An Aeroflot Superjet – Photo: SuperJet International
Many people seem to think that Aeroflot is the same beastly monolith that it was before, and immediately after, the collapse of the Soviet Union. Aeroflot is still the butt of jokes the world over. Regardless of the ill-informed jabs, what’s so bad about the Aeroflot?
The more I read online, the more I realize many people think all Russian planes look like this Bartini Beriev VVA-14, and are full of goats – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
I get it; Aeroflot had a very bad reputation within the past few decades (let’s say about 1983-1995), but that was over 20 years ago. Aeroflot is by far playing in the big leagues now, in terms of safety, comfort, service, and median fleet age.
See, I never understood all of that either nationalist chauvinism or cultural cringe. I’ve wanted to fly Aeroflot since I was a child.
An Air Koryo Tu-154B-2 parked on the ramp at FNJ – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
I have a strange and obsessive love for the Tupolev Tu-154. How obsessive, you ask? Well, take a look at my model cabinet. That’s right. I own every possible Tu-154 model out there. I even have a few custom ones on order.
No one can say I don’t love the Tu-154 – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
I seek out 154s to fly on; I have three lined up this year.
So, what makes this plane so awesome? Well, I was going to do an article last year about what it was like to fly on an 154M, but then Jacob flew on a better M on almost the same day. So we’ll have to wait for the 154Bs later this year (the older, rarer version of the 154).
Until then, let’s discuss the history of this aircraft.
Aeroflot’s first Boeing 777-300ER arrives back to Paine Field in Everett, WA on January 2, 2013 after being painted in Portland. Image by Bernie Leighton.
To help modernize their fleet, Aeroflot has already placed an order for 16 Boeing 777-300ERs. Their first 77W recently flew to Portland to get painted and flew back to Paine Field in full Aeroflot livery yesterday.
Russell Hill (@Sabian404) was able to catch the 777 down in Portland (PDX) and Bernie Leighton (@Powertothethird) was at Paine Field (KPAE) to watch it land. I think the aircraft, with the Aeroflot livery, is so beautiful, I had to share the photos.
Aeroflot’s first 77W leaving Portland (PDX) after being painted. Photo by Russell Hill.
Back in June 2011 Vitaly Saveliev, director general of Aeroflot Russian Airlines stated, “The Boeing 777 will strengthen our long-haul capabilities. These airplanes will play a critical role in our network expansion strategy, particularly the international growth opportunities we expect from our joint businesses with SkyTeam partners when servicing the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games and the 2018 Football World Cup.”
Aeroflots’s Boeing 777 arrives to PDX on December 14th to be painted. Photo by Russell Hill.
Aeroflot is set to configure their 777-300ERs with a total of 402 seats. There will be 30 seats in business set up with a 2-2-2 layout, 48 premium economy configured with 2-4-2 and finally 324 seats in economy with 10-seats abreast as 3-4-3.
BONUS: Aeroflot to show off retro livery on an Airbus A320 in 2013
I am working to try to get actual hi-res computer images of Aeroflot’s interior, but for now I have pulled some screen shots of a video that they posted back in October:
What Aeroflot’s Business Class in the Boeing 777-300ER is set to look like. Image from Aeroflot / YouTube.
Premium Economy has noticeably additional space vs standard economy. Image from Aeroflot / YouTube.
Not as nice as the front of the aircraft, here is Aeroflot’s economy section with 10-abreast seating. Image from Aeroflot / YouTube.
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This story written by…
David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder.David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world.
@AirlineReporter | Flickr | YouTube |
Aeroflot's first Superjet during her delivery flight.
Russian airline Aeroflot has taken delivery of their first Sukhoi Superjet 100. They become the second airline to operate the Superjet 100 after Armavia, which has been flying the aircraft since April 19th.
The airline plans to enter the aircraft into service between Moscow and St. Petersburg starting today and Aeroflot is scheduled to receive 10 Superjets in 2011, 12 in 2012 and eight in 2013.
The Superjet 100 is a 75-95 seat regional airliner made by the Russian manufacturer Sukhoi. It is intended to replace older TU-134s and Yakovlev Yak-42s. A collection of Russian companies have come together to develope and produce the new aircraft. It is being reported that Sukhoi is looking at the possibility of creating a larger version that could hold 100-130 passengers and at creating a corporate version of the Superjet.
So far, all the news about the aircraft has not been positive. According to Epress.am, a Moscow-based blogger has reported that there are some serious quality issues with the interior of Armavia’s Superjet. He has taken a few flights and was shocked to see the condition of the interior and had difficult time getting photos to show proof.
’œI soon realized why the crew was so concerned about taking photographs on board. The brand new airplane was falling apart. Despite the fact that it’s been less than a month that the airplane has been carrying out regular flights, the interior was in a deplorable state. The hatches either couldn’t fit or didn’t hold the oxygen masks [it was supposed to hold].
Hopefully these are just a few signs of a new aircraft that might not have had all the bugs worked out before delivery. A few interior panels not fitting is a much different issue than the condition of the mechanics or the fuselage which so far have had no reported issues.
Image: Vasily Kuznetsov
Yesterday, Jon Ostrower via his Flight Blogger site posted some pretty sweet photos of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Aeroflot livery and I wanted to share as well.
The Superjet is a new regional jet that will compete in the 75-100 seat market. The aircraft saw its first flight on May 19, 2008, but still has not made their first delivery. Last I heard and still according to their website, they were expecting to deliver the first aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2010. However Ostrower is reporting that the airliner is expected to earn Russian certification by the end of this month and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in 2012. The Superjet has almost 200 orders and the first will be delivered to Aeroflot Armavia (updated: first two go to Armavia, then Aeroflot will get their first)
Recently Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin put pressure on Aeroflot and their subsidiaries to purchase more Russian-built aircraft to help with their fleet modernization versus Airbus and Boeing. Currently Aeroflot has 40 Superjets on order with an option for 15 additional.
You can view more photos of the Superjet 100 via Sukhoi’s Flickr page.
