thanks a lot!
Other question: How does booking at aeroflot.com work? Do they really charge only 1 eur and then the rest at the counter or will they invoice from a Russian bank, so that the 3 per cent discount on the base fare will be eaten up by the foreign exchange fee charged by my credit card company (I might as well book with expedia then and get some shopping miles..)
Next question: do they have a 24 hour cancellation window when booking at aeroflot.com like other skyteam airlines?
Hmmm, every time I book on their website they charge the total straight away (plus the EUR1 booking fee which is, IIRC, a separate transaction).
Under a new Russian law all air tickets bought inside Russia - including on aeroflot.ru - are fully refundable up to 24 hours before departure. Do a dummy booking and see the fare rules if that is the case for ex-Germany tickets.
What you certainly can try is contact the nearest CTO - my understanding is SU has plenty of those in Germany - and ask them to put the itinerary on hold without paying for it. Or go through a travel agent
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Same terminal transfer in SVO2 is a breeze, with no walk, nor wait for customs or immigration.
Transiting from SVO2 to SVO1 is not a pleasant experience. The terminal transfer area in SVO2 is a dark corridor with no seats where you wait 15 mins for a bus. SVO1 -> 2 has a transit lounge where you wait for the bus with comfy (but worn) sofas.
Roll on SVO3 - I understand that the new terminal will really bring the ground service for Aeroflot onto a par with their excellent in-flight service.
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I have a similar question: I am flying SU LHR-SVO-KBP on a Business Class award ticket in a few weeks.
Can someone give me an idea of what to expect in a SVO transit from LHR to KBP flights?
Does anyone know if, in this case, it's relatively simple? I have read literally dozens of reports about how terrible it is to transit in SVO, but I don't really have many choices (it's the last connection in from Western Europe to KBP that I could use miles for that day).
If necessary, I could spend miles and cash and fly LH via MUC but since I"m already flying MSP-LHR using miles, the LHR-SVO-KBP portion is "free", included in the ticket.
I have a similar question: I am flying SU LHR-SVO-KBP on a Business Class award ticket in a few weeks.
Can someone give me an idea of what to expect in a SVO transit from LHR to KBP flights?
Does anyone know if, in this case, it's relatively simple? I have read literally dozens of reports about how terrible it is to transit in SVO, but I don't really have many choices (it's the last connection in from Western Europe to KBP that I could use miles for that day).
If necessary, I could spend miles and cash and fly LH via MUC but since I"m already flying MSP-LHR using miles, the LHR-SVO-KBP portion is "free", included in the ticket.
Thanks!
Is the SVO-KBP on Aeroflot or Aerosvit ? The terminal should be the same regardless of the carrier.... most likely you'll be dumped into Ter. C and will most likely leave from the same terminal.
The transit isn't too bad and if you going to stay in the same terminal,C, then your jump from SVO-KBP is going to be rather simple. The only factor in your travels will be the conditions of the weather. If you have a little ample time between flights, you'll be ok... and also remember that if you have access to a Pres. Lounge through SkyTeam, you are guaranteed access to the Aeroflot Lounge since you're an international member... just remember you might have to give a friendly reminder to the SU staff about this but by all accounts the ground team has improved ten-fold.
Also, head over here for other information about SVO, including terminal layouts...incase you have to make a mad dash between one gate to another it will good to know your surroundings before you land. Worse case scenerio is you land late and miss your connect into KBP...don't worry this route is heavily traveled and you shouldn't be hard pressed to find another seat, although you might have to go to Terminal B, although I doubt it.
Incase it helps you rest a little easier... check out this site from time to time and look at how the flights in and out are working and compare it to the weather at the time... this should give you a little heads up on what expect when you land.... honestly SVO is a pretty decent facility, most people seem to get caught up in aura of being inside Russia and get a little carried away with their negatives about SVO... it's not a perfect facility but it's being updated all the time, including new transit lines between the terminals and the center of Moscow.
Good luck and happy travels.... Business on Aeroflot is second to none, superior in air service, you'll rest well and feel seriously appreciated and well taken care of... enjoy it.
I don't think there's a FFP that allows use of Aerosvit as part of a MSP-LHR-SVO-KBP award so it's got to be SU. Hence, no Terminal C - both the LHR flight and the KBP one will use the same Terminal F aka SVO2.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apoivre
I don't think there's a FFP that allows use of Aerosvit as part of a MSP-LHR-SVO-KBP award so it's got to be SU. Hence, no Terminal C - both the LHR flight and the KBP one will use the same Terminal F aka SVO2.
Yes, Apoivre, you're right! I'm using DL miles MSP-LHR in J (DL flat bed 764), connecting to SU J LHR-SVO-KBP.
Here is the schedule:
LHR-SVO SU242 J class 13:30>20:20
SVO-KBP SU185 J class 21:50>22:30
With no Visa, the last KBP flight (late evening) and a 90-minute transit in SVO, if there are Irrops, I would be stuck sleeping @SVO right? There is a later Aerosivit flight but since I'm on an award, I can't imagine SU putting me on another company's flight.
I don't really have any other choices on LHR-KBP for same-day connections departing after 12:00 noon.
If someone has time, could they "walk me though" a connection at SVO2/Terminal F, especially if I'm staying in one Terminal? I'm still a bit concerned about how nearly every report I read, everwhere--says it's a "nightmare"..... so, I get off the SU flight from LHR, and go.... straight to the J Lounge? Or, do I need to go through security check first? Will I be issued Boarding Passes in LHR? I think I will be checking in at the LHR transit desk after arriving ex-MSP.
Staying in the same SVO2 terminal doesn't sound like a nightmare, but it at least makes me curious!
Thanks in advance for any details.
Yes, Apoivre, you're right! I'm using DL miles MSP-LHR in J (DL flat bed 764), connecting to SU J LHR-SVO-KBP.
Here is the schedule:
LHR-SVO SU242 J class 13:30>20:20
SVO-KBP SU185 J class 21:50>22:30
With no Visa, the last KBP flight (late evening) and a 90-minute transit in SVO, if there are Irrops, I would be stuck sleeping @SVO right? There is a later Aerosivit flight but since I'm on an award, I can't imagine SU putting me on another company's flight.
I don't really have any other choices on LHR-KBP for same-day connections departing after 12:00 noon.
If someone has time, could they "walk me though" a connection at SVO2/Terminal F, especially if I'm staying in one Terminal? I'm still a bit concerned about how nearly every report I read, everwhere--says it's a "nightmare"..... so, I get off the SU flight from LHR, and go.... straight to the J Lounge? Or, do I need to go through security check first? Will I be issued Boarding Passes in LHR? I think I will be checking in at the LHR transit desk after arriving ex-MSP.
Staying in the same SVO2 terminal doesn't sound like a nightmare, but it at least makes me curious!
Thanks in advance for any details.
When you get off the plane... simply follow your fellow passengers out of the plane and over to the stairs at the end of the terminal... there will be a yellow sign on the glass that divides the sitting area from the corridor that arriving passengers use, that will say TRANSIT. Follow the Transit path to the taxis and airport shuttles .... there are always official SVO employees standing around to assist passengers with the temrinal connections and they all speak English/Russian.
Keep in mind, Terminal 2 is rather small... if you have time between your planes and you're looking for a drink/meal or simply a few minutes to collect your thoughts before moving on from Terminal 3 you can head up to the second floor where there is ample choices of seats or dining. Also, do yourself a favor and switch over from USD$ to Rubles in the airport... most shops will accept USD$ but will rob you on the exchange... the currency booths usually give great rates will little to no mark up, ATM's are also plentiful and I'd opt with the bank ATM's as they give lower fee's for pulling out Rubles.
For all of the downsides of SVO, there are some pleasant surprises... good TGIF restaurant with English speaking menu's & staff in Terminal 2. The transit from one terminal to the next is about 15mins... there are plenty of Aeroflot & SVO staff around to assist you, just don't expect a hardy smile and wave. SVO is getting better, still has a bit to go but Terminal 3 is brand new and should be hosting you when you arrive.
Also... if you have to go to customs, pick the GREEN LINE ! There are two lines... Green and Red ... Green is nothing to declare and Red is something to declare.... if you go to the green, you'll fly through the process, if you go to the Red, enjoy your 30-60 minute wait - If you need a map, there is a SVO overview located here on this forum... go the Aeroflot news & updates thread -
Last edited by jredknapp11; Jan 30, 10 at 6:34 am..
Yes, just follow the signs to the transfer desk. Note that TGI Friday is portside so there's no way you can get there without the Russian visa (if you need one - most nationalities do).
If your bank charges a fee for using a foreign ATM, it'll probably be more than what you stand to lose on the lousy conversion rate at one of the airside bars or pubs. So I don't really see the point of changing money or hitting an ATM seeing you'll have no use for roubles in the foreseeable future. (And I'm not sure any of the airside bars or pubs would be better than the admittedly lousy lounge you have access to on your J class award. To enter the lounge, you'll need an invite which you'll get on the transfer desk along with your BP for the Kiev flight).
P.S. The OP is not getting anywhere near Terminal 3.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jredknapp11
Not inbound ?
Thanks for all the details--but now I'm a bit confused--will LHR-SVO SU flight arrive into SVO2 and then SVO-KBP SU flight depart from the same terminal? It's only a 90-minute connection so I won't need to do much other than maybe get a drink at the lounge. I've heard SU J food is decent so I won't need to eat much in the terminal, I guess.
Thanks for all the details--but now I'm a bit confused--will LHR-SVO SU flight arrive into SVO2 and then SVO-KBP SU flight depart from the same terminal? It's only a 90-minute connection so I won't need to do much other than maybe get a drink at the lounge. I've heard SU J food is decent so I won't need to eat much in the terminal, I guess.
SU flights from LHR arrive to Terminal F (former Terminal 2), and KBP flights on SU metal also depart from Terminal F. 90 minutes is plenty to transfer. Follow the transit signs when you disembark and then go to the J lounge on the upper level (DATE lounge is closed for renovation AFAIK but Classic Lounge will accept your boarding pass). You should get both boarding passes for SVO and KBP in LHR. Enjoy your flight, SU J intra-Europe is the best J service for any carriers.
No. No matter what SU might have announced earlier, Terminal D (SVO3) is remaining a purely domestic one for months to come, if not longer. There are no immigration facilities for pax and with the ongoing luggage and check-in fiasco I can't see them moving their intern'l ops into the fray any time soon.
Last edited by apoivre; Feb 7, 10 at 6:42 am..
Reason: Terminal D, not F, sorry
