]

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

[@EssexWolf1993]

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

[@etherdog]

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

[@davidnunan1819]

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

[@JustMatt87]

That seemed like the most chaotic hotel check in ever

[@supericeman1]

I been waiting for this epic adventure on Turkmenistan Airlines, thanks Josh!

[@passionpassion7416]

Welcome to Türkmenistan airlines brother 👏👏👏👍👍👍👍thank you very much for good video ❤️❤️❤️❤️🇹🇲🇹🇲🇹🇲

[@Flyrabbit1]

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

[@tafadzwamasendu2473]

The lady who took you up to the hotel is beautiful!

[@bjornsteinke769]

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

[@ZteA-qn1pg]

Thats the way it should be everywhere else..no ; crowds.noise.rabble.charades.. They are real..❤❤

[@seasonedsofisticate1901]

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

[@olentangy74]

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

[@neodonkey]

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

[@i_amrlestiahn]

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

[@DangNguyen-xx3zi]

I saw a few cargo containers from Turkmenistan Airlines in Ho Chi Minh city airport just a few weeks ago. Apparently they're flying to Vietnam as well.