Flying Yemenia Airways and Visiting Yemen: What It’s Really Like

• Airline: Yemenia Airways
• Class: Business & Economy
• Route: Cairo (CA) to Cairo (CAI) via Al Mukalla (RIY) & Seyun (GXF)
• Aircraft: Airbus A320-200

Flying to a country with a Level Four Do Not Travel warning isn’t something most travelers would attempt. But curiosity won. After all, Yemenia Airways recently lost half of its fleet in an air strike and still manages to keep the country connected. I wanted to see what it’s really like to fly Yemen’s national airline and explore a place most of the world only knows from headlines.

My trip started in Cairo. Despite having a visa on my old passport, check-in was surprisingly stress-free. Cameras are a sensitive topic in this part of the world, but the staff handled everything kindly.

The aircraft taking me to Yemen was an Airbus A320 that previously flew for SilkAir. Yemenia’s fleet is tiny now after the May 2025 air strike destroyed three aircraft, including its only widebody A330. Still, the crew welcomed me on board like family. Passengers were excited to see a foreigner, and the hospitality felt genuine.

The real adventure began once we descended into Al-Mukalla on the Arabian Sea.

Immigration took about 20 minutes, and then I stepped into a country few tourists ever see. My first surprise was how warm and welcoming everyone was. No hostility, no suspicion, no fear. Just endless kindness.

Mukalla, the city where I stayed first, is calm and far from the Houthi-controlled areas. Locals openly explained how Yemen is split between north and south, and how the southern regions have regained stability.

Yemen doesn’t resemble the images people have in their minds. Think mountain canyons, ancient villages, turquoise coastlines, and architecture that feels frozen in time.

Highlights included:

• Floating desert fortresses
• Sesame-oil mills powered by camels
• The stunning canyon views from a hotel in the middle of nowhere
• A visit to Shibam, known as the “Manhattan of the Desert” with its centuries-old mud-brick skyscrapers
• Chatting with local families, kids, shop owners, and even meeting relatives of the bin Laden family in a tiny village

Never once did I feel unsafe. If anything, the locals went above and beyond to make sure I felt welcome.

I’ve been to every country in the Middle East, and Yemen left the strongest mark. The culture is rich, the history deep, the landscapes unreal, and the people unforgettable.

If you’re adventurous and willing to travel outside the usual tourist map, Yemen will surprise you in the best ways. I visited with Young Pioneer Tours, and you can even get a discount by mentioning my name.

Yemenia Airways may be operating with a limited fleet, but the warmth of the crew and the spirit of the passengers say everything about the country itself. If you’re curious about the world and passionate about aviation, this is one experience you won’t forget.

This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!