Very under-rated and good value
Written: Mar 10 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Pros: Value, some lovely crews, good food
Cons: Cons: Sheremetyevo Terminal 1, airport staff can be unhelpful
The Bottom Line: Don't be put off by comments from people who have not flown on them. They are fine, good value and can offer a good flight!
|
|
|
| vodkaboy's Full Review: Aeroflot |
I’ve flown Aeroflot almost 40 times over the past four years, within the CIS, to Europe and longhaul, in Economy, Business and occasionally First class, on Soviet and western aircraft. My experiences have been mixed, but generally pretty positive and overall I enjoy flying Aeroflot and prefer them to several well-known European or American carriers!
If you are a perfectionist, you expect top service, you stay in five star hotels and eat in top restaurants, then Aeroflot is not for you. You’d better stick to First Class on British Airways, Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific. If you are less fussy, you want value rather than luxury, a reasonable level of comfort rather than luxury, then you may well be happy with Aeroflot.
I won’t bore people with details of every flight so will try to summarise.
AIRCRAFT:
Most flights within the CIS are operated by Tupolev Tu154 aircraft. On some routes they use the larger IL86 or the smaller Tu134, though they are starting to use Boeing 737s a bit more.
The Tu154 is basically a fine aircraft. Aeroflot now use exclusively the M model, which was first built in 1985 so the aircraft are, at most, about 15 years old – about as old as the first 757 aircraft, and younger than many 727s, 737s and 747s still flying in Europe and USA.
The Tu134 is smaller and older, but they are operating fewer and fewer.
The Ilyushin IL86 is a fantastic plane. Known as “the Russian Airbus”, and carrying up to 350 passengers, inside it is spacious and comfortable. When you board there is a large area to store extra hand luggage, leaving more room in the lockers. The IL86s were built from 1980 to 1996 so they are not old. Unfortunately they burn a lot of fuel so are not used so much.
On some flights to Asia, they use an Ilyushin IL96, which is a shorter version of the IL96, built for longer-range flights (Eg to Delhi).
To Europe and the USA Aeroflot use Boeings and Airbuses, which are basically the same as western airlines use.
COMFORT
The economy seats on the Tupolevs and Ilyushins seem quite old; they are reasonably comfortable but not solid so if someone sticks their knee into the back of the seat, you will feel it! On the plus side, the seat backs fold forward so if the seat in front of you is empty you can push the seat forwards and put your feet up! Leg room on the Tu134 is very tight and the table is so big that if you large you might not be able to fold it down! The Tu154s are better, but the IL86 is the most comfortable.
On the Airbus and Boeing aircraft the seats are standard western.
In Business class, mostly the seats are large, comfortable and spacious. Some exceptions – the Tu134 is a smaller aircraft with only 2 seats each side so it is not possible to put in bigger seats.
On the IL86 aircraft most do have a Business cabin but some of the IL86 aircraft have only economy seats fitted throughout. I had one long flight in “business” which was just economy seats, but the stewardess did make sure I had extra drinks so I could sleep!
On flights from Russia people do tend to bring on a lot of hand luggage and sometimes they just stick it on empty seats. I’ve had people try to put stuff under the seat in front of me, or next to me. If you ask them politely to move it, generally they will.
FOOD & DRINK
The food is generally quite good – a salad, cold meat or cheese starter, a hot main course, a cake or pastry for desert, and of course plenty of bread. It’s not gourmet but perfectly edible. The beef can be tough but the chicken and fish can be pretty good. Tea or coffee of course – if you want tea with milk you have to ask for it (“s’malakom”) as most people in Russia drink tea black or with lemon.
In First or Business the meal is similar but there is an extra starter of seafood - smoked salmon, red caviar, shrimps etc, and some fruit. I’ve never had any stomach problems after an Aeroflot meal.
The bar service before the meal offers soft drinks, beer, wine or vodka. In business there is also whiskey, gin, and brandies after the meal.
SERVICE
The service can be basic but is generally reasonable and sometimes good.
Ironically in my experience the crews on regional flights tend to be better than on flights to Europe. The Airbus and Boeing crews to Europe tend to be the gorgeous girls, who are beautiful and know it and just go through the motions. On the Tupolevs, particularly in business, you get the 45 year old matrons who look like former wrestlers but are sweet, charming and treat you as if they were your favourite auntie!
In economy there is a round of drinks after take off, then the meal service, then the duty free.
In Business there is a pre-takeoff drink (juice or Russian champagne); after take off usually there is a hot towel before the bar service, then the meal.
There is not much service after the meal, so if you want another drink you’ll have to ask for it.
The duty free is not bad, and prices are quite reasonable, but on several flights I’ve been on they didn’t have the credit card machine so be prepared to pay cash – dollars of course.
Language – most crew have limited english and some of the pronunciation can be so heavy that it is hard to understand some of the announcements! But then why would we expect them to speak good English on a Russian airline! However they do try, and can get through the essentials – just be patient and understanding! (If you are offered “chicken or meat” then the meat is probably beef.)
SAFETY
On the aircraft which have video, there is a standard safety briefing video. If there is no video then they do an announcement.
Cabin baggage can be excessive, and get stacked in empty seats or behind the last row, so it is reasonably secure (better than overloading the lockers). They do generally ensure that aisles and exits are clear.
The pilots generally seem to be good, they are mostly ex-air force so well trained and they land the Tupolevs more gently and smoothly than most western pilots can land a Boeing, at least on the flights I take!
Unlike some reviewers I don’t want to make comments on subjects I don’t know about, so I won’t pass judgement on maintenance or engineering. I will just say that I have never felt unsafe on board, and I trust that the pilots would not fly an unsafe aircraft as I assume they want to live as much as I do!
PUNCTUALITY/BAGGAGE
Out of nearly 40 flights, I can remember only two delays of over an hour. No, they gave nothing special, no free food etc. So if they are late, you need to look after yourself.
Once my bags didn’t arrive at London. The next morning I phoned to check if there was any news; the handling agent didn’t seem to know what time the flight was! But my bag arrived, delivered to my home address, without any further problem.
In the past three years I have had baggage problems once with Aeroflot, once with Lufthansa and once with British Airways. No further comment.
OVERALL
I have had some great trips om Aeroflot, lots of average trip sbut no really bad ones. I think they are fine as long as you are not lookign for 5*****
They are cheaper than the western competition - you can get First class on Aeroflot for the price of business on another airline, or Business on Aeroflot for the price of economy on someone else. It is worth it!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
vodkaboy
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Somewhere over here
Reviews written: 168
Trusted by: 72 members
About Me:
I've been thinking. That's an improvement.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.