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Just wondering....

How do most of you get to Ukraine?

Take one of the big airlines to a european country... switzerland, germany or something... and then hop over on Air Ukraine?

How is Air Ukraine. Sounds scary...

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

There are 3 major Ukrainian airlines : Ukraine International Airlines, Air Ukraine and Aeroswit. The rest are just "small players"( using mostly AN 24 turboprop or Yak 40 ). The first one, pretty much focuses on Western Europe ( good deals lately ..winter specials from $220 RT Amsterdam, Frankfurt and few other Western European capitals )and some charters to Meditterienian area.   Air Ukraine is the only one which have transatlantic fights..Toronto- Kiev( through Lviv, outbound only though ) , NYC - Kiev( `mnot sure..possibly with code sharing partner, Uzbekistan Airways ).  They also fly to Eastern Part of FSU and Asia, St.Petersburg..and few countries in Europe. Third one , Aeroswit flies mainly to Eastern Europe, some Western European capitals ( e.i. Stockholm, Berlin ) . "Combo", of a "good deal-special" to Paris, Amsterdam , Frankfurt or Brussels ( on major American/European carrier) with Ukraine International Airlines , Winter Special ( out of US or Canada )  could be your best bet . They use "older" 737s ( UIA )on its European routes. Service is OK . Price is pretty good if you`re going to Western Europe on some kinda  "special" from the major carrier ,and combine that with UIA , as for winter time.  All internet data  and own experience...I flew there 4 times in past 6 months      Johny

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

KLM to AMS and UkA to Kyiv no problem. Good service and quaint (but servicable) Tupes or 737s.

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

I flew Air Ukraine from Prague to Kiev a little about 2 1/2 years ago.  I was on a small jet.  When I got on it, it smelled like stale sweat combined with urine.  The seats either flopped up or the seat backs flopped down any time we hit turbulance.  The overhead storage was a net, that was much too small for my carry-on.  The windows were a poorly made glass that felt like a too strong pair of glasses every time I look out them.  

Still, I made it to Kiev in one piece.  I was 10 hours late getting in, but at least Air Ukraine was able to get me there, after Lufthansa dropped the ball taking care of me in Germany.

Nowadays, I primarily use LOT Polish to go back and forth to Ukraine.  It's cheaper than the other airlines and the service is just as good.

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

My wife, son, and I used the Uzbekistan Airlines non-stop service from JFK to Keiv this past summer.  Air Ukraine code-shares this flight with Uzbekistan Airlines.  Service was fine and the flight was smooth.  At the time it was the most economical choice, but they only fly on Fridays and Sundays

I have also used Austrian Airlines, Luftansa, and Lot Polish, with good results.  Twice I have flown an Antonov 24 turboprop from Keiv to Simferopol and back.  the flights were fine, but my fondest memory was the borscht with plums served at the little cafe in the square outside of the entrance to the Jhulyana airport, it was great!

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

I've flown both Air Ukraine and Ukraine International.  I travel to Crimea and the best flight for us is the Ukraine International Frankfurt to Simferopol flight on Saturdays (flight not available in winter).  The 737 they use is a more or less "functional" as far as accomodations but I feel perfectly safe and the food/service beats anything you'll find in the US.

I flew Air Ukraine on a Ukraine domestic flight, Simferopol to Kiev only once.  YAK 40, ditto on the accomodations and double ditto on the food/service....real food and non-stop.

John

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

I haven't flown Air Ukraine, but I have flown Ukraine International and Air Crimea and they are, in my view, comparable to the domestic U.S. carriers like Southwest in terms of service.  The planes are kept up pretty well and flown competently.  I don't think you have anything to be scared about.

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

I usally travel lot polish and somtimes they switch me to air ukraine in warsaw

... in response to Anyone Ever Fly Air Ukraine?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 17, 2002

I've flown in on Lufthansa (Frankfurt), SwissAir (Zurich), Austrian Airlines (Vienna), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), and Ukraine International Airlines (also Vienna). All were perfectly fine - though I am partial to the Austrians.

In Ukraine, I have also flown Air Crimea and another small carrier whose name escapes me.

While in Europe, I've flown other European carriers including British Airways, British Midland, Air France, Aer Lingus, Sabena and a few others.

I honestly don't think you'll find any significant difference on international service with any of these carriers.

As far as Ukraine-based carriers that fly international routes, I *thought* Ukraine International was the only one, but I could be wrong. As I recollect, Air Ukraine (or something like that) was bought out by Uzbekistan Airlines. They make a refueling stop in Kyiv on their way from Tashkent to New York, and it the only direct service between Ukraine and the US. My recollection on all this is, admittedly, a bit weak - so it could be slightly different by now.

I hope this helps.

- Dan