[EJsDad]

Hi guys!

I'm sure there has been a similar thread in the past, but recent experiences is what I'm looking for.

We're researching possible flights for our trip #2 and we REALLY would like to do Business Class, at least on the way over. Aeroflot keeps popping up as available and is at least $2000 cheaper per ticket than Delta & Lufthansa (our preferred airlines). Has anyone flown Aeroflot recently? What is the different between coach and business on this airline?

I've heard lots of horror stories about Aeroflot, so I just don't know. We would be flying out of LAX and Aeroflot also flies non-stop to Moscow from here - another advantage.

Any comments?

[waitinginnj]

I flew business class aeroflot on trip one. It was fine. The seats were not much bigger, nor were they particularly comfortable. Leg room was better. Staff was generally rude, even in business class. We got better meals. They didn't do anything particularly wrong, but just generally were not nice. Took flight from Moscow to St. Pete too. They didn't take our tickets properly and while they were reconciling the issue, the whole crew surrounded us on the plane, like we were convicts. The mistake was that the crew member didn't rip off our ticket stubs.

We wanted business class trip one - my dad is 6'6" - wouldn't pay for Delta ($2K higher).

The negative stories that I have heard of with Aeroflot were mostly with folks being treated badly when traveling with kids home - crew didn't approve of adoption and made their feelings clear - wouldn't heat bottles or do anything to help make the process easier - based upon our treatment in business class and without kids, that wouldn't suprise me. Also, I have heard that it is very difficult to change flights with Aeorflot in Russia. Didn't have to do this, so I can't validate this feedback with personal experience, but know of one family that fought it out at the airport for four hours and many tears.

I was glad that I took Delta for trip 2 - even in the regular seats. The staff on Delta was soooo nice.

[DSmall]

Hello EJ's Dad - we flew out of LAX as well. We flew Aeroflot "Business" on our way to Moscow about 8 weeks ago and LOVED it! The food was great - they will also bring you a glass of wine as well We really have nothing bad to say, we thoroughly enjoyed it and actually tried to get Business class on the way back with our children, but it was full.

My husband and I both commented on how all the bad things we heard were so unfounded - we were glad we did it! Not only was it good service, it was cheaper.

Oh and we loved the warm towels that they brought you before every meal! The dessert was to die for as well!

DSmall

[Vicki H]

Can't say I know anything about Aeroflot, but I can tell you how pleased we were with Lufthasa while bringing Alex home.
When we checked in at the airport they reserved the front seats of coach with the bassinet for us.
We had a ton of leg room sitting in the front, my Husband is over 6 feet.
They were very accomodating to us with Alex, they heated bottles, they provided us with juice for him whenever we asked.
The bassinet was great, it gave Alex a place to sleep and also worked great as a changing table.
Hope this helps.

Vicki

[calikismet]

We flew Aeroflot on trip #1 for our son's adoption last year, and will not use them again. I know that some have great experiences, but I must say that our's was not. The plane seemed tiny and cramped, and the attendants were pretty stoic -- not what I would classfy as warm and fuzzy. The plane was packed (they only fly 2 times a week) and the man next to us actually kept going back to the lav to smoke -- yes, smoke. Not sure how he got away with it, but I can guarentee you that he was back there smoking. Now, this was normal class, not business, but having flown business class on Delta for trip #2, there is no returning to Aeroflot.

Just my 2 cents..

Calikismet

[kfin66]

I'll chime in on the "anti" Aeroflot camp.

I wouldn't fly them again.

[Javalita]

As an ex travel agent and someone who still works in the travel industry, I will give you another option to research. Try looking in your Sunday newspaper travel section for wholesalers. They are usually the ones that advertise round-the-world type fares and low price rt tickets to europe. You need to make sure it is a reputable one - that they have been around a while.

Many of these wholesalers have ticketing/rate agreements with different airlines. Basically it just gives them big commissions off fares or net prices - they pass savings on to you in order to make the sale. It is often smaller airlines (like Aeroflot), but also major ones too. Some of them do also have business class contracts...or at least they used to way back when....

I used to work for a company like this and it is legit, you just have to be careful because there are flakes out there too.

[Gina3735]

Hello,

I travel for business so I wanted to add some comments. As a Delta frequent flyer (Medallion level) I have to say that it makes a huge difference flying Business Elite than Coach. If you can't afford the price ask for bulkhead seats. I just came back from Brussels yesterday and I was checking which seats would be better in case we need to fly Economy. If the plane is a 767-300ER (it usually is) ask for seats 18 D,E,F, they are the bulkhead, middle section and they have a lot of room, enough to place a bassinet and it is actually a more private area, the bathrooms are right behind but there is a wall. Food is not good in Economy but you can always bring some food with you and I can imagine you are going to be more concerned about the baby than about eating. Business class tickets at Delta are expensive but the seats are comfortable and the food quality is good. One thing that I don't like is that there only two seats together in Business at Delta. My husband and I want to buy a separate ticket for our baby so my husband will have to seat separate from us. The flight attendants in flights from Europe are usually American and they are always nice with children. My brother flew Aeroflot a long time ago and it was a horrible experience. I posted his experience on a message board a while ago and a few people told me the airline had changed, had new planes, food was better, etc, etc. Aeroflot is trying to become a partner of Delta so I imagine it is trying to improve the equipment and service. Regarding the posting about the wholesalers I have bought a lot of tickets from them and I have got very good prices, most of them have been Economy class.

[mileigh]

We just returned 10 days ago from Russia and flew Aeroflot internationally and domestically. We flew business class and it was very nice. The international flight was wonderful, attendants were helpful, food was excellent and the seats roomy. The domestic flight had smaller seats and the attendants did not speak English as well but they were helpful, the food was plentiful and tasty but not as nice as the international. Also at both the international and domestic airports they have a business class lounge which was great. Free food and drinks, comfy chairs etc and you can wait there until they call your flight.

We will fly Aeroflot again on our return with no hesitation. The one negative was that our internationally departing flight was delayed by 90 minutes and that resulted in our missing our flight to Detroit from Dulles. When we exited the plane there was an Aeroflot rep and she was helpful.

Overall the business class international flight was comparable to other US carriers that I have flown (business class ) and the domestic flight was nicer the US coach but not as nice as US buiness class.

Hope this helps. Best wishes on your return trip.

Leigh