Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise

...each region.

Pulkovo is the regional airline of St Petersburg, named after the airport that serves the city. They operate a fleet of Russian-built Tupolev and Ilyushin aircraft on scheduled routes and charter flights to numerous destinations across Western and Western Europe, Russia and the CIS. They also operate two or three routes (London is one) as Aeroflot under a codeshare.

I've flown on them more than twenty times ...
...CHECK IN
St Petersburg's Pulkovo airport has two terminals, one for international and the other for domestic and flights to other former Soviet republics. However, Moscow flights use a separate check in area, upstairs and to one side, probably because of the frequency.

Airports in Russia are never a relaxing experience because of the constant queues: Customs, then check in, then passport control, then security, then boarding, ... more

When the Soviet Union broke up, Aeroflot was split into a number of regional airlines, for each republic and each region.

Pulkovo is the regional airline of St Petersburg, named after the airport that serves the city. They operate a fleet of Russian-built Tupolev and Ilyushin aircraft on scheduled routes and charter flights to numerous destinations across Western and Western Europe, Russia and the CIS. They also operate two or three routes (London is one) as Aeroflot under a codeshare.

I've flown on them more than twenty times over the past four years, mostly between St Petersburg and Moscow, but also a few international flights as well.

CHECK IN
St Petersburg's Pulkovo airport has two terminals, one for international and the other for domestic and flights to other former Soviet republics. However, Moscow flights use a separate check in area, upstairs and to one side, probably because of the frequency.

Airports in Russia are never a relaxing experience because of the constant queues: Customs, then check in, then passport control, then security, then boarding, none of which is quick. This is going on in old buildings, of utilitarian design, often over cold or overheated.

Also most still take people to and from the aircraft by bus. At Moscow and St Petersburg only the international terminals have air bridges. So if you fly domestically you will get bussed. At least Pulkovo have a separate bus for Business Class passengers departing from St Petersburg. At Moscow they board Business Class first if it is snowing or raining.

CHECK IN
Although some of the airline crews have developed an understanding of service, this has rarely extended to ground staff who are there to control passengers and process them, rather than provide a service. In my experience the people at the check in desk for Moscow can be quite pleasant and friendly. Check in for international flights is reasonable but for the CIS they can be rather abrupt and brusque.

At Moscow, Pulkovo are handled by the local agents who just process you and get you out as quick as they can. The Pulkovo representative, the one time I dealt with him, was disinterested and irritable.

Baggage warning: Pulkovo give an allowance of 20kg in economy and 30kg in business. This INCLUDES your carry on. Yes. Unlike other airlines, which give you an additional 6kg of carryon, Pulkovo include this in your allowance, so if you have 15kg checked and 8kg carryon they charge you excess. I made a real fuss once about being charged 7kg excess; then I found out it was less than a dollar a kilo and felt rather stupid!

AIRCRAFT AND SEATS
Pulkovo operate a fleet of Ilyushin IL86, Tupolev Tu-154 and Tupolev Tu134 aircraft.

The Ilyushin IL86 is a large, widebody jet, quite new and modern with a good safety record. The seats are ok with quite good legroom in economy. I've not flown them in Business. One of the great advantages of the IL86 is that when you board on the lower level there are several shelves where you can store hand baggage before going upstairs into the passenger cabin. This means that you can avoid checking in smaller cases and still have overhead locker space!

The Tupolev 154 was and is the mainstay of domestic flights, tried and tested. A 3-engine jet similar to a Boeing 727, many are very old but they only stopped making them in 2001, so there are some flying around only 3 or 4 years old. Pulkovo have retired all of their older Tu154s and replaced them with younger ones. Economy class is the same as on any other Tu154 - soft backed seats which fold forwards, not great leg room. Business class however is very comfortable; wide seats, loads of legroom.

The Tupolev 134 is an older twin engine jet similar to a Dc9. On some airlines I don't like them, but I have more faith in the maintenance carried out by Aeroflot and Pulkovo. Pulkovo also have replaced the older Tu134s with newer ones. In economy it is a little cramped, and if you are overweight you might not be able to get the tray table open! In business - well the seats are the same.

Pulkovo were reported to have ordered some new Tupolev Tu204 aircraft, brand new and similar to a Boeing 757, but they have not been delivered as yet.

SERVICE
As I said earlier, the service philosophy is making inroads with some of the crew, if not on the ground.
They do distinguish between economy and business. Economy service is polite and efficient. In Business they make a little extra effort. On less busy flights, if you tip the stewardess at the outset you will be well looked after the whole way! I have never done that, but someone close to me saw it being done! However flights between Moscow and St Petersburg are almost always very busy.

In Business Class you get offered some papers - mostly Russian, though the St Petersburg Times or Moscow News may be available for English speakers.

Overall it is not up to western standards, but the service is among the best of the CIS airlines. At least the men button the top button on their shirt, more than some! OK that has little to do with service, but everything to do with attitude and professionalism.

FOOD / DRINK / ENTERTAINMENT
Between Moscow and St Petes in economy you get a cup of tea or coffee and a cupcake or pastry.
In Business you get a full meal: smoked salmon starter, assorted cheese, salad and either a meat or fish main course.
The meal in economy on international flights is so-so: salad, main course, pastry desert.
Overall it is good enough, I have never had any problem with the food, and it comes with soft drinks or beer in economy or spirits in Business, including good local vodka.

In the seat pocket is their magazine, "St Petersburg Review" which is in both English and Russian. There are always some articles of interest and, best of all, a good directory of bars, restaurants and clubs in both Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Take it with you!

Economy or Business:
Price check: Moscow- St Petersburg one way.
Restricted Economy ticket US$80
Regular Econmy Ticket USD120 approx
Business Class US$160 approx
In pure comfort terms, on the IL86 or Tu154, it is worth the extra. On a Tu134 it is not, unless you are inexperienced at travel in the CIS and could use the extra reassurance.

RELIABILITY
In my 20+ times flying Pulkovo they have almost always been on time. Even where they have left a little late, they almost always make up time.
They tend to start boarding earlier than western carriers which helps.

SUMMARY
There are those who knock Aeroflot without having come within 100 feet of one of their planes, and would probably dismiss Pulkovo just because of the name. However, along with Aeroflot and one or two other Russian airlines, such as Sibir, Pulkovo are proving themselves to be reliable and making real progress with the service ethic. Still a way to go, but getting there!

PS This review was first published on epinions earlier this year, slightly updated for Ciao. 

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