Fly to the World's HIGHEST Airport - Daocheng Yading
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 มิ.ย. 2019
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Join me to fly to the World's Highest Airport - Daocheng Yading Airport in China. Daocheng (DCY) airport is in the Western part of China at 4,411m (14,472 ft). Daocheng is the highest commercial airport in the world.
Sichuan Airlines fly to Daocheng from Chengdu regularly on their A319. I was able to go to the cockpit to interview the captain about the difficulties of flying into this high altitude airports. The crew require to wear oxygen masks during flight critical times (takeoff/landing) at Daocheng. Currently 6 out of World's top 10 airports is in China.
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Join me for a very exciting video detailing my journey from Chengdu Airport in China to the world’s highest civilian airport, Daocheng Yading airport, in the Daocheng County of Sichuan, China with Sichuan Airlines. As you’ll see throughout the video, I am so proud to have been able to make it to this flagship airport of the world and I am not left disappointed by the stunning views offered by this remote airport, which is a staggering 4,411 metres above sea level.
Daocheng Yading airport was approved for construction in April 2011 and cost $255 million to build. It was officially opened in September 2013 and made the journey between Chengdu and Daocheng much better, reducing it from a two day bus trip to a one hour aeroplane journey. The airport features a single runway 4,200 metres long and its terminal building spans over 5000 square meters, with capacity for handling 280,000 passengers a year.
After a traditional and filling Chinese breakfast at Chengdu, including such delicious delicacies as duck and rabbit, and receiving a little reassurance from a Tibetan man taking the same trip (I confess, I was a little nervous regarding the potential high altitude sickness) I board the aeroplane and I discuss with the captain the serious nature of the challenges which flying to such an extreme airport poses.
He tells me that the hazards posed by the airport are so serious that flights there are composed of two captains, rather than a captain and a first officer, and that only the most experienced pilots may make the journey, the airport being classified by Sichuan airlines as in the top tier of three for experience required. Although the approach to the airport is relatively straightforward, the low temperatures for much of the year (as cold as -30 degrees Celsius in winter) causes hazardous ice to appear on the runway, along with low freezing fog and thick cloud which seriously impairs visibility. Due to the altitude, both passengers and pilots have the option of breathing oxygen from bottles stored on the flight for the purpose.
My flight is quite sparsely populated, with only sixty people on board - even at this time of year, at this altitude, the temperature is still too low for most tourists, although things do get busier in high summer.
I am entertained by the soft, plush toys shown to me by the air stewardesses of the aeroplane and a number of pandas. Recently, Sichuan airlines have been doing a lot of panda related things. In September 2018, Sichuan airlines even launched a special “Panda Route,” which made use of an Airbus A350 covered in a cute panda livery and with air staff wearing panda themed uniforms and serving panda themed food. Look out for the air stewardess wearing a panda jumper in this video!
After arriving at Daocheng Yading airport, I watch the aeroplane depart and take the time to admire the beautiful airport terminal building. From the outside, it looks very modern, almost like a UFO or spaceship and everyone looks like they’re having a great time, posing for photos by a special rock which dedicates the airport and reminds people of its altitude.
It’s the best feeling to be this high up on the Earth and I am so grateful to the very kind Sichuan Airlines staff who made my journey there and back so comfortable and enjoyable. I hope you enjoyed the experience and please let me know your thoughts and comments beneath this video. Thank you very much for watching!
Aw Mr. Chui I enjoy your channel so very much. Before I was disabled (in wheelchair now...don't feel sorry for me ...I beat cancer)I loved to travel the world. My father was an aeronautical engineer. I got the airplane "bug" early in my life. I can't tell you what joy your channel gives me. You have given the air back to me. I love your enthusiasm. I love how you are always kind and humble. Every aspect of your videos are enjoyable. How you interact with All people you come in contact. I don't leave comments often but be reassured that I am left smiling after each of your videos. You have become like a favorite nephew. It has been my wish to take this flight to Daocheng Yading. Thank you so very much for taking me and letting me have the window seat lol. So much joy and memories like when my father took me flying for the first time. To be above the clouds! There truly are few things that can make your heart beat faster and for you to realise what a small speck you are in the universe. Great video as usual but more special. I never miss your videos. And always try to remember to give a thumbs up. Keep being the good man you are and keep taking me with you.
Underrated comment.
You are a beacon light to those recovering from cancer. Your optimism is inspiring.
I’m happy that you beat cancer!
Im so happy for you beating cancer!
God bless you 🙏
The captain's name is Gao Fei --- in Chinese it means "fly high" and no, it's not a joke, it's a common name!
高飛，a very lucky and common name among people with the surname Gao.
Yes, nice to pick up his name. We have very fitting captain name for the flight! no kidding!
born for this job
it's also the name of Goofy in chinese
@@davidwang8914 Precisely
I’ll bless you when you come to Pyongyang
Lol
Hi Mr Kim you actually sorta look like Sam! #stuntdouble
I love you Kim Jong- un😉
I LOVE YOU
Sam's already been there
Probably the smoothest landing I've ever seen in my life, camera didn't even shake a little bit, wouldn't know the plane touched down without the audio.
Sam to Monk "Can you bless me going to the worlds highest airport ?" Monk: "You'll be fine" looooll
I love how this video has now become about that Monk so funny !!
LOL. I know you guys will pick up this line!
@@SamChui SAM: 我第一次去那么高的机场，你能祝福我吗？
Monk: 你没事的...
lmao
That monk was not very monk-like. Looked more like a sleazy businessman. I bet if Sam offered him money, he would have blessed him.
Kind of cool to hear Sam speak so much Chinese.
Noted he was speaking Mandarin, not his native Cantonese.
@@ptrs559 Is Cantonese his native ?
Oh really, hope you like it. I have one more all chinese vlog coming out on Sichuan Airlines A350 "Panda"
@@SamChui Thanks Sam! I don't get to fly much, but I honestly would give anything to take a flight with you one day. You and Paul. You guys' videos allow me to travel the world on airlines and planes that I will most likely never be able to go. And hearing you speak Chinese really warmed my heart. Cheers from Richmond, Virginia, USA
谢谢
Mike Peters He actually born in Beijing, his Mandarin is native level
8:45 I can't even tell if the airplane landed or not, it was so smooth!
The Airplane think IT was ‘’retard’’ landing
is nobody gonna talk about how insanely smooth that landing was?
The landing was so smooth. Thumb up to the captain
Butter
Swiss001?
the runway is also smooth
Thirdy Edaño but he overshoot a bit
Butter! I agree
12:27 i dont understand anything but her voice is so heartwarming, beautiful
Those flight attendants had such nice smiles.
Asian countries air hostesses are the cutest... I fall in love everytime I travel to Asia 🤣🤣
@@allenl9214 European ones I flew with hardly smile.
They are so adorable
@@allenl9214 I love their asses
@@NintendoFanboy21 you perv.. go seek professional help before it ruins you xD
Perfect landing...Not even a slightest shake in the camera.Superb Captain Gao Fei
BUTTER
@@colonelsunders2352 Happy some one else beat me to comment this. airforceproud95!
Every time the plane I'm riding lands it just slams the runway and everything shakes for a second and that plane just landed like butter pretty epic
This is a relatively new airport, so the runway is paved nicely.
the camera is on a gimbal
Man : please bless me
Monk : you'll be fine
My lord I've been laughing 5 minutes straight 😂
That has to be the most straight forward blessing in history :-)
Haha good I make you laugh :)
@@SamChui I laughed at this also! the monk was like: naaah, don't worry, you'll be fine, no need no blessing son! hahahahah
Me Yes it's me haha
@@SamChui tickle tickle 😁
Wow!! Thank you to Capt. Gao Fei (and his crews and Sichuan Airlines) for explaining and showing us the cockpit! Thanks to Mr. Sam for showing great stuff as always!! Blessings.
Chinese airline pilots have excellent landing technique. If you watch youtube compilations of "best airline landings" you'll see plenty of Chinese airlines represented
meanwhile in eu we have ryanair
Well youtube wouldn’t be my first choice for judging airline pilots skill lol....I think there’s many good pilots in the world, it’s a narrow point if view to say only chinese pilots are good. After all, the aeroplane and Airlines companies are a product of the West not China, where that came later.
Klaus Pallesen well it’s a bit different for China. Most of the commercial pilots are retired fighter jet pilots, because there’s few pilot academies in China.
Um I dont think so
@@klauspendolo1393 I did not see anyone say "only" chinese pilots are good
Me: I think I'm gonna go for a walk on the neighbourhood.
Sam: I think I'm gonna go for a walk on the highest airport on earth.
Me: “Can you bless me before I free fall into a volcano?”
Monk: “Youll be fine”
smooth landing, beautiful airport, and amazing views through out the flights wow !!
Your passenger window was amazingly clean. You got some great mountain and cloud footage there. I fly domestically in the US and it has bee a long time since I looked through one that is that clean. You are my favorite youtuber! Keep up the excellent work!
Amazing pilot. Thanks for the clip Sam!
Dang!! Nice airport at 4k altitude!! Landing was so smooth!!!
Sam: Oh, everything is so challenging on this flight!
Everybody: actually its routine. No problem...
Great video again! Thanks!
I live in Chengdu and I really love Sichuan Airlines 😄😄😄😄😄
@@onlyrandomnessaccount9029 Same as this blogger，use VPN.
@@onlyrandomnessaccount9029 Chinese police caught him.. He hasnt replies back xD
access no, Chinese police will not take care about that! I always do that and nothing happens!
Primitive Bangladesh boy Everyone Yes we can use TH-cam/Facebook/Twitter everyday if we want.
@@onlyrandomnessaccount9029I am a police officer in Chengdu, China ~ There is no law against you doing this(use VPN)
You’ve never missed to release great content Sam! Been waiting for this content! Hope to fly to Daocheng in the near future!
Loved the the flight attendants uniforms and they were all very attractive. Another fine job Sam.
steelepls the pilot has a a350 keychain. Wrong plane.
Love the panda apron 🐼
Great Report SAM. And you speak the language too.
uknewslink Sam was born in Beijing, and lived in Beijing when he was young.
Oh Sam, that was so cool!!! In my younger days I could have done that. Good for you accomplishing that and I got to watch from my recliner!!! Thanks man!
Great job on your amazing video (as always), Sam!! :)
Fantastic video Sam. Amazing how the highest terminal in the world is better than most at ground level. Keep up the great work.
Sam, Thanks for a new review of a place I will most likely never get to.
Nice job Sam. As usual, thanks for all your content
Been waiting for this one. Great review!
The airport is at 4,411 m. That is really high! Very interesting information from the Captain. Sichuan Airlines offers a great and very friendly service. Fantastic video Sam! Huge like from me, Cheers Matt
thank you Matt!
@@adrianocondorelli Yes higher than Lukla. I compare it to the Jungfraujoch. This is one of the highest railway stations at 3'466 m. The most common health issue is the lack of oxygen up there. Daocheng Yading Airport is even over 1'000 m higher. So this is absolutely incredible.
Also known as the best catering service of all Chinese airlines
@@adrianocondorelli Everest is twice as high, idiot
Sam being able to get interviews with pilots is always such a luxury for us viewers.
That was an interesting interview with the captain. Well done!
Amazing learning experience. More vlogs like this would be awesome. Out of the way off main line routes.
Thank you Sam for bringing me this exciting experience! As a Chinese, I did not know this airport before:) Subscribed!
Hi Sam, Great Video as always! Thank you! I have flown to Lijiang twice, airport only at 2000 metres plus. I have been up to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at 4506 metres twice and climbed the platforms higher, with no oxygen assistance! I believe the key is to acclimatise first as on both occasions I have stayed 2 weeks and only attempted the chairlift up to the mountain on the 2nd week. I was also born on in Australia on a small mountain range Toowoomba. I am unsure wether that has contributed to my altitude tolerance or whether it is just due to acclimatising first. I have also trekked to Base Camp of Mount Everest twice. Keep up the great work!
Really love your video! I like how your video brings out the positive energy to the viewers. Very comfortable to watch!
Congrats Sam, great work!!
The monk’s response...savage XD
Sam,
It's such a pleasure to watch all your video post, this is a special one today. I feel so happy watching it today, something we might just dream of doing it ever. Thank you so much for sharing. Good luck 👍
Great video! I love the interview segments!
That was amazing... thank you for sharing Sam.
I love that Sam is using his sponsor as a tip for getting around the Great Firewall. XD
As in the movie "The Last Samurai", officer,"Samurai come." Ned,"You'll be fine son." (Sam and the monk)
Thankyou Sam for taking us to remote and random locations .Sharing the aviation experience🖤💜👍
Lovely vid sam...continue this great JOB
The terrain is insanely beautiful.
Hi Sam, I live in La Paz, Bolivia (big fan of your videos)... our city has the world's highest commercial airport outside China. Interestingly, the topography is very similar to the one I just watched in this video. Our airport is about 4,200m above sea level and because it serves our nation's defecto capital and most important city it is a very busy one. American Airlines pilots used to use oxygen the whole time their plane was in platform, no other airline does this so I believe its not necessary and is a sort of strange procedure. Hope you come to Bolivia sometime and experience our airports and national carriers. Best
Hi greeting from Indonesia. Im always curious about Bolivia can you tell me more ? I have been to latin america countries and maybe Bolivia will be next
I had been there before. That was a awesome experience for me. Love there
great experience and nice video Sam, by the way great landing too
Big up Sam! Such a unique and great content as always
12:29 Super pretty cute sweety flight attendance lady, and super authentic and extremely fluent mandarin... I love this girl
dont fall in love with her, shut up, she is my wife. hahaha
When Sam had almost flown all the major airlines to all the major destinations I was thinking what's left for Sam or matter of fact content for his channel but I was utterly wrong he has surprised us all this Channel infact is becoming more and more interesting .👍👌✌️
Great video, the scenery from the plan is breathtaking, thanks for sharing.
I would love to visit all these wonderful cities you've taken us to Sam. Thank you for sharing your journey.
My first flying travel is this line. From Chengdu to Daocheng Yading. When I get off the plane, my head is so pain！
Hi Sam, thank you so much. Loved the video. Thanks to you I got to experience the world's highest airport. It's definitely on my bucket list if places to visit. Thanks a lot. Cheers. Mahesh, India
Loved the pilots explaining thanks ! 😊
Always excellent work!! Finger Up!!!
young Sam.
Best regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina
I had a similar experience to sam: I landed at Alejandro Velasco Astete international airport (why are all airport names in South America so long!??) and when you’re going down the 3,400m runway at landing, it was really fast and it was quite a while of manual hand-flying before we actually landed there. The pilots hand fly the plane over the city of Cusco giving a spectacular view of the city! I talked to the captain on my flight to Bogotá, and he explained to me how the approach and takeoff is done. He also showed me the flight route and alternate airport in the case of an engine failure. One interesting thing to note is that he mentioned the CFM engines don’t work very well at high altitude landings, so all of the A320s belonging to Avianca use IAE V2500 engines.
What cabin pressure do they use on that flight? Normally cabin pressure during flight is equivalent to 2400 m but you can't use that when you open the doors at 4400 m :-)
They would raise instead of lower the cabin in descent until it reaches 4400m.
Not much chance to acclimatize. Going from sea level to 4500m in a few hours isn't fun.
Ya ding is one my favorite place to visit ❣️ And you just made it!
Excellent video Sam! Very interesting! Thank you.
ANOTHER BANGING VIDEO GREAT VIDEO AND GREAT CONTENT GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Waffle boii Ralph!!!!!
46th!
Keep up the great work, Sam!
Very skilled and brave pilots - blessings to all of you.
Great work man. Thanks for the experience.
Condolence and prayers for the victims of the earthquake.
看了这个视频我突然发现世界前几高的机场我基本都去过，哈哈哈
中国的优势嘛！我还没去过稻城亚丁呢！
@(6D21) Yuyang Rao 还真去过
あà絵を。さらにパワーアップはないことを明らかになった所
Aloha Sam, you make good videos!! SUBSCRIBED!!
Nice... And informative . Cool vid as always
Ironically I am currently in Chengdu and the air looks much cleaner in Daochang Yading than here in Chengdu. Fist time in China for me.
Wonderful experience and great video sam•~malay~
Terbaik ‼️
layann
Beautiful&entusiastic videoes you make Sam! ThumbsUp, thanks for posting.
Wow great vid Sam
Hi sam i am avation lover love your vids
Love you sam, big fan from Bangladesh
I was born in Sichuan and this video really makes me homesick. Everybody was so nice in this trip just as how I remembered. Great content!
Wow.. Thanks for sharing this Sam.
Captain’s name literally means fly high in Chinese, how fitting and natural
Hey Sam!
Another fabulous video.
Could you please tell the take-off speed from this world´s highest airport?
grreat video! The crew is very professional!!
Nice work Sam!
It's so rare to be able to visit the cockpit of a mainland carrier's plane, they are very conservative about cockpit visit in general. Besides, those flights that go to high altitude airports are very pricy.
I'm surprised that they managed to build an airport on that remote place in the Himalayas, just imagine how hard the logistic for workers who build that airport.
yup, in terms of cost effectiveness it does not worth it, it's a small city with low population and the cost to build that airport is super high compared to usual airports, but China needs the area to be stable so they have to make it possible however.
That is not in the himalayas. It is in sichuan.
But the thing is even if it is at that high elevation, the land is pretty flat compared to down South of the Himalayas near Nepal and the Indian border, where it is pretty rugged..
@@ArghyadeepPal did you even watch the video? Western Sichuan and the hengduan mountains is extremely rugged, just as rugged as Nepal, if not more. China is just much more prosperous than Nepal or India that they’re able to build airports in terrain like this. Tibet on the other hand is more flat and more of a plateau.
@@rcl998 Daocheng yading is very hot tourism spot, plus the place is on the halfway of the Sichusn-tibet road, which is quite well built. So it is not.that costly to.build the airport, and economically it makes sense too.
Awesome. Thanks for this video.
that runway looks as smooth as a billiard table,noticed on landing,almost no shaking.
Wow sam i am a big fan of you from india u make very nice videos and are my favourite youtuber
Airport in my town is about 2000 meters. It takes the planes a lot longer to take off than at sea level. This has to take a lot longer to take off here.
Nice vid!! It is the best!!! I am going to add it in downloads
I love the architecture of the airport! It reminds me of Buzludja in Bulgaria!
Since when this airport opened? I live in Chengdu and I had no idea that you can fly to Daocheng now 🙄
How can you youse Google then?
@@heybenjii5544 VPN is quite easy to get in china
@@yuxiangji6589 Ah, didnt know that
@@yuxiangji6589 but how exactly do People get it if the government does not allow it's sake.
Is it shared in private or black market
Sam , could you review Uzbekistan Airways please?
Vladimir Shamuratov I’ve flown it. Advice don’t! Frankfurt to Tashkent ok Internal flights scary!!!
I’ve flown both Uzbekistan airways & Turkmenistan airlines... they’re both as bad as each other.
Thumbs up!! you have good knowledge about places and language too. Cheers..Keep going
Oh wow! Nice smooth landing.
China has excellent infrastrucutre and the customer service seems really good eveywhere.
Congratulations Sam
Mission accomplished.....
Another great video, love your content Sam 👍
Awesome Video Sam!