When it comes to airlines I have odd fascinations with, I think Transaero ranks at the top of that list. At least as far as airlines I haven’t yet flown. I mean, how could you not be fascinated by an airline which makes Emirates interiors look modest by comparison?
My enthusiasm for Transaero is only increased by the fact that they’re the next airline to take delivery of the A380. I also have a bit of an A380 obsession, and have been fortunate enough to fly every A380 first class product in the world. This includes:
- Air France
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- China Southern
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Thai Airways
When you combine my fascination with Transaero with my love of the A380, there’s some really exciting news. Transaero is the next airline to take delivery of the A380, and will apparently begin flying it to New York as of later this year.
Via ch-aviation:
Transaero Airlines will indeed take delivery of two A380-800s later this summer the governor of Primorsky Krai in Russia’s Far East, Vladimir Miklushevskiy, has disclosed. The carrier has four of the type on order from Airbus Industrie.
“Currently, services to the region are operated using different equipment. In summer 2015, services will also be operated using the largest aircraft in the world, the A380, and our runway can accommodate this,” he said. “Transaero Airlines is acquiring two such aircraft, they will be used on services to Vladivostok and New York JFK.”
Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines CEO, said last year that the 652-seater quadjets will feature twelve Imperial (First) Class suites, twenty-four Business Class flat-bed seats, and 616 Economy-class seats.
First of all, Transaero’s A380s will feature 652 seats, including only 12 first class seats and 24 business class seats. That will be the highest density A380 in service. To put that into perspective, Emirates will soon be introducing two cabin A380s, which will still have fewer seats than Transaero’s three cabin A380.
While I’ve been considering buying a paid ticket in Transaero first class from New York to Moscow, now I’m definitely doing this once they announce their A380 schedule. Color me excited!
Who else wants to fly Transaero’s A380 first class?
Apparently, there are no plans for Transaero to offer A380 service to JFK (or possibly anywhere in the near term).
http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2015/05/transaero-no-plans-to-offer-a380-service-on-moscow-new-york-route/
Hahaha John, "1978 Chrysler New Yorker". McDonald's edition.
To amend my previous comment, I meant Yak-42.
@Jay: As far as historically, they are absolutely correct. I generally was referring to the major Russian carriers today. But, there are regional carriers in Russia I wouldn't trust, either. It all depends on who you fly. Funny story: A few weeks back, I was the director of a conference at Amur State University in Blagoveshchensk. The only direct flight from Vladivostok was via KrasAvia on an old Soviet-era Yak-47 at ~$50 (The Aeroflot flight...
@Jay: As far as historically, they are absolutely correct. I generally was referring to the major Russian carriers today. But, there are regional carriers in Russia I wouldn't trust, either. It all depends on who you fly. Funny story: A few weeks back, I was the director of a conference at Amur State University in Blagoveshchensk. The only direct flight from Vladivostok was via KrasAvia on an old Soviet-era Yak-47 at ~$50 (The Aeroflot flight required a flight to Moscow first. and would have taken 17+ hours, and cost more than flying to Atlanta from Vlad). So, I took a train (22.5 hours, same price as KrasAvia flight). Two Russian colleagues flew the KrasAvia flight, and said they feared for their lives the entire time :D
@jesse I rather stick to a Russian's gut about their own aviation system than that of a yankee who has lived a few years in vladivostok... :) russian airlines are not safe.. everyone knows that haha
@Jay: I trust Aeroflot and Trasnsaero moreso than Delta, American, Spirit, etc......The Russian aviation industry is much improved, and is now at international standards. Having lived in Russia for a couple of years, I can confidently say that I much prefer domestic flights in Russia over domestic flights in the US.
@Dan: Actually, that route is quite popular. I fly it very often, both on Aeroflot and Transaero. You would be surprised how full the...
@Jay: I trust Aeroflot and Trasnsaero moreso than Delta, American, Spirit, etc......The Russian aviation industry is much improved, and is now at international standards. Having lived in Russia for a couple of years, I can confidently say that I much prefer domestic flights in Russia over domestic flights in the US.
@Dan: Actually, that route is quite popular. I fly it very often, both on Aeroflot and Transaero. You would be surprised how full the flights are on a consistent basis. Rarely have I been on a flight that was not full between the two cities. Don't forget, in Russia, everything runs through Moscow, so almost every person I know in Vladivostok has been to Moscow, more than once. The air tickets to Moscow from Vlad are now cheaper than the train tickets, generally. But, regionally, most people take trains (even me), as this is an engrained part of the culture, and is a cool experience.
This makes me happy!! I live in Vladivostok, and though I am not a big fan of Transaero (I generally prefer Aeroflot), I will for sure try the new A380 when it begins service here. I read the comments by Governor Miklushevsky recently. The current airport in Vladivostok is quite new (2012), but as of now has no A380 service from any of the airlines that service it. The only concern I have is whether...
This makes me happy!! I live in Vladivostok, and though I am not a big fan of Transaero (I generally prefer Aeroflot), I will for sure try the new A380 when it begins service here. I read the comments by Governor Miklushevsky recently. The current airport in Vladivostok is quite new (2012), but as of now has no A380 service from any of the airlines that service it. The only concern I have is whether or not the terminal can handle it, or if it will be loaded via a remote stand. Also, ther airport is tiny and already has crowding and queue issues. We'll see how they manage it. I have flown every airline that services Vladivostok, with the exception of Air Koryo and KrasAvia. I am excited to try this product. I can fly to Moscow, then NY on this product next time is go home to visit. Now, perfect chance for you to try the Imperial Class, and visit the Russian Far East ;)
Wouldn't it be ironic (i'm never really sure of the definition of irony) if a Russian airline took over one of the old Malaysian Airlines A380s...
Moscow - Vladivostok? First A380 domestic flight? I can't picture enough demand on that route...
Don't get gay-bashed in Moscow!!!!
A380 service from Moscow to Vladivostok? That has to be a joke. Vladivostok is a mid-size city in the middle of nowhere. No idea how this route if possible without massive state intervention.
Lucky, why haven't you flown Garuda or Aerolíneas Argentinas yet? I thought they are also a part of skyteam. Those two would be great trip reports!
@ dave -- I need to, I know!
I'm pointing out the obvious, I suppose, but you know you're hard core when flying all the way to Moscow counts as mere "positioning."
As for why US airlines don't fly the A380, Google "Why don't us airlines fly the A380?" Apart from what you'll discover after doing that -- the magic concept is "frequency" -- the four-engine A380 is also more expensive to operate per passenger seat-mile than its smaller competitors and will remain...
I'm pointing out the obvious, I suppose, but you know you're hard core when flying all the way to Moscow counts as mere "positioning."
As for why US airlines don't fly the A380, Google "Why don't us airlines fly the A380?" Apart from what you'll discover after doing that -- the magic concept is "frequency" -- the four-engine A380 is also more expensive to operate per passenger seat-mile than its smaller competitors and will remain so until someone stuffs more than something like 700-800 seats in it. Could that happen? Sure. Will it happen in my lifetime? I rather very much doubt it.
you know most Russians are smart enough to know to never fly a Russian airline, they are so afraid of that, they rather take a 12 hour train ride. Just fyi for someone who knows a few Russians. I would never fly any Russian airline... Such a bad idea... Also on the topic of Moscow hotels I prefer the ritz Carlton safe bet.
Looks like the interior of a 1978 Chrysler New Yorker. It just needs a CB radio.
Suede seats??
I am starting to question the mantra that a US carrier could not sustain an A380 when so many foreign carriers are essentially flying them solely between the US and elsewhere on 24-hour round-trip routes. Are the CASMs really that much higher when you can stuff that many seats in?
John "Eph" Kennedy?
Looking forward to reading the TR! :) There's a chance I'll be in Moscow in the summer but if I choose to fly Transaero, it'll most likely be on the 777 at the moment.
Transaero flies possibly the world's only 3-class (F,J,Y) 737 between Moscow and London, might also be worth a trip report ! I think they have just four flatbeds in F at the front?
@ JJ -- Woah, had no clue! That could be fun.
Is there really that much demand on the Moscow - New York route to justify using such a high capacity A380?
Anyway, this would be a great opportunity to burn some Skymiles and try & review Aeroflot's business class. You could take Aeroflot over to Moscow and return on Transaero. The daytime return would allow you to experience Imperial Class in all its glory. This would make for an awesome trip report and I would...
Is there really that much demand on the Moscow - New York route to justify using such a high capacity A380?
Anyway, this would be a great opportunity to burn some Skymiles and try & review Aeroflot's business class. You could take Aeroflot over to Moscow and return on Transaero. The daytime return would allow you to experience Imperial Class in all its glory. This would make for an awesome trip report and I would urge you not to even wait for the A380. And take Nick! His prospective would be priceless!
Lucky, I know you love Park Hyatts; however, I would avoid the one in Moscow. I find it to be drab and sterile. The Radisson Blu (the old Hotel Ukrania from Soviet times) is delightfully over-the-top.
Can't wait for that TR!
I wonder what their business class is like? Only $750 one way in a business class cabin with just 24 seats sounds like a deal!
Why support the country that shot down MAS 17?
Ben,
I wouldn't hold your breath, with all due respect to the esteemed governor. Airbus hasn't even started final assembly of Transaero's birds.
Even if they're getting the Skymark or MH ones (and why would they want more, with the Russian economy tanking?) there's no way they'd be ready ion a couple of months, given need for outfitting, training, route testing, certification...
@ Alpha -- Which makes me wonder if they're maybe getting them elsewhere. Hmmm...
OMG, I love how their website says "BYE a ticket" right at the top... what are they trying to tell us? ;)
LOL
http://transaero.ru/en/info-and-services/service-classes/imperial
Finally! You've been talking about Transero for so long I can't believe it's going to happen! What a great price. I cannot wait and will now consider this myself!
those fares are so cheap! where can we connect from Moscow? do they have cheap fares to other parts of Europe too? if so, i am in!
thx.
@ Lantean -- Couldn't find any equally good fares to other points in Europe, though haven't checked everywhere.