I just had my worst flying-experience ever. Of course, it had to be with Aeroflot. The pride of Russia. 85 years of flying "Successfully", as they say themselves. (Look at their safety-stats and laugh at that statement along with me!) This was my first and LAST experience flying the Aeroflot Tu-154M. What a shitty flight it was. First, we were litterally PUSHED into the boarding bus by a rather huge, masculine, short-haired woman. I tried to ask the Aeroflot "PUSHERS" a question, but all they could answer was: "Go to bus! Go to bus! Go! Go!", like they were in a hurry and had no interest in answering me in any way. I also got the feeling that they didn't understand English too well. Anyway.. Seated next to a "retired" exit-door at row 16, I immediately saw cracks in the cabin walls, paint falling off of several surfaces inside the cabin, seats falling apart, and when I tried to recline my seat, only the left side of it reclined, giving me a totally uncomfortable configuration for my back. And regarding those cracks.. They were so huge you could put your hand inside them! Well into the air after a successfull take-off (the de-icing guys never got all the ice off of the wings, which was new to me!), I noticed a strong "draft" from the exit-door I was sitting next to. We all know that at 9600 meters over the ground, the air outside isn't the warmest, and I got my share of this "fresh air", seemingly directly blowing onto my right leg, thigh, and arm. I was absolutely freezing like never ever before inside an aircraft. It was also quite visible that the exit-door itself wasn't sitting like it should have been. It was bulging out from the cabin wall. The flight itself was ok. I mean, Aeroflot brought me from point A to point B, which was good. However, the take-off was about 25 minutes delayed (which made me even more upset thinking of the rude way they treated me when they kicked me out of the terminal and into that bus in such a hurry!), and eventhough the captain informed us that we would land ON TIME anyway (Russian aircraft have Afterburners, you know..), we landed 45 minutes late. I also thought the captain made a weird promise of landing on time AND at the same time informing us that we were flying in the fantastic speed of 700 km per hour. The female f/a also gave us wrong information about the time-zone at the destination (OSL). Somehow, she thought there was a 1 hour difference in time between Moscow and Oslo, though it really is 2 hours. Maybe the crew tried to fool us into thinking there only was a 1 hour difference in time, making the late arrival seem "amazing" if we landed ON TIME even if we were delayed by 25 minutes before take-off AND flying in 700 kmph? Oh, and I was also quite very impressed with the Aeroflot magazine. Here we have a 400 paged magazine "featuring 65 pages of English text!" - WOW!!! How awesome is that? They actually care about their international passengers! In this magazine, Aeroflot managed to print some question from an American who wondered why Russian cars are so "stupid and ugly" (well, they ARE!!!). Aeroflot replied quite well with a page-long answer with a bunch of yada-yada about how the western culture is different from their own culture, etc. etc.... Which only leaves me thinking this whole question from the "American" was made up to make Americans look stupid. Well, that is anyway the general opinion of most Russians I talked to in Russia: "Those stupid Americans.." - Well, let me just assure you, my dear American friends, that I gave them my opinion about this matter! Well, well, well... I know that Aeroflot has improved their services, safety etc. over the past 10 years or so, and I have heard from friends that flying on their Airbuses is a good experience. But I am still left with my worst flying experience ever.. WHY couldn't Aeroflot care a little bit more about their old aircraft? Compared with Norwegian Air, who also flies between Oslo and Moscow, Aeroflot is a shame... Aeroflot's Tu-154M aircraft are about the same age as Norwegian's 737-300 aircraft.. Up to 25+ years of age. However, Norwegian's 737's are in much better shape. And Norwegian has much better service too... I would not go as far as saying I would never fly with Aeroflot again, cause I know their Airbuses would give me a much better experience! But I can however promise myself, and you all, that I will never, ever set my feet inside their crappy Tu-154M's again. EVER. Having that said, it was an experience I needed, and I am proud to have flown on one..
I'll add some crackin' photos soon.
Best Wishes,
Thomas.
I'll add some crackin' photos soon.
Best Wishes,
Thomas.
Comment