Winter Operations with airBaltic A220 + Flying Inside Cockpit

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I arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania to experience a white winter with snow everywhere! First, I visited Avia Solutions Group to learn more about ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) and explored some aviation training opportunities there.
Next, I arrived at Vilnius Airport to board the airBaltic A220 flight to Riga. The pilot kindly showed the cockpit of the A220 and discussed the winter operation. Before departure, de-icing procedure was applied to our aircraft. I was able to jumpseat in the cockpit and watched the pilot perform a procedure called “ice shedding” (to remove any ice formed on engine blades) just before takeoff.
The workload in the cockpit was heavier due to a short flight to Riga, Latvia. The runway in Riga is wet and the runway-breaking action is crucial for the landing. I transited Riga to Amsterdam and flew with the same cockpit crew. This time I sat back in the cabin and explored more features of the airBaltic Airbus A220. Watch the final landing in Amsterdam from the cockpit!

[@kipweit9634]

The cockpit looks super modern.

[@SamChui]

And roomy too! A220 has become my favourite narrow body cockpit!

[@asafblasbergvideographer]

I agree Sam! A beautiful cockpit indeed, I am impressed!

[@ityisaac590]

@@SamChui Hope ONE DAY YOU BE ON IBOM AIR A220 DELIVERY IN 2024

[@maninder231]

Make vlogs with those airlines only top 15 airlines which are mentioned in Skytrax Awards, choose those first top 15 airlines and make content on those 15 airlines.​@@SamChui

[@sheriffjalloh6284]

@@SamChuiare you gonna try the new qantaslink a220 when it arrives

[@jessecruzu]

The captain is a cool one. Very professional and always happy smiling 😊

[@flipboerrigter9487]

Fantastic footage Sam! Well done! Im ex KLM 747 pilot! First time I was able to do an automatic landing in fog! Was magical! Well done Sam! Airport footage is a new premium coverage from you!! Keep that going!!

[@BerlinAerial]

I flown from Zurich to Berlin with A220 with Air Baltic, a absolut amazing airplane and my new favorite narrow body. It was quiet, clean and colorful, enough leg room in both class. A great airplane!

[@sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu6298]

Is it quieter than a Max?

[@BerlinAerial]

​@@sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu6298 I can´t say, but its quieter than every A320 series (CEO or NEO)!

[@lionelguilbert6493]

Even from the cockpit you can hear the howl of these A220 engines, Love it....

[@saschapeischl4690]

Flying in the snow suits perfect to Christmas 🌲 🎁🎉

[@SamChui]

Yes it does!

[@akwasiboat]

*The a220 is such an impressive aircraft. Such a sleek modern cockpit. Wishing you and your team a Merrry Christmas.🎄*

[@shwarcs]

Greetings from Riga, Latvia!

[@MrBiplabB]

Hi Sam , you are the number one aviation video blogger . I am sure nobody else disagree with that. You cover all aspects of air travel like a delicious platter presented to the viewers. Just saying good job isn’t enough to appreciate your work. Thanks for what you’re doing. ❤️🙏

[@1313andrius]

You should come to VNO in January or February. Then you'd have a chance to see real winter operations (-20 or lower, ~ meter of snow) :)

[@skylem5373]

A220 a Canadian masterpiece

[@miketennent9036]

👍🇨🇦👍🇨🇦

[@patrice5976]

Nothing to do with Canada. ALL QUEBEC taxpayers. Not a single dollars from Anglo-Canada that did everything to kill Bombardier

[@TheFllyingPlayer]

Welcome to Latvia!🥳

[@smurgulis1]

Hip Hip Urāā! finally you tested AirBaltics! I watching your channel already long time ago and I hoped that one day you will fly with AirBaltic and visit Riga, and one part you did it but you definitely need to book your time to visit our capital Riga!

[@sanita6314]

Yes, welcome to Riga!

[@peterdenbutter9189]

Nice to see myself in front of you boarding the plane in Riga.

[@TimS-pg5pv]

Great video. I've flown into northern European airports in late winter a few times and it's always special for me with snow as I'm Australian! Air Baltic is now on my list as a good European airline option thanks to this video Sam. Thanks - love your channel.

[@ON-pz9cs]

Thank you for this report. Flying isn't just about luxury class and first-class food. A lot of people fly that way...

[@SamChui]

We agree!

[@dfwplanespotters_yt]

you agree but airlines pay you to just fly their airline OR they know you're flying their airline and purposely make the experience amazing for you.@@SamChui

[@sirBrouwer]

@@dfwplanespotters_yt most will just try to accommodate where ever they can. When I flew with Icelandic air last month they were very helpful. The thing is a lot of the people that become cabin or flight crew enjoy there line of work. They are happy to share it.

[@buzzfunk]

That cockpit is a beauty. So clean and streamlined. Love it.

[@MH-gh]

The Captain seems very much happy with his job as well as coming across very friendly

[@markfosseth8047]

Finally a video which belongs to civil aviation enthusiasts 🙂 Thank you Sam

[@THErandomAVGEEK]

Finally you are gonna fly airbaltic’s a220-300 I’ve been waiting for this video for a long time

[@austinli8891]

damn I live in Australia and I have never seen that much snow

[@Suursaadik]

Cool, you are in the Baltic countries for the first time! 👍

[@wiseguyexist]

A huge fan here, loved your review of Airbaltic A220! 👌🏻 Funny enough, I am Latvian living in Amsterdam for many years, so this route is very familiar as I usually fly Airbaltic. Hope you get to spend some more time in Riga and the Baltic states next time, I am sure you would have a wonderful time! 😉 Good luck on all your future endeavors!

[@user-gi5ru8kb3x]

Cockpit views are amazing , thanks 👍

[@zenjempire]

I have been flying the Airbus A220-300 for like 5 years now, and yes I have been in Vilnius for E195 training at BAA , it was nice showing the training place, we were there for like 3 weeks, nice place but thanks God it was summer.

[@adrianylyeo]

The howl of the engines when throttling up reminds me of the Avro Vulcan

[@lawrencebenjamin502]

This is stunning ! What a paradigm shift.

[@FuNkYyBoY]

Beautiful clip and thanks for showing us the cockpit take off and landing !! enjoyed it !! and enjoyed the view !

[@ATHENS15]

Great video Sam. The winter scenery amazing. Thanks again. Happy holidays and all the best to you in 2024.

[@DjDenKot]

Hello from Lithuania !!!

[@springaviator]

Amazing! Thanks for the video, I’ll fly airbaltic a220 as well in a week from sunny Gran Canaria to Riga!

[@RRBhat511]

Its amazing how you get cockpit access during the whole flight time.. Unheard of in most parts of the world!

[@Grummans-2tracker]

Merry Christmas from Australia

[@davew5383]

Those were both fun flights in the cockpit👍🙂

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Sam, you find the most interesting places and flights to feature!

[@Calebs_Aviation]

Love it so much! I cannot wait to fly an Airbus A220 jet and hopefully on AirBaltic someday soon! I always love winter ops and flying too! 😊 Cheers my brother! Caleb’s Aviation

[@oldowleye3161]

Thank you Sam for this excellent video … you must do more of this … 😉

[@islandcactus1508]

Sam You’re pushing the envelope for YT! Fantastic work

[@Aviation2400]

Hi Mr Chui my name is gab I’m 12 and I have been watching for 6 years which is basically half of my life!! and I have been watching since you fly on many airlines and explain so well you’re experience, you inspired me for my aviation journey, and merry Christmas and happy new years.

[@flyamislv]

Any proud Latvians here RAISE YOUR HAND BABY 🙋‍♂️

[@22echomike]

Love that cockpit

[@kooloneism]

Another great production sam,merry christmas and a happy new year to sam and all viewers like my self.

[@metallooily7606]

Air Baltic, nice airline name for the company

[@davidsolis6691]

Very interesting topic for a video! Not everyone flies out of LAX or La Guardia, so I really appreciate this one. Good Job Sam! Thanks again! Merry Christmas!

[@davidsolis6691]

Enjoy your holidays with family and friends . Sharing life's beautiful moments! Thanks again! Merry Christmas! God bless ALL!

[@airtravelaviation491]

Love the a220 it is a comfortable aircraft and spacious , great review ❤❤

[@johnericneil2455]

Brilliant Sam. Lithuania is such a treasure.

[@Nooticus]

Absolutely excellent video Sam. I must say, that the people who say that you still do flight reviews are many years out of date. You don't do that anymore so it really irritates me when people say you 'do biased flight reviews' when you havent even done a normal flight review in years. Your videos are experiences and behind the scenes.

[@miklaop]

Wow, I live in Riga and I have never seen cockpit footage while landing there, thank you! Cheers!

[@mwmentor]

I really enjoyed that - loved the cockpit views - that must have been really cool for you to get to ride shotgun. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Very much appreciated. Have wonderful festive season and all the best for the new year... :-)

[@denissimu8504]

A220 it’s my favorite plane ,the cockpit and engine sound are amazing

[@vaiosan775]

Nice cockpit, nice seats.

[@myriamgillis4123]

Thank you dear Sam... Best wishes ... for the holiday season ... blessings always

[@SamChui]

Happy holidays! Same to you!

[@TankIOW]

I have no idea how you keep getting permission to fly in the cockpit, but it's fantastic viewing for us. I always enjoy your trips and footage, Sam. Merry Christmas 🎅 to you or Happy Holidays. 🎉

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Sam...your videos ROCK......technology is amazing.......MERRY CHRISTMAS from USA , Michigan

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Looking very nice!! A little more cold and snow!! Well, we have no snow here and 47 degrees in temps here in Chicago for this Christmas 2023. Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you.😊😊😊😊 Merry Christmas

[@user-op6hv6lm9c]

WOW, that was beautiful.

[@rafidadnan2472]

A big fan of you Sam. I would like to be like you. Love from Poland and Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@Vicomobile]

Nice flight snow everywhere.. hapy new year..

[@Canonbyair]

Very good videoproduction. I Love Air Baltic and the A220. The sound at takeoff makes me smile

[@travelwithbernhardtv]

Simply Amazing Dear Sam!

[@ajunthaanwari6177]

Another amazing video and the enjoyment scale was 100%. …. Merry Christmas Sam Chui.❤

[@marijusprostenas862]

Welcome to Vilnius🎉🎉😊

[@abhimkakade]

Absolutely stunning & Mary chirismas

[@MrBoljak123]

one of the best pilot for this vlog 😊

[@jeno826]

What a beautiful aircraft !!!!!!!!

[@plane0vitop]

I live in Riga 😀. nice to meet you in Latvia :)

[@DjDenKot]

👋

[@kayzzooo]

Snow + A220 thx Sam !!!!

[@SamChui]

Enjoy!

[@SkyusaNguyen]

Thanks Sam for a fantastic video 😀👍.

[@keirra5096]

Nice cockpit view 😊

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job sam with the airplane vlog and happy holidays thumb up

[@SamChui]

Thanks! You too!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

No problem

[@hkqv]

Love the video i was actually in Lithuania a week ago for 2 weeks visiting my family and i wish i would of saw you because its crazy to think such a big influencer comes to visit the small baltics especially in vilnuis, love the video and hope to be a airbaltic pilot soon 👨‍✈️

[@Lucky8s]

The A220 is easily the best narrow body out there, mostly because economy seats have 19 inches of width, at least on Air Canada. I believe Delta is 18.5". Leave it to a Canadian company, Bombardier, to actually create seats for humans unlike the 17" on 737s, 787s, 777s with 3-4-3 seating, and their Airbus equivalents

[@anirbandutta6913]

Fun fact. Bombardier actually made this plane.

[@RixSpotter]

I spotted you the same day and spotted your plane take off

[@ReerMiyi]

As usual, Sam videos are the best, I enjoy watching from start to finish. I love aviation and I am fortunate that I work engineering department for airline company. Keep up the hard work Sam.

[@jjstevenz]

how can you not love this plane

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Very nice flight.

[@s-gaming2749]

nice and fun video as always 😁 It would be fun to see you visiting Arlanda airport in sweden next!

[@SamChui]

Maybe one day!

[@jacksugiharto190]

Thanks Sam for this information 👍👍

[@flyingdentist]

Α220 the howler.Great

[@rmd4209]

Amazing video Sam!! Love the A220 and hopefully I get the chance to fly in one one day. Everything looks super modern and spacious. Keep it up!! 😍😍

[@merob7238]

Merry Christmas! 圣诞快乐！🎅🎄🎉

[@ramkaranpal3461]

Hi,Sam I love your every vlogs.

[@mahmoodsoleja9068]

Wonderful ! 🌟

[@aviation37.]

Amazing video Sam always impressed by how much effort you put into you videos ❤🎉

[@Igorski17]

Yet to fly on a220. But looks like a really neat airplane 😍😍

[@ItsJgod]

that landing was good!

[@guidoarnold1942]

very pleasant pilot 👍

[@travelvideos]

Come more often!

[@neo_x96]

I love how the engines sounds like an orca

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Thanks for sharing very informative video and excellent photography congratulations 👌

[@Dani331]

Merry Christmas Sam

[@SamChui]

Merry Christmas!

[@Dani331]

@@SamChui be the 747 in your heart and remember the concorde

[@Onemattressatatime]

Great value

[@glorylee8272]

Hi Sam Im looking forward to watch your seaplane experience in maldives 3 weeks ago🤤 Thanks

[@SamChui]

It is coming next week, I promise it is going to be a great one!

[@NasirRashid123]

Excellent

[@iecosystem7748]

Great video 👍🏻

[@ThemeParksAndAttractions]

Oh wow very different indeed 😮

[@brayenoffical1964]

Awesome !!

[@surendrakhatri7606]

♥️♥️♥️♥️ your's all videos from Nepal🇳🇵

[@A350ontop]

Amazing

[@dolabanerjee8825]

Merry Christmas Sam 🥳🥳

[@SamChui]

Same to you!