How to Fly Inside the Cockpit? My Best Flight in the Cockpit 

I was a frequent flier on British Airways B747 LHR-BOS and pre-911, the pilots would open the cockpit door after takeoff and many times the pilots would come back into the cabin to chat with the upper deck passengers. It was always a special occasion to get to know the pilots and they were real emissaries for their company and profession. I always felt honored when it happened. I hope we can return to those days at some point in the future.

Definitely the Bhutan flight. That is amazing.

During 2019's christmas I was coming back to Paris from Nairobi in the 787-9, and I went two times into the cockpit (over Egypt and on landing), the pilots were very kind and aswered all of my questions, and when arriving in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, there was 32kts crosswinds and a bit rainy, the pilots where laughing and they even cursed to a Russian pilot who passed 1000ft below our aircraft when approaching Paris. It was awesome and I hope your advice will help me live another awesome experience!

As a child back in 2005, I got to sit in the captain’s seat during a flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao on a KLM 747-400. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.

Having worked for Pan Am as Flt Ops Mgr in the Pilot Trng Dept, I got to ride jump seat in their 707s during several trng flights. Try sitting thru 23 touch and go’s. And now almost 50 years later, every take off (as a pax on commercial flts) I’m going thru the check list (mentally). As we spool up and go to “Take Off Power” the excitement builds “...And Loving It”. Sam, great video!! Keep ‘em coming! 👍

My favourite cockpit moment was onboard an Air France B727 back in 80's as a kid, we flew from PTP to FDF and the flight was overbooked. My Dad used to work for AF and the crew recognised him, so they accepted us in the cockpit for this short island-hopping. It was also a night flight, even if I was only 12 years old, I'll never forget it!! Too bad I didnt have any photo-equipment back than...

1977 - Flight Manchester to Athens. Air Europe. My friend just asked and we went into the cockpit and met the pilots. I've been hooked on aviation ever since, 42 years later. No joke, there was a 4-pack of beer on display. Smooth landing! 🍺

My favorite was that weather ☁️ strome and lighting wow . Amazing . How Allah has made this world sooooo beautiful ❤️

Hi Sam! Great video! My best cockpit moment was March 2000 when I flew LHR-IAD on a 747 and I was allowed into the cockpit for about 90 minutes, was just sat on the jump seat talking to the pilots. Turned out one had just moved to my home town so I was telling him what places he should see and eat in! Was amazing experience! 😁

I was so impressed when Sam was in the cockpit of an African Airline flight. Can't remember the airline , bit I think it was a really old DC-9. The plane was old and had several alarms going off. That's when I realized how much he loves aviation. It wasn't just about luxury flights, but just a love of flying!

Watching some of those experiences made me feel somewhat emotional! I don’t know why but I can just feel how honoured and privileged these pilots are to be involved in their slice of aviation! Thank you Sam ❤️

On my second flight ever, I was 9 years old flying from Frankfurt to JFK on PanAm 747, and I was invited into the cockpit by the flight attendant. The pilots were really friendly, even showed me how turning the altitude AP dial makes the plane descend 1,000ft, and vice versa. Been hooked ever since. Now, I can fly whenever I want to as a PPL holder. BTW, Sam congrats on your PPL, remember safety first.

This is my story, I wanted to become a commercial pilot all my life. At age 16 I had completed the test for private pilot single engine. And I was told by my instructor to go for my commercial. That’s where I got into trouble. My airman’s physical revealed I am color blind to red and green. So, my dream to go into the Air Force was dashed. From that point I decided my dream was impossible, so I went to medical school and got to work in the Emergency Room at night for many years, The staff I worked with was stellar. I’m now retired and get to watch all these flights on RU-vid including yours. Thanks for putting in the work.

I was an A380 pilot at Emirates and the 6 touch and go we did after the type rating was an experience of a lifetime

For me it has to be the flight from Hong Kong back to the Netherlands on the chartered KLM 747 combi back in 1994. My brother and me where allowed in to the cockpit as young boys and I can never forget how amassed I was with all the buttons and what nots. (It was still full analogue with a third operator) I was to young to really grasp much of it but I was very much in awe. I know that my brother was even allowed in to the pilot seat it self. where he could ''fly'' the aircraft.

Flying jumpseat into London City Airport was pretty awesome! With the steep approach, gives the perspective that the runway is even shorter than it is! Incredible!

Each and every second is spent in Cockpit is very very special ☺️☺️

I feel an-22 was the best vedio. We usually get to watch the mordern day cockpit through social media but planes like an-22 are rare. It was really a great vedio. That team work pilots and engineers do to fly big bird is incredible.

You are so lucky! This is a dream for me as I want to be a pilot when I’m older. Liv~🇫🇮🇫🇮

I would like to hear the engines and sounds of the plane without the loud music.

Wow the 1st officer teach some chineese student pilot now they are flying a A320 and hes flying a smaller aircraft what a amazing person. I bet the students pilot he reached will be proud

Visiting inside of a cockpit is every time my wish on each flight of mine, some times I have been lucky enough to see the cockpit as well!

I was fortunate enough to jump seat on the flightdeck of a Virgin B747-200 classic LGW-MIA for takeoff & landing. One of the last flights it made before its retirement. I was travelling to complete my FAA Dispatch Licence in Ft. Lauderdale. I remember the landing into MIA was just awesome. This was back in the April of 2001. Fantastic memories!

Each of your presentation is a delight for me!

A descida no Butão é fantástica ! The landing in Buthan is amazing !!!

Sam your the best! Aviation legend! Take care on every tour! 👍

Awesome video, chocked full of special experiences that are once in a lifetime! My favorite moment was when the Buddhist Captain started praying! Made you a little nervous, yes, Sam?! 🤣

I had an opportunity to access the cockpit in the past. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I am grateful for

I probably filmed your flight landing as I have been live streaming there all week and for the rest of the month if you want to do a PiP pic in pic video and reverse them for each others youtube such as yours could be a small insert on mine and vice versa

every airline flight I take I always ask the crew If I can see the cockpit. I'm a Pilot myself but I still love to see other Cockpits of planes I don't fly, and to get advice from the crew. I had 4 flights in April for a trip, CLE-ATL-MCO MCO-ATL-CLE. Each flight was a different aircraft. 717, 767-400, 757-300, A321. I was able to preboard and visit the cockpit for around 20-30 minutes before the flight and chat with the crew. it's a really cool experience.

My favorite is the one from the Bhutan Airlines flight. It’s hard to beat that gorgeous view of the Himalayan Mountains!

The Nepal flight to Bhutan is my favourite...It felt like I was in the cockpit myself.👌👌👏

The best way is to simply ask! Chances are they will say no, but I've managed to jumpseat multiple times thanks to this!

Thank you sam. I got to be in the pilots seat during preflight for 30 minutes in a 757!

my favorite cockpit was on Pakistan Airlines many decades ago. A Pilot who was a friend asked the Flights cockpit Captain to let me sit on the Jump Seat from JFK to Pakistan. I was amazed how the pilots made the 777 fly all the way into Pakistan, really enjoyed their Humor .They were just like any other Human Beings. Fantastic

Honestly at this point they prob look forward to seeing Sam! Such a kind, enthusiastic and knowledgeable passenger and now PILOT 🧑‍✈️! Congratulations Sam!

My friend become Aircraft engineer so now ge travel with pilots now Everytime he go somewhere. Its soo cool privilege . True saying of enjoying flight

Myself had the privilege to experienced jump seat with commercial airlines back 90s Amazing feeling

I just love the flight from Mauritius to Paris from Indian Oceans Tatz A350 light show all over the clouds & thunders tat was a spectacular view from cockpit ………..n then N22 with 5 operating pilots tat so cool Thank you S@M 🙌🏽

Definitely, my favorite cockpit video is Paro, Bhutan landing. That was amazing but thrilling moment. When the plane just 500 ft from the ground but you cannot see the runaway.

Bhutan flight was awesome

As a kid my mom would talk our way into visiting the flight deck after our flight. I grew up an airline brat on United Airlines. Flash forward 35 years later…my “little” brother is a professional aviator … sometimes the impact a cockpit visit can make on a kid can last a lifetime.

"Were gonna ignore you for safety reasons." I felt bad for you Sam but also I mean can you blame them, right?

I would say that the Air Mauritius A350 was my favourite ❤

Great vidéo ! Thanks Sam !

Never forget my opportunity to enter an Ansett B743 cockpit on approach to HKG (Kai Tai) back in the 90s. That was one amazing experience! Also had an opportunity to enter an UA B744 during Trans-Pacific cruise phase and saw St Elmo’s fire on the windscreen but all pretty subdued during the cruise phase. Then 911 came and that was the end of that. Bummer!

Even if I'm only 19, I had many opportunities (post 911..) to do entires flies into the cockpit, often on A320, but also CRK, Ejets, B737 and the B777 ! So my favourite moment was probably to stay about one hour in the cockpit during cruise on the 777-300er, over Russia, from Paris CDG to HKG. It was so amazing in this huge cockpit. Also, I'm enjoying every flights in cockpit, as student ppl ;) !

a380 cockpit,air Mauritius too thanks sam for this wonderful opportunity love ur videos

When comes the video with Captain Joe in the 747 simulator

Amazing footage! My favorite cockpit experience when i was 7 years old in jakarta-padang flight. Mandala 737-200, that cockpit just amazing. Mandala have a event which the pilots called all children to the cockpit around 37000 ft, i still have my certificate until now (i'm 24). That was the time which makes me love aviation, unfortunately i never able to go in cockpit anymore. I just don't want to bother the pilots lol

I was lucky enough to get into an Etihad A320 Cockpit before takeoff, and the first officer gave me a chocolate. It happened when I was 10 and today I'm 14 and I do hope once I will have my office in the cockpit.

The only time Ive been in a cabin, was in a plane crop duster doing aerobics, with a crazy pilot. Thanks Sam, great stories.

So interesting Sam thank you. My late husband was a for small plain pilot. Brings back pleasant memories.

So much positive energy! Thank you Sam!

back in 2006 Airfrance A380 maiden flight Toulouse to Charles de Gaule!!! I was only 10 years old back than, but the memory will always stick❤️

wow..amazing,,,i realy love inside the cockpit of A380 and B740

I love this Thank you For what you do Much love

Bhutan flight was very nice

Back in the early 90's I had the opportunity to ride jump seat on a Tower Air 747 that was being relocated from George Air Force base in Victorville, California to the Ontario Airport in Ontario, California. I drove the Tower Air Rep. Kit Tran who I had enjoyed working with many times from Ontario to George Air force base so he could work the relocation flight, just before he boarded the 747 to leave, he told me that I could fly down to Ontario on the flight riding jump seat in the cockpit. What an amazing opportunity that would have been, unfortunately I didn't know how I was going to be able to get back there to the base to retrieve my vehicle, so unfortunately I couldn't go with them. I have always appreciated the offer and I have kicked myself many times for not just going for it and accepting his offer for such an amazing opportunity.

It's awesome 2 handle antonov Airlines by 5 management. IT'S BEAST AWESOME....

thank you for bring us to many places

The Bhutan flight. That is amazing.

I used to be able to go up to the cockpit all the time as a kid flying to/from HKG. Things were so different in the 70s/80s...

My favorite is the incredible Boeing 757!! Thank you for your great videos!

കിടിലൻ കാഴ്ചകൾ കാണാൻ കോക്പിറ്റിൽ തന്നെയിരിക്കണം...👌👌👌

Great videos and keep it up Sam. Cockpit moment......visited BA B747-400 cockpit after flying HKG-LHR sector on business in 2010. Seated on the upper deck business class and the Captain invited me to the cockpit on arrival into LHR. Spent a fair bit of time on the jumpseat conversing with the pilots with regards to the 747-400. First cockpit visit was pre-911, on board Royal Brunei B767-300 flight from SIN to LHR via DXB. Recall the visit was on the DXB-LHR sector and did have the opportunity to witness the flight operations live of the B767-300.

The 747 and the 380 are for sure my favourites!

The world's biggest turboop anton 22 .Is the favourite carpet.😘

I have lots of cockpit moments prior to 11 September 2001. In the US the FAA prohibits cockpit entry in flight except for authorized crew members. As you would expect, they have even tougher security measures in place. However, it is usually not a problem when the aircraft is parked at the gate. I just show my AA retiree ID and they usually let me up. I've done it numerous times on the international airlines which allowed cockpit access in flight. I've seen 2 sunrises over the Pacific flying on QF and CX 747-400's to LAX. In 1996 I talked to an EVA Air pilot at LAX and told him about my interest. He suggested I write to the VP of Flight Operations for the airline and ask permission. I did it on CX and the Chief PIlot for Boeing fleet wrote me and said he had written to the captains of the 2 flights I would be on and let them know of my interest. He said it would be up to them on the day of departure and they let me join them. I spent most of cruise back in the passenger cabin, but takeoff and landings were something else. My only regret is that Kai Tak had already closed so we wouldn't be flying the IGS for Rwy 13. However, the year before I paid several hundred dollars for an hour in a LH 747-400 simulator in FRA. I told the instructor that I wanted to make some takeoffs at maximum gross weight and to land at Kai Tak. It took 3 tries but I got her down. On a CX flight LAX-HKG I asked if I could get a cockpit visit and the FA said she would check. She came back to tell me it was a training flight and it would not be possible. Another FA came back to check on me and see how I was doing. I told her I was disappointed I could not go in the cockpit, but I understood why it was not possible. I told her that in 3 days I would fly back to LAX and that would be my birthday. Later in the flight, the FA's called me to the galley. They gave me a handmade birthday card and a box of chocolates. And a little later, an FA came to me and told me that since it was my birthday they would take me up to the cockpit. Something I will miss. Oh, when I worked at AA i had several opportunities to sit in on 777 simulator sessions. They were anything but routine flights. And once I was talking to an instructor and he asked me if I wanted to fly it around a pattern. I did for sure.

Wow! That lightening strikes are amazing !

All because of you only we have been able to experience the cockpit

I love your filming in the a350 cockpit

Most I like Bhutan flight video.. Amazing 👌🤝

Awesome cockpit views Sam, it is definitely hard to pick one as a favorite out of all of the great experiences and opportunities that you have had to ride in so many different cockpits, I enjoy them all very much👍🙂

as always hat's off to you Sam. Stay Safe and Blessed.

That Katmundu landing was dope.

My favourite cockpit videos is on 747, I remember going to one with Qantas. The pilots in there were great. Sad to see the queens of the skies go .

Sam amazing experience you give all of us by your videos. Salute to your efforts.great work 👍🏻😃⭐️keep going ❤️🙋‍♂️🤩

we offer you more progress and prosperity in your field and your ability to prove your reality. I offer you my congratulations at this time

Glad you enjoyed your cockpit moment from Kathmandu to Bhutan. Have you flown to the “most dangerous” airport of the world the Lukla Airport in my country Nepal? Sam I would love to see that journey documented Thank you

Thank you Mr Sam.. Love from srilanka!!!

Dude,...back in the late 70’s & early 80’s I was doing my thesis on Glass Cockpits. I was able to fly jumpseats on B757, 767, A310, A300-600, 747-300, and even flew on a DC-10 Glass cockpit. Then of course, I worked for Northwest Airlines for 12 years and was jumps-eats every month....:). I wish 911 never ever happened.

That engine powering up is so good

Learned something new about the sterile light in the cockpit, cool! Also really thought it was awesome to see the flight path of that last 747 flight resemble the plane!

Singapore air 747 from Singapore to Las Angeles. Was in first class, Flight attendant asked me if I wanted to see the flight deck, obviously yes, to find that the pilots had the front windshields covered in newspapers because of the glare from the sun. We were about an hour out of LA but it was awesome.

Hey Sam why not making a video showing us how you take your footage

My first cockpit moment, Delhi Jaipur, Indian Airlines, B737, on a school trip, we asked the cabin crew for a peep into the cockpit and couple of us, said hello to the captain. Of course Kathmandu Pokhara Cosmic Air, sitting in row 1 means you are practically in the cockpit except for a thin curtain. That was crazy

im from israel soo i was vary hapy to watch the EL AL video you are such an amizing guy

Bhutan flight cockpit view is my Fav

Sam, I bought your Air 747 book and the pictures were amazing and I love the way you do it and I love the 747 ever since then

Beautiful office views!😍✈️

Hi Sam Chui congratulations for THE Channel I LOVE ✈️✈️✈️ greetings From Venezuela 👋🇻🇪😉

the captain must be very happy that you sit with him

Jump seat of Gulfstream IV going in to Ketchikan AK. Priceless.

My favorite was from Kathmandu to Bhutan ..landing and the view of Himalayas .

Sam - you need to make it a goal to spend time in the cockpit of an F-18 or F-16 on a demo flight with the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds!! That would be epic!!

4 years back in İslamabad i was in a Karachi flight in a Conderon Aircraft. The cabin attendant saw his countryman and did his favour. he took me to the cockpit. That was great. Thank you countryman!

I am Ekmeet Singh Pilot good video My favorite is the A380 ,A340 , and B747

Sam you should fly in UIA airlines.even one of the cool pilot from that airline have a you tube channel called pilot blog.

Great insight to the procedures required before and after flights👍😄