skyslat2 From Russia, joined Mar 2012, 11 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 13307 times:
Hello!
This is my second trip report. Sorry again for my English. Hope you understand
All photos were made via iPhone.
My last trip report was about short flight from Moscow to Krasnodar. This time, my employer sent me to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 2 days business trip.
From Moscow to Y-Sakhalinsk only two variants with direct flights: Aeroflot (A330 or IL-96Turbo) or Transaero (mostly 777-200 or 777-300).
As me and my colleague FF of Aeroflot, we decided to go SU. Last time I visited Y-Sakhalinsk in April 2011 and that times Aeroflot operates IL-96Turbo on daily basis, but last week agent said that we will go on A330.
Short information:
DATE: 13 JAN 2013
Flight: Moscow Sheremetyevo - D (SVO) - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (UUS)
Aircraft: A330-343X
Registration: VQ-BMX (named S.Sakharov) delivery date - April 2012 (quite new)
Departure: 1750
Actual departure: 2030 (due to heavy snowfalls in Moscow, long line for de-ice and take-off)
I start from some photos of Business Lounge (named "Classica" for domestic flight)
Average list of drinks
Snacks zone
Ceiling styled as runaway
At gate. boarding via bus
Aeroflot have started to use SKY PRIORITY brand (like DL)
Boarding agent. In Moscow was around -17C these days
We have arrived
I like this view
Seats. Aeroflot started to re-build A330 and place seats with 180' flatbed
We started with champagne and some juices
All seats have usb
Menu and Wine list was distributed before departure
Menu (English)
Shortly after take-off all PTV system restarted
Service starts: towel
Cold snacks and ROSE!!! was unexpected
Starter
Salad
Soup (Russian UHA)
Main course - Fish
Desert 1
Desert 2 was ice-cream, but I take a decision to go sleep.... (it was really huge volume of food)
I didn't take breakfast, as I was full after dinner. Cabin crew wake me up 30 min before landing. Far east of Russia
unboarding. -30C
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport bus
Airport
-------------
I spent 2 business days in Y-Sakhalinsk. On the morning before departure we have spent at local market. So you can see most common products. Prices - 1KG of crab-meat ~ $100
----
After market, we come to airport. Here is foto of small airport of Y-Sakhalinsk
Our A330 already landed
some airport views
Business lounge - max capacity - 20-25 people, not more....
Check-in area
pre-boarding room
My return flight information:
Short information:
DATE: 16 JAN 2013
Flight: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (UUS) - Sheremetyevo - D (SVO)
Aircraft: A330-343X
Registration: VQ-BPK (named Kulibin) delivery date - October 2012 (new)
Departure: 1210
Actual departure: 1220
Overview
Transaero 777-200 just landed from Moscow / Domodedovo
really friendly cabin-crew started with drinks
Same seats. Smells new
Transaero 777-200
Snowywind on u-turn in the end of runaway
Y-Sakhalinsk after take-off
Menu. Menu was from Y-Sakhalinsk, Wine list was the same.
Heading to Moscow. 9hrs flight ahead
Snacks. I like wine - Pfefferer (white italian wine, best wine on Aeroflot flights)
Service
Starter
Salad
Soup. Russian borscht
Main course. Fish again
Desert. On return leg desert was only 1
Seat in sleeping position
shot from economy cabin
Lunch before landing. Crab meat...
Sheremetyevo Airport
Some another A330
Sukhoi SuperJet
DonAvia A319
--------------
My conclusion that quality of service is really good.
finnishway From Finland, joined Jul 2012, 187 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 13094 times:
Thanks for sharing this!
I have been a fan of Aeroflot for a long time, though I have never flown with them. I like their livery and blue/orange interior. Their service also seems to be nice.
kamloops From Canada, joined Nov 2010, 47 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 12413 times:
Great Trip Report,
Was just looking at Kayak, and can't get over the cost for a one way ticket in Feb, the cost was coming at $130 USD per person (taxes included) for an 8.5 hour flight, makes me want to get a Russia visa just so I can do the flight
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1748 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (3 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 12376 times:
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Aeroflot J looks really nice, with lots of plentiful food. How long was your visit? It looks cold there!
I really would like to try them sometime - since Aeroflot is part of SkyTeam, I'm hoping to cash in some SkyMiles sometimes and fly with them to Europe!
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1734 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (3 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 12211 times:
Hi SkySlat2,
Nice report detailing your SU C class experience. I used an award ticket recently to buy a Business Class ticket from JFK to OTP via SVO for June and was wondering how it would be. Service looks really good overall and your report answers many questions.
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 471 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (3 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 11956 times:
Hey skyslat2! I never thought I would see a report about UUS here. Thanks for putting this together, what a treat! I love reports about the far east end of Russia and I've always been curious about Sakhalin.
Quoting skyslat2 (Thread starter): This time, my employer sent me to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 2 days business trip.
Wow, kind of brutal to have to fly so many hours and across so many time zones only to have to go back after 2 days. Even though I'm not sure you'd like to have stayed longer given that it was -30C...
9w748capt From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 409 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 11601 times:
Wow what an awesome report - I don't believe we've seen Y-Sakhalinsk on here. Excellent! Your english is totally fine - no worries at all! I have to say though, the "runaway" lights cracked me up - just teasing
SU's service looks fantastic - I was getting full just seeing the multiple courses on your outbound meal. Amazing!
May I ask which business you work in? Just have never heard of Y-Sakhalinsk so I'm just curious. Seems as though there is a significant amount of premium traffic there though if SU+others are all flying widebodies there!
adriaticflight From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 493 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (3 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 11239 times:
Quoting 9w748capt (Reply 7): Just have never heard of Y-Sakhalinsk so I'm just curious. Seems as though there is a significant amount of premium traffic there though if SU+others are all flying widebodies there!
Oil Oil Oil, Gas Gas Gas This part of Russia has natural resources galore! I think they have used widebodies for a longtime. This distance from Moscow to Shakalin Island is like that from Europe to the US Midwest.
skyslat2 From Russia, joined Mar 2012, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 9810 times:
Hello!
many thanks.
Some answers
May I ask which business you work in? - banking, we have some assets there.
--
Wow, kind of brutal to have to fly so many hours and across so many time zones only to have to go back after 2 days. Even though I'm not sure you'd like to have stayed longer given that it was -30C...
nothing to do there more in winter time, summer and fall - beautiful: fishing and birds watching
--
Was just looking at Kayak, and can't get over the cost for a one way ticket in Feb, the cost was coming at $130 USD per person (taxes included) for an 8.5 hour flight, makes me want to get a Russia visa just so I can do the flight
yes, economy class costs not high. you can continue from UUS to VVO or via Asiana to Seoul
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 14 Reply 12, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 9736 times:
Nice report! You took some great photos! I was booked to go to Yuzhno Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk a few years ago, but I had to cancel at the last moment....wouold be great to go sometime, although maybe in the summer!
cx777fan From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (3 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 8867 times:
Thanks for a great trip report and wonderful photos. Aeroflot's domestic business product looks very good - though of course a 9 hour flight is medium to long haul international anywhere else in the world, so the comfort, food and service are completely necessary!
9w748capt From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 409 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 8553 times:
Quoting skyslat2 (Reply 11): Was just looking at Kayak, and can't get over the cost for a one way ticket in Feb, the cost was coming at $130 USD per person (taxes included) for an 8.5 hour flight, makes me want to get a Russia visa just so I can do the flight
yes, economy class costs not high. you can continue from UUS to VVO or via Asiana to Seoul
Wow that is absurdly cheap and tempting - I wonder how much it costs to upgrade to J? Might be well worth it!!!
Yirina77 From Czech Republic, joined Aug 2006, 628 posts, RR: 36 Reply 19, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 7154 times:
Privet Oleg,
thank you so much for your trip report. I´m always interested in reports from Russian Far East, I still remember my trip to Petropavlovsk 2 years ago.
Great to have some more trip reporters from Russia on A.net!
Yirina
One day can make your life; one day can ruin your life. All life is four or five big days that change everything...
CairnterriAIR From United States of America, joined Jun 2008, 337 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 6968 times:
I enjoyed reading this report as well as looking at your excellent photographs. Thank you so much for sharing an interesting report from a very far away place. The food served aboard both flights looks delicious and the cabin service gracious and welcoming. What amazed me was how small the destination airport was to be served by such large aircraft. How often do the flights operate there? Daily service to Moscow? There must be a demand as from looking at the picture you took from the rear of the cabin, the flight appeared full. In any rate....I enjoyed your report.
reffado From Brazil, joined Feb 2012, 75 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 6683 times:
A very good read! And I'm surprised! From your pictures, even Y looks rather good on Aeroflot, which was something I wasn't expecting. Puts TAM to shame! If I ever get the chance to visit Russia, I already know what airline I'll be flying!
aerdingus From Ireland, joined Dec 2006, 2483 posts, RR: 18 Reply 23, posted (3 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 6137 times:
I always enjoy reading trs on SU, especially to far away places like UUS. Looked like a very nice flight! Personally don´t know if I could stomach all that fish though!
Spaciba for sharing
BA EI FH FR LX RE SK TS VY ZB 3K 5G A300 A310 A319 A320 A321 A333 ATR72 B735 B738 B744 B772 MD82 BCN BOH BRU CPH CRL DUB
Quoting skyslat2 (Thread starter): On the morning before departure we have spent at local market. So you can see most common products. Prices - 1KG of crab-meat ~ $100
can I have two suitcases please ! on priority list is shrimps then marinated fish ok just put a couple of lobsters and crabs I will send you my address and please asks for discount hiihihihih
I heard a lot of positive comments ...nice that you have same experience
Quoting skyslat2 (Thread starter): Menu. Menu was from Y-Sakhalinsk, Wine list was the same.
menu that presents quality food offers in business class should not advertise something that is at the level of "the elixir of life" from the Wild West ...
Quoting skyslat2 (Thread starter):
My conclusion that quality of service is really good.
I agree ... AF came at the very top of European offers
I look forward to the new Russian adventures ...thanks stipica
Ideekay From Switzerland, joined Jun 2012, 183 posts, RR: 1 Reply 27, posted (3 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4251 times:
Hi skyslat2,
Thank you for this nice trip-report and don't worry about your english
Always wanted to see a trans-russian TR as its fascinating to fly in a such big country so thanks for that!
I wonder a bit how they get all the passengers into the terminal at UUS, such a tiny terminal.
Could you say something about the load on both flights?
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 774 posts, RR: 2 Reply 28, posted (3 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4139 times:
Hi skyslat2,
Nice report, really enjoyed it. Quite interesting to see that a domestic Russian flight can last 9 hours! Aeroflot C looks quite nice, you sure got lots of food!
skyslat2 From Russia, joined Mar 2012, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 29, posted (1 month 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2618 times:
>>> I wonder a bit how they get all the passengers into the terminal at UUS, such a tiny terminal.
Could you say something about the load on both flights?
--
Sorry for long reply. Both flight were full in Economy and around 75% full in business. There are many people from Netherlands due to activity of Holland companies like Shell or so...
theobcman From UK - England, joined Nov 2010, 121 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (1 month 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2582 times:
Great report - thanks. SU look really good on their 330's. The new 77W's should be really nice as well. 9 hours for a domestic is incredible - the scale of Russia !! But have to sat the Classica Lounge at Moscow looks awful - jam packed and the lighting - oh dear!!!!
skyslat2 From Russia, joined Mar 2012, 11 posts, RR: 0 Reply 31, posted (1 month 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2570 times:
theobcman - yes, Classica lounge is worst lounge if compete with other lounges in capitals but best within all russian airports.
Next week I'm planning to catch 777. So will try to create another report.
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