14 best airlines of Russia

Airlines operating in Russia are listed in Rosreestr, and their activities are monitored by the relevant Ministry and the Federal Air Transport Agency. However, the assessments of official bodies do not always coincide with the actual situation; they often differ from the opinions of passengers. Experts from the online magazine EXPERTOLOGY examined the offers of air carriers in the domestic market, evaluated the reviews from independent sources about the service they provided and made their own rating, which included the 14 best airlines in Russia.

Rating of the best Russian airlines

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Rating of the best Russian airlines	1	Aeroflot	5.0
	2	Russia	4.9
	3	S7 Airlines	4.8
	4	Victory	4.8
	5	Ural Airlines (Ural Airlines)	4.8
	6	UTair	4.7
	7	globe	4.7
	8	Azur air	4.7
	9	Nordwind Airlines (North Wind)	4.6
	10	Red wings	4.6
	11	ATK "Yamal"	4.5
	12	Aurora (Aurora Airlines)	4.4
	13	Nordstar	4.3
	14	Royal flight	4.2

Aeroflot

Airline Rating: 5.0

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) -444-55-55 or * 555 (from a mobile phone).

The largest company in the domestic market, Aeroflot, which is part of the Sky Team Alliance, performs the majority of domestic flights and external air transportation of passengers in different directions. The company has the largest fleet and the broadest route network in the CIS countries.

In addition to the impressive fund, Aeroflot is distinguished by a high level of service at several levels, which imply separate conditions for the transportation of baggage, the possibility of exchanging and returning tickets. Tariff plan "Economy" and a higher "Comfort" suggest free transportation of hand luggage up to 10 kg, and "Business" - all 15 kg, the company sometimes forgives one or two extra kilos, as noted by passengers, but this question depends more on the mood of the controller .

The class of the purchased ticket already includes the cost of transportation of hand luggage and within the permissible limits it is not necessary to pay extra for it. But the odds will cost a round sum - for the difference of 9 kg, you will have to pay 2,500 rubles, and 5,000 rubles will cost the transportation of suitcases in excess of 32 kg. Transportation of animals is possible in all classes of Aeroflot service, but by prior arrangement with the company in the form of an abandoned application.

According to the results of 2018, Russia's largest air carrier was recognized as the safest - no fatal accidents occurred on the lines.

Russia

Airline rating: 4.9

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 444-55-55 (for flights SU 6001-6999) and 8 (495) 139-77-77 (for flights 8 495 139 77 77 for flights FV 5501-5949).

Airline "Russia" is the "daughter" of Aeroflot. The main emphasis is placed on lower (average) ticket prices, which is reflected in the quality of the liners used - they are mostly cramped salons, the equipment of which makes you want something better, although there are no complaints about purity.The main share of flights falls on the airports of St. Petersburg and Moscow in domestic directions, less often planes fly abroad. The company showed a record growth in passenger traffic from 2017 - almost 50%, which is a record for the industry. Such interest in a relatively new company in the air transportation market has led Aeroflot to belong to Russia, as well as the punctuality of flights and the well-coordinated work of the crew team — flight attendants provide every passenger with due attention if necessary, and offer warm food and warm blankets on time.

Of unusual options, passengers are welcome on board for any important event. The level of service is also determined by the wishes of customers - on certain flights there are places of higher comfort. The baggage allowance rules are similar to those of Aeroflot.

S7 Airlines

Airline rating: 4.8

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 700–0707.

S7 Airlines is the third most sought-after airline, whose airplanes operate mainly overseas flights to all continents and a larger share of domestic flights. Despite its name, S7 Airlines is a Russian brand owned by Siberia Aviation Company.

Carrier tariff grids differ depending on the class of the ticket, the cost of which includes the transportation of hand luggage: for the Economy Basic and Economy Flexible levels, it is allowed to take up to 10 kg of baggage or only 23 kg of cargo to the cabin, for Business Basic and "Business Flexible" - 15 per salon and 32 kg in the luggage compartment, respectively. The rates for children are the same as for adults, no discounts are provided, but there are considerable surcharges for the advantage: from 2,000 to 6,000 rubles. We are pleased with the possibility of free transportation of a pair of skis or snowboard equipment for each passenger.

Service in the cabin for all classes is at a high level, passengers note tasty snacks, due attention from the crew, which cannot be said about the staff during check-in - unpleasant situations occur with loss of baggage, complexity of its renewal on the spot, but it is possible for many companies significant line load.

Victory

Airline rating: 4.8

Telephone hotline: +7 (809) 505-4777 (call charge).

Pobeda Airlines offers tickets for flights within Russia and abroad at the lowest prices; it falls into the category of low-budget companies; it is one of Aeroflot’s subsidiaries. On the lines, there are often “Fly and Bus” type airplanes — low cost liners with bus function, mobile and maneuverable.

The basic fare in Victory one is “Standard”, which means only a place in the cabin, you have to pay for the transportation of baggage separately, as well as to connect additional paid services, such as meals. Animals more than 8 kg and baggage in excess of the established standards can be loaded onto an aircraft only at an additional cost of 1999 rubles. There is a service for the transport of goods purchased in Duty free, but for her, too, will have to pay 2000 rubles.

Victory aircraft are not the newest and most comfortable, but clean and well-groomed, flight attendants are friendly and courteous.The company as an air carrier is suitable for flying on business trips and for traveling light - despite the low cost of tickets, there are a lot of additional fees, with which the cost of the flight falls short of a similar level for boarding a carrier of a more solid level.

Ural Airlines (Ural Airlines)

Airline rating: 4.8

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 7700-262.

Ural Airlines' airplanes (Ural Airlines) are based at Koltsovo Airport (Ekaterinburg). They operate regular flights to Europe and within Russia. The park is made up of comfortable air buses.

The company has several levels of customer service, the main difference of which is the allowable size of carry-on baggage: for the Economy class and children it is only 5 kg, Business implies transportation of traditional 15 kg. The remaining baggage allowance rates remain the same - 23 and 32 kg for the Economy and Business classes, respectively, the surcharge for the overweight is between 2,000 rubles, more difficult with excess dimensions - passengers will be required from 10,000 rubles. The problem is due to a small amount of space for luggage.

Check-in for flights takes place quickly without delay, but sometimes there are shifts in the schedule. Inside the cabin is spacious, clean, but the isolation of the Airbus is inferior in quality compared to the Boeing, there is a lot of noise during the flight.

UTair

Airline rating: 4.7

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 234-00-88.

UTair Airlines specializes in domestic and international passenger and aircraft transportation by helicopters. According to official statistics, UTair occupies the fourth position in terms of the number of flights and passenger traffic in Russia.

The company has 5 levels of passenger service. The Light tariff is suitable for traveling light - carrying baggage is not included in the ticket price, and you cannot exchange or return the ticket itself, you are allowed to take your hand luggage weighing up to 10 kg. In the plans of "Standard" and "Flexible" the weight of the baggage will be the same 10 kg, the price includes transportation of baggage up to 23 kg, and the tariffs "Comfort" and "Business" suggest the possibility of transporting hand luggage 2x10 kg and space in the luggage compartment under kg, they already included power. In all plans, except for "Light" it is allowed to take with you free sports equipment. The fee for the advantage is considerable - from 2 to 10 thousand rubles, depending on the route. To bring your favorite cat or dog, you need to cook another 2000-9000 rubles.

Judging by the reviews, there is not enough free space on the UTair aircraft: tight passages, little space between the seats, the problem of lack of water for washing hands in the toilet is noted. Not on the most active way is the staff on board, and during check-in there may be problems with the surcharge for the weight - if the weight of the load is exceeded, it is often necessary to buy extra baggage space.

globe

Airline rating: 4.7

Telephone hotline: +7 (495) 666-25-36.

The seventh line of our rating goes to the domestic airline Globus, which is part of Siberia Airlines.The company serves primarily charter and slightly regular domestic and international flights with aircraft previously operated by S7 and leased by aircraft. In 2018, the fleet was updated with new, more capacious "Boeing" series 737-8 MAX.

Globus works with passengers on the basis of S7 systems, offering the same services, on the line there are similar fares and a baggage transportation system. By the way, according to the official annual award “Wings of Russia”, since 2016 Globus has not taken part in the competition because of its de facto membership in the S7, although it shows a steady growth in passenger traffic by about 10% per year. However, the punctuality of flights, baggage check-in and check-in procedures often make you want something better - they do not reach the level of the “mother” giant, although the cabin is always clean, and the staff on board is courteous and attentive.

Azur air

Airline rating: 4.7

Telephone hotline: +7 495 374-55-14.

The airline Azur Air specializes in air charter transportation of passengers in Russia and abroad in 29 destinations in Europe and Asia, working with the largest tour operators in the country. The carrier's fleet consists of 25 Boeing airplanes of different series, equipped with the latest security features, from smart electronics to warning systems.

The company has standard and premium types of passenger services, for which an advanced order of additional services is provided - special meals on the plane, a separate check-in desk, an increase in the amount of luggage, a separate transfer, the provision of a personal set for traveling to the salon.

There are no complaints about the quality of service - the staff on board is courteous, flight delays are also not logical.

Nordwind Airlines (North Wind)

Airline rating: 4.6

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 222 48 44.

The airline Nordwind Airlines operates on domestic Russian routes and some tourist destinations on a regular basis and performs charter flights by agreement with major tour operators.

The special features of working with Nordwind Airlines include the complete management of services and ticket prices by the future passenger: on the company's website and on intermediary services, you can choose a place, pick up food and order a transfer, request additional space for luggage, even buy a tour from a partner agency in the directions where flying planes "North Wind". The cost of the flight itself is relatively low, for which more and more passengers choose the air carrier - the flow increases to 9% annually.

A disadvantage of Nordwind Airlines is the old fleet of aircraft, since, to this day, this has not affected the safety of flights.

Red wings

Airline rating: 4.6

Telephone hotline: +7 (495) 21 21 251.

The next line of the rating is determined by the Red Wings airline, which carries out a few charters on popular tourist destinations and domestically mainly from Moscow.

Passengers can choose one of the suitable transportation tariffs: light - “Light”, baggage transportation is not included in the ticket price, only baggage up to 10 kg, “Standart” and “Base” - baggage 5 and 10 kg respectively, baggage 23 or 2 x 23 kg, as well as free skier or snowboarder inventory. The preponderance will be relatively inexpensive - 2500 ... 5000 rubles, the calculation of the cost of transporting animals is determined as for ordinary baggage.

The Red Wings fleet is made up of close Airbuses, there is little space in the salons, but it is clean. Flight attendants are not always friendly - passengers sometimes notice fatigue of personnel. Of the unpleasant moments - the company has inhospitable staff at check-in, it is sometimes difficult to agree on the overweight of luggage, there are delays due to misunderstanding, flights are delayed.

ATK "Yamal"

Airline Rating: 4.5

Telephone hotline: 8-800-234-44-02.

ATK Yamal Company is one of the largest air carriers operating regular flights mainly domestically and charter flights abroad. The park has airplanes of various levels of comfort - a compact Airbus, Bombardier and Superjet 100, which determines the widest choice of service levels - Sale, Budget, Optimum, Normal, Premium and Business. All tariffs involve the transportation of hand luggage up to 20 kg (Business - 30 kg), and the degree of weight gain is determined by the class of the ticket.

There is no problem with flight regularity, but there are delays. Meals are provided during the flight, and passengers enjoy a variety of dishes, including hot ones. Comfort in the cabin is a distinctive feature of Yamal airplanes, there are always friendly staff on board. At the same time, ticket prices are quite affordable.

Aurora (Aurora Airlines)

Airline Rating: 4.4

Telephone hotline: 8-800-250-49-88.

The Aurora air carrier is engaged in transporting passengers and cargo on international and domestic flights, including domestic flights over short distances. The company is owned by giant Aeroflot.

In the park of the company there are 4 types of aircraft of different comfort. Passengers who choose a ticket for the “Economy” program have access to the “Space +” seat selection service - these are extra-comfortable seats with an increased distance between rows. Of the additional services, we note the possibility of online payment of baggage in excess of the standards, the choice of meals on board, the service of additional life insurance, health and baggage during the flight is available.

There are no problems with check-in at passengers, airplanes fly according to time, delays happen infrequently. The cost of tickets is relatively low, the “Youth” tariff is in effect, at which young people between the ages of 12 and 25 receive an additional discount, but the offer is not available in all destinations.

Nordstar

Airline Rating: 4.3

Telephone hotline: 8 (800) 700-8-007.

Nordstar Company specializes in transporting people and goods in the conditions of the harsh north, airplanes are equipped with increased luggage compartments, but comfort in the salons is not the highest for long flights. In the class “Economy” the size of hand luggage is 10 kg, in the “Business” - 15 kg. Some tickets do not include baggage transportation, others allow 23 or 30 kg, surcharge for overweight is determined individually, it can be calculated on the website.

Additional services are available to passengers: transfer order, life and cargo insurance, service in the business lounge, large cargo transportations on specialized liners, etc. Stability of departures and arrivals from the company at a high level, onboard meets friendly staff. Power on short flights is absent.

Royal flight

Airline Rating: 4.2

Telephone hotline: +7 (495) 782-00-31.

At the end of the rating, we present the relatively young domestic company Royal Flight (formerly “Abakan-Avia”), serviced by regular and charter flights within Russia and abroad to popular tourist destinations. There are several Boeings in the carrier’s arsenal, but their condition is not the best, cases of malfunctions have been noted, good, an experienced crew took timely action to troubleshoot and fatal cases did not occur on flights.

For long and short flights there is a varied diet, but not the most delicious. Passengers do not have questions about the comfort in the cabin, while the ticket prices are quite affordable. There are delays of flights both charter and regular, good, the carrier cares about people and offers conditions for comfortable waiting for flights.

Currently there is no possibility of online check-in, which reduces the comfort of passengers, it is necessary to go through the process in the airport lounge, spending time.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.