Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having all kinds of implications for global aviation (among other things), as we’re seeing plenty of complicated new airspace bans. As a result we’ve seen airlines operate significantly longer routings than in the past. However, as flagged by Flightradar24, I don’t think anything can hold a candle to Belavia’s flight…
Continue reading: Belavia’s Very, Very Long Flight To Istanbul…
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I always find it wierd when people comment to correct typos, but I guess now its my turn: "Minsk to Belarus used to take two hours" should probably replace Belarus with Istanbul.
@ Franklin -- Hah, you clicked on that post VERY fast, because I had it corrected within 10 seconds of publishing, as I immediately noticed it. Thanks for catching it, and for reading so quickly.
Ironically the same folks celebrating airspace closures will probably be the ones grumbling about the increased emissions.
This comment definitely falls under the category of "inventing a guy to get mad at"
How is Belavia's mileage program? If earning is based on actual miles flown...
On a somewhat related note, have you noticed the USAF and NATO planes just outside Ukrainian airspace? I was somewhat surprised a few hours ago to see C-17-As and KC-135s on Planefinder...!
@Ben SU 124 from SVO - JFK turned around and diverted back to Moscow today. Looks like they got all the way to Greenland... and I'm guessing it coincided with Canada blocking Russian aircraft. I was supposed to be on this flight but luckily moved up to the flight yesterday on 2/26. It looks like that could be the last SU flight to get citizens back...
There were a number of climate (self-edited expletive deleted) cheering on a Twitter thread mourning the loss of the AN-225.
Lucky you to have come back a day earlier.
Noticed this too on today's flight, not sure why it couldnt just avoid canadian airspace and take a more southern route across the atlantic and enter the US from Maine. Interestingly today's Aeroflot flight from Miami to SVO SU111 did cross Canadian airspace after the ban was in effect.
You don’t understand one thing, why this flight is still operating and probably flies full every time. It is one of the only remaining ways to fly out of Belarus for people here. And Belarus citizens don’t need a Visa to enter Turkey. A friend had to fly to Istanbul to then go to Warsaw. Because there was no better way.
When you have in effect a global government you do end up with some extremely stupid decisions.
It's actually a very busy route (due to the fact that there are no flights between Minsk and the EU). Since May last year there's been 4 flights a day operating the route. So the reason for its continued operation will be the high demand.
Exactly. It's a very busy route, especially now as Turkish Airlines have suspended the route. The Belavia flights will definitely be very very busy
Consider the fact that Belarusian airline is doing it not for profit but in order to prevent a complete blockade of that tiny country, Istanbul being the last place on Earth apart from Dubai that allows Belarusians to see or evacuate their families. Otherwise they are living behind a new Iron Curtain, after so much efforts at being economically cooperative with the Western World until May 2021
They might not be flying to Istanbul at all after todays news. US sanctioned all 7 or 8 B737-800 Belavia aircraft.
Flew Belavia on the route in early February just before the conflict started in Ukraine. Thought that was a long flight, but now whoa! Love Belavia's defiant nature.