When planning overseas holidays, the choice not only of the tour operator, but also of the air carrier deserves special attention. Not so long ago, the carrier "Fly" appeared on the Russian market of charter flights. Potential passengers are undoubtedly interested in the question:! I fly (airline) - whose airline? ". Reviews about the carrier are also of considerable importance. What is important for passengers to know?
I fly airline: history
The airline was founded in 2009. Its main goal at that time was the implementation of charter transport for the tour operator Tez Tour. It received an operator certificate on October 30, but the first flight was operated on December 4. It was carried out from the Moscow Vnukovo airport on the route "Moscow-Antalya". From this moment on, the airline "Fly" is based in Vnukovo.
Since 2010, the route network began to expand gradually: flights to Egypt were added to the schedule. In 2013, the company was recognized as the best charter carrier and was awarded the Russian Wings of Russia diploma. In April 2015, the airline begins operating flights from Vnukovo to China to the settlements of Xi'an, Tianjin and Shenyang.
In the summer of 2016, the company began to have serious problems: the Federal Air Transport Agency limited the period of validity of the operational certificate. The fact is that the fleet of the enterprise is not so big. Passengers who purchased airline tickets from this carrier did not always go to their destinations, and sometimes even changed flights to other companies with significant delays. Initially, the certificate expired on July 15, and then it was postponed to August 1. On August 10, it was decided to renew the certificate until October. However, by the end of September, the restrictions were completely lifted.
Ai Fly (airline): fleet
In 2009, the company’s fleet initially consisted of only 3 Boeing 757-200 aircraft. But in 2010 it was replenished with an additional 4 long-haul airliners “Airbus A330-300”. By 2014, there were 7 aircraft in the fleet: 2 “Airbus A330-300” and 5 “Boeing 757-200." By 2016, 2 Boeing 757-200 aircraft were decommissioned.
About 20 years today is an average age indicator for airliners owned by Ai Fly. The aircraft included in the fleet are as follows:
- Airbus A330-300 - 2 aircraft (with layouts for 387 passengers),
- Boeing 757-200 - 2 aircraft (with layouts for 221 and 235 passengers).
In addition, another 2 aircraft were ordered, but their type has not yet been specified.
Service classes
Airline Airline operates economy class passengers on its aircraft. Other service classes are not provided. This also applies to pre-booking seats in the cabin. They are provided to passengers during the check-in procedure.
In flight, passengers are offered a menu of three different dishes. During the purchase of a ticket, a passenger can order special meals, for example, vegetarian or baby. When traveling with children, passengers are provided with warm rugs. Smoking during the flight (including electronic cigarettes) is strictly prohibited.
Luggage
Passengers are entitled to free baggage allowance, the weight of which does not exceed 20 kg. In addition, carry-on baggage is also allowed if its weight is not more than 5 kg and the dimensions of the sum of three dimensions are 115 cm. If a passenger travels with a child under 2 years old, the airline allows you to carry a stroller for free, as well as additional baggage not exceeding 10 kg
If the established norms are exceeded, passengers are required to pay excess baggage (the amount of the overpayment varies from 10 to 20 euros, depending on the destination). If passengers baggage their skis or snowboards and their weight is not more than 15 kg per passenger, surcharge is not required.
Check in for flights
You can register for carrier flights to Vnukovo 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. It is also worth remembering that registration ends 40 minutes before the departure of the aircraft. If passengers depart to Russia from other countries, the start and end time of registration must be obtained in advance from the tour operator. Online service for registration is not yet provided.
Directions
In 2016, Ai Fly Airlines flies to the following countries:
- Italy (Verona);
- Belgium (Liege);
- China (Xi'an, Tianjin, Shenyang).
Also, flights from Moscow are operated to Simferopol Airport.
What do passengers think about the airline?
In general, travelers respond positively to the work of the airline. In particular, they note the professionalism of the crew and the good quality of the food provided in flight. The seats in the cabin are located at a very reasonable distance from each other, which does not create discomfort for passengers. There are also negative reviews. They are mainly associated with the delayed departures that have occurred recently due to a shortage of aircraft.
Summary
Airline “Fly” is one of the best Russian charter carriers. The company was established in 2009. The fleet currently has 4 airliners. On board there is only one service class - economic. Passengers generally respond positively to the quality of services provided by the carrier. Recently, however, due to a shortage of aircraft, there have been frequent delays. As a result, the operator of the Federal Air Transport Agency was planning to revoke the certificate. But after resolving the situation, its duration was again extended.