Armenian Airlines

Armenian International Airways was set up in 2002 and took over a few routes from the government owned Armenian Airlines, which had been struggling for years and was getting close to collapse.

They have just one aircraft, an Airbus 320, which they operate from Yerevan to Paris and Dubai, and have recently added flights to St Petersburg, Kiev and Larnaca. I flew with them in October this year from Dubai to Yerevan in Economy class.
...where they wanted (in true Armenian fashion, if you try to add any kind of organisation or order it will be ignored; long live chaos).

My allocated seat was the window seat in the exit row, but when I got there someone had sat in the aisle seat and piled his two large bags onto the seats next to him, including mine. I showed him my card and explained that this was my seat. He told me sit somewhere else, it is free seating. I refused, ... more

Armenian International Airways was set up in 2002 and took over a few routes from the government owned Armenian Airlines, which had been struggling for years and was getting close to collapse.

They have just one aircraft, an Airbus 320, which they operate from Yerevan to Paris and Dubai, and have recently added flights to St Petersburg, Kiev and Larnaca. I flew with them in October this year from Dubai to Yerevan in Economy class.

CHECK IN
The first thing, if you are flying to or from Dubai, is to know that they don't use the main terminal; they use Terminal 2, which is round the other side of the airport, which is where most of the airlines from the former Soviet Union operate from. It's smaller, easier to get around, much less walking, but the duty free is limited and the chances of getting something to eat even less!

There was a bit of a crowd around the check in desk, with dozens of huge cardboard boxes piled high. The route is something of a traders' or shoppers' route - people buy in Dubai and sell back home in Yerevan. No problem with that, as long as they load it properly! The supervisor was watching over it all, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, which didn't really fill me with confidence.

BOARDING
Boarding was on time; in fact it started 30 minutes before departure, and was quite quick, all being completed within 15 minutes. The flight was no more than about half full. Terminal 2 in Dubai doesn't have any jetties to park at; all flights are parked away from the terminal and people are taken to and from the plane by bus. In the height of summer it can be 40C even in the evening, so it can get warm on the bus!

A stewardess was stood at the door as we boarded, but did little more than point anyone appearing lost towards the rear of the plane. There was no smile or even welcome. Even though we had seat numbers, there were ignored and everyone sat where they wanted (in true Armenian fashion, if you try to add any kind of organisation or order it will be ignored; long live chaos).

My allocated seat was the window seat in the exit row, but when I got there someone had sat in the aisle seat and piled his two large bags onto the seats next to him, including mine. I showed him my card and explained that this was my seat. He told me sit somewhere else, it is free seating. I refused, and said I wanted that seat so he shrugged, cleared a space and let me park myself there. I was just thinking nasty thoughts about him when he pulled a few cans of drink out of his bag and gave one to me.

SEAT AND CABIN
The seat, in the economy cabin of the Airbus A320, was really the same as on any other airline. Legroom was limited, but not noticeably more than any other airline. The interior was clean, tidy and seemed well maintained. The seats were upholstered in a red/orange material, with tartan headrest covers. It sounds hideous, but actually looked nicer than it sounds. There was an odd smell in the cabin, but not too unpleasant.

DEPARTURE
The stewardesses walked down the aisle closing the overhead lockers and checking people had their tables closed and seats upright. All done with no smile or warmth, they looked either bored or irritated. The guys across the aisle from me were arguing with one of the stewardesses, I don't know what about.

An announcement, in Armenian and English, told everyone that it is a no smoking flight and all mobile phones must be turned off. They did enforce the no smoking rule, as far as I saw, but there were people openly playing with mobile phones, which they ignored.

The safety information was done on video, on overhead TV sets, with the sound in Armenian and English.

THE FLIGHT
Very soon after we took off, they started the movie which was shown on the overhead TVs. Headphones were given out free and they were the small ones that clip over your ears. They showed a Jackie Chan movie, I don't know which one; the picture quality was ok but not great.

Thirty minutes into the flight, they finally came round with drinks and the meal. The drinks choice was limited - soft drinks or beer. It was all done by just one stewardess, so it was very slow. She said very little; her way of asking someone what they want to drink was to either stare at them expectantly, or raise her eyebrows.

The meal was not much at all; a plate of cold meat, cheese, a couple of slices of cucumber and tomato, a bread roll and a fluorescent yellow iced cake. I guess not too bad for a three hour flight leaving at midnight, but other airlines, even Russian and Central Asian ones, do more.

After she had cleared away the snack, we barely saw her again for the rest of the flight. Glasses of water were available on request. Smile cost extra!

ARRIVAL
As we came in towards Yerevan, the stewardesses did come round again and make sure tables were closed, seats upright and that seatbelts were fastened.

We landed on the bumpiest runway in Europe and parked up outside the terminal. They didn't use the air bridge, we had to walk across the parking area into the building. There were about thirty people standing around, either waiting for someone or waiting to do something.

Thankfully I had only carry-on so I didn't have to wait for any luggage.

SUMMARY
Armenian International Airways are certainly an improvement on the now-collapsed Armenian Airlines. The aircraft appears generally clean and well looked after. The flight was punctual, and there was a movie to keep everyone entertained.

The down side was that the service was so bored, the stewardesses really just did not seem to care at all. The meal could have been a little more generous, but as the flight was at midnight there wasn't any need.

Overall, an improvement on what there was before, and an airline that could grow and become bigger and better.
 

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