A-Z Country's Capital Challenge

Beautiful shots as always!!

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Leg 31 — 🇨🇻 Cape Verde / Praia 🇨🇻

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Off the Western Coast of Africa you will find the White sand Beaches of the island nation known as Cape and or Cabo Verde. While the classification of the islands are desert, the country is extreamly humid making for a dry yet wet environment. The ten stars on the flag represent the 10 main islands in the nation which includes the most populous island Santiago with the countries Capital Praia. The nation is relatively flat except for the southern islands such as Fogo whose main volcano rises almost 10000ft above sea level!

Route

  • Ottowa(YOW) - Toronto(YYZ) - Lisbon(LIS) - Praia(RAI)

Flight 1: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport(YOW/CYOW) - Toronto Pearson International Airport(YYZ/CYYZ)

  • Airline: Air Canada
  • Flight Number: 463
  • Aircraft: A220-300
  • Departure Time: 17:37 UTC-4
  • Arrival Time: 18:17 UTC-4
  • Flight Time: 40m
  • Cruise Altitude: 24000ft

Departing in December so the sky is dark even though its only 5pm

Heading east towards the big city Toronto

And just as soon as we reach cruising altitude we begin to decent

On final at YYZ

It’s been a bit but welcome back to Toronto

Parked at the gate and we have a bit of time before our red eye to Europe

Flight 2: Toronto Pearson International Airport(YYZ/CYYZ) - Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport(LIS/LPPT)

  • Airline: Air Canada
  • Flight Number: 810
  • Aircraft: A330-300
  • Departure Time: 23:31 UTC-4
  • Arrival Time: 11:12 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 6h 41m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

Late night as we prepare for our relatively short flight to Lisbon

Takeoff into the night sky

View of YYZ and Lake Ontario

Passing Cape Cod as a sign that we have made it to the Atlantic

Approaching into Lisbon

Such an amazing landscape of Portugal as we are on final

Touchdown after not even 7 hours

Deboarding at the main terminal

Flight 3: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport(LIS/LPPT)

  • Airline: TAP Portugal
  • Flight Number: 1543
  • Aircraft: A320
  • Departure Time: 21:09 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 23:11 UTC-1
  • Flight Time: 4h 02m
  • Cruise Altitude: 38000ft

Boarding at a remote gate here in Lisbon as we prepare for the surprisingly long flight ahead of us

Takeoff next stop Praia

View of Lisbon’s main bay and the Tagus

Passing by Fuerteventura with a view of Morocco

Just a little bit later we pass by Tenerife

Decent into Santiago as we get a view of Fogo Peak

Touchdown late night into Cape Verde

2 Likes

Leg 32 — 🇨🇫 Central African Republic / Bangui 🇨🇫

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From the most Western country of Africa we head to the most Central country where we meet the Central African Republic. While the country is known for being one of the poorest in the world, it’s less known for being one of the most biodiverse countries compared to it’s land area being home to the second largest rainforest in the world. It’s capital and largest city Bangui is a former french port located right across the boarder of the DCR. The country is one of the least polluted in the world specifically in air and light population with the country being one of the best to stargaze in.

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Route

  • Praia(RAI) - Dakar(DSS) - Lomé(LFW) - Douala(DLA) - Bangui(BGF)

Flight 1: Praia Nelson Mandela International Airport(RAI/GVNP) - Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport(DSS/GOBD)

  • Airline: Asky
  • Flight Number: 55
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
  • Departure Time: 5:17 UTC-1
  • Arrival Time: 7:24 UTC
  • Flight Time: 1h 07m
  • Cruise Altitude: 33000ft

Early morning departure from the Island of Santiago

In air we will be flying these short little quick flights on Asky till we reach Bangui

Goodbye Cape Verde

Day begins with the orange sun

Approaching into Dhaka

Final into the Western most city of Afro-Eurasia

Touchdown into our second out of five countries Senegal

Flight 2: Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport(DSS/GOBD) - Lome Tokoin Airport(LFW/DXXX)

  • Airline: Asky
  • Flight Number: 55
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
  • Departure Time: 8:34 UTC
  • Arrival Time: 11:33 UTC
  • Flight Time: 2h 59m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

Staying on the plane as we prepare for our second flight

Takeoff from Dhaka

Heading Southeast where we will meet the Atlantic again

Beginning decent over Tamale Ghana

Lake Volta as we enter country 3 Togo

Final into the city of Lomé

Welcome to Lomé the hub Airport of Asky Airlines

Flight 3: Lome Tokoin Airport(LFW/DXXX) - Douala International Airport(DLA/FKKD)

  • Airline: Asky
  • Flight Number: 34
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
  • Departure Time: 15:35 UTC
  • Arrival Time: 18:05 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 1h 30m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

Takeoff from the hub airport of Lomé heading back to Cameroon

Till next time Togo

Approach over the Island of Bioko

Once again the Magnificent peak of mount Cameroon

Approach into Cameroon

Sunset on Final

Touchdown welcome back to Douala

Using our only Jet-bridge on this entire trip for a quick rest

Flight 4: Douala International Airport(DLA/FKKD) - Bangui Airport(BGF/FEFF)

  • Airline: Asky
  • Flight Number: 34
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
  • Departure Time: 18:48 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 20:16 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 1h 28m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

here at the gate with this amazing sunset

Takeoff into the Night Sky

Red clouds appear as we approach our cruising altitude

After a quick flight we finally make it to our final destination

Welcome to the Central African Republic

2 Likes

Leg 33 — 🇹🇩 Chad / N’Djamena 🇹🇩

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Staying in Africa we head up north to the country of Chad. Known as Dead Heart of Africa due to its desert landscape the country is one of largest in Africa and spans across the Savannah Desert. However, the country gets its name from Lake Chad in the Western part of the country which translates directly to lake from its original language. The Lake is crucial for the people nearby but has shrunk 90% due to human impact since the 1960s, but the lake is starting to grow back again. The country use to be underwater and so the landscape is covered with multiple wonders such as jagged cliffs and arches! While the country is directly north of the Central African Republic the route we are taking might possible be one of the most inefficient routes we need to take due to the lack of air travel in the region.

Route

  • Bangui(BGF) - Entebbe(EBB) - Nairobi(NBO) - Addis Ababa(ADD) - N’Djamena(NDJ)

Flight 1: Bangui Airport(BGF/FEFF) - Entebbe International Airport(EBB/HUEN)

  • Airline: Kenya Airways
  • Flight Number: 577
  • Aircraft: Embraer E190
  • Departure Time: 16:08 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 20:20 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 2h 12m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

Loading up for are sadly long trip for the next two days

Takeoff from Bangui

Crossing the Ubangi River over to the DRC

Reaching cruising altitude over the Northern Jungles of the DRC

Sunset before we begin to decent

Touchdown into Uganda

Flight 2: Entebbe International Airport(EBB/HUEN) - Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(NBO/HKJK)

  • Airline: Kenya Airways
  • Flight Number: 421
  • Aircraft: Embraer E190
  • Departure Time: 10:01 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 10:50 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 49m
  • Cruise Altitude: 35000ft

After a night in Entebbe we are back heading even more east

Takeoff heading over Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa

Reaching the Border of Kenya to start our decent

The Lake gives way to green hills

Approaching into the beautiful landscape of Kenya

The hills here remind me of the colors of Kenyas flag

Final into NBO flying past the Ngong Hills

Touchdown welcome back to Nairobi

Flight 3: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(NBO/HKJK) - Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB)

  • Airline: Kenya Airways
  • Flight Number: 402
  • Aircraft: Embraer E190
  • Departure Time: 17:17 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 18:59 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 1h 42m
  • Cruise Altitude: 37000ft

Loading up as we head north to Ethiopia

Takeoff

We reach FL380 as we pass Mount Kenya

Flying past the red landscapes of the Kenyan Highlands

Sunset as we Approach Addis Ababa

Airport in sight as night comes

Touchdown we will be spending the night here at Addis Ababa before heading all the way back east to Chad

Flight 4: Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB) - N’Djamena International Airport(NDJ/FTTJ)

  • Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
  • Flight Number: 939
  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
  • Departure Time: 10:32 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 11:39 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 3h 07m
  • Cruise Altitude: 38000ft

Boarding on Ethiopians Dreamliner to backtrack to Central Africa

Takeoff

Goodbye Addis Ababa till we meet again (which will be quite soon)

And to rub even more salt in the wound we fly by the Central African Republic while approaching Chad

Flying over the remains of the sea that use to cover this land

Touchdown after two long lays we made it to N’Djamena

Thank you for reading this log about our most unnecessary flight route yet

3 Likes

Beautiful shots, Truly underrated !!

Leg 34 — 🇨🇱 Chile / Santiago 🇨🇱

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Hanging across the Pacific Coast in South America we reach Chile. Chile is home to multiple extreme environments including the Atacama desert up north the driest place other than Antarctica on earth to the Fjords and Jagged peaks near Punta Arianas, the tall Andes that stretch across the entire country, to even eastern Island out in the pacific. The country gets its stunning landscape due to being located directly on the ring of fire making Chile one of the most prone places on earth to earthquakes. The countries national language is Spanish however the dialect with in Chile makes it that their Spanish can sometimes not be differentiated from the original language.

Route

  • N’Djamena(NDJ) - Abuja(ABV) - Paris(CDG) - Santiago(SCL)

Flight 1: N’Djamena International Airport(NDJ/FTTJ) - Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(ABV/DNAA)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 878
  • Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER
  • Departure Time: 19:29 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 20:44 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 1h 15m
  • Cruise Altitude: 40000ft

Cloudy night as we head out of Chad

Off to Nigeria before our redeye to Paris

Starting decent over Bauchi

Approaching final into mountainous Abuja

Welcome to Abuja for our quick layover

Flight 2: Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(ABV/DNAA) - Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport(CDG/LFPG)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 878
  • Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER
  • Departure Time: 22:26 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 5:28 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 6h 02m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Loading up for our redeye across Africa

We are off

Till we meet again Abuja

3am Sahara fly over

Finally reached France heading over Marseille

Reached Paris Charles de Gaul in the early morning

Touchdown after our red eye

Get to spend the day in Paris before heading to South America

Flight 3: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport(CDG/LFPG) - Santiago International Airport(SCL/SCEL)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 406
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 23:55 UTC+2
  • Arrival Time: 7:27 UTC-4
  • Flight Time: 13h 32m
  • Cruise Altitude: 40000ft

After spending the day in Paris we are back at CDG for our 13 flight

Takeoff from Paris next stop Chile

Sunrise over Bolivia

Flying over Surce Airport which we landed at before on our Bolivia leg

Flying past the world famous Salt Flats Sal de Union

Crossing the Boarder into Chile

Approach into Santiago with the Andes

Final into RW 17L with a glimpse off the Pacific

Touchdown Welcome to Country 35 Chile

2 Likes

Leg 35 — 🇨🇳 China / Beijing 🇨🇳

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Home to 17% of the worlds population we head to the 4th largest and second most populated country on earth China. The country is home to the highest peaks on earth in the Himalayas, the rustic arid landscape of Inner Mongolia, the cold regions of Heilongjiang, the worlds deepest canyon in Yunnan providence, The Humid Jungles of Guangdong, and some of humanities longest and most historic cultures. With cites such as Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Nanjing the old capital of China being some of the most populated on earth. While the country would normally span 5 time zones the country is all under one time zone in the capital Beijing.

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Route

  • Santiago(SCL) - Atlanta(ATL) - Seoul(ICN) - Beijing(PEK)

Flight 1: Santiago International Airport(SCL/SCEL) - Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport(ATL/KATL)

  • Airline: Delta Airlines
  • Flight Number: 146
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 22:09 UTC-4
  • Arrival Time: 7:08 UTC-4
  • Flight Time: 8h 59m
  • Cruise Altitude: 40000ft

Time to Begin our long journey to China which is exactly halfway across the world from Chile

Takeoff from SCEL

Rising above the Andes of Santiago

Passing the northern deserts of Peru

Passing by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean in the early morning

Arrived back home to this Delta Mega Hub

Welcoming the new day here in Atlanta

Get to spend a bit of time in the terminal before our long flight to Asia

Flight 2: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport(ATL/KATL) - Seoul Incheon International Airport(ICN/RKSI)

  • Airline: Korean Airlines
  • Flight Number: 36
  • Aircraft: Airbus A380-800
  • Departure Time: 13:13 UTC-4
  • Arrival Time: 16:52 UTC+9
  • Flight Time: 14h 39m
  • Cruise Altitude: 34000ft

Loading up for our very first flight across the Pacific Ocean

Starting up those 4 engines

In air next stop Korea

4 hours in and we are passing by the Canadian Rockies

Reached the Pacific over Sitka Alaska

After a long flight we finally decent into Seoul

RKSI in sight

Touchdown into foggy Incheon Airport

Made it to our gate as we head over nearby to our final flight today

Flight 3: Seoul Incheon International Airport(ICN/RKSI) - Beijing Capital International Airport(PEK/ZBAA)

  • Airline: Korean Airlines
  • Flight Number: 853
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-900
  • Departure Time: 19:37 UTC+9
  • Arrival Time: 8:20 UTC+8
  • Flight Time: 1h 43m
  • Cruise Altitude: 30000ft

Night has come as we board this Korean B737-9

Take off next stop Beijing

Made it to the coast of China

PEK in sight as we wrap around for our final

Touchdown

Welcome to Beijing China

2 Likes

Beautiful shots with the A380!!

Leg 36 — 🇨🇴 Columbia / Bogotá 🇨🇴

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Located half a world away from China we head to the incredible country of Columbia. Being right on and above the equator the country is one of the lushes of earth known for its rainforest combined with its tall peaks from the andes creating an ecosystem of diverse flora and fauna. Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar are the two tallest peaks in the country reaching over 18700 feet above sea-level. Colombias capital Bogotá is no stranger to hight either with the city reaching well above 8000 feet above sea level.

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Route

  • Beijing(PEK) - Barcelona(BCN) - Bogotá(BOG)

Flight 1: Beijing Capital International Airport(PEK/ZBAA) - Barcelona El Prat Airport(BCN/LEBL)

  • Airline: Air China
  • Flight Number: 845
  • Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
  • Departure Time: 3:05 UTC+8
  • Arrival Time: 8:08 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 11h 03m
  • Cruise Altitude: 38000ft

Another Late night in Beijing as we prepare for our flight across Euroasia

Takeoff at 3am heading north

Because were flying Air China we are allowed to fly over Russian airspace crossing over the Ural Mountains right now

Wingview of the Austrian Alps

5 in the morning flyover of Milan

Final into Barcelona

Touchdown into Spain after our 11 hour night flight

We get to spend a bit of time in Barcelona before our next flight to South America

Flight 2: Barcelona El Prat Airport(BCN/LEBL) - Bogotá El Dorado International Airport(BOG/SKBO)

  • Airline: Avianca
  • Flight Number: 19
  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
  • Departure Time: 14:23 UTC+2
  • Arrival Time: 17:21 UTC-5
  • Flight Time: 9h 58m
  • Cruise Altitude: 41000ft

Getting a nice view of Barcelona’s tower as we enter the runway

Takeoff goodbye Barcelona next stop Colombia

Passing over Madrid as we reach cruising Altitude

And after multiple hours of no land we reach the Caribbean and Guadeloupe

Passing by the Sierra La Culata in Venezuela

Approach into the mountain platue that Bogotá lies on

Sun is just setting as we enter final into SKBO

Beautiful wing view

Touchdown as the sen sets welcome to Colombia

3 Likes

Leg 37 — 🇰🇲 Comoros / Moroni 🇰🇲

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Between the African Coast and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean we find the archipelago nation of Comoros. Though the Islands are small the nation is the 4th most densely populated country in Africa. Within the nation there are 3 national languages being Comorian, French, and Arabic which makes the nation the most southern member of the Arab League. The nation is made up of 3-4 major islands being Moheli, Anjouan, and Grande Comore which is home to the nations capital and biggest city Moroni. The fourth island Mayotte is disputed within it’s self as the nation lays claim to the island while the Island states themselves as part of France. Still Comoros is a beautiful untouched and undiscovered tropical nation.

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Route

  • Bogotá(BOG) - London(LHR) - Addis Ababa(ADD) - Dar es Salam(DAR) - Moroni(HAH)

Flight 1: Bogota El Dorado International Airport(BOG/SKBO) - London Heathrow Airport(LHR/EGLL)

  • Airline: Avianca
  • Flight Number: 120
  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
  • Departure Time: 23:49 UTC-5
  • Arrival Time: 15:25 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 9h 37m
  • Cruise Altitude: 41000ft

Takeoff into the night sky from Colombia

First sight of the UK as we prepare for decent

Sometimes i’m surprised with how blue the water of England can be

London Heathrow in sight

Touchdown

We made it to London where we get to wait for a few hours till our next flight to Africa

Flight 2: London Heathrow Airport(LHR/EGLL) - Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB)

  • Airline: Ethiopian
  • Flight Number: 701
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 21:44 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 6:44 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 7h
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Loading up for our 7 hour red eye back to a favorite airport of ours HAAB

And we are off heading southeast to Ethiopia

Around 3am and we are crossing over Egypt and the Sahara

Sunrise over the Red Sea

Starting our decent over the Ethiopian Highlands

Preparing for landing as we pass over the Northern Mountains of Addis Ababa

Touchdown back in Addis Ababa

We only got an hour or so till our next plane takes off which will carry us all the way to Comoros

Flight 3: Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB) - Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport(DAR/HTDA)

  • Airline: Ethiopian
  • Flight Number: 865
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 10:23 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 12:37 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 2h 14m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Boarding back onto Ethiopians A350-900 heading south

And we are in the air next stop Dar es Salam

Cruising over the Northern Deserts of Kenya

Preparing for decent over Mombasa Kenya

Passing by Zanzibar on our decent

Approach into Dar es Salam

Touchdown welcome to Tanzania where we will load up on fule and passengers

Flight 4: Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport(DAR/HTDA) - Moroni Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport(HAH/FMCH)

  • Airline: Ethiopian
  • Flight Number: 865
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 13:41 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 14:43 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 1h 02m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Staying on the Plane as we prepare for our 1 hour flight to Comoros

In air

Grande Comore is in sight as we begin our decent

Approaching into runway 2 of Moroni

Airport in sight

Final touchdown of the day

Welcome to the Island Nation of Comoros

3 Likes

Beautiful pics as always!!

1 Like

Leg 38 — 🇨🇬 Congo / Brazzaville 🇨🇬

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The Republic of Congo also known as just the Congo is known for its lush grasslands and rainforests with animals such as elephants and gorillas. While the smaller Half to its sibling The Congo Democratic Republic, The Congo was colonized by France rather than Belgium. the largest city and Capital Brazzaville sits right on the Congo River and was even the Capital for France in the years 1940-1942. Brazzaville is Located right across the river from Kinshasa which is the Capital of The Congo Democratic Republic making these two capital cites to closet capital cities to one another in the world!

Route

  • Moroni(HAH) - Dar es Salam(DAR) - Addis Ababa(ADD) - Brazzaville(BZV)

Flight 1: Moroni Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport(HAH/FMCH) - Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport(DAR/HTDA)

  • Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
  • Flight Number: 864
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 15:58 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 17:02 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 1h 04m
  • Cruise Altitude: 36000ft

Boarding this Airbus A350-900 for heading back to Addis Ababa through Dar-Salam

Takeoff from the small airport of Maroni

One more view of Grande Comoros

Approach into the African Mainland

Final into Dar Salam

Welcome to Dar Salam as we wait a bit to refuel till heading back to Ethiopia

Flight 2: Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport(DAR/HTDA) - Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB)

  • Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
  • Flight Number: 864
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 18:06 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 20:32 UTC+3
  • Flight Time: 2h 26m
  • Cruise Altitude: 40000ft

Pushback from the terminal

Takeoff

Heading across the Indian Ocean Coastline

Sunset over the Tanzanian Mountains

Approach into ADD

Touchdown welcome back to Ethiopia

Get to spend the night here till our flight to Brazzaville tomorrow

Flight 3: Addis Ababa Bole Airport(ADD/HAAB) - Brazzaville Maya Maya Airport(BZV/FCBB)

  • Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
  • Flight Number: 861
  • Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
  • Departure Time: 9:17 UTC+3
  • Arrival Time: 10:57 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 3h 40m
  • Cruise Altitude: 40000ft

Welcome to ADD this foggy morning

Takeoff heading to The Congo

Up and away from the Ethiopian Highlands

Starting decent over The Congo Democratic Republic

The River Congo’s valley comes in sight as we approach Brazzaville

Touchdown

Welcome to The Congo

2 Likes

Leg 39 — 🇨🇩 Congo Democratic Republic/ Kinshasa 🇨🇩

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Next to The Congo we have the sister country Congo Democratic Republic or the DRC. The country is home to 99 million citizens who live in cites and villages from the Atlantic Ocean, to the Central Rainforests of Africa, to even the eastern parts of the country next to Lake Tanganyika. The country is the second largest in Africa and it’s actually the world’s most richest country in terms of natural resources. However these resources have not been obtained and used efficiently for the country to prosper heavily off of them.The country’s largest and most populous city is Kinshasa is home to around 17 million people. The capital city is also incidentally the closest capital city to another capital city being Brazzaville where the two are only separated by the Congo River. This means that no matter what this next flight we are taking will be the shortest ever leg on this challenge because this is the closest two capital cites in the world can be!

Route

  • Brazzaville(BZV) - Kinshasa(FIH)

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Flight 1: Brazzaville Maya Maya Airport(BZA/FCBB) - Kinshasa N’Djili Airport(FIH/FZAA)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 754
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 20:20 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 20:29 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 9m
  • Cruise Altitude: 5000ft

Boarding Air Frances Airbus A350-900 just arriving in from France to depart on our shortest leg ever

Looking down the runway as we prepare for takeoff

Takeoff and even here we can see the airport in sight as Kinshasa’s N’Djili Airport is the red light off in the distance

Reaching our cruising altitude at a total of 5000 ft for 4 minutes

Approach into Kinshasa and the DCR which we have actually flown into for a layover on this challenge before

Final into runway 24

Undershot of the plane seconds before touchdown

Back on ground after a total flight time of 9 minutes

Welcome to our next country the Congo Democratic Republic

2 Likes

Nice 9 minute Flight lol!

1 Like

Leg 40 — 🇨🇷 Costa Rica/ San José 🇨🇷

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Well it’s been a bit but were back on our 40th leg, this time we are heading back to the Americas to Costa Rica. Located in mountainous Southern Central America the country is most known for its biodiversity, volcanos, and pristine beaches. Hundreds of thousands of tourist flock to the country yearly to see nature at national parks such as Manuel Antonio which is home to one of Costa Rica’s over 200 volcanos and thousands of species including Toucans and Sloths. While most tourist stay at the beachside towns and resorts, the countries largest city and capital San José is located over 3,000ft above sea level. This is one of the healthiest countries in the world with a love of preservation in nature, this is Costa Rica.

Route

  • Kinshasa(FIH) - Brazzaville(BZV) - Paris(CDG) - San José(SJO)

Flight 1: Kinshasa N’Djili Airport(FIH/FZAA) - Brazzaville Maya Maya Airport(BZA/FCBB)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 722
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 19:07 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 19:17 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 10m
  • Cruise Altitude: 6000ft

Heading back on a short flight to Brazzaville before heading to Paris

Up in the air to Cross the Congo River to the other Congo

BZV in sight

Touchdown welcome back to Brazzaville

Loading up a few more passengers and a-lot more fule to cross the continent heading to France

Flight 2: Brazzaville Maya Maya Airport(BZA/FCBB) - Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport(CDG/LFPG)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 722
  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
  • Departure Time: 21:43 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 6:22 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 7h 38m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Takeoff from the Congo into the dark night sky

Sunrise over Southern France

Approach into the Paris Suburbs

Golden clouds in the early morning

Paris Charles de Gaul is in sight

Final into LFPG

Landed with Air France 303 right behind coming in from LAX

Busy morning here in Paris

Flight 3: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport(CDG/LFPG) - San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport(SJO/MROC)

  • Airline: Air France
  • Flight Number: 430
  • Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER
  • Departure Time: 14:17 UTC+2
  • Arrival Time: 17:02 UTC-6
  • Flight Time: 10h 45m
  • Cruise Altitude: 36000ft

Taxing to Runway 8L for Departure

Takeoff next stop Central America

After over 8 hours crossing the Atlantic Ocean we have reached Costa Rica

San José insight hidden by a surrounding of volcanos

Sun’s getting low here in late afternoon

Approaching MROC located high above both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean

Touchdown at San José

Welcome to country #41 Costa Rica

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Leg 41 — 🇭🇷 Croatia / Zagreb 🇭🇷

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Known for its turquoise waters, beautiful seaside towns and architecture, we head to Balkans for our next country Croatia. Home to 8 natural parks, and over a thousand islands lining the Mediterranean Coast, the country is a tourist hotspot for those looking for adventure and relaxation. One of the most popular destinations is the town of Dubrovnik which is located at the very south end of the country narrowly bordering Montenegro. Still the largest city and capital is Zagreb which is located in the hills and countrysides of the Balkans.

Route

  • San José(SJO) - Atlanta(ATL) - Amsterdam(AMS) - Zagreb(ZAG)

Flight 1: San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport(SJO/MROC) - Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport(ATL/KATL)

  • Airline: Delta Airlines
  • Flight Number: 1794
  • Aircraft: Boeing 757-200
  • Departure Time: 7:00 UTC-6
  • Arrival Time: 13:07 UTC-4
  • Flight Time: 4h 07m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Foggy morning in San José as we ready for our flight to Deltas major hub in Atlanta

In air over the volcanos of Central America

Getting a quick glimpse of the Pacific Ocean before seeing only the Atlantic

Flying over Merida before hitting the Gulf of Mexico

Back in the USA as we fly over Gulfport Mississippi

Final Into Runway 9R at Atlanta

Welcome back to The USA where we will have a quick layover before heading to Europe

Flight 2: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport(ATL/KATL) - Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS/EHAM)

  • Airline: Delta Airlines
  • Flight Number: 70
  • Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
  • Departure Time: 15:43 UTC-4
  • Arrival Time: 5:44 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 8h 01m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Pushback from the international terminal at ATL as we are ironically being passed by a Delta flight heading to San José

Takeoff next stop the Netherlands

Passing over JFK in New York

Waken up by our start of decent into Amsterdam during a early morning sunrise

Passing over the English Channel

Need to fly over Amsterdam Schiphol as irregular wether changes our landing runway

Early Morning Touchdown at Runway 7 at EHAM

Welcome to our first time at Amsterdam Schiphol during this challenge

Flight 3: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS/EHAM) - Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport(ZAG/LDZA)

  • Airline: Croatia Airlines
  • Flight Number: 451
  • Aircraft: Airbus A319
  • Departure Time: 11:44 UTC+2
  • Arrival Time: 13:08 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 1h 24m
  • Cruise Altitude: 39000ft

Loading up on our small plane here at busy AMS

Gotta love this charming Croatia Airlines Livery

Takeoff on our short flight to the Balkans

Passing over the Austrian Alphs with a bit of turbulence

Zagreb In sight as we prepare for touchdown

Welcome to Croatia

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Leg 42 — 🇨🇺 Cuba / Havana 🇨🇺

Next up, we are heading over to the largest Island in the Caribbean. Sitting over 780 miles long, Cuba Spans across the greater Antiles, with a population over 11 million. With this large of a population, Cuba is also one of the most literate places in the world with nearly 100% of its population knowing how to write and read. Cuba is know widely for its colorful architecture, cars, and unique culture. The country is also known as a tourist hotspot and for its wildlife including Jardines de la Reina known as the " Galápagos of the Caribbean".

Route

  • Zagreb(ZAG) - Madrid(MAD) - Havana(HAV)

Flight 1: Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport(ZAG/LDZA) - Madrid Barajas Airport(MAD/LEMD)

  • Airline: Iberia Airlines
  • Flight Number: 3199
  • Aircraft: Airbus A321
  • Departure Time: 19:46 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 22:12 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 2h 28m
  • Cruise Altitude: 35000ft

Boarding our plane here in Zagreb watching the sunset

One last view of ZAG as head off to Madrid

Sight of the Mediterranean as the sun dips bellow the horizon

Passing by Monaco with Mount Blanc just barely visible in the background

Beginning our decent while passing over Barcelona

Final into runway 32R at MAD

Welcome to the Iberian hub, Madrid

We will be spending the night here before heading West to Cuba the next day

Flight 2: Madrid Barajas Airport(MAD/LEMD) - Havana Jose Marti International Airport(HAV/MUHA)

  • Airline: Iberia Airlines
  • Flight Number: 6621
  • Aircraft: Airbus A330
  • Departure Time: 13:57 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 17:56 UTC-5
  • Flight Time: 9h 59m
  • Cruise Altitude: 36000ft

Boarding our Airbus A330 here at the International Terminal in Madrid

Takeoff

Ascending to our cruising altitude flying over the Northern Mountains of Madrid

Waking up over the blue waters of Turks and Caicos

Reached the Coast of Cuba

Final into Runway 6 at Havana

Touchdown Welcome to Cuba

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Leg 43 — 🇨🇾 Cyprus / Larnaca 🇨🇾

In the warm turquoise water of the Mediterranean we head to the Island of Cyprus where our next Island Nation is located. While 3 countries lay claim to parts of the Island, the country Cyprus owns most of the land and is by far the most recognized country on the Island. Even though the Island is relatively small, the tallest peak Mount Olympus (not to be confused with Mount Olympus in Greece) rises to a staggering 6,500ft above sea level! The country’s Capital Nicosia is located in the central plains of the island right next to what is right now the UN buffer zone which has taken over the City’s old international Airport. Like us today most people instead fly into the coastal resort town of Larnaca.

Route

  • Havana(HAV) - Zurich(ZRH) - Larnaca(LCA)

Flight 1: Havana Jose Marti International Airport(HAV/MUHA) - Zurich Airport(ZRH/LSZH)

  • Airline: Edelwisse Air
  • Flight Number: 33
  • Aircraft: Airbus A340-600
  • Departure Time: 20:05 UTC-5
  • Arrival Time: 11:35 UTC+1
  • Flight Time: 9h 30m
  • Cruise Altitude: 33000ft

Boarding on our Airbus A340 which throughout the night will take us over to Switzerland

Taking off from Havana

One last goodbye to Cuba with the moon rising over the Island

Waking up as we fly over Western France

Descending towards Switzerland as we are flying over Basel Euro-Airport

Final into Runway 14 at LSZH

Touchdown welcome back to the stunning Zurich Airport

Spending the afternoon here before our late night flight departs to Cyprus

Flight 2: Zurich Airport(ZRH/LSZH) - Larnaca International Airport(LCA/LCLK)

  • Airline: Edelwisse Air
  • Flight Number: 368
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320
  • Departure Time: 22:37 UTC+1
  • Arrival Time: 2:56 UTC+2
  • Flight Time: 3h 19m
  • Cruise Altitude: 35000ft

Preparing for our night time flight to Larnaca

Departing from late night Zurich

Reaching cruising altitude over the Austrian Alps

Reaching the Mediterranean Sea over Greece just past 12:30am

Cyprus in sight as we begin to decent

Mount Olympus in the background as we approch Larnaca

Touchdown welcome to Cyprus

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Amazing pictures as always! Absolutely Love the Realism of using a Generic A346 as that’s as close as we are gonna get to an Edelweiss A343 at this time!!

Yes it would have been nice to use the livery on the A340-300 but for the moment the A340-600 works just fine!

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