Air Astana

Friday night back to Almaty they did brilliantly. Excellent selection of drinks served by staff who knew how to mix them well prepared fresh food friendly and professional cabin staff newish plane comfortable seats good music selection (I even have to admit I found the crass candid-camera-esk overhead TV amusing too then off the aeroplane and out of the airport and into a taxi in 5 mins max.

London-Almaty and this airline seems to get better and better. It was streamlined and helpful from check-in to arrival. The staff were unfailingly polite and helpful and did everything possible to make my journey pleasant. It took me a short while to work the seats but I slept very soundly when I had. There is plenty of space and it was an extremely comfortable way to get to Kazakhstan.

3 flights over 2 weeks (Almaty-Astana Astana-Almaty Almaty-Delhi). Computers at check in down no assigned seating every man for himself. Quite tall had reserved exit row was told to "stand at the gate" to be the first one on to grab the seat. However they boarded 20 people into coach ahead of us and the exit rows ended up being filled by families with kids. Changed ticket received confirmation via email arrive at airport to be informed "Yes we sent a confirmation but you needed to come to our office to get the ticket." Upon informing them that they sent the e-mail at 10 pm and the office would be closed they informed me I should have driven from central Astana to the airport to do it. Entire day wasted in Astana airport eventually placed on a late afternoon totally packed flight. Guaranteed exit row instead given tiny seat with zero leg room. Food absolutely dreadful. Staff spent most of their time sitting in the entirely empty Business Class section watching movies and telling passengers on the full flight not to use the Business Class bathroom.

Atyrau to Almaty - friendly service with right amount of attention 3 meal choices excellent legroom great selection of music. Most comfortable.

Business class from Almaty to Bangkok. The comfort and service was of highest standard and compared favourably with airlines with better reputations.

Amsterdam to Atyrau return – one of the most expensive flights per mile of any routes worldwide by any operator so you might think the flight would be special. Old aircraft substandard in-flight entertainment (the overhead TV monitor in my section not working and others with poor picture from what I could see) cramped full flight 2 of the 3 meal choices not available by the time the meal cart got to me all the wine with the meals gone by half way down the cabin bar service once per flight and grudgingly given using cheap local (to Kazakhstan) versions of spirits mixers and wines by unsmiling cabin crew.

Bangkok to Almaty. Very full flight and a booking error in my row which resulted an upgrade to Business Class. Food and service quite friendly with some preferences being given to those who had paid full business class fares. Seats were comfortable recliners and I was a little surprised with the legroom. Service was good and the English better than I expected. Economy class gives value for money but I think that Business Class does not.

Moscow to Almaty. This was a good flight it departed and arrived as schedules and the luggage was offloaded efficiently at Almaty. There was a slight hiccup with the check-in and I did not get the seat that I had pre-requested however I finished with a better seat. Flight service perfectly adequate and I was spoken to in English when they realised I was not a native Russian speaker. I had no problems on what was a comfortable flight.

GUW-ALA in Y and ALA-URA in C; both flights on older and somewhat stuffy 757s which however have generous legroom in economy and plenty of space in business. Seats in business are rather tired but still comfortable and service is very good; Air Astana FA's are always professional and friendly. Good food both in economy and business. Flights operated on time. Overall this again was a good experience and I would recommend using KC rather than other domestic carriers (which are to be honest very few in Kazakhstan).

URA-PEK via ALA return in Y. Checked-in online but offered a better seat at the airport which is nice of check-in agents. Domestic legs on newish A319 with plenty of legroom in economy. ALA-PEK on rather tired B767 with ancient bulky ceiling TV-sets and stale interiors but the flight and service very good. Had seats 29A+B for myself (exit row seats) on both flights with huge legroom. Special meal delivered as requested. ALA-PEK-ALA are the night flights so service was unobtrusive if you like which is good for couple of hours sleep. Excellent experience with Air Astana (although no competition whatsoever in the local market therefore fares are quite expensive.