Russia - Got Any Memories of Moscow's Demodedovo (DME) Airport?

In 2009, United launched a daily non-stop flight between IAD and Domodedovo (DME), the Russian Federation's busiest airport that was rocked today by a powerful bomb explosion. I was there in '09 and it is really a shame. To promote this new route, UA had sent out targeted invitations, of which I got one, to travel to DME for an unbelievable round-trip fare of around $300. Since at the time the Spring DEQM promo of 2009 was in effect and I had always wanted to travel to Russia, I thought it was a no-brainer and jumped on the opportunity. And, the price was right: From LGA through IAD to DME, it cost me just $365 RT, taxes included. Although it was a very short trip -- I left on April 30 and returned on May 4 -- this was a truly memorable MR that changed my view of Russia, and the very first impressive thing that I saw was the airport that was bombed today. I would rank it at the very top, architecturally, of airports in the world. Just outside of DME is a train that took me to the center of city, where the underground stations were just simply beautiful architecturally, although very busy. I stayed at the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, which was, and may still be, the very first Hilton property to open in Russia, in one of the "Stalin Skyscrapers". May this incident today at DME not deter anyone from visiting what is absolutely a great city. Regardless of the violent incident, I would rate a trip to DME, 'P.G.' for "Please Go", if you have the opportunity.

BTW: I have seen some folks post pictures in here and I just tried using the [img] tag with the url pointing to my hard drive to post a picture of the DME facade but it did not work. I am sure that there are restrictions on posting pictures, but is there a place where one can find out what they are? Thanks!

BTW: I have seen some folks post pictures in here and I just tried using the [img] tag with the url pointing to my hard drive to post a picture of the DME facade but it did not work. I am sure that there are restrictions on posting pictures, but is there a place where one can find out what they are? Thanks!

The images need to be on a webserver - no one would be able to see them on your hard drive.

Try imageshack.us

Very sad to hear what happened at DME! I have friends that live in Russia, but they are far enough from the airport, that all is well with them.

Although it does worry me a bit, I still do plan on visiting Russia. If prices are decent towards the end of the year, I'll go. If not, then next Spring.

For some memories of the service, take a look at this trip report that ozstamps wrote in 2009. Very well done.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/940372-dulles-moscow-ua-ultimate-double-eqm-run-right-now-anyway.html

The images need to be on a webserver - no one would be able to see them on your hard drive.

Try imageshack.us

It would have been too easy and dangerous for folks to just link to images in their hard drives and post. Imageshack looks like the solution. Thank you!

Very sad to hear what happened at DME! I have friends that live in Russia, but they are far enough from the airport, that all is well with them.

Although it does worry me a bit, I still do plan on visiting Russia. If prices are decent towards the end of the year, I'll go. If not, then next Spring.

For some memories of the service, take a look at this trip report that ozstamps wrote in 2009. Very well done.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/940372-dulles-moscow-ua-ultimate-double-eqm-run-right-now-anyway.html

I would encourage you to just do it, as there is more than just the Kremlin and Red Square to see in Moscow. It looks like ozstamps had taken advantage of the same deal. He got there just a couple of days after I left, but I did take the time to get into the city as I had gone through the trouble of getting a visa. I asked for a Visa for 4 days and that is all I got!!!

This personally doesn't deter me from going someday. Now if I could get my Dad to make me once I graduate College since he is talking about going to the old Soviet Block.... I doubt that will happen though.....

A lot of us flew to DME in 2009 on AA and UA sale fares.

I doubt many on FT would be deterred by occasional tragedies - be it DME, DPS, MAD, LON or any other place...

In the grand scheme of things, the number of dead at the airport vs. the number that die on the roads is incomparible. I wouldn't think too much of this incident.