AEROSVIT AIRLINES review : 10 May 2008 : by I Bortko

Customer Rating : 1/5

I was disappointed with service I received on my recent round trip to New York-Kiev with Aerosvit airlines. The bathrooms were dirty, the crew unpleasant and no audio at all. The only one answer I got from the flight attendant was "nothing we can do sir, you have to ask our management". The web site is pretty bad too. No information on luggage is available.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Donna Hirsch

11 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

JFK-Kiev-Tel Aviv and back. Food better than expected, crew very pleasant and helpful, seats were ok. Although the crew spoke English, I think it helps if you speak Russian or Ukrainian. On most of the planes I was given an aisle seat I asked for at check-in. The airport in Kiev is pretty small. There was a tiny duty-free store. But I only had an hour layover so it didn't bother me. I'm flying with them again soon.

Aerosvit Airlines review by K Papadimitriou

26 February 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Athens - Kiyv and back through Odessa. Flights on time both times. Both airplanes were clean, WC included. The meals okay but served in poor conditions, I think they were hand-sealed with cellophane like a home-made pack. Other passengers ignored safety rules, keeping the portable phones on or getting up to take hand luggage during landing, with the hostesses having to yell at them. Long waiting at the airport for controls, especially upon arriving in the country.

Aerosvit Airlines review by J Meijer

24 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Lviv-Kyiv domestic flight. Seats on the plane were flexible, and so was seating, although seats were assigned. During taxiing, the flight and landing several people made phone calls. Flight was carried out by Donbassoaero in a Yak 42. Smooth and quick flight.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Michael Little

4 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Moscow - Kiev in Economy class. I booked my flight online - there was no electronic ticket but the ticket was posted to me in Australia for US$5. I thought I had paid for a flexible ticket but the ticket delivered was non-changeable. Sheremetyevo Terminal C is modern and easy to navigate, but passport control is slow. Check in friendly and efficient by Russian standards. The B737 had reasonable leg room, the service was efficient and a small snack served. Landing cards were not distributed to Economy passengers, as the crew promised they would be. Languages Ukrainian, English and Russian. Remote stands at both airports, but quick bussing and boarding/disembarking. A long wait for baggage.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Esther Teijeira

7 August 2007  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

KBP to Baku in a Boeing 737-200. The plane was a bit old, but clean and staff very friendly. The seating was very cramped. The problem in this flight was that in the last minute came a group of about 10 young Russians who made the flight the one of the worst I have experienced. Before the plane had even started, they had already drunk a bottle of something with a lot of alcohol (and this was only the beginning). As they couldn't sit all together, the ones seating in the front rows came back to drink with the rest standing in the middle, and of course they were getting louder and louder. And they refused to switch off their mobile phones, because they were taking pics with them. The staff tried everything to calm them and stopping them using their phones, but there was no way with this kind of people. In the middle of the flight, we started to smell smoke and, what did we see? The man in the row behind of us was smoking. The stewardess came running from their cabin and told him to stop, and this man did as he was told. Food was served at about 2 o'clock in the morning, it was a full meal with blinys with meat, salad and a yoghurt. Drinks were offered 4 times during the flight, of course there were no alcoholic drinks available. I admire the staff and how they could stay calm with these Russians, explaining in a resolute but friendly way every detail over and over again, while the Russians were laughing about them. I really don't know if I would fly with Aerosvit again, not because of the airline, but because of the other passengers. In Baku, we had a little surprise, because our luggage was t

Aerosvit Airlines review by N Rahman

7 August 2007

JFK-KBP-DXB return. Checkin OK, staff friendly and polite, boarding was a catlle call (this would be repeated) and we sat in the plane on the tarmac without any explanation for two hours before taking off. Borispol was confusing at first, but the whole transfer procedure is well laid out in the inflight magazine, which had some of the most hilarious English I have ever seen written. I thought the food was halfway decent, but maybe this is because I am used to PIA and Gulf Air service standards. All the flights were on time and return trip was relatively uneventful. However, for the price I paid I can't complain about customer service.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Kevin Rymell

8 February 2007

I fly from Kyiv to Simferopol and back on a regular basis always with Aerosvit. Some of the planes are in good condition some like the Yak 42 should be retired! Staff, are workmanlike but you have to remember they are still slowly coming out of the old Soviet habits. Check in staff - mixed, some are friendly and some terrible. English is not widely spoken (luckily my Russian is pretty good). Borispol is a fun place - never enough seats, limited facilities, no announcements. Aerosvit staff have always been helpful when needed. Prices are good, not enough flights to Simferopol for my liking! Overall, I am happy to continue to fly with Aerosvit - it is always an experience.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Monica White

22 January 2007

Contemplating a trip that involves Aerosvit ? I urge you to please think again. My husband and I recently took a long awaited trip to Israel. To try and save some money we decided to shop around and find a discounted airline. "Discounted" being the operative word so read carefully and think hard before you feel that saving money is the better way. Our flight started from Toronto and it was a 10-hour flight to Kiev. Once in Kiev we were to wait 2 hours and pick up a second flight again with Aerosvit airlines to Tel Aviv. The flight from Toronto to Kiev was fine, except for the broken seat my husband got stuck in. Ask the woman who sat behind my husband how happy she was that his seat was so far back in her space she had zero leg room and she was not a tall woman. He felt terrible but there was nothing he could do. Eventually dinner came and we think it was beef. The movies were old and seen by all of us probably a hundred times. The rudeness of the staff was astounding. I know to have a job with any airline you must speak at least minimal English but this group of people refused to speak any English. If you were to be brave enough to ask a question your reply would be a very quick and cold “I don't know”. They didn't seem to know too much. So we landed in Tel Aviv and we are on the runway taxiing into the spot the plane eventually stops and one male passenger stood up and way from the back of the plane you hear a very loud and nasty 'sit down'- so they do speak English. In all my experiences with flying I have never heard a flight attendant yell at a passenger. Everyone was shocked. De-planing, the miserable flight attendants stood at the front of the plane to see us off and on any other airline flight attendants would have said something kind like 'have a nice trip' or 'thank you' but these ladies stood with sullen unhappy faces and didn't say a word. Two weeks later, our journey home started at 4:00 in the morning in Ben Gurion airport. No problem. We get on the plane in Tel Aviv for a 3-hour flight to Kiev. Breakfast was served and this time we think it was eggs - completely unidentifiable. We touch down in Kiev and were supposed to catch a flight to Toronto at 1:00 in the afternoon so here we are asking anyone in an airport uniform for directions to our gate because there was not one sign anywhere telling us where to board. My husband and I stood in 3 different lines thinking we were in the correct line because we asked and got a very snarky comment whenever the ticket person discovered we were in the wrong line. Eventually we discovered our flight wasn't even posted on the board that tells you where you should be and we were now heading towards 1:00. My husband knew a few words in Ukrainian so he found someone and asked her what time is the flight to Toronto? She told him 5:00. No announcements, signs, nothing. There was not one indication telling us passengers that our flight had been delayed 4 hours. There was also no offer of food or water or anything. A few very frustrated passengers insisted they get us some food so after a few hours of waiting the airline brought us water and cheese blintzes. We think they were cheese blintzes. Some of the passengers had small children and they hadn't eaten since we set off at Ben Gurion airport the day before at 4:00a.m. The Ukrainian airport refused to get those passengers any food. In fact they thought it was quite funny. By 4:30 there was still no indication of a flight to Toronto so a group of about 30 of us got together and went to the 'Information' booth. She could barely speak English but was fluent in 'I don't know' and ' I don't understand' - she would call over one of her co-workers who was just as ignorant and they would laugh at us and our predicament. We actually saw them pointing as us and laughing from the safety of their little glass booth. The yelling got pretty loud and that finally brought over two airport staff that actually spoke English who could apparently help us. They told us we were waiting for a flight from India and that's why we can't leave. Now our flight home was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. I don't remember dinner on the flight because I fell asleep. Thank goodness for exhaustion because I don't think I would have survived the flight home if I were wide awake. You have never seen an unhappier group of passengers and an even unhappier staff. Do not fly this airline unless you like being mistreated and miserable. I’m also quite shocked that any decent travel agency within North America would recommend them. Shame on all of you who do.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Sarah Komnatskaya

9 January 2007

BHX-KBP-SVO and back again over new year. Despite a few hitches, I would recommend this airline. They cancelled the first part of the flight from Birmingham and re-routed through another Ukrainian airline at Gatwick - only then someone from the Ukrainian call centre actually rang me at 9.30am on Boxing day (never a good idea) to tell me that there was no room for me on the flight and offered alternative date (no good - was going for new year). A quick look online whilst searching for an alternative airline, revealed that the flight from Gatwick still had seats. A rather stern call to the Ukraine telling them about the availability of seats on that flight, had me put back on it within a few hours. Was met in Birmingham airport by a very nice chap from Aerosvit, who put all 10 or so of us on a bus to Gatwick and gave out new tickets. Flight with Ukrainian International Airlines to Kiev was all OK. Had to pass through passport control in Boryspil as I now had 2 tickets instead of one, got luggage, went for a walk outside for some fresh air - got hassled to death by taxi drivers and decided just to go and check into the next flight to Moscow. Flight OK, got my vegetarian meal on this one. Quite an empty plane and not shabby at all. Landed at Sheremetyevo 1 (which is so much less hassle than Sheremetyevo 2) without any delays. The return flight passed ok - there were only about 20 people flying from Moscow to Kiev, but they still shoved us all up one end of the plane. Transit through Boryspil - no problems, next flight all good. Got my vegetarian meal but they were a bit stingy on the drinks - you had to specifically ask for more. Was pleasantly surprised to see my luggage at Birmingham (2 bags of mine from different flights went astray in the last year). All in all - good flights and helpful staff. Didn't get much joy ringing or emailing the Birmingham Aerosvit office, but it was over xmas - so I'll let them off.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Yevheniy Kahanovych

8 February 2006

KBP-SVO-KBP on the same day. Both flights were on time. Kiev check-in was very quick with no lines at all. Boarding was efficient and fast as well. Their ground staff members never smile and have never heard about good manners, so don't expect them to say "thank you", "good morning" or "welcome". When you step up aboard things change for better. The crews greet you in a professional manner. This is a huge progress if you remember what it was like some years ago. Then you see the plane. Overall look was ripped and shabby, seat pitch was inadequate (29' I guess). Their whole fleet is easier to replace rather than to clean or repair. Breakfast was a joke (pack of yoghurt with inedible peace of something reminding croissant). Then round of instant coffee or tea bags. Metal cutlery looked shabby and not clean. I would prefer plastic. On the way back seat pitch was better (normal 31'), but an old and dirty 737-200 smelled terribly. The dinner was too bad to write about it here. All in all not worth $270. What makes me fly them on this route is their schedule and frequency. Plus other carriers on this route (Aeroflot, Transaero, Donbassaero, S7, Lvov Airlines) somehow miraculously manage to be much worse.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Risto Haataja

8 February 2006

Kiev - Hurghada return. Kiev Borispol checkin quick and efficient. No problem with transfer from terminal by bus to airplane, 737-200 boarding quick and efficient. Flight of 4 hours uneventful, languages of aircrew included English. Flight comfortable. Service average - insufficient drinks, only one offered. Hot meal, acceptable. Flight crew friendliness would be rated around 4 out of 10. No smiling. Hurghada airport arrival totally chaotic. No direction on what was supposed to happen, just dumped in a congested arrival hall with no signage together with at least 3 other arriving aircraft (two widebodies). Departure no less confusing. Check in efficient. Gates confused, and kept changing (4 gates operating currently at Hurghada, which is undergoing a major refurbishment) but no notifications on Public Address system or on information boards. Finally found out accidentally the appropriate gate and that departure was imminent. Same aircraft type, again aircrew not a happy bunch. Food exactly the same, and ran out of some drinks again. Arrival in Kiev uneventful, transfer to terminal and luggage retrieval were within 30 minutes of arrival. However, price of flight was incredibly low.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Ashoke Nijhowne

3 December 2005

New York to Delhi via Kiev in Nov 2005. On 1 flight, my seat was a little worse for wear and the back of the seat tray was broken. I like the cheap ticket price, and onboard service is not less than other airlines. The food is acceptable, attendants are as courteous as other airlines. Economy class seats are no more cramped than major airlines. If the flights were on time, I would like the fact that I don't have long to wait at Kiev to board my connecting flight(s).

Aerosvit Airlines review by Leo Reznik

15 November 2005

Tel Aviv-Kiev-Delhi and back the crew was nice and friendly , soft and alcoholic drinks were served during the flight, all flights departed on time. On the other hand, the movies were quite old ("Pretty Woman", c'mon!) and during the flight from Tel Aviv the movie projector was out of order. Bottom line - of course you cannot compare the quality of service in Aerosvit flights with let's say Star Alliance companies like Lufthansa or Thai Air. But relatively to the tickets price I think they provide quite good value. I will seriously consider them next time I plan a trip.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Yana Shylyayeva

25 October 2005

Kiev-Bangkok-Kiev in economy. Although my relative is working for this airline, I would not restrain from posting my negative impression about service offered during long flights to/from Thailand. Boarding in Kiev was announced in 30 minutes before actual departure time, but when passengers came to the gate, there was no one waiting for them to check boarding passes. People were crowding in chaotic order for about 10 minutes before handling staff showed up at gate. Aircraft was Boeing 767 (UR-VVG) with rather used interior. We were assigned on our seats on AB section (near window). From the very start we noticed that electric in- seat appliances were not working (light, attendant call etc), as it revealed after - it was not working during all flight including audio channel which was rather boring during 9 hours flight not only for us but for all people seating on AB seats in economy class. Flight attendants were rather gloomy and not friendly. It seems that Aerosvit makes no selection when hires people on FA positions. Although announcements were made in Ukrainian and English, attendants were speaking Russian with us, even when my husband was talking to them in Ukrainian (they were not even trying to respond in Ukrainian). On return flight from BKK to Kiev, when we asked senior FA for some medicine due to head ache we were offered with help, we noticed that TV monitors were not working in business class compartment ( I suggest it may be offensive for passengers who have paid much more money than economy class passengers). Food was rather average, especially on return flight, it was untasty. Drinks are OK with rather wide choice in economy. Overall, if Aerosvit wants to improve their results and earn more money in future, they have to pay more attention to quality of service and equipment onboard. I hope that Aerosvit management regularly revises passengers comments and will make service better. Otherwise, it will not succeed in upcoming competition with European and Asian airlines on this route.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Yevheniy Kahanovych

16 October 2005

KBP-LED return in economy. Check-in in Kiev was trouble-free, ground staff were fast, friendly and competent. Due to the lack of airbridges in Borispol airport (there are only 2 there) Aerosvit passengers are normally bussed to their planes. Aircraft was 737-200. The plane certainly needed a lot of cleaning and interior repair. The upholstery on my seat was torn, the pitch between rows didn't allow me to sit normally. Good workout for those who practice yoga, but annoying experience for those who don't. The beverage service was generous (this was a flight between Russia and Ukraine!). The food served was two sandwiches (one with salmon, one with ham) on both legs. More or less okay for 2hr flight. Return flight was totally different from the outbound one. The staff in St.Petersburg Pulkovo airport are probably the least smart, friendly and competent people I have ever met. The check-in took around 25 minutes. I was asked to weigh my baggage and carry-on bag 3 times on the two different desks. Then they couldn't manage how to print out my boarding pass and baggage tag. We moved a couple times from one desk to another and I carried my bags back and forward. The staff don't look at you even when talking to you, and never use such words as "hello", "thank you", how can I help you", so the overall impression of ground service in St Petersburg was third rate. The flight was on a 737-400. The plane was clean and in good condition, crew were friendly and served passengers with enthusiasm. Seat pitch was good - I was able to recline my seat to a very comfortable position and slept well all the flight. Arrival in Kiev was ok, the baggage appeared in 10 minutes. Al in all, good ground staff in Kiev, poor ground staff in Petersburg, poor condition of 737-200 and great condition of 737-400, 3 star crew on outbound flight, 5 star crew on inbound one, very average food, beverage service of good quality. Not really bad, but could be better for USD275.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Sergey Malyavkin

9 October 2005

To Reece Henry: I would totally disagree with comment below. Try flying with SAS from Stockholm to Kiev through Riga, this experience will show you what is the level of "comfort" SAS - one of the leading European airlines- provides on European routes: no foods, no drinks, even no glass of water for free. That's why broken English and lack of computes on check-in desk is nothing in comparison of lack of food and service on a very expensive flight.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Reece Henry

19 August 2005

Simferopol - Kiev - Stockholm on the 8th of August with Aerosvit. Both legs of the Aerosvit flight were very interesting. When you check in at Simferopol airport you actually carry your luggage to the gate where they take them off you there. They have no computers and all check is done manually including hand written boarding pass at Simferopol luckily in Kiev they did have computer check in. The plane’s where clean 737-500’s on each leg, no entertainment and food was average. Attendants where not that helpful and on the flight to Stockholm found someone in my seat, the attendant was not concerned and just told me to sit anywhere, in broken English. Very average airline compared to other carriers but you don’t have much choice in the Ukraine.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Michael Otworth

10 August 2005

I have flown round trip JFK to Kiev Borispol three times, and plan to do so again at the end of this month. The 767's that they use on this route are clean and seem to be well maintained. Although coach is always packed, business class isn't, and it is quite comfortable and the price is very reasonable. The cabin crews are young, but I have generally found them to be friendly and helpful. Now that they have a code agreement with Delta, I can fly from Florida without schleping luggage through JFK. The situation at Borispol airport is a bit chaotic, but Aerosvit is spending $100 million to build their own terminal. This should make the experience at the Kiev end much more civilized. Overall, I think that Aerosvit is a good value. Kiev is a great city, and via the direct flight from JFK it is a fast and convenient way to made the trip. Aerosvit has my vote of confidence.

Aerosvit Airlines review by Michael Studzinski

7 March 2004

Just finished my vacation trip Warsaw-Kiev-Bangkok-Kiev-Warsaw. Because of the cheapest possible fare that was the obvious choice, but the standard of service was as low as the price. First- B737-200 to Kiev - crew looked sad in their all=black uniforms, no smiles, no any happiness etc. The crew for KBP-BKK-KBP seemed to be ok -  they were very, very young - the youngest long haul crews I even seen.  So we expected nice and cheerful behaviour, especially that their B767-300 looked clean, nice and elegant (ex-SAS) Even that the plane didn't have too much entertainment too offer  just few big screens and monitors ), but was comfortable and bright. BUT the crew was terrible ! And their attitude! Not even one smile, throwing the food, drinks, unspecified kinds of alcohol (I've never heard about such a kinds of wines or vodkas), food cold and untasty! I assume that in Ukrainian " WHAT?" means " sir, what would you like to drink?" because the crew was calling passengers like that. Or shouting "Wake up!" while giving hot towels before breakfast! YUK! They really must learn a lot - flying nice and clean planes doesn't make them good airline!

Aerosvit Airlines review by Michael De Salvo

10 January 2004

I used Aerosvit Airlines for the first time on a flight from New York to Simferopol Ukraine this past December. The flight to Kiev (my second stop; origin SF) was uneventful except for stewardess refusing to loan me her pen to fill out my immigration card. However upon landing in Kiev I discovered that they lost my luggage. This was most unfortunate as I had an engagement party to attend the following day in Feodosia (coast Black Sea)! I filled out the report then was told I must return to Kiev if and when my luggage shows up. Kiev is approximately 1000 kilometers from Feodosia. After 2 days I called the Aerosvit about my lost luggage. They informed that it was waiting for me in lost and found. No phone call from them. They told me that I needed to come and get it as they would not send it off to Simferopol let alone Feodosia. That costs me a 2000 kilometer taxi ride (35 hours) through the frozen landscape of Ukraine. No stops except for airport and one meal as two drivers shared duties. The luggage wasn't even inspected! The trip back was no better. I boarded this old turbo prop airplane with my assigned seat. However someone had taken my seat. I showed the stewardess my ticket assignment and was told to "just sit down". It seamed not too surprisingly that every seat I sat in was someone else’s seat! I was thoroughly pissed at this point. The stewardess just looked at me. I was left to figure out what seat the person who had taken my seat belonged in! The flight from Kiev to New York was OK except for the late arrival. I mentioned that I had a connecting flight that I needed to make. I was herded through the customs department (endless lines) and watched my connecting flight disappear as no one was willing to get me to my flight on time. Now I'm stuck in New York. I tried calling and having Aerosvit paged for I did not feel I should pay for the nights stay in NY! No one showed when paged at the terminal nor could I reach anyone by phone! Now I had to eat a $160 room! Did I mention the 2000 kilometer taxi ride? After and 1 hour case with Delta the connecting flight to SF I was booked on a flight out the next morning. However, when I showed with my reservation they told me in fact I wasn't booked and that all flights were overbooked heading to SF. I had been up for 3 days and from all the crappy experiences and service I lost it. Seeing my delirium security shuffled me on a flight to Atlanta and from Atlanta I flew to SF. So ask me what I think of Aerosvit Airlines

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