I know I'm obsessing lately about SU and ST but its for good reason. My life would get a lot easier.

I just "tested" Aeroflot with 6 legs (4 domestic and 2 international) in the last 2 weeks. I was particularly interested in the following aspects of the experience:

1. Posting of Aeroflot Bonus Miles (if and how long)
2. Condition of "remodeled" TU-154s and TU-134s
3. In flight service
4. Relative ease of airports

Here are my conclusions (A being supurb and F being terrible):

1. Posting of miles - D
I waited 3 days for my first leg to post. It did finally but the second leg has yet to (8 days after the fact). My first international leg posted the same day I took the flight. The return international leg has not yet posted (only 2 days later though). So far, 5 out of 8 have posted. My real concern though in this area is that when presented with my Bonus card in Novosibirsk and again in Moscow, the check in people just wrote my number on the ticket stub. When asked why not just put in the system, they said they would get to it later. In the future, I'll have my travel agent include by Bonus number in the res at the time of booking but still this should not be such an issue to add it at the last minute.

2. Condition of remodeled TU 154s and 134s - B- for 154s and D for 134s
The 154s look a lot better inside as they all had leather seats in them. The seats still flip flop back and forth when you bump them but leather helps things a lot. The width of the seats is just this side of hilarious though. Unless your butt and the butt beside you are about the size of, say, Tyra Banks, you're both going to be in each other's business. The 3-3 layout in the back is murder. The overhead compartments are great for putting your "pakyetee" in but a normal roller board or even notebook bag won't fit. The need for larger overheads is even more serious in the winter as coats at the number one storage issue.
The 134s still looked like they did circa 1992 when I started this great adventure. Curtain rods with pull to curtains instead of window shades still rule the day. Far from leather, the burlap like seat coverings itch and scratch to no end. Overhead space is comical as there is just a shelf running the length of the cabin.
As has been said earlier on the board, the SU/ST agreement will likely not include code shares on any flights with TU aircraft. This seems more than fair.
As The Moscow Times reported today, Boeing is luring SU into a sweet deal to purchase some new aircraft. Once that happens, hopefully, the TU's will go the way of Soviet Union itself.

3. In flight service - A
This has been the most pleasant aspects of the SU morph the last few years. It just keeps getting better and better. From boarding to inflight service to special requests to goodbyes, all 6 legs were as enjoyable as any I've had on Delta, just for instance, in a good while. This is the thing that they can change without spending gobs of money. Both male and female flight attendants impressed me greatly. The only gripe I have is that they still tolerate people smoking in the lavs. It just seems that this might never change.

4. SVO2 (C but improving) SVO1 (D) Lots has been said about SVO1 and 2. They are remodeling (PEMOHTing) the lobby of SVO2 which is helping a lot. They even put in white drop down ceilings with new working lights in the arrivals/baggage claim area. That is a huge help. SVO1 is the sore on our saddle though. I know SVO3 is on the way (how nice it is to actually see work being done on it after so many years of back and forth nothingness) but it is hard to imagine any ST code share flight going out of SVO1. Aeroflot will need to make the baggage collection and transfer process as easy and protected as possible. Some not used to Russian crowds and herding mentality will truly have a shocking experience in front of them.
LED (B) is a very pleasant terminal really. Quick and easy though I was there at 5.30 a.m. The only issue really is the way that have security screening set up just before you approach the ticket counter. This really has nothing to with SU's operation though as every company seems to have this set up. With SU being a nobody at LED, this likely won't change.
OVB (B) is a very nice little airport that is getting better and better all the time. Too bad SU does nothing out of the international terminal. That's all S7's deal. When the new baggage claim hall is finished at OVB, it will be as pleasant a domestic experience in Russia as one can find. SU would do well to consider adding an afternoon flight from SVO2/1 to OVB. Two red eye flights make a long layover necessary if one comes into SVO from either JFK or ATL on DL.

All in all, things are looking up. Some new aircraft, advent of technology (check in kiosks in the airport would be great...I hear they are in the CTOs in Moscow), and destruction of SVO1 should make ST a pretty good partner.

I welcome anyone questions, comments, or even complaints.