Aeroflot: Try the Russian Airline?

Recently I needed to get to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. There was a flight combination that worked well for me, going to New York City then flying out the following day, which would allow me to spend an evening with some friends and family. The next day flight was with the Russian airline, Aeroflot, through Moscow and on to Bishkek. Aeroflot was one I had never flown. Some of my colleagues had, but not I.  A colleague had cautioned me about delayed connections through Moscow, stating it was an airport with not much to do, but the connection times on this route seemed ok. Not knowing much about this airline I decided to try it. (As everyone wished me a good trip, my adorable little niece said “I wish you a shiny plane aunt Miha.” Funny – look what I got.)

I was impressed with the Airbus A330-300. Clean leather seats and a TV monitor for each seat. Lots of movies, documentaries and music options. Our Russian crew was nice and accommodating. I moved to another seat after boarding was done and they brought me my previously requested vegetarian meal to my new seat.

The flight left NY on time and landed in Moscow early and the meal was very good. However, our connecting plane from Moscow to Bishkek was far away from the terminal. We had to take a crowded bus and enter the plane by stairs out in the rain.

Moscow to Bishkek was a short but tiring flight due to the crying babies and loud and restless passengers. The crew was nice and the meal good but the other people in the plane moved constantly, changing seats and bothering each other.

Landing in Bishkek we found out that a lot of the checked luggage from NY did not make it. The personnel in FRU (Bishkek airport) was nice but not too helpful. They had to be pushed to make calls to find out where the bags were. Yet, by the time we reached our far away hotel there was a message from them. The bags were in Moscow and arriving the next morning. I learned from fellow passengers that checked bags are often late and this is a common problem many Aeroflot passengers deal with. Another minus I was told is that the catering from FRU (Bishkek) or SVO (Moscow) back to the states is not good. I was told the food going that direction is a nightmare. Something most do not want to taste, or wished they had not. However later speaking with one of my colleagues, they said the food was fine on an Aeroflot flight they took back to the states. For those who are curious, I found here some Aeroflot reviews.

I will be on a different flight back to the states, so guess I will find out another day. When the day comes, I will be sure to have a carry on and back up food supply, just in case.