Onboard the Middle East's SECRET National Airline

[@HendersonJen]

Thank you so much for standing up for the disabled. My 84 year old mom travels frequently, and is in a wheelchair (she can’t walk long distances), and I cringe at the things she’s told me about what she’s encountered while traveling. So, thanks again. ❤

[@JakesAviations]

er mate how can she walk if shes in a wheelchair?

[@germyw]

@@JakesAviationsShe can walk. She just can’t walk for long distances. The front of the airport to the gate is a looooong walk.

[@bencochrane267]

There is a very relaxing almost ASMR type feeling i get from your videos, Noel. Been following you for a while now and I really appreciate your entertaining and informative videos over and over again. I love the humor you add into your content as well. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey. Cheers!

[@Itchyknee88]

Haha that little back and forth about Germany and Britain was 👌😂

[@coriscotupi]

21:30, 23:12 - What a nice surprise! Cool to see the MEA retro livery (red fin with the green cedar in the white circle) still applied to one of their airplanes. That livery does bring back some memories.

[@Vixxie475]

Speaking as someone who is disabled and tries not to travel due to people like that. THANK NOEL!! I wish there was more people in the world like you

[@shawnbell6392]

Love Lebanon and always had a good experience on MEA. Really liked the all white livery with the cedar tree on the tail in the nineties. Praying for better economic times for Lebanon.

[@YqQoubaa]

I'm from Lebanon

[@PracticallyGeek]

I don't get people rushing to get on a plane, you have an allocated seat, you are getting to your destination, no need to push past. Fair play to Noel here, another great video, thank you.

[@superlogistics1]

Mostly for the overhead bins for the bags. And I totally understand why

[@stephanguitar9778]

As an Italian freind pointed out to me in England where people queue up for things. He said ''In Itally everyone goes to the front of the queue and it all takes twice as long'' Its like this in much of the world.

[@PracticallyGeek]

@@superlogistics1 I understand that people want to be close to their bags and yes the bags would end up in the hold if they can't fit overhead. I still don't see the issue.

[@jesdadotcom]

I like to sit down early in first class so I can enjoy my booze while everyone else boards.

[@danielchacon1098]

I work for the airlines, I feel this pain…

[@simonhutchings6073]

Noel the MEA Airbus looks very impressive in the new colour scheme. I have fond memories of the old cedar tree livery that adorned the B720’s at LHR when I first started spotting in the 70’s 👍

[@KitKat1965]

I nearly chocked when Noel said "You Germans never annoyed anyone in history." 😆

[@TheDudeOfLife1]

Especially what happened back in 1915 and the early 40s

[@KitKat1965]

@Cm8 Oh no, I've never ever heard of sarcasm not even the British kind. Nope never.

[@Tidybitz]

@@TheDudeOfLife1 ... technically, 1914 and the late 30's (1939)

[@johntbell]

Clueless and disgusting comment. Almost 400,000 UK soldiers killed in WW2.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

@@SB-je8hg Well it is the border. It should be defended.

[@zgreyling7340]

What a treat!! 2 flights in one episode!! Thanks Noel. Stay safe!🤗

[@vinaddy4210]

First thing is the cabin crew uniform is nice and the care they have i love it

[@umerfarooq06]

Noel, absolutely brilliant content, well laid out with excellent editing and narrative skills! You have and continue to give us insight into fascinating airlines, places and people. Thank you for all that you do!

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@abdoaboujawde2580]

Noel, I'm a huge fan of your channel and a long time subscriber in additional to be an aviation geek such as yourself. I've been waiting so long for you to try MEA and review it, and finally here it is, thank you so much! btw the name of the dish is moughrabiye & MEA is well known for its delicious inflight meal, & Lebanon in general is well known for its delicious food, I'm glad you enjoyed it, as we say in Lebanon "Sahten". I'm Lebanese & proud to have MEA as my national airline, Cheers! P.S: we don't have deserts in Lebanon, just mountains full of snow & the sea coast.

[@gabel8345]

You forgot to mention the corruption, poverty and scams

[@abdoaboujawde2580]

@@gabel8345 the topic here is about aviation & MEA not the situation in Lebanon.

[@gabel8345]

@@abdoaboujawde2580 You said "lebanon in general" lol

[@abdoaboujawde2580]

@@gabel8345 yea because he was talking about the lebanese food on the plane and in the lounge, that's why I wrote that and followed by well known for its delicious food!

[@mnakib2610]

We don’t have desserts in Lebanon?! 🧐🤔

[@johnryall4798]

I'm glad you enjoyed your MEA flights Noel.My Wife is Lebanese and we've flown with them many times since 1992, on their 707s 747s and Airbus.Great pilots and friendly efficient tri lingual cabin crew.I knew a few people in MEA at LHR and often got an upgrade and even sat in the cockpit a few times for take off from LHR and landing at Beirut-an incredible experience coming into beirut at night!I once did LHR-LCA in Apollo class with Cyprus Airways-another great airline, but i think they are no longer flying.Do visit Cyprus and Lebanon, you will enjoy both countries!Thanks for all your excellent videos, i love your laid back style and very informative commentaries!

[@richwearz]

One of the points I like most about Noel's videos is the flight cost and price per mile at the end of the vid. I haven't seen anyone else do this and it gives a really good indication of who charges what from Economy to First Class across all of the Airlines, so thanks for that Noel! 👏👏👏

[@randallpink1471]

Lol Noel's sarcastic comedy is the greatest haha

[@JRWatchman85]

Nice one Noel, really enjoy your content. I get to fly to an new and interesting destination for 30 minutes every Sunday thanks to your videos.

[@noelphilips]

Great to hear!

[@nataliesmith303]

It’s always interesting to see your point of view on things when others have been unhappy with the same airline. Love these videos even if you were without your bag for a short period 😬😬

[@noelphilips]

Thanks a ton!

[@thomaswells6238]

I am from Lebanon myself and live in dubai, as well as a huge fan, i do agree the airport is not the best, but the crew and the food is definitely the highlight

[@spidyman8853]

You should see Aden airport, no contest

[@kurohone]

Given that the city got blown apart by one of the largest explosions in history a couple years ago, I'm thinking the airport might not be #1 on the priority list really.

[@nightlyraider]

they surely couldn't have restocked the explosives in the rebuilt nothingness the first explosion created.

[@dogcatdogable]

wimp

[@kurnma3776]

to be fair it was a chemical reaction due to improperly stored compounds, not an intentional attack

[@djorgen]

I might be the only one but I prefer when you do your solo travels Noel :D Thanks for another great video!

[@Lad7478]

Noel I’m your newest Patron love your videos. Praying your wife is doing well. I just moved back to NY after 6yrs in Vegas. They have good hospitals I’m assuming your at UMC it’s a level one trauma center. If your not happy go to Southern Hills in Spring Valley it’s like a hotel and has exelaint doctors. Loved seeing you and Josh at DXB my 2 favorite KZbinrs. Growing up in NY I always saw MEA airlines at JFK. Loved the retro livery and the new one too. My aunt would tell stories about how Beirut 🇱🇧 was the hot spot to vacation in the 60’s. I’d love to go Lebanon one day on MEA. Great review as always and sending prayers and well wishes your way. Take care and we’ll see you when everything is okay with your wife 🙏

[@georgefoord7087]

Noel is so nice to everyone no matter what job they have

[@simondavey7787]

I love the new MEA livery. I an also a huge fan of Beirut; in is a city I definitely recommend exploring.

[@jamesellis4214]

Not crazy about MEA's new livery, kind of reminds me of the OLD Texas Airlines livery prior to Continental buying them . Love your video's!!! great job as always

[@lvthud]

Texas Air (the holding company for Texas Airlines International) bought CO, then merged CO into TI. CO was in no position to buy any company at that point in time. I would say the livery isn't great, but it beats the Euro white that is every where.

[@sebastianhabeichauch3254]

Great meeting between you and Josh ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉 the two best reviewers we have thanks a lot for all your nice and best reports

[@ryankenyon5010]

Fantastic video! I kept waiting for Josh to "coincidentally" turn up in Beirut.

[@alexdavis5766]

Thank you so much for stopping people pushing past the wheelchair users. I’m a full time wheelchair user who cannot stand, so getting on a plane is hard. Transferring from my wheelchair to the planes wheelchair is hard enough as it is- with the staff always trying to help and actually making things worse even when I say I’m fine/ I have my friend/ family helping and I am fagile as I dislocate easily (I’ve had ground staff actually dislocate joints of mine ‘helping’ before! Thankfully I can relocate them and not miss my flight, but am still in agony for the full flight!) But having impatient passengers pushing past is frustrating, takes away from precious space and is embarrassing as transferring is not pretty and having a dozen strangers staring at you isn’t fun. I wish more passengers were as considerate as you Noel and that the airline would wait for wheelchair passengers to be actually seated before letting the next lot down. Not like the plane is going to take off without them!

[@mariekevee4501]

My friend (wheelchair user) and I were connecting through Istanbul but we had a delay so we asked if they could help us get to the next gate faster. This Turkish airline employee literally said "if you run, you make it" to my friend in her wheelchair 💀💀 Super helpful

[@bobbobson4069]

England doesn't give a damn about wheelchair abusers! England says that everybody is equal. You don't deserve special treatment because you own a wheelchair! Get a life! England is fed up to the back teeth with your sort!

[@Locspocs2]

I'm a Charlie myself, and last time at JFK the departure gate looked like the starting grid of Mario Cart. At least 15 people were seated in wheelchairs. Later at BUD we were let in on a secret: recently many people decided that they're entitled to form a 4th - unofficial - ICAO category of passengers of Lima. (Lima stands for lazy). Usually I'm the first passenger to board the plane, but on this occasion the aircraft was reasonably occupied by very vivid pensioners who have miraculously risen from their wheelchairs. That being said, most ground staff are very welcoming and accomodating with pax like us. Except at JFK. They are kind but quite reluctant and apparently not trained whatsoever.

[@prunellamae]

Amen!

[@Dave-good36]

I am going to make sure I am more patient next time I fly

[@dododorey7181]

Beautiful country, beautiful airline too! Your first dish on Dubai flight was moughrabie

[@Jeng4280]

Once again I love traveling with you via KZbin, Noel! As stated before, you are the Lord of Loo Reviews! LOL! I absolutely love your content and also love you standing up for those who are disabled as well. Also happy to hear that Rach is doing well. It's really scary what occurred-I had a similar experience with gallstones! Doctors have said that they can get so bad that they can become septic! I was almost septic with mine! And it found two other things that were even worse than the gallstones were. Again thank you for your videos and I look forward to your future travels!

[@SkyHighGuys]

These videos always accompany my peanut butter toast and coffee at 6am. Thanks for the early entertainment!!

[@dave.cholula]

Thanks!

[@1galstreasure4u]

Catching up on Videos I missed. When I heard MEA thought of so many MEA flights taken by my family so many years ago when living and working in the ME for so many years. Thanks for all the great content.

[@gregderrick5831]

Hi Noel, I want to thank you for all your reviews and travels. I am a retired UAL Ramper and love to travel myself. I watch you all the time since I found your site. I plan on making more travels myself. You always give me great content and places to visit. Thanks my friend. Looking forward to more of your travels. Greg

[@noelphilips]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gregderrick5831]

@@noelphilips We just took a flight on Qatar Airways QSuites Business Class flight from LAS, DFW, DOH to CRK with a stop in DOH. We had QSuites from DFW to DOH and just Business from DOH to CRK Philippines. What a great experience. Will be heading back home on the !8th of May. I hope you can one day try the DFW to DOH QSuites Flt. Best wishes Greg BTW we had the reverse seats. Kind strange for at least 10 minutes then no difference hahaha. Keep flying my friend. 🙂

[@BobTravellin]

Good video as usual, Noel. About 15 years ago I spent a year working in Beirut, fascinating place, but IMO the worst drivers in the world! Used MEA a lot through CDG and Milan, decent airline. Tragic what is happening in the country now, though.......it's been pretty much bankrupt for years. I remember the shabby airport that had incredibly tight security outide - not surprising, given their neighbours - and some very rude people. But by and large they were fine: while I was there another flare up with Israel happened, and a colleague rold me that if it escalated he would smuggle me across the border to Syria and a fishing boat to Cyprus! Fun times.

[@nicks8106]

Terrible driving in Beirut, especially people in Kia picanto for some reason :D

[@BobTravellin]

@@nicks8106 All Mercs and old Peugeot Estates when I was there, I'm afraid. When I was there the drivers were all shite, no matter the car!

[@marcoschavez1028]

I'm glad you had a great experience on MEA. I flew LCA-BEY and BEY-ATH in August 2022. Both flights were late over an hour before takeoff. Check-in with checked bags at BEY was two hours!! And the power went out. Otherwise, once on the plane, inflight service was acceptable.

[@matsjoe1646]

Thanks Noel for the video. It looks like the MEA offers pretty good airfare compared to other airlines. Sometimes transiting through certain airports may not be that nice experience. But you didnt have much problem. Good to see you and Josh again in the beginning of the video.

[@hx0d]

I’ve flown LHR-BEY many times with MEA. Only once have I had a issue with the crew. And yes the food, as seen, they’ll stuff you haha. I’ve been on the older A320s and A330s, I haven’t tried these yet but they look great. Hoping to spot them and that retro A320 you saw when I’m next in Lebanon.

[@Mattymillman]

Always puts a smile on my face when I watch your video

[@MrGarethDHughes]

Love the livery. So fresh and colourful

[@foodlover2236]

Catching up on your videos. Another enjoyable journey You have me tempted to try MEA Flew it as a kid and followed it in airline mags Not sure if i like the new or the old MEA livery better It was fun to watch you and Josh however. The chemistry between you guys is cool I did notice that both of you are in the habit of saying “ yeah” and i was wondering which one of you got the other in the habit lol ! Thanks again.

[@GMaviation]

21:37 I flew that retro MEA last month, made a trip report about it. It will be online on my channel this monday👍

[@marklewarne239]

I love your videos noel I am from Cornwall and glad you had a nice trip to the isles of scilly. Thank you for the entertainment

[@Dreamweaver787]

Love the howl on the P&W engines, cool as always sir👍

[@FallenMuse81]

Staff seemed cool flight relaxing service awesome better than allot if planes I've been on.

[@Skidoo22]

I bet that guy sitting next to you had never heard the East Midlands accent before, Ey up me duck! 😉

[@petermikunda6213]

MEA do seem good value and the planes looked in goon nick. Always interesting to see places (well mainly airports) that I am unlikely to visit. looking forward to the next video.

[@Bad_Drivers_Caught_On_Dashcam]

"....looked in goon nick."?

[@petermikunda6213]

@@Bad_Drivers_Caught_On_Dashcam Sorry "in good nick" I need to learn to type🤣

[@davesturdy]

Incredible how some people are in a rush to get on a plane. Well done for using your size to stop them barging past the lady in the wheelchair 👍🏼 great video as always mate.

[@sabinelandau2330]

And the plane isn't exactly going to leave them behind. And these are the people trying to rush off the plane at their destination, only to have to wait for ages for their suitcases. LOL

[@primitivestudio1]

Great Video. Sorry about baggage issue but hay more time with Josh. I saw his video of Mahan Air. That was lovely. Please do more collaborations. As to two flights the planes look nice. As to advertising is it because revenue issues? As to food looks great. Seriously that big meal from Lebanon to Istanbul. Glad flight crew was nice. As to jet ridge that's just uncool. Anycase great video

[@kendrapratt2098]

Aww, I like the little cedar tree on the winglet

[@uzmaahmed.catmoon]

Sup Noel, may i say, when its not ur wit & humour, its the kind & mild mannered way in which u carry urself. Much appreciated as a fellow northerner.

[@watershed44]

@Noel Philips *Love the collaboration videos, I hope you guys expand collaboration with other avgeeks in the future!*

[@DiecastPowderCoating]

Wonderful and interesting video Noel. Keep up the good work. Take care

[@kamalh2092]

The meal you opted for is called "Moughrabieh" lol

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

Me to like the new Delivery.Great work

[@DannyTP1888]

Top man Noel Philips trying to stop the ignoramuses pushing past the elderly lady with walking difficulties. 💗

[@TheRareVideosXL]

What a lovely flight experience. Fantastic video. Keep it up.

[@viperine4577]

Great video. Very nice flight info on the screens.

[@noelphilips]

Thanks 👍

[@spidyman8853]

I will always have fond memories of MEA when I was a child few London-Beirut-Aden on 747.

[@otismutt]

My favorite channel. Always hilarious and so calming. Just fab vibes.

[@noelphilips]

Wow, thank you!

[@Dillixx]

Awesome content as always. Been watching since you had 30k subscribers, haven't stopped since! I do have a question though. How do you find the aircraft history such as who it was delivered to, etc? Thanks for entertaining us all!

[@nendest]

Wow.. it’s me Aernial! from that discord thing

[@nhdenver7883]

Thank you, Noel! Excellent as always. Safe travels!

[@noelphilips]

Thanks!

[@bardo0007]

What a lovely airline. I will check them out next time I am in Dubai.

[@badrghumrawi6287]

Haha so typical of Lebanese people being impatient. It’s always the same way whenever I travel back home to Lebanon

[@PlaneSpottingBerlin]

Drinking game: Every time Noel mentions the "MEA A321neo", take a sip :D

[@PracticallyGeek]

🤣 I'm very drunk now!

[@lja6420]

@@PracticallyGeek Ditto... best Canadian whiskey, 40 creek barrel select...

[@WgCdrLuddite]

Gin, lime & tonic. Hic !

[@lucascalma605]

Good evening once again mate! I have actually heard of MEA, but you in videos involving airlines that are not too popular, I think that you can give them memories of a KZbin aviator on board!

[@stevemcgarrett5001]

Hi Noel you produce great videos that are well worth watching for entertainment and education..

[@GaryG25]

Well done, Noel, and I'm enjoying your KZbin channel. And I really like your sleeper train videos too.

[@noelphilips]

Thank you very much!

[@SebsTruckStop]

Oo I’m early! Once again, a great video from Noel; by far the best aviation youtuber

[@noelphilips]

Thanks a ton!

[@matmooNZ]

Another great video, Noel! Love watching them!

[@noelphilips]

Thanks so much!

[@Hudute]

6:11 i think that decision is mostly down to the fact that an electric toothbrush is much easier to fence than professional recording gear. Having had the pleasure of chasing down studio quality headphones on short notice in NBO a couple years back I wouldn't be surprised to hear the market in places like Ouagadougou simply isnt there to get anything for your gear without significant effort on part of the thieves.

[@lvthud]

When the fanatics (on all sides) are not being morons, Beirut is a fabulous city, almost as good as Damascus, it's a shame everyone cannot live in peace.

[@tapuwandudzo7162]

The great joy I get receiving a notification that Noel uploaded a new video!! Much love from Zimbabwe. Always look forward to your content!❤️

[@noelphilips]

Wow, thank you!

[@neil1672]

We love primark ☺️ such a friendly crew

[@williamgriffis8733]

Great video Noel!! Love this feature of MEA!!

[@edwardlees4585]

You need a jingle for the 'What's on TV' segment. During the hour you spend watching the video on Lebanon's Bank their inflation rate doubles and the film is already out of date.

[@philippal8666]

Noel has course 5 of dinner… ‘go on then, I’ll give it a try…’ one more meal Noel, you’ve obviously got to try everything.

[@WBTravels]

@5:07 yes what Noels riding is techically a train "An APM 400" but in reality is more of a bus lol, using rubber tyres with a center guiding and powered rail.

[@stephanedirand6535]

Haha a Noel Phillips / Josh Cahill cross-over. Great!

[@mansourbellahel-hajj5378]

13:56 that is moghrabye a Lebanese dish and it has humus it is delicious and good to eat.

[@shortylucy]

I'm all for Josh and Noel banter. Its the best! 😂😂😂 Also, thank you for showing us MEA, never heard of them until now. ❤

[@noelphilips]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@shortylucy]

@noelphilips I do! Don't mind me, just binge-watching your Middle East Playlist from Vegas.

[@Brucetiki1]

People do realise that the plane isn’t going to leave any earlier even if you push and shove your way to your seat.

[@FL92002]

If you want an even nicer narrow-body business class, fly Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain. I just flew from BAH-FRA on 14 Sept., 6.5 hours on one of their A321neos. 2+2 business class with proper lay flat seats. Good service and good food, to boot, plus a good personal IFE system. The Falcon Gold lounge in BAH is very nice as well.

[@michelcalloch9875]

Hello Noel Good view you trip, to Lebanon Take care 🤔🤔 Nice week mate See ya

[@mohamadhasbini1995]

I think what you had was Moghrabye, its semolina dough ball (similar to couscous but larger) with chicken and onions

[@joannharrington2279]

Watching this video drinking a hot cup of coffee using my Noel Philips mug with my tea cookies (but not dunking). My two favorite AV geek vloggers.

[@noelphilips]

Love that!

[@clairedobson2240]

Thanks as always Noel. Great video

[@noelphilips]

Thanks!

[@azanbas]

Excellent video Noel,

[@ecclestonsangel]

Great video, Noel! Finally got Josh out of the way, huh? Lol! The neighborhood I live in has lots of Lebanese. I like their food, like falafel. And they have a very salty cheese that is delicious! Do you have stickers, Noel? I'd love to have one for my suitcase!

[@CM-zl2jw]

The root of the carry-on baggage problem is that airlines charge for checked baggage. It should be the other way round. Plus airlines are losing bags so ppl can’t trust putting bags thru checked. Interesting that Dubai were wearing masks but Lebanon is not. Ppl can say “no” to the dictator globalist bs. Love these vids. Cdns are still being held hostage and subjected to Trudy tyranny. Ppl are stupid 🐑 air canada is the worst. Climate convid fascists are wreaking. havoc in the west. MEA looks amazing!

[@roses.9181]

As a Lebanese person, yeah... they are incredibly impatient, and sometimes downright rude, and it frustrates me too. Try getting a group of Lebanese people to listen to a speaker hahahah, good luck.

[@s125ish]

Why is that why is that attitude

[@DCONightingale]

Love the Dunder Mifflin shirt 😂 I have the exact same one!

[@cardinal_thrill5]

That loo review opener ‘bit’ with the voice over is pretty funny and original to the channel

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! How about TK and GF? Looking forward to the next one. I flew the A-310 both with Pan Am and Delta. New cs. I know Paul flew the A-310 with Sata a while back. The sound that the GE engines makes. Just plane sexy! Be safe!

[@hergi-tp9ve]

Nice video! When are you gonna fly onboard the MD80? There’s still some great airlines left that use them

[@Welsh_Girl_UK]

Hahahaha, 🤣 Josh at the coffee shop!! You two have been brilliant together. Hopefully there will be future vids with you both.. Another great review though Noel, thank you.

[@whatever8282828]

The retro livery is kind of nostalgic, but you're right the new livery is pretty cool looking too.

[@donstravelsandrants.]

I would love to fly MEA. They look great.👍😊🛫

[@AA-pk6fo]

MEA are awesome!! Most definitely have heard of them

[@WeMuckAround]

Is MEA a secret airline..? Confusing video title this week, Noel 😆

[@ModestlyAmazing]

I'm deffo up for all this airline food. All I've flown for the last 5 years has been bloody Ryanair and easyJet