Nord Wind is a charter airline that flies to the destinations of the tour operator Pegas Turistik. However, after the bankruptcy of some Russian airlines, part of their flights was transferred to Nord Wind.
Regular transportation is carried out under the lowcost system (low-cost flights), where the ticket price may not include baggage allowance, and there may be no meals on board. All this is available at an additional cost depending on the direction.
Information about the company
Nord Wind began its flight operations in 2008. Ensuring flight safety and good service is a priority. Now "North Wind" is in the top ten airlines in Russia.
Nord Wind operates flights from the Sheremetyevo base airport, and in 2017 the passenger flow increased three times. Currently, the airline operates about 500 flights a week to one hundred and eighty destinations.
The fleet consists of 21 aircraft, including three B-772ER. Initially, the airline was created exclusively for charter flights, so the layout of the cabin was changed from standard to a more practical option.
Below in the photo is a diagram of the Boeing 777-200ER. Nord Wind owns two aircraft with tail numbers VP-BJF, VQ-BUD, where 387 economy-class seats and 6 business-class seats. The VP-BJH aircraft includes 261 seats for economy class passengers and 24 business class seats.
General information about the Boeing 777-200ER
Start of operation - 1995, the aircraft belongs to long-range wide-body twin-engine monoplans. The Boeing 777-200ER is an improved modification of the B772. It has an increased maximum permissible take-off weight - up to 247,200 kg, maximum flight range - up to 14 thousand km. The interior design of the Boeing 777 200ER: comfortable luggage racks, the cabin interior is 5.87 m wide, and portholes are 380 x 250 mm.
The aircraft was created for transatlantic flights, by general characteristics it is comfortable and quiet for long flights.
Nord Wind Boeing 777-200ER
All three aircraft of this modification were previously operated in other countries, including Asian companies. Modifications VP-BJB and VQ-BUD first took off in 1998, and the VP-BJF airliner - in 2004.
- The scheme of the cabin Boeing 777-200ER (Nord Wind) aircraft VP-BJB and VQ-BUD: placement of economy class seats - three, four, three; 21, 39, 54, 55, 56, 57 rows - two, four, two; in business - two, two, two. Chairs in the economy class are narrowed, made of lightweight material.
- The scheme of the cabin Boeing 777-200ER (Nord Wind) aircraft VP-BJF: the placement of economy class seats - three, three, three; 47, 58, 59 rows - two, three, two; in business - two, two, two.
The step of the seats is up to 74 cm, and the angle of inclination of the backrest is limited more than in similar versions of airlines engaged in only regular flights.
Evaluation of the best and worst places in the first and second salons VP-BJB and VQ-BUD
In the Boeing 777-200ER, the best seats without significant drawbacks are located in the business class cabin. A comfortable flight is provided by: a comfortable footrest, a good backrest, a step of the chair a little more than a meter, a large table for eating and an increased width of the chair (one and a half times wider than in the budget class).
The economy class begins in rows with numbers 5 and 6. Pros: the absence of front-seat passengers (which means that no one will lower their seat back in front), the ability to hang a cradle for a child during horizontal flight (therefore, such places are often reserved for passengers with children in their arms ) and the lack of toilet rooms and a kitchen nearby, so here the flight will take place in greater tranquility. The disadvantages include a small distance to the partition separating the two classes, that is, the passenger will not be able to stretch his legs forward, it is forbidden to keep hand luggage in the legs during take-off and landing, as there is no restraint mechanism in case of sudden braking of the aircraft.
The advantages of the rows from the 7th to the 11th are that the passenger can stretch his legs under the front seat in front, and arrange his carry-on baggage (if necessary) in the same place.
Rows 12 and 14 complete the first economy class salon and are considered uncomfortable, as there is a kitchen nearby, noise and movements in which will interfere with relaxation. The seatbacks are fixed, since there is a partition and an emergency exit at the back.
From the 20th row, the second economy class salon begins. A plus is the absence of forward sitting passengers. There are much more minuses here: there is no way to stretch your legs, there is a kitchen and toilets nearby, the constant fuss among the crew and passengers will create significant inconvenience. Smells from the toilet are also an unpleasant addition to comfort. In addition, the toilet lines will be built precisely near the extreme places of this row.
Convenience is 21 rows only in places C and H, because there is no chair in front of them and legs can be stretched out completely, however, passengers who went to the toilet will interfere, or simply go through the cabin to stretch their legs.
Due to the lack of individual air conditioners in the luggage racks above the seats, the operation of the general air conditioning and air circulation system of this modification, the temperature in the cabin between 30 and 39 rows is higher than the standard cabin. And the seats on the 39th row are considered absolutely uncomfortable due to the toilet wall and emergency exits behind the back of the seats, so they are always fixed in an upright position.
Evaluation of the best and worst places in the third salon VP-BJB and VQ-BUD
The third salon opens the 45th row. Due to the presence of an emergency exit in front, it is possible to stretch your legs, and during the flight no one will tilt the seatback in your direction. However, the close location of the toilets (unpleasant odors and lines of people who can stand at emergency exits) makes this a problem place.
In the 46th row, the seats located in the middle of the cabin look at the toilet wall. Therefore, the cons are unpleasant odors and the inability to stretch your legs.
Seats C and H in the 53rd row have more inconvenience from contact with passengers passing by the toilet, the crew and the cart during maintenance, as the fuselage is narrowed at this point.
Rows 54, 55, 56 are comfortable and consist of two seats on the sides of the cab, respectively, there is more peace of mind.
There are toilet rooms and a kitchen near 57 and 58, so there is no way to recline the back of the chair, and the flight will spoil the constant noise and fuss in the toilet lines.
Turbulence is always stronger in the tail section of an airplane than in the nose, for some this is discomfort.
VP-BJF Bead Layout Feature
The cabin layout of the Boeing 777-200ER (Nord Wind) aircraft with tail number VP-BJF is different from the previous ones. The business class lounge consists of 24 seats (from the 11th to the 16th row). In the economy class, increased comfort is in the step of the seats, so you can lower the back below. The economy class consists of only two lounges and begins with numbering 31. Passengers who do not have forward sitting neighbors during the flight are located in rows 31 and 48, but there are more distances for outstretched legs. The backs of the seats, fixed in an upright position, are in rows 47 and 59. In the 47 and 48 rows, the presence of toilet rooms is considered a minus for rest, and for the 59 rows there is noise from the kitchen in the rear of the aircraft.