airBaltic

GYD-RIX-SVO. Air Baltic is a 'cheap' US-style carrier. Air Baltic appeared to be the least expensive option. Arrived at GYD to discover that I had to pay 40 euro in cash for the privilege of checking a single bag. Had I known this beforehand I would have factored it into the price and chosen a different airline. On the plane I was told that I would have to pay for water if I wanted a drink! If I wanted poor American-style service and 'hidden fees' I would have stayed in America for my vacation. Also the plane didn't have the customary map TV on the seat in front of me. For a European airline Air Baltic is absolutely dire. Will never fly again.

CPH-RIX-VNO. The Plane was cancelled no rebooking to other Airlines was offered. No meal vouchers or other compensation issued for the 4 hour waiting time. No explanations just a person in CPH airport telling they had been ordered to not rebook passengers. Also I was provided no contact information to Air Baltic customer service. In RIX it was no better - after haggling I was issued a meal voucher which turned out to to get me a cup of coffee and a biscuit even though I was told "you can get whatever you want". I arrived in VNO 8 hours later than scheduled. By the way you have to pay extra for luggage and for meals and drinks on-board. Never ever again am I going to fly Air Baltic.

TLV-RIX-CDG. Normal LCC. Prices on board ok. Planes new and clean staff friendly. Had some hours in Riga and visited the city. Was sleeping during the flights so missing IFE was no problem.

We were on our way home from Riga. When we were checking in our luggage we were told to go to the ticket office. They didn't know why but we had to go there. We guessed that the plane was cancelled. We found the ticket office and they told us they had to use a smaller plane and they didn't have enough seats so we had to travel via Munich. We got our tickets after a long while but with wrong names on every one of them. They couldn't understand this and used a very long time to sort it out. When they did the plane for Munich had left and the started to look for another way home for us. We were then directed via Berlin 4 hours later and had to wait in Berlin for another 2.5 hour. Of course no apologies or meals/drinks etc.

Connecting flight from Moscow (DME) to Duesseldorf via Riga. Flight attendants and overall service was OK for a discount airline. Had to pay extra charges (approx EUR 25) for choosing seats in the aircraft which was not worth the money paid. Planes (Dash 8 on both routes) were quite new but very noisy. Passport control in Riga airport was a total disaster. Queue was moving extremely slow staff very rude. Flight on the second leg has been delayed for 1.5 hours as the aircraft required some maintenance. Overall impression is not bad but wouldn't recommend anyone to use connecting flights via Riga.

RIX-ZRH-RIX. Both flights without any delays polite and responsive cabin crew good check-in Riga airport comparatively fast security control. The only negative experience was Zurich airport check-in staff whose lack of knowledge and impoliteness made our trip back home less enjoyable. I would like to highlight security check staff in Zurich airport who were very understanding. I complained about the unfounded expenses I paid for airport check in ZRH they returned money on time so in general I am more or less satisfied.

TLV-VNO (via RIX) and back end of July 2012. Hidden charges they add 5 euro when completing booking without notice on the early stages of reservation. They supply water on board only for payment of 2.50 euro per 75 ml bottle. The rest of the service is good. They should add these expenses to the ticket price to not make passengers angry.

Riga to Vilnius 2 weeks ago. This was booked online with the Air Baltic site easy to use. Staff at check in were pleasant and gave me an aisle seat as requested no hassle with luggage and in fact my booking allowed 2 extra kilos (I didn't need it though) The flight was on time and smooth running. I would use Air Baltic again and also recommend it to others.

LGW-RIX-LGW - first time with Air Baltic. Online checking seamless boarding quick and easy inflight service what you would expect with any budget carrier. Both flights arrived and departed on time. No issues at all with this airline and if I had to fly to Riga again I'd happily fly Air Baltic.

Stockholm - Riga - Kiev and back. Old Boeing airplanes on all legs fairly clean. Punctual but all flying times are overestimated on timetable. Staff professional but unfriendly and sometimes even rude. Ridiculous price for luggage! You may end up paying more than 50 euros for one piece of checked luggage. No information about this whatsoever prior to check in - very bad indeed. On the flights you have to pay for everything extra even a glass of water! Bearing in mind that Air Baltic tickets aren't especially cheap I cannot recommend this airline.