Aeroflot

[Big Boy]

Just thought I'd relay my views on our recent trip to Thailand using Aeroflot. This is an airline that I used a lot when I was young, free and single (a long time ago) - I always thought of it as a bit of an adventure before the holiday started. Since getting married I've not used them because of their reputation.

Anyway, we decided that were coming to Thailand for August, and we had the opportunity of three flights for 1072 Pounds all in. For August it was a fantastic price, but I didn't know what to expect to go with it.

Apart from no entertainment, they were as good as most other airlines that I've used, and 100% better than BA or Quantas ie:
- minimal queuing at Heathrow (check in time was at least 2 hours faster than BA)
- leg room, I am no minnow (6 foot 5 inches, and no lightweight) but I could stretch my legs right out.
- food, 3 decent meals.

The changover at Moscow was 90 minutes, and is about 55 minutes on the way home.

All in all, a very pleasant experience - I definitely have to agree with Virgin Fleet moto - BA No Way. Incidentally, 4 friends of mine travelled 3 days before me using BA - 1065 Pounds each.

[Bamboo Grove]

I once took a domestic flight with Aeroflot. This was in 1981 from Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to Odessa (in Ukraine). It´s the only time I´ve seen people standing in a plane as it was overbooked. However, they let some people stand during the flight, the mind boggles. Since then I´ve only had one more experience with them and it was in -88 from Bangkok to Helsinki via New Delhi, Tashkent and Moscow. Maybe they´ve improved now as BB tells us. I used to fly quite a lot with LOT (Polish) in early and mid -90´s and always like them.

[bradders]

Thanks for the info BB!!

What a great deal you found! A third of the price of BA and no complaints - in fact many advantages as you stated!!

I guess the bottom line when flying - whoever it's with and whatever the price - is to arrive safe and sound! Everything else may be considered either a 'bonus' or a 'moan'!!

Saw your countdown on the forum - it seemed to take forever but now you're there, safe and sound in HH and re-united with your daughter!!

Remember BB - early to bed and early to rise! Too much Chang may upset your IKTS predicitons!! We need your valuable points!

Only joking! - you drink 'em dry BB!!

Here's wishing you, your family and friends a really great and memorable holiday!!!

bradders

[STEVE G]

BB, Aeroflot has had to change since the days of the communist USSR when it was effectively a transport division of the military.
I once read a story in an aviation magazine where the door had come open on one of their flights. It so happened that there was a Russian wrestling champion on the flight and he had bravely managed to use his strength to pull the door back shut again. When they interviewed this hero after the flight he said when you fly on Aeroflot all the time you get used to this sort of thing!
Since the break up of the Soviet Union it has become a normal airline and they actually have reasonable standards and quite a modern fleet of mostly western aircraft.

[PeteC]

So what's happened to the Russian Tupola(sp) aircraft factories, Steve? Have they stopped producing for Aeroflot? Are they gone?

Russia is getting so nationalistic these days, like planting flags at the center of the earth, I would have thought they would be growing their home aircraft company? I'm expecting to see a Russian girl over here soon dressed up like a polar bear. Pete

[STEVE G]

Pete, the Russian aircraft industry is still going strong, but most of their output is going to the domestic airlines. There are still many old Russian aircraft about, but not many of them are flying international scheduled passenger routes, although you will still see them flying Russians on holiday charters like the ones you will get over your way at U-Tapao.
We get many An-12s and 26s over here in Luxembourg flying freight as well as the giant An-124s that have cornered the outsized cargo market.
I’m sure Aeroflot would buy Russian aircraft if they were competitive, but they have to be commercially viable so they mainly operate Boeing and Airbus like everybody else.

[Norseman]

Russia is getting so nationalistic these days, like planting flags at the center of the earth

But Nautilus from the US of A is still the first sub under the icy North Pole.
On August 3, 1958 they reached the 90 degrees north, submerged as only a sub can do.

And; Canada is closer to the pole than Russia. They should make a claim too.

[chelsea]

Big Boy Wrote

minimal queuing at Heathrow (check in time was at least 2 hours faster than BA)

That could have something to do with the previous reputation and safety record

[The understudy]

Hello Y'all

I can still remmeber in the early years of my Life I had flown with Aeroflot to Thailand before that was inn the ealry to mid 80's Let me share with you the expirience.

West Berlin, some cold winter day. Me My sisters and parents where preparing to go to the Central bus station which we get on a bus towards east Berlins main International Airport. Arrived @ the Schoenefeld International we boarded an Airplane of East Gernamy's national carrier and now defunct Airline Interflug. after a 1 hour and 45 Mon. flight we reached the old Airport of Moscow which i found was kind earie if not outright scary. The Passport control section was so underlighted I just wanted to to have it behind me as soon as possible. The passenger waiting area was a little bit better but still very earie. than after an hour and a half wait we got ourselfs on an Aeroflot IL 62 Plane which had flown us to Bangkok. just like on your flight Boig Boy the flight has no entertainment whatsoever. and as a clid I was so relievved to arrive @ Bangkok. And everytime when it is time to fly back to Berlin over Moscow
my sister and me where scared out of our minds to transfer over the old Moscow airport again.

Your's the understudy!!!

[Big Boy]

STEVE G wrote:

Since the break up of the Soviet Union it has become a normal airline and they actually have reasonable standards and quite a modern fleet of mostly western aircraft.

We actually flew on an Illuscion (spelling) 96 for both legs of the journey. No problems except severe vibration both times that we landed - nothing too much to worry about, not too far to fall.

The first leg should have been an Airbus, but it couldn't make it because of mechanical problems.

chelsea wrote:

Big Boy Wrote:
minimal queuing at Heathrow (check in time was at least 2 hours faster than BA)

That could have something to do with the previous reputation and safety record

Both planes were full.

The problem with Heathrow terminal 4 is that all flights are routed through the same 12 check in desks. All other airlines at Heathrow have their own dedicated desks for each flight. [/quote]

[STEVE G]

BB, when Vladamir Putin flew into here a couple of months back he came on a Il-96 so if he trusts the things you should be OK!

[Mack111]

What was it Castro said about the two most frightening times in his life in his biography

1 = Bay of Pigs

2 = flying to Moscow in the 70’s on Aeroflot

Kind of sums things up but they not as bad as they used to be