Azerbaijan Airlines

Tbilisi-Baku and Baku-Tbilisi with ATR (prop) aircraft. Most days they have two flights in each direction one on the ATRs and one on 737s. The ATR plane was good clean fixtures and toilets in fine shape. Inflight service for these short hops consisted of small sandwiches (think a small round sliced bun with sliced chicken breast and mayo inside) plus drinks. Passengers all ordered non- alcoholic drinks but I assume alcoholic drinks would have been available. The flight attendants were professional and polite though not bubbly-friendly. Crew all spoke English well. The return GYD-TBS flight had a friendlier smiling flight attendant. Overall I’d say the airline gave quite a good service.

My worst flying experience in 11 years of former Soviet Union travel. On January 13 2008 the airport in Baku was closed because the airport is not equipped with any modern snow cleaning equipment. Personnel checking us in in Tblissi in Georgia without telling us anything with a delay of 7 hours in order to not let us return the tickets and book an alternative route through Kiev. No food no drinks no apologizing. Arriving in Baku after midnight no information whatsoever a crowded airport without any modern facilities. No airport representative ever turned up. No food no drinks no apologizing. Finally with a delay of another 17 hours check-in at the departure lounge we were forced to wait for 2 hours without being allowed to go out and use the toilet. Aggressive unfriendly personnel at the airport. The aircraft was covered with snow no cleaning equipment was at hand to clean away the snow from the top of the aircraft. Other passengers told us they already had similar experiences when flying from Moscow through Baku. Stay away from Azerbaijan airlines if you can.

Moscow (DME) to Baku and it was a great flight. The plane was newer than many I've been on in the US and very clean and comfortable. The service was good even in economy class and food was generous and quite tasty. The next flight Baku to Tblisi was also comfortable with excellent cabin crew.

Dubai to Baku & return. The plane was an A320. It was full as usual. Food & service were basic but acceptable. It is important to note that economy passengers can only have 20 kgs booked luggage and they weigh your hand luggage (nothing over 10 kgs). Excess baggage charge on the DUB- Baku was quite expensive. On the return flight I was offered two ways to pay the charge - the fast way (in cash to the nice check in man - $20 which he pocketed) or the slow way by going to the excess baggage counter & paying $50. I always choose the fast way when in the old Soviet republics.

I have flown AZAL two times from Moscow - Baku - Moscow. The plane was clean and the crew friendly and helpful. Food was good - not very much different from other airline food. No delays everything went smooth.

I flew Azerbaijan Airlines from Tel Aviv to Baku and it was my worst flight experience ever. It could not be worse. The cabin attendants did not know very simple things about the better service and airplane crew. The food was awful only half-cup drinks the smell from the cabin reminded the one from a public lavatories in the University of Baku. The seats of the plane were nasty and dirty. The crew was rude and during the flight never announced basic information about the flight. Their English was terrible. In a word you easily get lost in the Azerbaijan Airlines flights!

My first trip with Azerbaijan Airlines was second to none! I experienced warmth from the crew added with an ease of confidence and individuality totaling unique!

I flew with the airline to and from Baku in early December 2004 and was pleasantly suprised. The comfort food service and entertainment was superior to many major airlines. The aircraft was a 757 and on time both journeys. I have no complaints only praise for value enjoyable flights.

I have used Azerbaijan Airlines a number of times between Istanbul to London Gatwick; the fares are consistently cheaper than for other airlines (even in busy times it is possible to get a return flight from Istanbul to London for less than $300) and the flights are always on time. They also leave at convenient times. The airline uses a Boeing 757 on these flights with an in-flight film (more than on Turkish Airlines or BA on the same route). The comfort and food are satisfactory (it is probably time for the cabin to be spruced up) and the service is very good with drinks provided regularly throughout the flight. I would recommend this airline especially those who might be dubious about flying on an airline from a former Soviet republic.

The gentleman in their London office I dealt with on the phone when making the booking was extremely helpful in explaining the various options to me. On the security front I was comfortable as x-rays and sniffer dogs were employed at the departure gate. Both flights departed and arrived on time and were comfortable. The food especially on the return flight was more than passable. The onboard service was excellent - nothing too much trouble for the cabin crew - even when dealing with the incessant demands of the "spoilt brat" male passenger in front of me who I would happily have throttled. These were the most pleasant flights I have made in years.