Aeroflot experiences?
 

I just landed a project in Moscow and I'm going to be flying there three or four times in the next 9 months. I'm a Continental Airlines loyalist, so I'd like to keep my trips within SkyTeam to keep the miles together.

It appears that the only non-stop flights from JFK or EWR to MOW are on Delta and Aeroflot and the Aeroflot business class tickets are about $2000 less.

So does anyone have any experience on Aeroflot they'd like to share? I've heard the horror stories from the immediately post-Soviet era, but surely things have improved....right?

Anyone? Buehler?

I would take SU President Class (their long haul Business class) over DL BusinessElite any day. Better food, both in variety and quality, better seats, DigiPlayers (i.e. on demand IFE), MUCH better service (FC standard like). Planes are in great shape, B767-300ER's (same as DL).

Thanks asnovici and GuyverII!

Extensive Aeroflot/Delta experience
 

Continental has been rumored for some time to start EWR-DME, but that is unlikely to happen this year. The only non-stops from the US to Russia (Moscow) are on Delta (which inherited the route from Pan Am) and Aeroflot.

We have a travel company serving the Russian/CIS market and book 2-3 business tickets a week (and I fly both airlines between Moscow and New York regularly). Although the published fare for Aeroflot is often less than for Delta, the unpublished fares are often far lower on Delta than Aeroflot (and generally Delta's change policy is better).

Also, I always have a concern over the size of Aeroflot's fleet-when they have a serious delay, it will throw their schedule off for a week. Also, their customer service regularly leaves much to be desired (especially if you don't speak Russian).

That said, Aeroflot is a competent international airline that is getting better and better. I make the final recommendation based on schedule and price, and Aeroflot is still a good choice. Aeroflot is introducing a higher premium product on some of their routes (not yet on JFK-SVO) which will be far better than Delta's more basic business product.

Keep in mind that the discounted business class seats often are sold out on both airlines 2-3 weeks in advance (and the hotels book even quicker--we have contracts with several of the major hotels and regularly add 1-2 extra days to bookings so that clients will have a room in case their business is extended).

In terms of delays, SU's B767-300ER fleet is of a decent size, and if there is a delay, they usually substitute their B767 service with IL96 service, however they prioritize for North American routes, and one will ALWAYS get B767-300ER on flights to North America. I have not witnessed a delay on SU longer then 2 hours when flying to and from North America, in fact, out of LAX they only had one delay more then an hour in my experience.

Actually, their premier Business Class service (called President Class) has already been introduced on all North American flights, I have personally experienced it.

Any latest experience?
 

Hi,

I was wondering if there are any latest update on the Business of Aeroflot. Am looking more specific for the IL-96 or the SVO-BKK sector. I have read some reports on the web on the Biz service, and it look ok, just that I am not sure how it is on the Il-96. Seems to be an ok service.

Thanks.

Delays
 

I have, at least three times this year.

I too, have witnessed long delays with Aeroflot twice since June.