Transaero Airlines

...fall of the Soviet Union, Transaero were the first privately owned Russian airline to set up using Western aircraft and trying to offer a western standard of service. They operated scheduled flights on main routes from Moscow airport using second hand Boeing 737 aircraft, as well as some Russian-built aircraft used for charters.

They were doing well through the mid to late 90s, expanding, and the fleet expanded to include two new Boeing ...
...operations because of financial problems. Transaero had their own financial problems and had to return some of the newer aircraft, and go through a period of restructuring.

They’ve come out of the worst and are now back on the right track. They’ve dropped some of the less successful routes and although their route network is still pretty limited, I am quite sure that soon we will see more of them.

They fly a few domestic ... more

Transaero, the internationally known Russian independent!

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Transaero were the first privately owned Russian airline to set up using Western aircraft and trying to offer a western standard of service. They operated scheduled flights on main routes from Moscow airport using second hand Boeing 737 aircraft, as well as some Russian-built aircraft used for charters.

They were doing well through the mid to late 90s, expanding, and the fleet expanded to include two new Boeing 737-700 aircraft, Boeing 757, DC10s and an Airbus A310.

Then at the end of the 90s some problems struck, not least Riga Airlines (who were 30% owned by Transaero) were forced to suspend operations because of financial problems. Transaero had their own financial problems and had to return some of the newer aircraft, and go through a period of restructuring.

They’ve come out of the worst and are now back on the right track. They’ve dropped some of the less successful routes and although their route network is still pretty limited, I am quite sure that soon we will see more of them.

They fly a few domestic routes in Russia (Moscow to Ekaterinburg) some others within the CIS (Almaty) and a few international (London, Paris)

I’ve flown Transaero 7 or 8 times; mostly on domestic routes within Russia, in economy class, and two or three times in Business class within the CIS.

AIRCRAFT
As I mentioned above they were had some difficulties so lost the 757s and DC10s. Most of the times I have flown with Transaero it was on an old 737, the 200 series which most European airlines withdrew some years ago. I don’t know which routes they use the new 700 series on, the only time I have seen them they were parked at Moscow, and I haven’t seen them for a while. Recently I have seen a somewhat newer 767 being operated on some CIS routes.

The interiors of the aircraft were refurbished, but I must assume some years ago. They were not tatty but far from new.

The last couple of flight I did, from Kazakhstan to Moscow, they operated a much newer Boeing 737, so it appears that they are finally replacing the older ones.

SEATS
Most of the flights I’ve taken have been in economy class, in which a standard Boeing 737, economy class, 3-3 seat plan has been fitted with a standard, poor amount of legroom. The seat is as comfortable as any other airline with 737s in the fleet, not good or bad.

I flew much more recently in Business class and the seats are in a typical 2-2 layout, so half as wide again as in economy, They are much more comfortable for flights of a few hours, but you would not want to be in them all day! They don't recline very far, so they are perfectly adequate for a flight of 3 or 4 hours.

SERVICE
I remember someone telling me, a long time ago, that the crews were trained by Lufthansa; in which case a typical German warmth and friendliness could of course be expected. I have no idea how true (or not) that is.

My main memories of my first Transaero flights are of great expectations; after all, everyone was talking about this Russian airline flying American aircraft! Hey, they must be good! After all, they are flying Boeings! Well, it was the same people at Moscow airport as other airlines had and the same people when we boarded.

Once on the plane the service seemed to be pretty much standard for any Russian airline. Again I had expected something better; Perhaps there was some awareness of something bigger and greater than what they offered, but it remained only an idea!

On my more recent Business class flight within the CIS, they were definitely trying to achieve higher standards. It seemed that they were making an effort to provide a better meal, they offer to hang your coat up, there was a choice of some papers and magazines. However After the meal service you don’t see the crew again until shortly before landing unless you ring the call bell, but at least in Business they don’t mind!

One impressive thing was that they handed out personal DVD players in Business Class. Unfortunately not to keep, but they had a selection of 15 or som movies, mostly dual language English and Russian. Not bad for a five hour flight.

FOOD
I’m sorry, I don’t remember what I got on that flight from Ekaterinburg to Moscow. I was too busy watching out for ice as they didn’t appear to de-ice, even though the temperature was minus 7 centigrade.

My main memory from the economy meals was of the pink plastic tray. The meals came on a pink plastic tray. It clashed with every other colour scheme in the cabin, not least the pastel green or blue uniforms. I have no idea what it contained, except that it was not very much. I recall a hot dish on a longer flight, but that was it.

In Business class there is a choice of main meal but still, once it’s cleared away, there is not much else.

What did impress me on my last flight, though, was that the meal included some rather tasty Sushi. When I browsed through the inflight magazine I discovered that the airlines was having a sushi promotion that month, and they actually had some sushi chefs flying on some flights, demonstrating how sushi was prepared. Sadly they weer not on my flight, but were served some that they had prepared earlier!

SUMMARY
My flights on Transaero have not generally been memorable, until most recently when the DVD player and sushi really made me take notice. In the beginning they were a novelty, but as other carriers got western jets, Transaero lost the edge, but they seem to be starting to recover that edge, or at least making an effort to do so.

Business is well worth it for longer flights but don’t expect premium service throughout.

 

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