Aeroflot

[eekee 182]

OK, so I had never flown Aeroflot for a long-haul flight before yesterday, because I had read too many transferring-at-SVO horror stories and expected a lower-quality experience than you'd get from a Western European carrier. But I flew from SPb-Moscow-JFK yesterday, and was surprised at what I found.

First--there were a ton of Americans on my first flight (there was some kind of teenager choir that had toured Russia on the flight), and Aeroflot dispatched agents to meet our flight at the gate to make sure that the Americans transferred OK and arranged a special shuttle bus to terminal F (although I walked instead.)

Second--the plane we flew back on was hands-down THE NICEST plane I've ever been on. EVERYTHING was brand new, and the in-flight entertainment was a combination of the latest blockbusters from the US, Japan (?), and Russia, plus some Soviet classics. Everything was on time. No luggage was lost. Meals were pretty good--a main meat dish and then a side salad with a different kind of meat.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how... nice everything was. Way nicer than Airfrance or British Airways or KLM.

Is this a new thing, to not be a terrible experience? Is it Olympics-related? Has anyone had a contradictory experience recently? I recall some people here being like, "As God as my witness, I will never fly Aeroflot again!"

Edited July 1, 2010 by eekee

[shikarnov 7]

I recall some people here being like, "As God as my witness, I will never fly Aeroflot again!"

Count me among those people. I feel fortunate to have survived my Aeroflot experience (and, no, I'm not exaggerating). I am, however, happy to hear that you had a positive experience. Maybe this is the beginning of Aeroflot's renaissance. Let's hope.

[AKguy 1]

I had a fairly decent plane one time and then a plane I wasn't sure I'd ever come out of after it was stuck on the tarmac for about an hour. I wasn't sure if we'd freeze to death before it took off or if it'd ice up and crash once they got the engines thawed out so we could take off.

[bonjur_mimi 0]

ok, maybe that confortable seats and good service come after everything. I mean I am soo disappointed in their ticket service. It is so difficult to purchase a ticket and plus they are somewhat short on answers Especially Washington D.C office, New York Office never answered my phone call. Some ladies from LA office are as well. However, Moscow call center is the best. I always call them and there's one lady answers the phone all the time and she is the nicest so far. It is very difficult to contact them. i am already disappointed I hope for better service during the flight.

[SMR 368]

OK, so I had never flown Aeroflot for a long-haul flight before yesterday, because I had read too many transferring-at-SVO horror stories and expected a lower-quality experience than you'd get from a Western European carrier. But I flew from SPb-Moscow-JFK yesterday, and was surprised at what I found.

First--there were a ton of Americans on my first flight (there was some kind of teenager choir that had toured Russia on the flight), and Aeroflot dispatched agents to meet our flight at the gate to make sure that the Americans transferred OK and arranged a special shuttle bus to terminal F (although I walked instead.)

Second--the plane we flew back on was hands-down THE NICEST plane I've ever been on. EVERYTHING was brand new, and the in-flight entertainment was a combination of the latest blockbusters from the US, Japan (?), and Russia, plus some Soviet classics. Everything was on time. No luggage was lost. Meals were pretty good--a main meat dish and then a side salad with a different kind of meat.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how... nice everything was. Way nicer than Airfrance or British Airways or KLM.

Is this a new thing, to not be a terrible experience? Is it Olympics-related? Has anyone had a contradictory experience recently? I recall some people here being like, "As God as my witness, I will never fly Aeroflot again!"

I have heard bad things, too, but I have always had decent to excellent experiences. It wasn't as recent for me so I can't remember as many details but the food was always good and the service fine. I have never felt the planes any less reliable than any I have flown on in America. In flight entertainment is hit and miss as on all carriers I have been on, since different craft are differently equipped.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OK, so I had never flown Aeroflot for a long-haul flight before yesterday, because I had read too many transferring-at-SVO horror stories and expected a lower-quality experience than you'd get from a Western European carrier. But I flew from SPb-Moscow-JFK yesterday, and was surprised at what I found.

First--there were a ton of Americans on my first flight (there was some kind of teenager choir that had toured Russia on the flight), and Aeroflot dispatched agents to meet our flight at the gate to make sure that the Americans transferred OK and arranged a special shuttle bus to terminal F (although I walked instead.)

Second--the plane we flew back on was hands-down THE NICEST plane I've ever been on. EVERYTHING was brand new, and the in-flight entertainment was a combination of the latest blockbusters from the US, Japan (?), and Russia, plus some Soviet classics. Everything was on time. No luggage was lost. Meals were pretty good--a main meat dish and then a side salad with a different kind of meat.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how... nice everything was. Way nicer than Airfrance or British Airways or KLM.

Is this a new thing, to not be a terrible experience? Is it Olympics-related? Has anyone had a contradictory experience recently? I recall some people here being like, "As God as my witness, I will never fly Aeroflot again!"

"Better than Air France" is weak praise.

I, and my family, have flown Aeroflot and Aerosvit many times and they are generally my preferred carriers as they are usually (but not always) the cheapest. I have no horror stories to tell. Aerosvit has been particularly good actually in handling any sort of delay or anything. However, they are not luxury carriers. Sergey just arrived yesterday and all was well, his Aeroflot flight was perfectly on time, nothing bad to report except he said there was only ONE movie available he had already seen (one?) and "not enough food". He was VERY hungry when he landed, like instead of hugs and hellos..."can we go somewhere to eat?" I will note that both boys eat like WOLVES anyway, so maybe it is not fair. But I agree the food is sparse compared to say CSA, Lufthansa, KLM, etc. About what you would expect on a domestic US carrier.

Incidentally, we went to a Subway sandwich shop and he says that the workers here are "10 times faster" than the ones in Moscow. And they have FOUR types of cheese, instead of one, and "many more selctions of vegetables". I will note that the shop was in New York city and they are 8 times faster than the workers in Vermont...so use that evidence as you will. Bacially, Subway Sandwiches in the US are much more AWESOME than in Moscow.

[eekee 182]

Saying Subway sandwiches are more "awesome" is also weak praise.

I couldn't even finish my second airplane meal, but I'm a petite woman and not a college-aged boy. I think that no matter what airline he flew, it probably wouldn't be enough.

[SMR 368]

Saying Subway sandwiches are more "awesome" is also weak praise.

I couldn't even finish my second airplane meal, but I'm a petite woman and not a college-aged boy. I think that no matter what airline he flew, it probably wouldn't be enough.

I think anybody who isn't a petite woman should have already long ago come to terms with the fact that they aren't going to have their appetite completely satisfied by meals on the airplane. Going for a meal after the flight is usually a good course of action.

[Amur 0]

OK, so I had never flown Aeroflot for a long-haul flight before yesterday, because I had read too many transferring-at-SVO horror stories and expected a lower-quality experience than you'd get from a Western European carrier. But I flew from SPb-Moscow-JFK yesterday, and was surprised at what I found.

First--there were a ton of Americans on my first flight (there was some kind of teenager choir that had toured Russia on the flight), and Aeroflot dispatched agents to meet our flight at the gate to make sure that the Americans transferred OK and arranged a special shuttle bus to terminal F (although I walked instead.)

Second--the plane we flew back on was hands-down THE NICEST plane I've ever been on. EVERYTHING was brand new, and the in-flight entertainment was a combination of the latest blockbusters from the US, Japan (?), and Russia, plus some Soviet classics. Everything was on time. No luggage was lost. Meals were pretty good--a main meat dish and then a side salad with a different kind of meat.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how... nice everything was. Way nicer than Airfrance or British Airways or KLM.

Is this a new thing, to not be a terrible experience? Is it Olympics-related? Has anyone had a contradictory experience recently? I recall some people here being like, "As God as my witness, I will never fly Aeroflot again!"

Honestly, I think it is just like any other airline, I have had horrible service on AA, Delta and Aeroflot, but I had pretty decent flights as well. The only wow factor I got , is since I moved to TX I fly direct flight from Houston to Moscow- Singapore airlines. After this experience I will not want to fly any other way- their coach is like first class on AA, Delta or Aeroflot.I swear! Enough leg room, personal TV and you can choose what movies you watch, food is awesome tehy even ask when you book a ticket about your menu preferences, they give you socks from Givenchy so you can take your shoes off, tehy greet you with champagne, wine or beer on a plane-this is economy class for $576.00.Can't beat that!!!

[slim 1,525]

I think anybody who isn't a petite woman should have already long ago come to terms with the fact that they aren't going to have their appetite completely satisfied by meals on the airplane. Going for a meal after the flight is usually a good course of action.

I've always been lucky with the 2nd course. The ladies pass by on their way back and I put on my best puppy dog eyes... "I'm so hungry and these are so small... puh, puh, puh, pleeease can I have one more?" Sometimes all they have left is the fooey veggies but usually it's a whole tray!

Singapore airlines. After this experience I will not want to fly any other way- their coach is like first class on AA, Delta or Aeroflot.I swear! Enough leg room, personal TV and you can choose what movies you watch, food is awesome tehy even ask when you book a ticket about your menu preferences, they give you socks from Givenchy so you can take your shoes off, tehy greet you with champagne, wine or beer on a plane-this is economy class for $576.00.Can't beat that!!!

Asian airlines have customer service figured out. There's no better way to fly. Singapore is rated number one for a reason.

They always give me two main courses without even asking. "Huh kneeeee... you rook hungry. Two foyu!" Man I love Asia!

[AdamA 0]

I flew Aeroflot twice last year and all was great. New planes, good service, friendly. No problems with baggage etc. Food was OK, basic airline food