LVZXV From Gabon, joined Mar 2004, 2041 posts, RR: 44 Posted (7 years 2 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1007 times:
Good afternoon!
I'm considering a trip to St Petersburg (and maybe Helsinki too, while I'm there) this coming June, from London. It's a part of the world I have never seen, and I don't know why, but the former Imperial Russian capital appeals to me more than Moscow. As for getting there, being a mildly adventurous sort, I would like to take the opportunity--if possible--to fly on Russian metal, preferably on Aeroflot. What is the best routing to get there--direct or not--which would involve flying on, say, an Il-96 and/or Tu-154?
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8739 posts, RR: 52 Reply 2, posted (7 years 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 975 times:
I agree with your sentiments. I had the same feelings a year ago and ended up going to St. Petersburg last month. I also wanted to fly on a Russia jet, so I flew one way with Aeroflot and got to experience their Tu-154. I returned back to the United States with Lufthansa as it is one of the few international flights out of LED. I wrote trip reports for both segments: Aeroflot Business Class Tu-154 IST-SVO-LED (pics) (by RoseFlyer Apr 29 2006 in Trip Reports) LH First LED-FRA-ORD-IND Alone On The 744Upperdeck (by RoseFlyer Apr 21 2006 in Trip Reports).
I suggest that you fly on any airline to SVO and then connect to LED. It will guarantee that you get on a Russia jet. Depending on airline and time of day you could be on a Tu-154 or Tu-134. There is pretty much hourly service on the route and it should be easier and cheaper to get to SVO. Getting on a Russian jet from a western country is getting pretty difficult. From LED you could try to fly Pulkovo to a European city. IL-96s are very rare, and rarely fly to western countries.
In general St. Petersburg is an interesting city. The Hermitage museum is huge and has an immense collection of western art. You can also see some Russian history at the palaces. It is a nice city to spend some time in, but it is only worth 2-3 days since it is a relatively small city.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Desiguy2447 From United States of America, joined May 2005, 95 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (7 years 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 959 times:
I will be on Russian metal in three weeks on Aeroflots IL96-300 in Business class awaiting the experience of my first flight on a Russian aircraft. My flight path will be IAD-SVO-DEL. SVO to DEL is on the IL96-300.
Pogo From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 353 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 946 times:
FV fly LHR-LED every saturday, although they have been bringing in a 737 lately, ocassionally a Tu-154.
As Airscoot said for a Tu you would be better of going via SVO, mostly A320 or A321's from LHR, although they are having some equipment changes in a week or so, you may get lucky the time you travel and gat an IL-96.
LVZXV From Gabon, joined Mar 2004, 2041 posts, RR: 44 Reply 5, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 893 times:
Thank you al for your contributions, great Trip Report RoseFlyer!
Ultimately, it's not the end of the world if I get an Airbus to SVO and am guaranteed a Tupolev to LED, but I would really like to try the Il-96. I guess with so few, they only operate the European routes sporadically, right? Or will they start to become more regular at LHR?
Pogo From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 353 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 851 times:
I had a look and FV is showing all 737's, SU has an IL-96 on the 3rd of June, alternatively you could go on a 767-300 on the 17th or 24th of June these would be for flight SU242 on all dates everything else is an Airbus.
PLEASE NOTE that SU do and have frequently changed the a/c type back to Airbus.
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8739 posts, RR: 52 Reply 8, posted (7 years 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 834 times:
Quoting LVZXV (Reply 5): I would really like to try the Il-96. I guess with so few, they only operate the European routes sporadically, right?
I believe Il-96's fly to Asia. They are used on domestic flights as well as some routes to Asia. Aeroflot uses western jets to fly to western countries for the most part. I believe that is their current philosophy.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
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