chalf
Jul 3, 01, 1:04 pm
Jun 18 BA 972 LHR-SVO 767
The trip in Club Europe (my second, and second time ever up front) was uneventful. Take-off was on-time, food was OK, landing was early. There was a massive queue on arrival for passport control.
Jun 19 Tatarstan Airlines DMD-Nizhnekamsk Tu-134A-3
[I don't know the code for Tatarstan Airlines, and couldn't find one for Nizhnekamsk]
This was my first flight to/from any airport in Russia other than Sheremetyevo-2 (main international airport). I expected the worst, but Domodevo is actually a pleasant and modern facility, in many ways far more traveler-friendly than SVO. It is an overall grey, reminiscent of FRA--but also extremely bright, open, and clean. The facility is clearly designed for domestic travel; while the major signs were printed in both English and Russian, I did not get the impression that the facility was really set up or staffed to support non-Russian speaking travelers.
After checking in we tried to access the business lounge, which we were told we could do for a fee (not surprsingly, Tatarstan AIrlines is an all-coach operation). However, it took a good 15 minutes to determine to whom to pay this fee, whether one needed an invitation in order to be allowed to pay the fee. Eventually we succeeded in gaining admission. The 'lounge' was just an area of the waaiting area separated by an 8' high partition, and with several round tables and chairs. However, we were able to get bagel & cheese (or sausage) sandwiches with coffee, and were notified by the receptionist when it was time to board.
Most of the a/c on the tarmac were Russian--Il-86(?) and Tu-154M, some Tu-134, and even a Transaero 737. Transfer from terminal to a/c was by bus. All luggage (hand and checked) is weighed on check-in, and tagged as either cabin or checked.
Our aircraft was a Tu-134A-3, replete with a glass radome. The Tu-134 resembles a DC-9, but seats only 4 across. Instead of overhead bins, the a/c had shelves, as on a bus. The entire interior was in an ugly gold-yellow. Seats were narrow and close together, probably 30" seat pitch. The plane was generally rather worn and dirty, mostly due to age (the Tu-134 was manufactured from 1967-1984).
Prior to take-off, an FA came around with hard candy, presumably to help combat the pain in the ears resulting from the poorly-adjusting pressurization system. Once at altitude for the 90 min flight, the FAs came around with mineral water, then a light snack consisting of a roll, a slice of American cheese (or so it appeared, down to the plastic wrapping), and cookies [pechenye, more like tea biscuits]. This was followed by tea, and more hard candy just before landing. On both take-off and landing, the aircraft rattled and vibrated a great deal more than to what I am accustomed. FAs made no attempt to ensure that seatbelts were fastened, tray tables up, or seats upright prior to take-off or landing. However, the flight did appear to be non-smoking--while I did not hear an announcement (made in Tatar and Russian) regarding smoking, I did not see or smell smoke at any time.
The "international" airport at Nizhnekamsk is still stereotypically Soviet, a contrast to the more modern facility at Domodedovo. It offers 13 flights per week to Moscow, 6 per week to St. Petersburg, and 1-2/week to several other destinations (among them Sochi and Novosibirsk). We taxied in past a line-up of other Tatarstan Airlines aircraft, including several An-24 props--the sight of which made me glad to be on our creaking Tu-134. Baggage was delivered directly to the terminal door as the last passengers were entering, causing some confusion among the first off who were already clearing the passport check.
Jun 22 Tatarstan Airlines Nizhnekamsk-DMD Tu-134A-3
The return flight was generally similar, and on what appeared to be the same aircraft, with the same greasy seats and rattling during take-off and landing. Given the 6:20 AM departure I fell soundly asleep on take-off. Somewhat amusingly, the luggage tags (checked and hand) dated from the Soviet-era Aeroflot.
Jun 23 BA 875 SVO-LHR 757
Club Europe had only 4 passengers. The FAs were eager to ply us with wine and champagne. Push-back was 5 min early, and arrival 30 min early; the flight was otherwise uneventful, I suppose much as Club Europe is anywhere else.
Tatarstan Airlines does not to the best of my knowledge partner with any frequent flier programs. SkyTeam membership is rumored to be pending.
The trip in Club Europe (my second, and second time ever up front) was uneventful. Take-off was on-time, food was OK, landing was early. There was a massive queue on arrival for passport control.
Jun 19 Tatarstan Airlines DMD-Nizhnekamsk Tu-134A-3
[I don't know the code for Tatarstan Airlines, and couldn't find one for Nizhnekamsk]
This was my first flight to/from any airport in Russia other than Sheremetyevo-2 (main international airport). I expected the worst, but Domodevo is actually a pleasant and modern facility, in many ways far more traveler-friendly than SVO. It is an overall grey, reminiscent of FRA--but also extremely bright, open, and clean. The facility is clearly designed for domestic travel; while the major signs were printed in both English and Russian, I did not get the impression that the facility was really set up or staffed to support non-Russian speaking travelers.
After checking in we tried to access the business lounge, which we were told we could do for a fee (not surprsingly, Tatarstan AIrlines is an all-coach operation). However, it took a good 15 minutes to determine to whom to pay this fee, whether one needed an invitation in order to be allowed to pay the fee. Eventually we succeeded in gaining admission. The 'lounge' was just an area of the waaiting area separated by an 8' high partition, and with several round tables and chairs. However, we were able to get bagel & cheese (or sausage) sandwiches with coffee, and were notified by the receptionist when it was time to board.
Most of the a/c on the tarmac were Russian--Il-86(?) and Tu-154M, some Tu-134, and even a Transaero 737. Transfer from terminal to a/c was by bus. All luggage (hand and checked) is weighed on check-in, and tagged as either cabin or checked.
Our aircraft was a Tu-134A-3, replete with a glass radome. The Tu-134 resembles a DC-9, but seats only 4 across. Instead of overhead bins, the a/c had shelves, as on a bus. The entire interior was in an ugly gold-yellow. Seats were narrow and close together, probably 30" seat pitch. The plane was generally rather worn and dirty, mostly due to age (the Tu-134 was manufactured from 1967-1984).
Prior to take-off, an FA came around with hard candy, presumably to help combat the pain in the ears resulting from the poorly-adjusting pressurization system. Once at altitude for the 90 min flight, the FAs came around with mineral water, then a light snack consisting of a roll, a slice of American cheese (or so it appeared, down to the plastic wrapping), and cookies [pechenye, more like tea biscuits]. This was followed by tea, and more hard candy just before landing. On both take-off and landing, the aircraft rattled and vibrated a great deal more than to what I am accustomed. FAs made no attempt to ensure that seatbelts were fastened, tray tables up, or seats upright prior to take-off or landing. However, the flight did appear to be non-smoking--while I did not hear an announcement (made in Tatar and Russian) regarding smoking, I did not see or smell smoke at any time.
The "international" airport at Nizhnekamsk is still stereotypically Soviet, a contrast to the more modern facility at Domodedovo. It offers 13 flights per week to Moscow, 6 per week to St. Petersburg, and 1-2/week to several other destinations (among them Sochi and Novosibirsk). We taxied in past a line-up of other Tatarstan Airlines aircraft, including several An-24 props--the sight of which made me glad to be on our creaking Tu-134. Baggage was delivered directly to the terminal door as the last passengers were entering, causing some confusion among the first off who were already clearing the passport check.
Jun 22 Tatarstan Airlines Nizhnekamsk-DMD Tu-134A-3
The return flight was generally similar, and on what appeared to be the same aircraft, with the same greasy seats and rattling during take-off and landing. Given the 6:20 AM departure I fell soundly asleep on take-off. Somewhat amusingly, the luggage tags (checked and hand) dated from the Soviet-era Aeroflot.
Jun 23 BA 875 SVO-LHR 757
Club Europe had only 4 passengers. The FAs were eager to ply us with wine and champagne. Push-back was 5 min early, and arrival 30 min early; the flight was otherwise uneventful, I suppose much as Club Europe is anywhere else.
Tatarstan Airlines does not to the best of my knowledge partner with any frequent flier programs. SkyTeam membership is rumored to be pending.