Travel on nearly-expired Russian passport?

[jft 12]

My wifes passport expires this summer and she wants to travel home to Russia to renew it. I checked with Finnair and they require 3 months validity to transit through Finland. Are Russian airlines going to be her only choice to travel home to Russia? How about US airlines?

[Ralph and Meghan 19]

can't she renew it at the consulate? saves her a trip and you don't have to worry about the expiration date.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

We've only ever used singair. singapore airlines. Much nicer planes and service. Is that an option for her?

[jft 12]

can't she renew it at the consulate? saves her a trip and you don't have to worry about the expiration date.

It takes 2-5 months to renew a passport at the consulate vs a month at home. Neither of us knew this, it was a surprise when she went to the consulate and found this out. So she decided it would be better to renew at home but that also presents a problem if the airline wont accept the passport.

[jft 12]

We've only ever used singair. singapore airlines. Much nicer planes and service. Is that an option for her?

The real question is which airlines will carry her on a nearly expired passport. Would Singapore do that? She could route on Singapore via Houston to Moscow and then the rest of the way on S7 but thats kind of going the long way out of your way when St Petersburg is your destination and is $400 more than Aeroflot.

Im still not sure that Finnair would really deny her boarding, Im just going on what the reservations agent said. It might be better to call Finland and ask directly, I might try that tomorrow and see if I get the same answer.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

The real question is which airlines will carry her on a nearly expired passport. Would Singapore do that? She could route on Singapore via Houston to Moscow and then the rest of the way on S7 but thats kind of going the long way out of your way when St Petersburg is your destination and is $400 more than Aeroflot.

Im still not sure that Finnair would really deny her boarding, Im just going on what the reservations agent said. It might be better to call Finland and ask directly, I might try that tomorrow and see if I get the same answer.

I've used Aeroflot as well, although within Russia, not from Houston to Moscow or vice versa. I'd call Finland and ask directly though.

[baron555 934]

Why not call all the airlines you may want to use and ask?

[eekee 182]

I wouldn't risk it, because you don't know what the check in person would do. If they say three months, that's their policy.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Aeroflot. It is a LOT nicer than Finnair and has newer planes. I flew on a Helsinki-JFK flight that didn't even have TVs in the seats. Aeroflot's fleet is newer than the other carriers, and they have upped their customer service. Going through Europe, you also risk delays and strikes, which seem to happen a lot there. If you have to go somewhere else in Russia, it's a lot easier to go through Moscow than try to find a way from Paris or wherever. Aeroflot is now my favorite airline.

[vbtwo 54]

I can vouch for Aeroflot. Flew them a bunch of times to Ukraine. Great new planes with a good on-board entertainment system, pretty good customer service and 2 free checked bags (they allow a little overweight too without requiring to pay, like up to 26kg or so is ok).

[B & G 200]

How long will her passport have to expire when she actually travels?

And she shouldn't have a problem. I work for an airline, just checked the passport and visa requirements for a person departing from US, transfering in Oslo and arriving in Russia. Only thing mentioned in the Finland tranfer section is that she allowed to transfer without a visa only through Oslo airport and her next travel must be within the same date from hours 6am till 11pm.

Other thing that factors in is that she is a russian passport holder returning to her country.

[jft 12]

Why not call all the airlines you may want to use and ask?

You are assuming that the reservations agent actually knows the policy. The answer I got from the Finnair reservations agent was "I think maybe it's 90 days", not exactly confidence-inspiring.

[jft 12]

How long will her passport have to expire when she actually travels?

About a week if she sticks to her desired schedule.

And she shouldn't have a problem. I work for an airline, just checked the passport and visa requirements for a person departing from US, transfering in Oslo and arriving in Russia. Only thing mentioned in the Finland tranfer section is that she allowed to transfer without a visa only through Oslo airport and her next travel must be within the same date from hours 6am till 11pm.

I assume you mean Helsinki airport? Her connection would be 1 1/2 hours during the late morning so it qualifies visa-wise.

[B & G 200]

About a week if she sticks to her desired schedule.

I assume you mean Helsinki airport? Her connection would be 1 1/2 hours during the late morning so it qualifies visa-wise.

Yes, Helsinki! Can't believe I typed in Oslo.

Just as long as she arrives and departs from the same airport (Helsinki) and her flight connection is within 24 hours, which it is, then she wont have a problem.

Russia does require her to have a valid passport upon entry into Russia, so you are ok with having the passport expire after a week and a half of her arrival into Russia.

Information I am giving you is from the Timatic. All check in agents for all airlines use it to check visa and passport requirements.

[jft 12]

Thanks a bunch, Timatic is great, all of your questions answered in one place! :-)