aeroflot-moscow?

[FLASH2D]

hi. i'm booking my own flight to kyiv. many flights and options to choose from. should i avoid the aeroflot flights and going through moscow to get to kyiv? they are about $100 cheaper than most other flights that go through amsterdam, london, or copenhagen. my intuition is throwing up a red flag(no pun intened). should i be concerned? thanks.

[T P Cornholio]

... in response to aeroflot-moscow?, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

In the past, it wasn't too difficult or as expensive to get a Russian transit visa.  But considering the extra cost and effort of getting one today (transit or otherwise), it is probably easier to go through Europe.

I thought it might be nice for us to stay in Moscow a few days and see the sights before taking a plane/train into Ukraine, but when one considers the price of getting 3 visas for Russia (along with 3 for Ukraine), as opposed to none for a European transit, I'm not sure it's worth the time/expense.  As somebody said, SEA-SVO Aeroflot can be notoriously late in leaving/arriving (by hours).

[Apk1]

... in response to aeroflot-moscow?, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

All depends on which coast you are flying out of....

If you depart from the east coast....go through Europe to arrive in Ukraine. Many flights to choose from through Amsterdam, London....

Departing from the west coast it is far shorter and cheaper to fly through Russia. Aeroflot is cheapest, although not the most comfortable...they stack the seats on the Boeing 777 pretty close togeather. Catching a connecting flight in Moscow could be a nightmare, changing airports is where the problem is....and losing luggage is a possiblility.

As far as which is better...cheapest or most convenient?

That is your decision to make.... good luck!

[wsbill]

... in response to aeroflot-moscow?, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

I would recommend going through Amsterdam to Kiev.
Totally painless.  No extra fees, over night stays, or trips to other airports 30 miles away.

NWA/KLM is as straight a shot as your going to get.

Ask RAGS about Moscow-Kiev flight... or do a search on the subject in the archives!

[FLASH2D]

... in response to Re: YES, YES, YES... , posted by wsbill on Apr 19, 2003

that's good enough for me. less stress, more pep. one quick question and i'll check this off my list. should i get a paper ticket or will an e-ticket do the job? btw. thanks for in-put. i'm sure i will have a few more ?'s before "THE DAY".

[wsbill]

... in response to Re: Re: YES, YES, YES... , posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

It is advised to get to your airport atleast 2 hours in advance, just in case there is a SNAFU/backup'ed luggage checkin and to get through all the metal detectors.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to aeroflot-moscow?, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

In general you are better off taking the most direct flight you can with the same airline.  To switch airlines or increase stop-overs increases your chances of missing luggage and or missing connecting flights.  My two flights to Ukraine were on Austrian Air, once to Kiev and once to Kharkov.  I can not complain about either one of them.

[FLASH2D]

... in response to Flights, posted by Bobby Orr on Apr 19, 2003

bobby, sorry man. i will be leaving out seattle. aeroflot flies from seattlemoscowkyiv, but still takes about 2 hrs. longer than with another choice such as northwest from seattleamsterdam,change planes to ua. int.,then on to kyiv. how is the service on aeroflot? there is a 4 hr. layover in moscow. i've heard there are several airports in moscow. i don't want to have to be jumping around to different airports. could that happen? has anyone out there had that problem? i do agree with you about the less transfers the better.

[Apk1]

... in response to Re: Flights, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

I have flown from San Francisco thru Seattle 3 times to Moscow and back...2 years ago.
Aeroflot was always the cheapest...read my post above....and always late departing and arriving...both ways, usually an hour late.

The flight crew does speak English...the food is not as good as other carriers...but edible.

This time of year the flights are getting full, good luck finding a row of empty seats to stretch out on...its a long flight over Canada and Greenland.

Be careful at the airport in Moscow....the taxi cab drivers are eager for your business....and overcharge...A shuttle bus service is available between airports, about $1 USD...but exchange some dollars at the airport into Rubles.

[Charles]

... in response to Re: Flights, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

You will in all likelihood have to change airports in Moscow.  Your Aeroflot flight into Moscow will arrive at Sheremeteyevo-2 while your Moscow-Kiev connection is probably out of Sheremeteyevo-1.  In addition to a potentially long wait to get through Russian customs at SVO-2 (depending on when your flight arrives), transportation between the two airports can take some time and probably cost you at least $10, even though you're only going from one side of the runway to the other.  In addition, you'll need a Russian transit visa (double-entry if you're returning to the U.S. out of Moscow) - that will cost you $120 if you do it yourself, more if you go through a visa service or travel agent.  By the time you're done with all that you'll have more than exhausted your $100 savings on the flights going through Europe.  While my limited experience with Aeroflot's timeliness is good, there are plenty of posts in the archives about some bad experiences.  All that being said, you're clearly better off spending the extra $100 on the Western Europe connection.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to Re: Flights, posted by FLASH2D on Apr 19, 2003

You arrive from outside of Russia when coming into Russia into Shermetyevo II (International terminal) and have to transfer to Shermetyevo I (Domestic Terminal) to fly elsewhere in the country - to Ukraine, I am not sure if you have to transfer or not??  Other board members will know.  I would think you still are better off flying into Kiev from Vienna or Zurich etc.  Why not fly to NY and take a direct Aerosvit flight on Friday or Sunday?