American adventurer Indy Nelson has set a new Guinness World Record for flying with the most unique airlines, having soared with 170 different carriers. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 156 airlines, held by Japanese traveler Ryuji Furusho from 1996 to 2014.
Nelson’s record was accomplished during an 18-month global journey that began in 2017, when he was 22 years old. His travels were part of a broader mission to visit every country in the world.
After graduating from college, Nelson financed his ambitious round-the-world trip with an $80,000 loan. Despite avoiding conflict zones, he faced significant challenges, particularly in Africa, where he was detained and interrogated on four occasions totaling 24 hours. Reflecting on these experiences, Nelson admitted, “Things happen in 24, 48 hours. You can’t plan those things out. I feared for my life several times. There were definitely several times that I did not think I was going to get out of that country. By the fourth time, it was like ‘no big deal anymore.’”
Nelson’s travels took him through a wide range of countries and cultures. He named Comoros as his least favorite destination, while Cambodia was his top pick. Despite some travel difficulties, Nelson experienced relatively smooth operations with airlines, with only two out of approximately 500 flights being canceled. He expressed a preference for Emirates and Qatar Airways, citing, “any in the Middle East are awesome.”
Although Nelson’s travel adventures have garnered considerable attention, he has paused his globetrotting to focus on a new venture. According to Guinness World Records, Nelson is now dedicated to his telecommunication startup, which aims to provide mobile data services to underserved communities, underscoring his commitment to leveraging technology for positive impact.
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