floridastorm

I think that Aeroflot introduced their Premium Economy only a few months ago. However, I'm not sure as I have not been following them. The seats are 20 inch width with 38 inch pitch. They are also the shell type where they slide down and forward so nobody is reclining into your space. From photos I've seen they look pretty comfortable. Just found a price from ebooking of $1,500 R/T New York - Bangkok through Moscow. That's less than most carriers are charging for economy. Most of the recent reports I read seem to be favorable for Aeroflot. When I Googled their safety record apparently they have not had an incident in 23 years. Prior to that they had a somewhat precarious record in the old Soviet Union. Thinking about taking them in late May with a return in late July.

tarmosan

The premium economy in 777 is very good. Have now used in few months several times between Europe and Asia. Also remember that food comes from business

TLVtraveler

I can't comment on Aeroflot's PE but I just wanted to say that Aeroflot have gone a long way from what it used to be during the soviet era.

In my opinion Aeroflot is comparable to other European carriers such as AF/KL/LH/LX etc..
Advantages:
1. As you said they have an excellent safety record for an airline of it's size.
2. Modern fleet with good seats in all classes of service.
3. Excellent short haul and intra European Business class.
4. Millage accrual with other programs (unlike Transaero and UIA).
5. Good connections to unusual destinations.
6. Very low prices! especially in Business class.

Disadvantages:
1. Connection in Moscow - if it's a long connection or face delays and you don't have a visa it could get uncomfortable very quickly.
2. In case of delays/cancellations or other disruptions, it's not as easy to sue or demand compensation from Aeroflot compared to EU or US carriers.
3. The food and alcohol selection in premium classes is not as good as other EU carriers.

If you can live with the disadvantages go with Aeroflot, you should check out their business class fares, I think you can get a similarly priced J ticket for that route.

lochniss

I just flew the JFK-SVO route and noticed that only 10 seats were occupied out of the 48 Economy Comfort seats. So on the return flight check-in I inquired about the Comfort Class and how many miles it would take. My flight was ticketed "N" class so I had to first upgrade my ticket to the "L" or "B" class (can't remember). They quoted a 350 euro charge plus 17,500 miles for one leg. I passed b/c I was already sitting bulk head and my RT ticket cost $450.

Also note, you cannot purchase a "Comfort" ticket online. It shows "sold out" when trying to book.

Occupationalhazard

???

I've actually done that, on the Aerflot site. Maybe it was just the particular day/flight that you were looking for?

O/H

sbrower

Maybe (I am not sure at all, just saying maybe) because your fare class was ineligible? The "first upgrade to an eligible ticket then pay the extra fare" option may not be possible online.

I am flying in a couple of months, and my fare class doesn't allow upgrade to Comfort. On the other hand, I saved about $500/person.

bearteacher

SVO Lounge access by the Comfort Class passengers?

Temedar

Not provided (as far as I know)

floridastorm

Because nobody wants to fool around with the Russian immigration system I inquired from both Aeroflot and the Russian Consulate about the Russian government protocols for a passenger who is in transit at Sheremetyevo Airport.

* You are only allowed 24 hours in transit at Sheremetyevo in between flights. Anything longer and you require a Transit Visa from the Russian Consulate.

* Without a Transit Visa or a Tourist Visa, issued by the Russian Consulate, you cannot book into any of the airport hotels.

* There are, however, two exceptions. The Novotel, which is considered a transit hotel will accept bookings. You then have to be escorted to the hotel by armed guard and you will be relegated to the 2nd floor only and cannot leave that floor. The armed guard remains on the 2nd floor. You can order room service for food. You are then escorted back to the airport by armed guard before your departing flight. Welcome to the new modern Soviet Union now called Russia.

* There is also an Air Express Capsule Hotel inside the transit area of the airport where you can rent rooms by the hour. You can Google this facility for more info.

Since Aeroflot connections are so long JFK - Bangkok (minimum 8 hours) I know that I would prefer having a place to sleep and clean up rather than sitting for all that time out in the airport itself.

lewinr

I think you're being a little dramatic about the "armed guard" and the Soviet Union. You are taken to a hotel which is actually a secure facility by the Russian equivalent of a US CBP officer... who are also armed by the way. Perhaps I should say "Welcome to the new modern Soviet Union now called ..." but I'll refrain. And please let's not even get started about the TSA...

floridastorm

The way that I stated it was exactly the way that Aeroflot explained the process to me and also the way that some people on Trip Advisor, who have gone through the process, told it. Being escorted to and from the hotel and not being able to leave the 2nd floor of the hotel under guard I would think is pretty dramatic. What do they think the passengers are going to do, break into Russia? That would be a first I would think. The TSA does the same job as Russian security does. Protect the passengers from being blown to pieces. No different.

Temedar

Russian citizens do NOT have such an option in US or European airports, dramatic or not. So you can show your support for equality and stay within the airport transit area.

floridastorm

No US airport has International Transit Zones. The reason being is that very few passengers if any transit through the US to another destination outside of the US. This is for all passengers including Russian and also American citizens. The US also has millions of people trying to "break into the country" illegally. Not to be rude, but there are no people trying to break into Russia. In fact I would assume the opposite is the case. Also, this practice by the Russian government, hinders people who would otherwise fly on Russia's flag carrier including Transaero. I'm just wondering how many people avoid flying Aeroflot and Transaero for this very reason. Not a very smart practice, to say the least.

Temedar

You're not rude, but you're wrong:

The 2012 International Migration Outlook study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said that Russia is surprisingly home to the world’s largest number of illegals, accounting for almost 7% of the country’s working population (Forbes)

One word: reciprocity. Despite the fact that visa-free transit for EU/US/CA citizens has been pondered pre-2014, I find it very reasonable that making travel easier for Russian citizens is more important that increasing the profits for Russian airlines.

lewinr

+1.

floridastorm on this topic you are misinformed or ignorant. There are many illegal migrants in Russia and it is a real problem for them.