Ukraine International

Short domestic hops between Kiev and Odessa. Their ground handling is fine online check-in works no delays. The planes were in fine condition. On the flight out they managed to serve hot snack (50 min long flight) inbound catering was rubbish. Crews friendly. The ticket price was a great deal of 75 USD roundtrip including taxes.

Three return flights Berlin to Kiev Boryspol in three months. Quality consistent and quite high. Planes mostly on time (give or take 20 minutes) B737-500 or 800 on this route. Very good onboard service including hot meal and bar service. The downside is that they do not offer newspaper other than their inflight magazine or any kind of entertainment so bring your own mp 3 player or a good book with you.

Kiev - Frankfurt - Kiev weekly normally with Lufthansa in Business Class. This time I selected Ukraine International Airlines due to the attractive price. B737-300 with winglets interior was okay leather seats 2-2 configuration. The staff were friendly and attentive (I was the only passenger in Business Class). It could be seen that the aircraft wasn't the newest but it looked well serviced. The food wasn't at the standard of Lufthansa but at €650 less this could be accepted. The problem with Ukraine Int'l Airlines is that only once per week they leave FRA in the evening while all other days they leave approx 11:00 so I lose a day travelling instead of working.

Berlin-Kiev-Berlin B737-400. The return flight was delayed around 90 minutes there was little or no information about when the plane would leave. Seat pitch a bit tight but not tighter than most other airlines in Europe. Flight attendants friendly plane was clean. No newspapers but onboard service was outstanding. Hot meal (not extremely tasty but certainly edible) and a full bar service at no extra cost. All in all two very nice flights. I cannot say it was perfect for the information or better the no information policy before the return flight.

Some 5 flights within couple months. Most of the time I have no trouble with them. Planes are clean and ok condition. Seat pitch also ok. Bags arrive promptly. Food is mediocre and tasteless. Most flights early or on schedule. The only exception to the rule was my flight from Gatwick to Kiev. During the last snowfall when Gatwick was closed before 4pm our flight scheduled to depart around 1030 am was delayed by 15 hours. No clear information from the staff (they use third party handling company in London) no food vouchers no dinner no accomodation - nothing at all. They offer low cost quality service plus free baggage allowance and that is it. If the price is right it can be accepted as is.

Vienna-Kiev return in Coach. Check in fine at both airports boarding organized. Planes were quite new looking and young eager crew. Food good out of Vienna ok out of Kiev. Flights and bags arrived on time. I was really surprised.

I recently booked a trip with travelocity. I flew Delta to Frankfurt and Ukraine airlines to Kiev. The return trip was cancelled. Instead of rebooking the flight Ukraine Airlines policy was that I buy a new ticket and would be refunded later for the cancelled flight. Turns out the refund will take 6-8 weeks. Most likely never though. A customer service agent didn't answer the phone for 48 hours straight. A day prior or day after the trip cancellation due to volcano. After I finally got a concrete date with delta for the flight home from frankfurt. I ended up having to have the date changed for the ticket from Ukrainian Airlines. They charged a $50 date change fee. So that means they have $223 of mine. I might get $173 of it back in six to eight weeks. Never use them if possible but there isn't any competition allowed in the region anyway.

Kiev-Abu Dhabi return. 5.5 hours flight - no entertainment at all. Flight magazine - very low information and poor content. Food was really bad from Kiev and Ok from Abu Dhabi. Very limited number of drinks. Abu Dhabi to Kiev my seat was broken so it took time to find another one. Plane is really old and creaking. Staff seems to be Ok toilets bad smelling.

Recently flew Gatwick to Kiev return in business. Bets thing about business was that cabin was quiet and seats had reasonably generous leg room. Drink first offered about 45 minutes after take off in both directions (I got the impression that the crew were under orders not to serve too many drinks as part of a cost-cutting exercise). Food okay. No IFE on either of these flights. Check in at Kiev was hopeless. Despite there being no one in front of me when I arrived at the business class desk to check in the agent was disinterested and reading her magazine and directed me to a free economy desk adjacent. Beware of Kiev- you can't check in (and proceed to lounge) until 2 hours before your flight is ready to depart. Very limited choice of places to eat and drink at airport airside. I paid £7.50 for a pint of beer in airport cafe and at lunch a main course was about £20 £25. Lounge spacious but extremely limited range of drinks- no whisky only American bourbon. It is the only lounge that I have been in where we were entertained by a live pianist!

Kiev-Berlin-Kiev two weeks ago. On-line booking worked fine and was easy. On-line check in doesn't exist. Check in at Borispol was ok. On board experience was not good at all. Planes were old. Entertainment options outdated. Overhead monitors worked but no earphones given. They use planes leased after many airlines so there is no standard of seat pitch and design across their fleet. Seating was cramped. Toilets were smelly. Service from the crew was ok. Crews' English very limited. Food was really bad. Piece of bread piece of sausage and a chocolate cake. Would work for 30 min hop not for 2 hour flight. Both flights were late about 1 hour. Check in at in Berlin Tegel was disorganized. Paid USD500 for my ticket so was not happy at all. This was my first time traveling with them internationally but probably the last one. Not a value for money.