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I had a BIG PROBLEM leaving Uzbekistan!

Kym Illman Travel

62,705 views

My Uzbekistan Airways flight took an unexpected turn when I decided to explore Tashkent during my layover. What started as a straightforward Tashkent travel vlog quickly turned into some serious travel drama when airport security raised concerns about whether I could take my camera out of Uzbekistan! In this Uzbekistan Airways review, I take you through my experience flying with the airline, exploring Tashkent and the unexpected problems I encountered at the airport. If you're wondering is Uzbekistan Airlines good, is Tashkent nice, or you're looking for an honest Uzbekistan Airlines review, this video gives you a look at the airline, the city and an airport experience I certainly wasn't expecting!

Digital images (for personal and editorial use) are available at https://www.prostarpics.com/
commercial use at Getty Images

20 Comments

@RetiredPoliceDetective 12 hours ago

😂 This is great content. Finally a real life travel video. Those perfect, high-end travel vlogs have there place, but this is refreshing.

@ElPierdolito 13 hours ago

Your wife is right, Samsonite is (bleep) now. I still have a 25 year old smaller black Samsonite, made of normal cloth material (not plastic), it flew all over Europe and still looks great, never broke, never ripped nothing, it's solid as a rock. A few newer and bigger ones I bought were pieces of ... you name it.

@anderschristensen367 1 hour ago

I normally dislike when YouTube travel channels moan but getting a lot out of your honest reviews and comments. Thanks for the honesty and genuine videos

@jerrytomb3071 4 hours ago

The odds of a problem flight have evidently caught up with you sir. Sorry you seem yo be having multiple issues. Thank you for the video!

@therealsimonhicks 5 hours ago

Excellent journey. You are very calm.

@nomiguda 13 hours ago

Love that you don't take no for an answer. Australian Consumer Law is fantastic, and I'm glad we have a similar act with the Consumer Guarantees Act here over the ditch.

Fun little video, would LOVE for you to not use AI thumbnails, it's icky man pay an artist you've got the dosh

@Dpixtion 6 hours ago

That is an absolutely crazy time you had and such bad luck. I’m actually surprised that a Formula One team has not invited you to fly with them on the team plane yet. That would be kind of a fun series if you could.

@KiraKovalyova 9 hours ago

Uzbekistan is an interesting country. I fly into Tashkent regularly with my airline. I've never had issues with my camera, but I also have my camera in it's case when coming through.

@howardbaldwin1226 12 hours ago

Yes, my twenty-year-old Samonite travel case is still going okay - battered but not broken - but when I look at their products today they seem no different from the cheaper brands.

@Doniyorbek_Turgunov 9 hours ago (edited)

Welcome to Uzbekistan, Mr. Ilman. The language is called Uzbek. It is a shame you had some issues with airport and flight experience, but believe me, it is generally much better. We would be truly delighted if you decided to visit our country again and be our guest!

@SunsetWorshipUS 5 hours ago

2:29 be careful as you may end up like how Josh Cahill was doing this as it is technically against the ticket terms and the airlines are usually pretty strict about this

@AlanRait 9 hours ago

Great video Kym. We can think you live a glamorous lifestyle, this grounds us a bit

@sportmodel9526 13 hours ago

Strangely enough I'm watching your travel videos whilst in the air myself Kym! We all dread those flight/security experiences and it brings back memories unfortunately

@Jacqui-e2o 12 hours ago

You do seem very good at leaving things behind. Thanks for the video

@uberseehandel 35 minutes ago

"Fourth best in Central Asia". I cannot remember when I laughed so much.

@TheCardChase 12 hours ago

Glad your well Illman

@ElPierdolito 13 hours ago

Goodness, I would lose my patience with them so quickly and have my Southern Europese (hot) temperament take over .. but I'd end up in jail for who knows how long :D
Great vid and great editing, as per usual procedure ;)
Thank you Sir, all the best!

@WatchingtheWorldBurning 8 hours ago

I really like the way you've managed to build effectively three products out of one travel experience (the F1 channel, F1 Blog and the travel channel). I'm about your age and it looks like a dream lifestyle, although I'm under no illusion as to how tiring it must be. A remote editor must be essential!

@RGM4LIFE 10 hours ago

Thank you for the video

@Max_Flashheart 12 hours ago

Had Samsonite Bag back in the mid 2000's and it was good. The $50 dollars plastic suitcase I got in a market in Singapore is actually unbelievable, it has survived the Tube in London, Cargo handlers in the USA, being wheeled for miles and is still good in 2026. The other cases have all lost wheels, handles and or split zips or casing.