[MrDK]

A Review of Aeroflot Business Class:

A week ago I flew Aeroflot from Zurich via Moscow to Bangkok in business class. It was with some hesitation that I booked as I have read conflicting reviews ranging from very good to lousy. I booked because I could redeem miles for a free ticket with short notice and because many of the negative reviews I read online related more to the luggage handling and airport facilities.

The flight from Zurich to Moscow was much better than US/Canada domestic first class for flights of similar duration (3½ hours) by far better than European business class of same duration. Brand new and clean A319. First rate three course meal; Scrimp, Salmon and Caviar starter, choice of 3 lunches (Tornadoes, Salmon or Chicken) and Russian chocolate desert. The personal service from boarding to ½ way through the flight was extremely tentative and the second half more on the average side. Video on demand units were handed out at the gate and included high quality headsets.

Moscow airport (terminal 2) is dark, boring and a bit on the dirty side; or at the least run down. Transfer service was very fast and polite, yet it was near impossible to drive a smile out of the agent, who btw was quite cute. I was given a pass to the first class lounge, but first strolled the shopping and food service areas. There was plenty of shopping (lower level) and reasonable amount of food service (upper level). All shopping is settled in Euros and food service in dollars.
The lounge was OK. Very comfortable chairs, wireless Internet and free use of computers. Again, facility run down and food service limited. This is, however, the first airline lounge where shots were served in large quantities.

The flight from Moscow to Bangkok was an old worn Russian jet (something 96-100), which looked a bit like an A340 from the outside. The seating was not up to par with expected business class for a long-haul flight (9 hours). It was far from lay flat, but good enough for me to get 6 hours of sleep. There was no build in-flight entertainment system, however, as with the first flight on demand units were handed out. At take off there were more rattling, noise and twisting than most would be comfortable with, but it reminded me of one of my favorite planed with same “qualities”, the L1011.
The personal service was bordering the extreme, in part because I was the only passenger in business class (18 seats) and had three flight attendants to take care of me, but even with a full cabin I am confident it would have been excellent. The supper was a 7 course meal and I had to skip a few of the servings. Quality was good, same-same first flight.

From what I have heard about Aeroflot it appears that it has gone a long way. The areas that can be improved quickly (in-flight service) seem to have been taken care of. Other areas such as (some) planes and facilities are still below par. My transfer was easy in Moscow, however, I can see how difficulty and friction can quickly arise, especially if expectations are at the level found in other parts of the world.

So the real question, would I recommend Aeroflot?
Not really. That is somewhat based on Moscow airport, but mainly on the equipment flying from Moscow to Bangkok. As was on my first flight from Zurich I was going to say those who criticize Aeroflot is out of tune. If I had paid business class fare for that flight I would have been upset, but I paid $55 in taxes so no big deal. Any flight from Europe to Moscow using new equipment I am sure I could recommend and like more than other carriers.