The Most Difficult Landing - Greece Island Hopping Flying Adventure

I was Island Hopping with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air in Greece. I flew from Rhodes to Kastellorizo; which is known as one of the most difficult and challenging airports in Greece, due to the short 800-meter runway which often has strong winds and terrain and geographic restrictions nearby. The runway at Kastellorizo is sitting on a hilltop with cliffs on each side. Only the Dash8-100 and only the captain is allowed to land and take-off from there.
Next, I flew with Aegean Airlines on an Airbus A320 to Santorini; it was a beautiful flight over Aegean Sea, seeing many nice islands enroute. I was given a tour of Santorini and stayed in a spectacular cliff hanging hotel, which overlooks the Aegean Sea.
This is part 1 of 2 episodes of my Greece Island Hopping adventure by plane. Stay tuned for the next episode, a flight to Samos and a maintenance tour of inside a “naked” A320!

[@SamChui]

Yesterday a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit region around Aegean Sea (Samos, Greece and Izmir, Turkey) I am shocked as I was in Samos just 2 weeks ago. My heartiest prayers and best wishes for all the ones affected in this unfortunate disaster and hope for a quick recovery.

[@spazz9199]

Yeah I saw that. Wish the best to them!!

[@Aisha-us3yf]

sam i was the 1 who wacthed your video ~!!

[@mohammedrami8995]

Hope for the best health

[@Aisha-us3yf]

@@mohammedrami8995 yess

[@stamatisk6432]

Thanks a lot Sam. We are indeed shocked from yesterday but we keep up and trying to repair our homes. Your wishes are truly appreciated. (I'm greek btw)

[@singlaki]

You know you're in Greece when the pilot has an iced coffee in the coffe cup holder of the cockpit. We Greeks always have a coffee near by

[@KthreeismMixes]

Wha

[@giorgo]

Χαχαχα το ποιο καλά κομεντ τις μέρας. Έχεις δίκιο

[@pwcakkerman]

Εχω γίνει Έλληνας ναι.... χαχαχα

[@robertblue3795]

Yes Greeks love their coffee and no one takes as long to finish a cup as Greeks do!

[@phillipvasilakopoulos6026]

I am greek and that is so true 😂😂

[@leozen1507]

I love Greece one of my favourite countries! Greetings from Italy!

[@pwcakkerman]

Guys, this is what I got to know about Sam when he joined my flight to Kastellorizo: Sam is very very professional, passionate and knows what he is talking about when it comes to aviation, both from client experience view as from employee view to get us all the whole picture. This is the key to good reporting, real views and experiences. Sam brings that to us. Hope to see him soon on another of my flights!

[@SamChui]

Captain Akkerman, thanks for flying me to Kastellorizo and provided the opportunity for us to see one of most difficult airport in Greece.

[@hfsshpfkhsfphsfsfhfkshsfhk8935]

@@SamChui be sure to fly the superjet 100 aeroflot

[@mikeox5186]

O

[@TB-if7px]

Stunning job flying to those spectacular airports! Great flying captain and happy skies to you!

[@projustitia6005]

this was so amazing to watch!!! you explained everything so well!!

[@Gold3010]

Oh my God I just love the Aegean Sea blue color!! Beautiful Greece!! 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@exposingthedarknesswiththe9190]

*WE'VE NOT SEEN A MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE, IT'S LIKE A BRIGHT DIAMOND SURROUNDED BY A BLUE OCEAN!!*

[@vladibaby79]

I always enjoy flying aegean and olympic. The hospitality and kindness you see in this video is not only for the camera filming, this is 100% authentic. I always experience excellent crews like this.

[@joejolliffe]

I am british but I have lived in Greece for a lot of my life (in the north) so when the flight attendant said Paxi, I place I have spent much time at and have many memories, my heart lit up!

[@demetrisvellianitis]

I am from Paxi , just beautiful

[@hermespsychopompos4615]

Ionian sea in Western Greece has truly different vibes than Aegean islands, but equally amazing. Went for a week in Parga as well and still can't forget it.

[@dersandmann6881]

People from greece are so lovely :)

[@user-hd8ru4eb8d]

Nope

[@retro9.11]

True I from greece @

[@hansbaumbach4017]

Love flying with Aegean or Olympic Airlines, so professional and very courteous flight crews.

[@fabiomoffat-rolfi6412]

As a Greek person I really enjoyed this video.

[@fabiomoffat-rolfi6412]

@Daniel Hostetler Exactly

[@stray1467]

Και εγώ

[@seanstewart08]

Kastellorizo! My wife and I honeymooned there. Definitely one of my favourite places in Greece.

[@gabrielojoko5077]

I d g a f

[@seanstewart08]

@@gabrielojoko5077 Aww. But you did care enough to write and tell me. That's sweet.

[@marky4573]

Gabriel is a loser haha

[@paultheaviator7675]

Gabriel that’s so rude ! Just get off the internet.

[@Noneblue39]

Nice!

[@constantinosbikos7125]

This must be one of the most enjoyable videos I’ve watched for a long time. Recently moved back to Greece after living in the UK for the past 6 years and I certainly have a new appreciation of my country after living abroad for so long. I’m like a tourist moving around and taking pictures of what I previously took for granted! Greece is a magical, gorgeous, “drama-Queen”, sentimental country, still, wouldn’t change it for the world. So glad to be back. Thank you for this video 🇬🇷 ✈️

[@elias204gr4]

"Drama queen" xdd

[@alexandroszogopoulos9962]

Hmm! Many people same story my friend

[@jimalexvam]

Served at kastelorizo as a Greek soldier for about 6 month's, really happy you visited this small but not forgotten island.

[@Roseeeeee]

Just loved hearing a Greek air hostess over the PA system. Missed my holidays this year 😢❤️🇬🇷

[@gorillaau]

It's been a rough year for everyone. Hope you can get back in the air next year.

[@Roseeeeee]

@@gorillaau Thank you. Let's hope we can all regain a little normality next year.

[@gorillaau]

@@Roseeeeee My fiancee has booked our honeymoon for a cruise late next year. I hope a certain virus doesn't mess it up.

[@christinamendrinos3163]

Fun fact...any flight from Athens to any part of Greece is 30 min. You take off, get a snack and drink, and land. 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@Kardasi]

Not exactly! Heraklion, Kavala, Alexandroupolis etc, it is about 50 min to an Hour!

[@GAKRI15]

@@Kardasi on papers, most of the times its 30-40 min the flights

[@christinamendrinos3163]

I stand corrected. I would say half an hour Greek time. I was told this anecdotally as in, you take off, you get a snack/drink, and land. We always took a ferry or drove.

[@MsMinoula]

@Σπβγ She clearly states "From athens" (which is in the middle)

[@dionisissgouros3041]

@Σπβγ She wrote from Athens...!

[@TalkieToaster.]

Greece is an amazing place. So many different little islands, the food is also incredible. Great video, cheers!

[@freewild6828]

greek pilots for sure are in top 3 of my list.. Greece is the most beautiful place in the world ive been kithira,amorgo,folegandro,sikino islands and i say to my self,god lives here. it was pure magic...

[@thanasis_biz566]

Most people want money from tourists, there aren't good people as you see. We're a bad civilization unfortunately these days.

[@EZAGEEZAR]

@@thanasis_biz566 I guess u like working for free ? Who needs money nowadays hey ?

[@thanasis_biz566]

@@EZAGEEZAR you don't understand so don't be sarcastic. There are people that have many feelings and have business and there are people that have no feelings but only business.

[@spirosstrag]

Did you came to meganisi island?? So you missed the paradise

[@amaliaamalia1112]

Thank you very much.Any time......

[@taitthemate]

Beautiful country and the people big love to Greece

[@marcomorosino6081]

One of my most creepy landing was on an ATR72 to Samos from Athens. Heavy wind on the tail at landing, plane bumping and swerves left and right, mountain just beside the planes on the left side, tip-off the plane up and suddenly a down to the ground landing with all the heavy weight of the plane to go against the strong wind. Best pilot ever.

[@yp3424]

Indeed. Samos' airfield is one of the worst. Greeks use to call creepy roads or passages as a "carmagnole". There, in August 1989, a serious accident took place, when an O.A. plane arriving from Thessaloniki, crashed during landing, due to a miscalculation of the mountain you mentioned above & the wind. 92 people died. It is weird that no accidents happened to some other airports like Skiathos' airp. or "N. Kazantzakis" of Heraklion & "I. Capodistrias" airp. of Corfu.

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

Though the runway is short, the landings are pretty sweet and smooth. Hats up to the skilled pilots who fly there and a great video Sam Chui!

[@mobonnaure4071]

Λατρεύω την Ελλάδα 💙💙💙🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷

[@terabit.]

15:21 WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ISLANDDDD!!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙

[@luinpuin4152]

Typical Greek, friendly good service and lovely looking women. I love my country

[@callumdean]

Greece looks incredible flying over the islands

[@Cobaltblueprism]

That's on my bucket list. I'd give anything to go to Greece.

[@theart8039]

just take laxatives when you go because the food is just meat, meat, meat

[@yiagouz2466]

Hello Sam!! I’m very glad that you visited a part of our beautiful and hospitable country!! Warm greetings from 🇬🇷!!!

[@itstomatogear6806]

Congratulations 🎉👏 of being the top comment 👍😁 (as of now 😈)

[@yiagouz2466]

@@itstomatogear6806 Thanks😂😂

[@ksa_1325.]

I love Greece, more beautiful than Turkey 🇸🇦✌

[@vornamenachname1598]

Proud of my greek roots, love ur country!

[@yiagouz2466]

@@ksa_1325. Every place is unique my friend! Salam Alekom from 🇬🇷!!!

[@Kardasi]

Here we have the Proof that the Greek Navy, don’t need an Aircraft Carrier! Every Island is a Carrier! 🛩

[@miketm8200]

True!

[@xmodder077_aviation9]

I bet those island airports are Swiss 001’s heaven

[@nunuaprihadi3931]

That was also my first thought😂👍

[@ioannisg1924]

I m really happy you finally came to Greece Sam . I wish you will visit Greece again in the future , so many places to visit and so many things to do but Greece is special .

[@_TheRock]

Wow - amazing stay on Santorini. Wife and I had the best holiday ever there as a young couple 20 years ago. We miss it a lot and will definitely be back one day.

[@agodeo]

Great video from my homecountry. Great mood for the captain of the Dash . Butter landing and great info debrief for the camera. Thank you all!

[@jokerface7531]

2:06 *Omg the Greek Lady Flight attendant* ❤️‍💋

[@maboleth]

@idk yep, wanted to say the same. Beautiful woman.

[@simonapeskova2223]

😕 with facemask...

[@dirkdee9751]

All of them... 🤩 I suggest Sam makes the same trip again once facemasks are gone in daily life.

[@11dim35pyrnos]

greek godess...

[@srfrg9707]

Now you understand the war of Troy for the eyes of Helen...

[@AkaBiggie777]

Ποσό μου αρέσει όταν ακούω τα αγγλικά των Ελλήνων😂😂😂 Μόνο από την προφορά καταλαβαίνεις ότι είναι Έλληνας

[@konstantinostr276]

I speak ligos ellhnikos. Ligoulakios 😂

[@rrocketman]

πρέπει

[@demetrisvellianitis]

όντως έτσι τους τσιμπαω κ εγω...

[@skyline-ceo9449]

Hey Sam! I’m from Montreal Canada but I am 3/4 Greek and 1/4 German! I love my country and I want to thank you for giving it and chance and visiting it!!! Hope to see you someday in the skies❤️🙏🙏

[@jeanlafrance8746]

Quebec City guy here, cool to see other Canadian on here! I wish I can visit Greece one day!

[@katsoulas69.]

Ελπίζω να ξέρεις ελληνικά και θα ήθελα να μου πεις πως είναι στο Montreal και πως εξελίσσεται η κατάσταση με την Αμερική

[@skyline-ceo9449]

@@katsoulas69. Χερεταί!!!! Ασφαλώς μιλάω Ελληνικά και στο Μοντρεάλ είναι πολύ διαφορετικά από τιν κατάσταση στην Αμερική. Οι καναόνες είναι αφστυρές και είναι παρά πολύ δύσκολο. Εύχομαι ο Θεός να μας φωτίσει όλους μας πολύ Αγάπη από μένα ❤️

[@peosforos13]

Santorini is an island miracle in the Medditeranean. It cannot described with words. I am Greek, have been there 3x already (also this summer) and next year will probably go again! It's beauty is out of this world

[@FastGuyS1]

I am proud to be Greek and Egyptian

[@AnuragSingh-yb5ng]

that stress 8:18 i can feel it. much respect to all the pilots out there

[@georgepil0]

I belong to the flight crew of Aegean group.Glad to see you on our planes and looking forward to welcoming you on board for once again as soon as possible :) !

[@pacmanzz]

thank you Sam for showcasing Greek aviation

[@giannischatziioannidis6652]

Thank you that you visit my country Greece mr.Sam.Hope you enjoy your vacation. I am living in Canada now.Your channel is one of the best in KZbin.Fly safe always and hopefully we will meet you in a flight.

[@i0ntempest]

You know it's hard when the altimeter goes from 500 to 100 to 40 in like 10 seconds

[@gorillaau]

100 to 40 on the voice prompt is scary.. if there is one, what happened to 50?

[@lucasq7691]

That happens mostly because of the land configuration, it doesn´t mean that the plane is going down that fast. Actually, is the terrain "going up"...

[@abdulrahmanaabidopakunle2721]

I can't thank you enough Sam for creating this channel. i've learnt alot from your videos.

[@vaggourinho]

Greetings from Greece Sam. we love your videos, Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air and of course this great land of greek's people

[@manolisdaskalakis8206]

O-M-G!! Just yesterday,i was watching your older video reviews on Singapore and Turkish airlines ,as well as your wonderfull video about the future of A380,wondering" Why Sam didnt come to Greece for a review,Aegean airways has a new plane' 😟 and today i see this in my recommended videos!!! 😄🥳 Im so happy, welcome to Greece Sam!! 👋🇬🇷

[@Thivanikolas]

Ποιά άλλη χώρα σε κάνει να νιώθεις τόσο όμορφα συναισθήματα!!! Μόνο η Ελλάδα!!!

[@woutvanderhorst189]

Hello Sam Chui, Thank you for the nice movie about the difficult landing on Kastellorizo in Greece. I was there last week with my loveley wife, we love Greece and traffel for many many years on Greece. Greetings from Wout and Trudy from The Kindom of the Netherlands.

[@Bad_Karma1968]

I miss Greek island hoping Especially Santorini Great vlog Sam

[@tommyallen5671]

Thank you Sam, for your love of aviation, your wonderful trips you share with us, and also your personality...stay safe and well, and keep doing what you do!

[@Roseeeeee]

Booked the weekend off work to get some stuff done... then this vid dropped in my recommendations because of my love for Greece! Spent all weekend watching your vids. Love the content. Subscribed!

[@aviationjunkie1]

Just seeing those old Olympic logos makes me cry. My whole childhood is filled of many many many memories and trips on OA aircraft.

[@xrpbold6264]

As a pilot , I have no regrets about taking this field when I was young. Now I'm living here in Santorini with my loving family. This video came to suggestions video, I just want to say Thank you very much to u for this video. Love it .

[@user-ym2gj7hq7f]

2:54 Special feature only for Greek planes "frappe holder"🤣

[@annatamparow4917]

Γ. Π. Nope! Must be frappuccino or iced double espresso or iced cappuccino.

[@user-ym2gj7hq7f]

@@annatamparow4917 Anna, it's a freddo espresso...

[@phillipvasilakopoulos6026]

🤣🤣🤣

[@gnonymouse]

They seem like they have friendly staff and I just learned that Greek pilots are considered to be some of the best in world.

[@user-jl5eh9my7c]

The best!!!!

[@maryblue75]

Yes😍 because of all these different places weather conditions and the Greek heart. My dad was one of them, flew 40yrs 😍saw all the world, but knew this is the best country of them all. Visit Chania Crete. This was his home town, my grandfather gifted the house for the gavalochori museum there.

[@gnonymouse]

I've been to Chania. Beautiful.

[@gtpyyz]

As a Greek and loving the plane hobby, I have to say...You're a legend. You got treated VIP in Greece....Glad you had a good time..

[@MrUraniumProductions]

Beautiful Greece!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!,awesome video

[@Muyendisbey1815]

Hey Greeks, we Turks love you. Please let's not let politicians bring grudges and hatred between us. Greetings from turkey

[@jimjg9923]

All the Turks I know, are very nice and kind people, hello from Greece

[@JoyoSnooze]

That bit in Santorini, once you got into the pool and overlooked the water.. I just closed my eyes and drifted there in my mind. This year has been so hard and nobody I know has managed to get away. I also lost my job in aviation. I just wanted to say thanks for that little moment of pure escapism. Safe travels my friend.

[@D1rector]

Magnificent greek islands... great you got to experience some of them Sam 👍🏽

[@YummiMoney]

I love the Captain's drink at 4:43, its so cute.

[@MrAlyout]

Greek/Italian ice coffee

[@giorgo]

SAM, this a really enjoyable video. I‘m thrill and exited about the next video. Thanks for visiting Greece! Really proud ✈️🇬🇷

[@porosadventure5687]

The first part, despite working almost 20 years in airports but never seen so sweet so delicate cabin crew, I really mean it God protect her x

[@mariakanaki4970]

Thank you so much!!!!☺️✈️

[@robertgoss4842]

Zowie. Best travelogue video I've seen. Sam is a real pro, yet gives viewers a very down-to-earth feel. Quite a likeable young chap. The up-close contact with flight officers and crew members, for me, made this program especially enjoyable. Well done.

[@pfloridas9923]

Very interesting video. Didn't know that there were so crazy airports in Greece. Definitely underrated. Really cool.

[@LeManock]

KALIMERA FROM GREECE 🥰🇬🇷

[@ksa_1325.]

Salam from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦❤🇬🇷

[@faceoff3315]

5:15 *Good Bless The Women Flight Attendant* 💗

[@dondash8921]

Been on many Dash-8 100's. Used to live in northern Canada so lots of commuter connecting. I like it a lot. Landed at a few pretty small airports. Greece is beautiful. We loved it

[@SoultwainMusic]

Thank you Sam for making our beautiful country and especially our beautiful islands a bit more famous around the world with this amazing video! Really hope to have you again next summer! ✈ ✌️ 🇬🇷

[@slyaura2002]

I guess I am the first African (Kenyan) to comment here!

[@ramunasmargevicius2499]

this is for sure "hold my beer" airport!

[@thecrabpulsar]

Beautiful flights, crew and scenery. Love these islands...

[@pantelisppd5718]

Beautiful Greece 🇬🇷 😍

[@nycflyertravel]

I’m so jealous that you got to visit Santorini when it’s not overrun with tourists! Greece looks so beautiful.

[@SamChui]

This year the island is much quieter without the usual American and Asian tourists which give local and other Greeks a break.

[@PilotBlogDenys]

Great job, Sam.

[@Geodreamcatcher]

This is our country and we adore it!!!

[@MakisGalaktidis]

Greatest way to show the beauty of greece ive seen in the past months...love it❤

[@michaeljohnson1413]

It is really beautiful, thank you for the tour Sam.

[@Logan-oq9nv]

Love from Greece 🇬🇷 καλημέρα

[@maryblue75]

Won me over! My dad was an Olympic airways pilot 20yrs (707,727, 737, 747) after flying 20yrs in military, spitfire Harvard, helldiver,f85g (the acro team squadron of the HAF doing acrobatics.). Now, you need to visit his home town, Chania Crete. It will be my pleasure to guide you to the best places there. It’s a country on its own, history, food, beaches …and you will want to take 2 weeks off to just see a little bit.

[@geoasximos]

Thank you for visiting and flying with our beloved airline. Mostly huge thank you for letting avgeeks know the beauty of my homeland! Keep it up Sam!

[@charlab.7838]

I’ve been to Santorini and it’s truly a gorgeous island!!!

[@georgegarcia566]

I really liked this more comprehensive episode (with info on the destination). Beautifully shot vistas. Great work!

[@anastasiosplestis8167]

Thank you very much for the amazing trip reports and amazing views of those beautiful islands!

[@foy180]

Greece is my far my favourite country. It has my heart!

[@skylineXpert]

Skiathos as well is a captains only airport.

[@pwcakkerman]

That depends on the airline @skylineXpert.

[@78Mkv]

What’s so difficult about this landing ?

[@shahimagesyt]

The landing is very low

[@78Mkv]

@@shahimagesyt ok. Guess you don’t know much. Cheers

[@idosar4085]

Skiathos is not a captains only airport but it's the best airport in Greece for plane spotting! ;)

[@matthiashaenni]

WOW Dash 8-100!!! Super nice video, beautiful Greek landscape. 😍👍 Recently I hiked in the mountains to observe wild animals. A gorgeous B747, several Dreamliner and B777 flew high above me...✈ 😲😊

[@wawaservices9071]

Sam, your video is AWESOME! We just came back from Greece and you just remember us how beautiful was our trip. Thank you for sharing your passion with us.

[@PapaG603]

About time your in Greece

[@marijusofficial]

Amazing series love it.Greek islands look fabulous.

[@mjjensenpix]

I ❤️ episodes with the Dash 8!

[@ephilippos]

Thank you Sam for the Daredevil flight and visiting Greece-you never stop to amaze us! Hope to see you again soon!!!

[@spy967]

You're sure brought back some memories. Back in the 90"s, I was flying the Dornier 228 for Olympic aviation, which was the short field airplane of the era, all over the Aegean. Many runways have been extended ever since and they are all paved, which wasn't always the case back then. As a right seat occupant, I had landed the aircraft in all of these airports and some tougher ones. I hope you enjoyed your stay in my country.

[@ashimdahal]

Love from nepal ❣️🇳🇵

[@ArkoudasGR]

welcome to Greece Sam !!!!! 🇬🇷 🇬🇷 🇬🇷

[@chima486]

I love the dash 8 Q400s landing gear, I love watching from the window seat just watching it hit the ground

[@judithrandall4690]

I like this guy. He doesn't talk too much. More video.

[@Tecky81]

The stewardess was soo nice and really kind 🥰 really good for the trip ,and good video Sam , like always ☺️

[@LivingAviation]

The dash 8 Q100 and the dash 8 Q400 are one of the best regional aircraft I have flown on, I mean the design is the best! I really love the gears! Sam have you ever heard about "Pasto Airport" in Colombia? It is the most adventurous and beautiful landing in Colombia!

[@SamChui]

Thanks for sharing the info on Colombia.

[@abdulghanilarik3660]

are you in colombia sam chi or china

[@LivingAviation]

@@SamChui my pleasure!

[@isaacfung622]

Qantas flies dash 8 Q400 between Canberra and Sydney

[@PeterNGloor]

Gears? The main gears on the Q400 had a habit of falling off upon landing

[@dimcadmis8085]

Man we need to watch this video again. Such fast forward action! Way to go Sam!!

[@stellarch4986]

Gorgeous views and landscapes. Thanks for sharing...