I Flew Venezuela's BIZARRE State Airline: Conviasa

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  • Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
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    I flew South America's Strangest Airline, the Venezuelan National Airline Conviasa!
    OFFICIAL NOEL MERCH: www.noelphilip...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 914

  • @tinytruck2108
    @tinytruck2108 Місяць тому +813

    booking a flight through a guy on whatsapp? I would've simply given up lmao you are far braver than me

    • @KKE1978
      @KKE1978 Місяць тому +18

      Hahaha was thinking the same thing

    • @AnetaMihaylova-d6f
      @AnetaMihaylova-d6f Місяць тому +6

      He is very brave yes ​@KKE1978

    • @iworkout6912
      @iworkout6912 Місяць тому +22

      @@AnetaMihaylova-d6f But very experienced in flying places most of us will never go. Most of us would be overwhelmed by all the checks and rechecks and empty airports and empty planes. Such a large plane for a rather short trip to Mexico City.

    • @frogmantoad8110
      @frogmantoad8110 Місяць тому +49

      The irony of a VIP lounge and business class on a Socialist airline! Truth is stranger than fiction. 😂😂

    • @Northernmike100
      @Northernmike100 Місяць тому +5

      @@frogmantoad8110Apparently even Cubans has a J Class!

  • @JaimeC315
    @JaimeC315 Місяць тому +383

    A video from Conviasa, the government owned carrier from Venezuela on Venezuela's election day, good timing

    • @LINJ638
      @LINJ638 Місяць тому +11

      How terrible they are.

    • @alananderson9128
      @alananderson9128 Місяць тому +6

      This videos aged well 😂

  • @n323dl
    @n323dl Місяць тому +26

    Noel in another video: “I’m a little worried about visiting Venezuela.”
    Also Noel: “I’m here now. Might as well fly on an MD-80, 737-200 and A340-600.”
    Love the videos man! It was pleasure meeting you in KC at the Airliners Collectibles show.

  • @vangestelwijnen
    @vangestelwijnen Місяць тому +395

    Love this! An empty, dodgy airplane to an empty, new airport. Noel is going places!!

    • @Charlizzie
      @Charlizzie Місяць тому +10

      Stuff that other vlogger sharing the same first letters as Stephen Curry could not.

    • @pilsplease7561
      @pilsplease7561 Місяць тому +7

      American airlines is super dodgy now because they have the worst customer service in the entire industry, Went to a airport and they had nobody at the airport working for american at all prior to the flight and it was so bad, the delta lady had to go and get ahold of american airlines corporate to send someone to the airport to get my flight sorted out and then check my bag. Then once I got on the plane it was a terrible cramped ride on a Embraer jet and the landing was brutal, co pilot who was a young 20's something blonde girl slammed the jet down on landing so hard that it bounced up 3 times like 40-60 feet off the runway then came up and down 3 more times hurt my back so bad I had to go to a clinic to get checked out thought she fractured something. Came back on another american airlines flight was on a better jet, a CRJ700 with first class seating so I had much better seating and again they came in and did not land that plane well and hurt my back again which was still recovering from the first time. It took like 1 month for my back to stop hurting. American just gave me so issues that it was insane, keep in mind I had not been on a plane since like 2018 at all as I drive and only travel mostly local and even if i drive out of state I drive instead of fly. And american was good last time I used them.

    • @horseathalt7308
      @horseathalt7308 Місяць тому +5

      @@pilsplease7561 Fact is the US is quickly becoming a third world country now...
      most things are not much better than Brazil.

    • @StephaneCalabrese
      @StephaneCalabrese Місяць тому +5

      He's going empty places! 😂

    • @fecardona
      @fecardona Місяць тому +2

      On a dodgy country

  • @louisewhite9152
    @louisewhite9152 Місяць тому +333

    Hi Noel - my name is Louise and I suffer with advanced secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and lupus. I’m also partially sighted ~ I either bedbound or wheelchair bound. I live in a rehabilitation centre. ~ I absolutely love your channel and the content you give - some of the places you go to I can only ever dream about but thanks to you I can see some of them - Your channel always make me smile - I haven’t watched your Vlog/video yet. I just thought I’d come and say hello- thank you so much for all your hard work in putting and sharing these vlogs/videos ~ I hope you have a great week ~ sending love and hugs Xxx Xxx

    • @sweethomealamanda
      @sweethomealamanda Місяць тому

      Hi Louise! I've got a great channel that I watch that you should check out, that shows some amazing places and cultures. The channel is "Eli From Russia." She shows some places that I could also only dream of ever traveling to as well. Check it out, I think you'd love it! Please take care of yourself... Hope you're having a good day! ❤ -Amanda

    • @noelphilips
      @noelphilips  Місяць тому +50

      Thank you & so glad you enjoy them.

    • @LifeExotics
      @LifeExotics Місяць тому +3

      Noel you're such a hero. I wish you good health!!

    • @andrewherold389
      @andrewherold389 9 днів тому

      God bless you miss .

  • @EBalagot007
    @EBalagot007 Місяць тому +405

    Conviasa are only missing Pyongyang and Beijing on their list of destinations : )

    • @andreworiez8920
      @andreworiez8920 Місяць тому +47

      They have Bejing!

    • @oscarenriquegarcia3157
      @oscarenriquegarcia3157 Місяць тому +24

      no les des ideas

    • @LINJ638
      @LINJ638 Місяць тому +1

      😂 😂

    • @lawrenceqiu8029
      @lawrenceqiu8029 Місяць тому

      @@andreworiez8920 only Guangzhou is the only place they fly to in china

    • @marko_ys
      @marko_ys Місяць тому +13

      They have Guangzhou already as one of their destinations

  • @spruill7716
    @spruill7716 Місяць тому +315

    The Caracas-Damascus flight has to be the most unusual. Venezuelan and Syrian passport holders need full visas for each other and the Syrian visa can only be collected at the land border. I'm not sure who could even fly this route outside of diplomatic officials. I know the route is only there as a political gesture, but using an extremely non fuel efficient A340 with no passengers across the world seems like a massive money burner for a country that has its own economic struggles.

    • @neilrmartin1984
      @neilrmartin1984 Місяць тому +113

      Oil/fuel is the one thing the country has plenty of

    • @carlosrivera3260
      @carlosrivera3260 Місяць тому

      Yeah, "oil"... ​@@neilrmartin1984

    • @JR-ut2ne
      @JR-ut2ne Місяць тому +19

      I would really love to know how many passengers that flight averages. Can’t be more than 20-30.

    • @bodyloverz30
      @bodyloverz30 Місяць тому +20

      @@neilrmartin1984 Well refined jet fuel, not so much as most of the refineries are long since broken and not functioning.

    • @Northernmike100
      @Northernmike100 Місяць тому +11

      You have made my point of the arrogance of the average Venezuelan.
      The production of oil goes to their heads and they show that they care less.

  • @sammilburn445
    @sammilburn445 Місяць тому +119

    The a340-600s in their fleet all once were Virgin Atlantic, so I’m guessing they’ve left the bar in from the red tail days

    • @kaiaviation
      @kaiaviation Місяць тому

      I want to fly on it, like virgin 😢😅

    • @fortunax22
      @fortunax22 Місяць тому +7

      Doesn't he say that in the video?

    • @lukethompson5558
      @lukethompson5558 Місяць тому +6

      It’s a shame Virgin yanked their suites out of the plane before selling it. Perhaps they want to keep them exclusive to Virgin?

    • @sammilburn445
      @sammilburn445 Місяць тому +4

      @@lukethompson5558 they all went elsewhere before going to conviasa. It was most likely done so that the product lines up with the rest of that customers products (especially for things like seat spares)

  • @poorwotan
    @poorwotan Місяць тому +102

    The reason for "strange" destinations is much more than just a simple "who the friends are". These huge planes fly there with plenty of carrying capacity to engage in smuggling of sanctioned things into Vzla and export gold, etc. In a final pinch, they are also the lifeboats for the "near" higher-ups to flee the country with their full extended families. The higher-ups would use the state petroleum company planes as those would fly more "under the radar"...

    • @cortomaltes2413
      @cortomaltes2413 Місяць тому

      Idiotic comment u make ….the reason for the “strange” destination are the USA sanctions …the result are really few country’s allow conviasa to landing .

    • @KimiFan2002
      @KimiFan2002 29 днів тому +1

      Probably more down to who will still allow them into the country. Maduro has basically burned Venezuela’s links to any county with a functioning democratic system

    • @B787YV
      @B787YV 23 дні тому +1

      also Maduro and Chavez used to use a A320 as private jet but painted as commercial. Hope u get it

    • @EK4B16A2
      @EK4B16A2 14 днів тому +1

      It's all smuggling. Everyone knows that.

  • @nicholasgerken9934
    @nicholasgerken9934 Місяць тому +22

    Back in the good old 1980s, the original version of this airline, VIASA, was a very popular and high quality airline. I flew with them from London to Caracas via Curaçao on a DC-10 back in the mid-80s and they were brilliant.

    • @neilcorey756
      @neilcorey756 Місяць тому

      @@nicholasgerken9934 I flew in 1991 from Heathrow to Havana via Caracas,I flew on a DC10..

  • @carolync2333
    @carolync2333 Місяць тому +31

    When I saw the rioting today I instantly thought, "thank God Noel was out of there by now for this"

  • @spikedraconian2164
    @spikedraconian2164 Місяць тому +153

    Conviasa rejected slogan: “We’re everywhere you want to flee”

    • @watchhans
      @watchhans Місяць тому +4

      To flee to Moscow, Teheran or Beijing? 😂

    • @icanthearyoufool
      @icanthearyoufool Місяць тому +8

      More like "we're everywhere the US can't control/influence us". That's what happens when you borrow from (what used to be) friends and refuse to pay back.

    • @flopunkt3665
      @flopunkt3665 Місяць тому +4

      ​@@icanthearyoufooldoesn't apply to Mexico

    • @equilibriumrebelado4893
      @equilibriumrebelado4893 Місяць тому +6

      Including Caracas, you can flee from Damascus to Havana or Moscow also 💀💀💀

    • @equilibriumrebelado4893
      @equilibriumrebelado4893 Місяць тому +1

      ​@@flopunkt3665the only normal place Conviasa still flies

  • @hildavilain8886
    @hildavilain8886 Місяць тому +37

    Than you Nole for visiting my country glad you liked it. Venezuela Libre🟡🔵🔴🙌

  • @AndyWardTenerifeEstateAgents
    @AndyWardTenerifeEstateAgents Місяць тому +27

    I flew to Caracas last year with my wife (who is Venezuelan) and child. There is another airline called Plus-Ultra which flies directly from Tenerife (where I live) and its pretty decent all things considered. Strangely enough, I also flew out of Venezuela and went to Mexico, but headed into Cancun for a holiday. Most international routes are basically into Panama and then separate connections from there.
    You can book the plus-ultra flights online - pretty standard. But we booked the flights to Mexico whilst in Venezuela and used a good travel agent - went to her office, figured everything out, paid and had everything printed off. Given what they have been through, the past 20 years, the travel agents must be a very hardy bunch!
    Caracas was very dangerous but it has bee improving for over a decade and is a lot safer now. You can now use US dollars everwhere as well which makes life much easier.

    • @Jakub680
      @Jakub680 Місяць тому +4

      Sorry bro but Venezuela ain’t getting better

    • @davidr.gonzalez2292
      @davidr.gonzalez2292 29 днів тому

      A latin american airline has to fly to the USA if it is banned from flying the USA that airline is not worth at all.

    • @ronaldocatarinense12
      @ronaldocatarinense12 25 днів тому

      @@davidr.gonzalez2292 Fuck the United States

  • @ivormctin6367
    @ivormctin6367 Місяць тому +63

    I remember back in the day having to book a flight from Tanzania to Uganda and having to do it through a travel agent and pay cash.
    Also booking a domestic flight in Indonesia having to pay at a local convenience store

    • @happynewzealand
      @happynewzealand Місяць тому +4

      Paying for local flights a a 7/11 is pretty normal in Thailand, but probably most people complete their booking and payment online.

  • @DL_Productions
    @DL_Productions Місяць тому +174

    Hi Noel, Conviasa recientemente hace menos de un mes, agrego una nueva ruta para China, no recuerdo que ciudad, es la ruta mas larga que tiene la aerolinea y creo que es una de las mas largas del mundo actualmente, los mostradores cierran 2 horas antes porque los equipajes que viajan se someten a muchos chequeos por la guardia nacional, y las operaciones en tierra son mas lentas debido a que en buena parte las bodegas de carga se revisan muchas veces para estibar e incluso para aperturar los compartimentos, se requiere autorizacion previa de los tenientes.
    Eso sin mencionar que los camiones de combustible para suministrar son algo lentos, 17 litros por segundo y en ocaciones fallan y suministran de a ratos mucho menos que eso, y en este aeropuerto en particular, se tiene que llamar y esperar a los bomberos para poder abordar mientras se suministra el combustible de forma obligatoria.
    Esa aerolinea opera tambien el Airbus A340-200 (el unico en el mundo hasta donde yo se). Trabajo en ese aeropuerto pero en otra empresa, te veo desde hace mucho tiempo.

    • @primefernandoalonso
      @primefernandoalonso Місяць тому +10

      El A340-200 también lo puede encontrar en Oriente Medio en compañías como Mahan Air pero hay muy muy pocos aún en servicio

    • @RoamingHeathen
      @RoamingHeathen Місяць тому +14

      The flight was CCS-HAV-VKO-CAN. So while it’s ‘direct’, it’s not ‘non-stop’

    • @AvivaEntertainments
      @AvivaEntertainments Місяць тому +3

      Amigo yo soy extranjero y si estoy en Caracas como compro un boleto de Conviasa ? Tienen oficina de venta ? Como se paga ? Gracias

    • @brentsummers7377
      @brentsummers7377 Місяць тому +1

      A340-600 is a beast compared the A340-200's take-off performance😂

    • @Fay7666
      @Fay7666 Місяць тому +2

      ​@@RoamingHeathen The A346 should be able to make that trip one-stop or maybe even non-stop (considering they always fly it empty), so I guess those stops must be political.
      ... every international route is political, so yeah I guess.

  • @aengberg1
    @aengberg1 Місяць тому +39

    09:02 Surprised to see an Aerosucre 727.... I thought they'd have crashed all their fleet by now.

    • @pappy924
      @pappy924 Місяць тому +6

      I’m saw 727s as well. I honestly thought the ones that weren’t mothballed were all freighters or charters. An a340 and a 727 would be quite the avgeek trip, might as well throw in a md80 and 707 haha

    • @averdung
      @averdung Місяць тому +5

      New owners, apparently they shook up things and now they fly right. Talked to a ground guy on FB recently, they are taking good care of the 3-holers!

    • @aengberg1
      @aengberg1 Місяць тому +1

      @@averdung Ah now that is good to hear.

    • @daniloosorio3400
      @daniloosorio3400 Місяць тому

      You can see them regularly in Bogotá

  • @LyndenPunnett
    @LyndenPunnett Місяць тому +39

    Hi Noel... you forgot to mention that Conviassa fly to my home St. Vincent & the Grenadines... You will also note that not only Conviassa but Virgin, Caribbean airlines Jet 2 Air Canada rouge et al also come here so even though we had a bad battering from Beryl do pay us a visit... its a very beautiful place and your family would love it.

    • @davidknox5929
      @davidknox5929 Місяць тому +1

      Jet2 are u sure?

    • @RoamingHeathen
      @RoamingHeathen Місяць тому +6

      @@davidknox5929I think they mean JetBlue which flies JFK-SVD

    • @JudgeHill
      @JudgeHill Місяць тому

      @@RoamingHeathen 😂

  • @realthoprivate
    @realthoprivate Місяць тому +140

    Haha, they just need Pyongyang also, then it's a full plate.

  • @crBudgetWatches
    @crBudgetWatches Місяць тому +17

    That lady corrected you when you said “ventanilla” instead of “ventana” for the window but we use ventanilla in my country too it’s an ok word to use for a plane window .

    • @VV-er3zg
      @VV-er3zg Місяць тому +9

      I don't think she was correcting but clarifying for herself. Venezuelans tend to repeat words they're not sure they understood

  • @paulairey742
    @paulairey742 Місяць тому +5

    30 years ago, I remember Margarita Island being in the Thomson 'getting married abroad' brochure. How things have changed in Venezuela!
    Keep up the good work Noel....I can't imagine Alan Whicker making these trips 😂

  • @AZFlyingCook
    @AZFlyingCook Місяць тому +26

    You're a brave soul, Noel! Being as big an avgeek as you are (well, nearly, I don't have an aviation YT channel. Yet.) I found it most interesting that while the A340 uses all four engines for reverse thrust on landing to assist the brakes, the much more massive A380 only uses the 2 inboard engines. Anyway, another fun video, glad you're home safe (given the state of Venezuela's economy, I'd have worried a bit about aircraft maintenance but clearly that wasn't a problem), see you in the next one!

  • @justahomosapiens1861
    @justahomosapiens1861 Місяць тому +84

    That new airport is not in Mexico City, it's actually located a solid two hour drive from it....and there's no special road no Heathrow Express sort of train so good luck navigating the traffic in and out of Mexico City.
    Story of the airport is as follows: Mexico's president, Lopez Obrador, decided to do away with the expansion already underway at Mexico City's airport where 1 billion US dollars had already been invested.
    He claimed dodgy business dealings had taken place (I'm sure of it) hence his response was to start off from scratch at this new location using a military existing base for it.
    He, following Cuba's and Venezuela's lead, charged the military with building this airport. He has also invited the military to build the so called Mayan train (also running rather empty with stations far from city centres, challenging booking procedures and limits on baggage which make it rather complicated for international visitors to use).
    Back on the story, the military has also built the new airport in Tulum and will lo be operating hotels along the Mayan train route.
    It appears Mexico's army general went to business school before enrolling and took courses on good governance practices.........
    Anyhow, back to the story. The new airport was pitched to the major carriers for scheduled commercial services which they politely declined. They said it didn't make business sense for them to do so (it appears Lopez Obrador acted on a whim in lieu of gathering feedback from industry experts before he decided to throw 1 billion dollars down the drain).
    The reaction by Mexico's president was to force carriers to divert all cargo flights to it.....
    He also needed to show Mexicans how his vision for the airport was coming to fruition so he caed his buddies in Havana and Caracas to ask for flights which they were happy to oblige.
    And this is the only reason Conviasa flies into Santa Lucia and why Aeromexico was the carrier to bring Noel back home and not, say, United. Mexican carriers were also "invited" to show some love for this gigantic money losing proposition.
    Last but not the least, Lopez Obrador decided to resurrect Mexicana Airlines, give it to the military to operate and bulge the number of passengers using that airport.
    Mexican taxpayers are going to be covering the huge deficits resulting from all these projects for a generation of two.

    • @jamessanders145
      @jamessanders145 Місяць тому +22

      The airport he scrapped wasn't an expansion of the main airport, it was a world class project designed by major international players, was going to be self funded for the most part, was over halfway completed and would have have been a world class airport. Instead he built an airport so undesirable he had to create a government airline to fly from it and decided to restrict slots at the main airport to force airlnes to use it.

    • @garciamx
      @garciamx Місяць тому +8

      If AMLO's supporters knew English, they would be really pissed off right now.

    • @Northernmike100
      @Northernmike100 Місяць тому +1

      @@justahomosapiens1861 sounds like the mess in Montreal with the two airports there.
      Trudeau - which is full to capacity and a real Mess
      Mirabel - empty of all but Cargo and Charter flights. Very limited options to get downtown, except an airport bus!

    • @justahomosapiens1861
      @justahomosapiens1861 Місяць тому

      @@Northernmike100 PET is located a stone's throw from downtown Montreal and has been in operation for decades. So while transportation options are limited the situation is not the same.
      Mirabel was used for charter flights and cargo and is pretty high from downtown, convenient if you live north of Montreal island.

    • @Northernmike100
      @Northernmike100 Місяць тому

      @@justahomosapiens1861 it is quite similar to this situation if your flying into one airport and out of another.
      It’s a similar situation. Let’s not confuse the meaning of similar with that of exactly the same or even quite similar!

  • @josuaerick9670
    @josuaerick9670 Місяць тому +8

    The publish date on this video is on point lmao, i know you recorded this few weeks ago but yesterday there's a massive controversy around the election in Venezuela so glad you got out of there before all the bad things happen 🙏

  • @pierreostiguy2219
    @pierreostiguy2219 Місяць тому +19

    Dear Noel, There is one aspect of a trip to Venezuela that you don't mention. This is the need to obtain a tourist visa and the tedious process of obtaining it. I don't know how you did it, but to visit my Venezuelan fiancée (she is 66, a dentist and we've known each other for 8 years) I have to submit a new request every year supported by several documents ranging from a letter invitation to a medical certificate of good health to banking information to the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico City, wait for an answer, and then hand in my passport which they hold for a few days before giving it back with the visa.

    • @jetta.josh4
      @jetta.josh4 Місяць тому

      Brits don’t need visas

    • @saaraa7876
      @saaraa7876 Місяць тому +11

      I don’t think UK passport holders need a visa for Venezuela.
      Hope the process becomes easier for you some day as well!

    • @Fazak38
      @Fazak38 Місяць тому +2

      n@saaraa7876 He is an American citizen.

    • @ojosazules8828
      @ojosazules8828 Місяць тому +11

      ​@@Fazak38 He can still hold a UK passport.

    • @Fazak38
      @Fazak38 Місяць тому +2

      @ojosazules8828 I know I did what he did UK USA now, never see him pull out a UK passport no more.

  • @darrellspraggins7966
    @darrellspraggins7966 3 дні тому +1

    A little trivia about Venezuela. During the 1960's Venezuela always had a contestant in the Miss Universe Competition who either won the contest or was counted as one of the top three finalists. Venezuela has some beautiful women. And Noel you always do a great job making your travel videos! Don't second guess your abilities or worth. You are Number one in my book!!

  • @jamiedonohue4884
    @jamiedonohue4884 Місяць тому +5

    I MUST HAVE LISTENED TO THOSE RR ENGINES SPOOL UP 10 TIMES AWESOME!!! AND THE LANDING WAS BRILLIANT THAT OUTER ENGINE BOUNCING AROUND SO SO SPECIAL! THANKS AGAIN GREAT WORK BEST TO RACH AND THE KIDS! Sorry capslock was on and I couldn't be bothered retyping haha

  • @Stwutter1973
    @Stwutter1973 Місяць тому +1

    You always make me chuckle with your 'Is this place dangerous - no it isn't' stuff. You get off a plane, get a cab to the hotel, sleep, get a cab to the airport and fly off.

  • @cardenasr.2898
    @cardenasr.2898 Місяць тому +39

    There has to be a correlation between the list of Least Free Countries and the flight destinations of Conviasa

    • @bygalaxy115
      @bygalaxy115 Місяць тому +10

      Conviasa only flights to countries in where maduro isnt going to be arrested at first touch

  • @Plainstrainsleuven
    @Plainstrainsleuven Місяць тому +2

    I had one experience at CCS with the previous state-owned airline Aeropostal, back in 2005, with long delays, strange procedures, endless checks, lost luggage and the likes. I think it's symptomatic for the sad state of affairs in this beautiful country... Great video as usual!

  • @shimonsieskel8487
    @shimonsieskel8487 Місяць тому +81

    I was in Venezuela before the current government came in. The price of a container of milk was 28 Bolivars. I found out that a day laborer makes 28 Bolivars a day.....

  • @JoyNova
    @JoyNova Місяць тому +10

    @22:40 The camera angle was hilarious 😂 I saw that you were picking your bag up but for a minute it looked like you were judging that guy.

  • @theroadtosunrise
    @theroadtosunrise Місяць тому +8

    8:42 They use Air Starter Unit (ASU) to help assist the engine start up if the APU is not working.

  • @tvamsterdamonline
    @tvamsterdamonline Місяць тому +14

    "The clocks on the wall shows who Venezuela keeps on their friends list." This is very well journalism!!! As a journalist Noel you are doing a very good job. This kind of insights are very needed in global politics.

    • @bengrass4365
      @bengrass4365 Місяць тому

      when everyone else on the planet is blocking and putting sanctions on you at least you need some allies and this ones left are always the bad guys

  • @gerardoynciarte2351
    @gerardoynciarte2351 Місяць тому +19

    It's been a long time since I left Venezuela for good. We are having Presidential elections this week and hoping for a new government. Venezuela is beautiful as are its people. I miss it dearly 😢. Never have flown Conviasa even though I flew often when I lived there. This video brought lots of memories as well as a reality that I know Venezuelans are experiencing. Most of the people Noel encountered are young enough to have never experienced any other form of government than what they live in now so to them it's all normal and have grown accustomed to the tyranny of the government. Thank you Noel for this video. I am looking forward to returning someday and walking myself through those international terminal halls.

  • @chrisbrown8748
    @chrisbrown8748 Місяць тому +6

    Love spending my Sunday morning with Noel🙌🏽

  • @RussianSevereWeatherVideos
    @RussianSevereWeatherVideos Місяць тому +13

    Sad to see that you chose to not visit Moscow via Conviasa. You'd be pleasantly surprised in how lovely it's here. I'd also treat you for a cup of tea.

    • @StephaneCalabrese
      @StephaneCalabrese Місяць тому +3

      Not sure he could with his American passport.

    • @cmgeorge12
      @cmgeorge12 Місяць тому +8

      @@StephaneCalabrese He flies on his UK passport. As far as I know, Noel's currently a US resident, not a citizen.

    • @RussianSevereWeatherVideos
      @RussianSevereWeatherVideos Місяць тому +3

      @@StephaneCalabrese I just had an American over to visit. Fifty bucks for a visa. Russia welcomes all!

    • @LWN-cp7yr
      @LWN-cp7yr Місяць тому

      He's a fuckin limey not American!!!​@@StephaneCalabrese

    • @MonkeyBidness359
      @MonkeyBidness359 Місяць тому

      We don't want to give you any legitimacy for your illegal and inhumane war in Ukraine.

  • @AledPritchard
    @AledPritchard Місяць тому +1

    Venezuela looked nice, friendly enough staff, nice looking airline and aeroplane with 4 engines and a bar. I do like a bar on a plane. Devoid of other passengers is always good too! Safe journeys Noel ❤

  • @Mergatroid
    @Mergatroid Місяць тому +8

    Love to see A340-600s still flying! They were one of the most fun planes I've been on when I got to fly on them with Lufthansa in the past. Always loved the downstairs bathrooms.
    Also please stop taking BetterHelp's sponsorships, they're a pretty horrible and evil company and I wish you'd do more research into your sponsors.

  • @WINGSANDRAILS
    @WINGSANDRAILS Місяць тому +3

    That moment you leaving your room, and always that moment ' do I have everything ?' :-)

  • @philipf2705
    @philipf2705 Місяць тому +5

    Pretty awesome, one way ticket travel, 340-600 to yourself. I've only flown on an A340 once. Pretty rare but i have to say its a nice bird, just like the 747!

    • @QCCatPlanes
      @QCCatPlanes Місяць тому +1

      Gorgeous plane! BTW, there's a fleet of mostly or all A340-642 aircraft based at Bournemouth UK - ex Virgin Atlantic - now used as freighters by European Cargo Company.

  • @MariaRoza2011
    @MariaRoza2011 Місяць тому +14

    Now i want to fly to Damascus on one of these

  • @lewiegun
    @lewiegun Місяць тому +31

    The curse of the SSSS. I book almost all my international travel on points and one way, so I get hit with this frequently. The worst is it's usually just one member of our group who gets tagged, but the whole party is delayed. And like you point out, it's not super clandestine and pretty quick to figure out what's going on, so if you were trying to pull something dangerous... Anyway, your call-out is its silliness made me smile.

    • @ursodermatt8809
      @ursodermatt8809 Місяць тому

      i am amazed he was let back in to the USA

    • @YukonGhibli
      @YukonGhibli Місяць тому +2

      @@ursodermatt8809 He has a green card, why wouldn't he be?

    • @ursodermatt8809
      @ursodermatt8809 Місяць тому +1

      @@YukonGhibli
      because it is america

    • @YukonGhibli
      @YukonGhibli Місяць тому +1

      @ursodermatt8809 no idea what that means but since he got home to the States it seems your feckless and inane comment is off colour and off base kid but hey keep trying. When I grew up in Maracaibo the scene was certainly different.

  • @carolbrand181
    @carolbrand181 Місяць тому +5

    Wow what a great flight you had Noel , Have watched your videos for years & enjoy them all xx

  • @sebastian0018
    @sebastian0018 Місяць тому +31

    You are so lucky that you ended up on an A340-600. Great Video!

    • @kwinsley1
      @kwinsley1 Місяць тому

      Not lucky is normal on that route! Pfff and they have a bunch of that planes

  • @DaNewsManSean
    @DaNewsManSean Місяць тому +1

    Noel dropping a Venezuela video right when everything is happening is gold 😂😂

  • @JackDkid6088
    @JackDkid6088 Місяць тому +3

    Have to laugh Noel.how many times you say thank you.Its so British !. You are saying thank you and gracias at the same time lol . Love the vids.Thankyou😊

  • @andrewjackson8401
    @andrewjackson8401 Місяць тому +2

    You should do more of these one way on the fly challenges i really enjoyed this and the suspense of where you were going next….. maybe cap how much you spend in a ticket next time to make it even more of a challenge… love the videos noel

  • @journeywithstu7199
    @journeywithstu7199 Місяць тому +3

    “Fetched me from the gate and brought me to the lounge” is not what I want to hear in some countries. But it worked out for you.

  • @saguamura1
    @saguamura1 Місяць тому +1

    My dear Noel, I inform you that the salary in Venezuela is $3.5 per month, exactly as you read it, $3.5 per month. I am your follower and a lover of commercial aviation. Thank you very much for your channel.

  • @robminch8592
    @robminch8592 Місяць тому +4

    I'm glad you're back home.

  • @eeshan4494
    @eeshan4494 17 днів тому

    Much respect to you Noel for doing all these dodgy destinations worldwide on obscure airlines. Most other flight reviewers on UA-cam don’t step outside the mainstream.

  • @kamiiu
    @kamiiu Місяць тому +3

    i went to Venezuela in 2016 to meet my grandmother! when it was time to head back, the airplane was severely delayed (2 days) i believe and they paid for us to sleep at a Marriott hotel that looks very similar to the one you were in at the beginning!! it's so sad how the economy has become bc of the government

    • @bengrass4365
      @bengrass4365 Місяць тому

      government and sanctions...to be exact. And indeed it is the Marriott, because is the only one there

  • @Reason077
    @Reason077 Місяць тому +2

    Always impressed with Noel's Spanish

  • @hassenismail5420
    @hassenismail5420 Місяць тому +3

    Thank you yet again,I'm.may not be able to fly as much as you do but atleast we get a chance to see these exciting places you visit 😢

  • @mentravellers
    @mentravellers Місяць тому +4

    The CARGO is the main reason they have Tehran and Damascus routes.....

    • @XBarajasX
      @XBarajasX День тому

      Cargo of what? Drugs? Nothing legal to trade via plane between those

    • @mentravellers
      @mentravellers День тому

      @@XBarajasX how long did it take you to come to that conclusion?

  • @adameaton2648
    @adameaton2648 Місяць тому +25

    Bloke from Mansfield pronouncing I-ran like that 😅

    • @Super_Chief
      @Super_Chief Місяць тому +13

      @adameaton2648 He’s been “Americanized”. Next thing you know, he’ll be saying “See y’all on the next one!” 🤣

    • @steve83803
      @steve83803 Місяць тому +3

      Should have begun with ey up mi duck they fly t eran 😀

    • @Chris_Murphy123
      @Chris_Murphy123 Місяць тому +3

      Eyeran he even says bucks now too when speaking about prices. Ever since he moved to the states I’ve gone right off his content

    • @Super_Chief
      @Super_Chief Місяць тому +2

      @@Chris_Murphy123 The next thing you know, he’ll be saying “elevator”…..how DARE he! 😂🤣

    • @Chris_Murphy123
      @Chris_Murphy123 Місяць тому

      @@Super_Chief tomayoto is deffo on the agenda

  • @shonen84
    @shonen84 Місяць тому +5

    Honestly these unique adventures make me curious to try one of these out one day. Thanks as always, Noel!

  • @culcune
    @culcune Місяць тому +9

    I am curious how full the flights are from Syria and Iran to Valenzuela.

  • @charlesbrenan6269
    @charlesbrenan6269 Місяць тому +1

    Nice to see they still have the UK manufactured RR engines - legacy of Virgin Atlantic ownership, I suppose. Another great vlog - many thanks.✈️🌎

  • @kail.1428
    @kail.1428 Місяць тому +10

    8am boarding. Probably do that so folks are on actual time.

    • @VV-er3zg
      @VV-er3zg Місяць тому +3

      With the mass immigration of the past few years + hyperinflation, basically the people who travel are the ones who do so relatively frequently. I arrived at 5am for my 9am flight and there was already a line lol

  • @jogolock1190
    @jogolock1190 Місяць тому +2

    Venezuela should be one of the richest countries on the planet, their oil reserves are staggering, put to good use should rival Norway as one of the best places on Earth to live.

  • @Francisco_CS
    @Francisco_CS Місяць тому +6

    Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are... Old saying that applies perfectly to Venezuela

  • @dennismcmahonfilms
    @dennismcmahonfilms Місяць тому +1

    Wonderfully honest, practical, and enjoyable review. And you bring us right with you. Great show!

  • @BudKingUK
    @BudKingUK Місяць тому +6

    You should take a Cebu Pacific A339 out of Manila, fantastic climb out.

    • @EpicThe112
      @EpicThe112 Місяць тому +2

      He actually has a video on that. Search it up for that flight he actually said SQ/TG star Alliance member in Southeast Asia better than Cebu Pacific

  • @kirstengarianejad
    @kirstengarianejad Місяць тому +2

    Hello! Are you in the Houston area? That’s amazing! I am based here (IAH) and have watched your content for a couple of years at least. I just haven’t watched any as of late due to work being very busy. I love how calm you are in very stressful situations. I work for Atlas Air as a Flight Attendant. We mainly do DOD charters but also fly a number of NFL teams such as the Broncos, Seahawks, Ravens and Jaguars. We fly our clients in the 767 and 747. We have two VIP configured tails to fly the teams in but all of our aircraft are quite old. Most were built in the mid 90s. Some have original interior if you can imagine that. Yikes! We also have two 74s that were Virgin Airplanes once upon a time. We unfortunately, are slowing down as of late, which gives me too much free time. If you have any tips on how to get started doing something with all of this knowledge under my belt on a part time basis and along these lines or maybe as a mentor can point me to some references to get started, please let me know. I am in the Humble/Atascocita area as well. Also, Please also say hello to your family for me as I’ve seen them in some of your vlogs. I hope you are all liking the US. It really is one of the best places to live even with all of our political and economic strife. Not much one can do but get involved in the community and have a good core group of friends. With my career spanning the last 20 years, I’ve been all around the world and you have been to more places than me with few exceptions such as Thule Greenland and Diego Garcia, one thing I’ve always wanted to ask you is, what your absolute top 5 places to visit/ live would be. For me, that list varies greatly but one of my all time favorite places in the U.S. is Sedona AZ. If you haven’t been, I recommend it. It’s such a beautiful spot to visit. Take care and wishing you all the best!
    A longtime fan,
    Kirsten Arianejad
    Kirstensam@icloud.com
    Humble, TX

  • @gunvaldsandhaland7757
    @gunvaldsandhaland7757 Місяць тому +3

    A340-600 Is on Of Favorite Air Craft.Great Video And Info

  • @casinovlog
    @casinovlog Місяць тому +1

    It is immediately apparent, that this was a Virgin Atlantic plane, upon entry :) In fact, I happened to fly this twice myself back in 2005 and 2006...

  • @antonlange8750
    @antonlange8750 Місяць тому +3

    "gracias"
    I had enjoyed a nice experience with Conviasa between Caracas and Canaima in September 2023. The airport staff in Caracas was difficult.

    • @VV-er3zg
      @VV-er3zg Місяць тому +2

      Yeahh I recently travelled and upon return right out of the plane (where nobody outside the airport should be) government officials were very charming to whoever they assumed was a foreigner, asking if they came to oversee the elections. On the immigration line for Venezuelans it was just sour faces opening passports and staring at any visas you may have, and immigration officers asking where you live and your profession (to gauge your wealth and political inclinations, I assume)

  • @paulstevenson3877
    @paulstevenson3877 Місяць тому

    In 1995 we spent 2 weeks on a backpacking holiday travelling around Venezuela flying Heathrow to Caracas on a VIASA DC-10, then flying internally on Avensa, Servivensa & Aerotuy. Ageing 727-100s, DC-9-51, Cessna Caravan, Dornier 228 & even an amazing old DC-3 with panoramic windows. The Servivensa & Avensa pilots all threw their aircraft around like they were fast jet pilots - I've never experienced flying like it. Several of the aircraft we flew on had crashed within a couple of years of our trip! Our transatlantic flights were pretty much full both ways.

  • @21phil29
    @21phil29 Місяць тому +5

    I would instantly fall in love with the Latina workers there

  • @jorgesoaresgeral
    @jorgesoaresgeral Місяць тому +1

    Hello Noel! Yes, a stange air company but is the state of all venezuela! I like de ending phrase "Be kind to one another"! The best to you!

  • @bobbysup
    @bobbysup Місяць тому +5

    Always high quality content presented in proper English. Great job!

  • @uzmaahmed.catmoon
    @uzmaahmed.catmoon Місяць тому +1

    Muchos gracias once again Noel! Wow some exotic destinations indeed. Thank u for giving us an insight into Venezuela, loved it!

  • @RainbowLovingRainbow
    @RainbowLovingRainbow Місяць тому +13

    If you think inflation is nuts in the US or Europe... it’s absolutely absurd in Venezuela. Their currency is essentially toilet paper (it’s prolly cheaper to use the currency than buy an actual bog roll, as you often put it).

    • @BanditSlots
      @BanditSlots Місяць тому +2

      You’d never believe that Venezuela would be easily one of the most richest countries in the world in they historically had solid and reliable leadership.

    • @roccosemler228
      @roccosemler228 Місяць тому

      It's not toilet paper and while the inflation is still high the bolivar is used everyday for small purchases, when i went there last there the rate was about 1 dollar to 37 bolivares.

  • @good_sleep_with_rain
    @good_sleep_with_rain Місяць тому +1

    Love it, love it, love it. I allways wanted to visit venezuela, but all my friends (also this ones, who went to north korea or somalia) were too afraid. Earlier it was possible to book holiday at that famous island in venezuela, but all gone. I hope i can see venezuela one day in real, it is an amazing country and a big wish to go there:)

  • @CrochetLover85
    @CrochetLover85 Місяць тому +10

    Your content is so thoroughly entertaining. Thank you!!❤

  • @kayleebeare
    @kayleebeare Місяць тому +1

    This was so interesting, thanks for sharing with us Noel. Also, loving the Sun n Fun shirt! Hoping to see you there next year! I was a few days too late for you there this year.

  • @FreezyAbitKT7A
    @FreezyAbitKT7A Місяць тому +4

    Holy moly the airline staff is stunning

  • @Delta_NWAB747fan
    @Delta_NWAB747fan Місяць тому +1

    I’m very happy for Venezuela as they used to have two International Carriers Avensa & Viasa. It’s good to see them have at least one international airline back as they’ve been without one for over 20 years…even though they go to some interesting destinations over others.

    • @jamesthefirst8790
      @jamesthefirst8790 10 днів тому

      Main reason for this airline international flights is smuggling drugs out f the country and bringing back food and regular very desirable items that can't be exported any more legally to Venezuela due to the country being a supporter of internatinal terrorism and a Bloody Dictatorship with tousand of members of the opposition killed and tortured in their prisons. No wonder Conviasa fly only to countries ruled by antidemocratic rogue governments. During the years of "Democracy", up to the year 2000, there used to be daily flights to Miami, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogotá, Panama, Santiago de Chile, Madrid, Paris London, Rome, Berlin, and even a few Asian destinations... and the planes didn't leave empty... just to Miami there were 5 daily flights and almost every plane was full of Venezuelans and Americans. Viasa was the main International Airline, and Avensa and Aeropostal flew internally and to a few islans in teh Caribbean... Avensa even had a Direct fly Caracas - Orlando, always full, to serve Venezuelan passengers going to Disneyworld. Venezuela was such a desirable destination in the 70's and 80's, that was one of the only two Concorde destinations to South America... Sao Paulo, Brazil being the other qne... it's a shame how their economy and "way of life" has been destroyed after 26 years of communist dictatorship.

    • @XBarajasX
      @XBarajasX День тому

      Conviasa started about 2004 by dictator Chavez, never been profitable as is just used for corruption and smuggling. It flew to Madrid and Buenos Aires sometime but they got banned due to poor maintenance or any other negative issue. Now os just a representation of Maduro's regime, useless for most venezuelans because no one fly those crappy routes

  • @rodrigoaponte9216
    @rodrigoaponte9216 Місяць тому +3

    It’s all about what’s under the cabin

  • @brisbaneinsider7139
    @brisbaneinsider7139 Місяць тому +1

    Mate you left at the right time. Holy hell I'm glad you're somewhere else.

  • @fantis2003
    @fantis2003 Місяць тому +9

    There is nothing left to steal in Venezuela

  • @bradmikkelsen8960
    @bradmikkelsen8960 Місяць тому

    Noel flying weird airlines is absolutely my favourite thing in the world.
    „YOU HAVE TO BE IN BUSINESS CLASS“!!!!!

  • @Tristan-benge
    @Tristan-benge Місяць тому +20

    Very good video noel

    • @noelphilips
      @noelphilips  Місяць тому +6

      Glad you enjoyed it

    • @michaelteale3335
      @michaelteale3335 Місяць тому +1

      By the way Noel, have you and Rach gotten your US citizenship yet?

  • @charlesmoss8119
    @charlesmoss8119 Місяць тому +1

    The 600 is just such an elegant aircraft - i used to love watching them coming over london

    • @QCCatPlanes
      @QCCatPlanes Місяць тому

      There's a fleet of mostly or all A340-642 aircraft based at Bournemouth UK - ex Virgin Atlantic - now used as freighters by European Cargo Company.

  • @cougsjohnson1
    @cougsjohnson1 Місяць тому +8

    So the US Sanctions on Venezuela expired in 2023, that's why they don't have any Boeing Airplanes ✈️. However, they recently purchased a 747, but it was Seized by the US in February, because it was illegally purchased from Iran. (Who still is Sanctioned). What's interesting is that the Plane you're flying A340-600 is about the same size ! This has to be the shortest route in the World for a Jet that carries almost 400 Passengers ‼️
    What's strange is that they lease at least 5 variants of the Airbus A340's from Iran. But, the moment they outright purchased a 747 from Mahan, the US immediately Seized it❓

    • @cougsjohnson1
      @cougsjohnson1 Місяць тому

      @@sodadrinker89 It's complicated. EU Sanctions are tied to aviation that can be used for military purposes. However, there's a lot of new pressure from various Countries, to ease sanctions. But, a lot of Countries won't let their Planes Land because of safety due to outdated Aircraft, Parts, & Maintenance.

    • @dmitripogosian5084
      @dmitripogosian5084 Місяць тому

      Japanese airlines use widebodies widely for domestic routes

  • @lars7468
    @lars7468 3 дні тому

    Actually they don't operate any scheduled flights to Syria and Iran anymore. Only one A340-200 and one A340-600 are in service right now. With those they mainly operate services to Moscow, Havana, Mexico City, Cancun and Managua.

  • @eurochannel314
    @eurochannel314 Місяць тому +15

    women there look absolutely stunning

  • @robertn7469
    @robertn7469 Місяць тому +1

    This was a journey out of Venezuela 🇻🇪 Definitely not much to being on time. Nice A340-600 plane ✈️ a nice flight to Mexico 🇲🇽 City quiet & nice flight. Much love @noelphilips and enjoy your trip home. ❤❤❤

  • @airfoxtrot2006
    @airfoxtrot2006 Місяць тому +3

    Excellent video Noel 😊 that could be an ex VS A346

  • @_TheRock
    @_TheRock Місяць тому

    Amazing adventures you take us on Noel. Love your crazy “book the cheapest tickets and see where you end up” challenge. I might just do that one day.

  • @sealll-o9r
    @sealll-o9r Місяць тому +3

    Hi Noel, could you share the contact of the travel agent you booked through? Can't wait to fly Conviasa

  • @neilcorey756
    @neilcorey756 Місяць тому +1

    Flew Viasa in 1991 from London to Habana via Caracas,from what i recall it was a DC10..

    • @XBarajasX
      @XBarajasX День тому

      Viasa had nothing to do with Conviasa

  • @matthewsaffery
    @matthewsaffery Місяць тому +5

    Yet another great video Noel. I love Sundays now!

  • @hicoteo
    @hicoteo Місяць тому +1

    WhatsApp is used in many counties to do business. Whenever I go to a place that doesn't use it, they seem so behind the times. If you don't use WhatsApp in your county you don't know what you're missing.

  • @OldiesAdventures
    @OldiesAdventures Місяць тому +3

    Sure you will have been asked before, but is there any airline that you just wouldn't fly with ?

  • @mariopoliti3072
    @mariopoliti3072 Місяць тому +1

    Another great video Noel, lovely to see the A340-600 , very interesting, not everyday you see this ✈️👍

  • @kevinwong1988
    @kevinwong1988 Місяць тому +2

    What a strange airline this is.

  • @sheilastudio1
    @sheilastudio1 9 днів тому

    Venezuela is pretti safe. I am here right now. People are so lovely .