Originally Posted by Cap'n Dan
My neighbour flew with them (I believe from St Petersburg to Moscow) about 10 years ago; if I remember correctly he seemed to think that it was perfectly safe, but the service left something to be desired. Funny anecdote: The plane still had a smoking section, but they designated "non-smoking" the LEFT side of the aisle, and "smoking" the RIGHT side. I still chuckle at that story....
You may chuckle at the left side/right side smoking thing but that's the way it was on many many carriers including AC IIRC back in the 70's and early 80's. It was brutal for a non smoker