I am traveling on Aeroflot from ZH to Moscow on Friday. Wondering if - since the airline has such a crap reputation - I should allow more time at the airport for check-in.

Would prefer just to get there 1 hr. before.

But if anyone knows that there are usually massive lines, check-in automation problems, or any other reason I should get there uber early - please share!!

thanks

I used Aeroflot from ZH to Moscow before. They had one of the best services (and worst food) I have seen. Brand new Airbus (with a terrible orange colored interior), nice crew.

I did not need any extra time in ZH, but make sure to be way early when flying from Moscow (Sherementievo 2 or whatever that airport was called)...

Excellent. Thanks much.

Yes, I have heard the airport there in Moscow is a mess. Not to mention the hit-or-miss travel into the city after arrival. Good times.

Not going to say I'm an expert at jetsetting around the world but I have travelled quite extensively and have used a huge variety of airlines. The 2 top worst airlines I have ever travelled on due to:

1) Service from stewardess
2) Food
3) Entertainment
4) Complaints Department
5) Moscow & Lahore Airports

are PIA & Aerofloat. The staff on both airlines were extremely rude & just didnt care about providing even a basic level of service. As far as they are concerned once in the air, what can you really do? And once grounded, the airline industry rules & regulations seems to favour the airline operator, so there is really very little you can do.

Strongly urge you to avoid these 2 airlines for your well-being!

I wouldn't fly on Aeroflot. They have a terrible record..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-big-deal.html

True. They have an awful reputation.

But it's a 3-hr flight ZH-Moscow. If it were longer it may be less bearable.

The Swiss flights to Moscow land in the new airport (starts with a "D"). Which is apparently millions of miles from downtown, making it a difficult taxi ride into Moscow.

Just hope there are not unwashed masses on the plane!

Aeroflot no longer fly with ex. Soviet built aircraft to their international destinations. All the noisy Tupolevs and Illyushins are with domestic airlines or have been scrapped. Like Treverus says, expect Airbus A.319s or 320s into ZRH (which are registered in Bermuda to avoid high Russian import taxes).

Aeroflot's safety record wasn't good, but bearing in mind their former size and the fact that it was tricky to distinguish between a civilian flight and military transport missions which they flew, they were the only option in the USSR at the time.

Relax and tell us how it went when you get back.

I travelled with Aeroflot in 1986, international and domestic - just a few weeks after the Chernobyl disaster. Never again! I stayed in Russia for almost three weeks, returning earlier than planned to seek medical treatment in Switzerland! I vowed then I would never ever set foot in a Iron Curtain country again!
Bon voyage!

One would suggest that allowing yourself a little time to make use of this particular facility might be advisable before you fly with this airline.

I flew with Airflot in the 80's. They used to serve all you can eat black caviar in First Class. As a pilot myself, I would not hesitate to fly with AF on international routes. Internal lines are safe, but the planes are not comfortable.

I heard Spain had this fascist dictator... don't think I'll ever visit a Spanish speaking country then.

Yep, I like Air France too.

A favorite food for the under-10's... you are 27 aren't you?

Well, not being a pilot, I had to pay for the pleasure of travelling with Aeroflot, an unforgettable experience; black caviar? well, all we ever got was rubber chicken washed down with discoloured mineral water which looked like.....well, I'll leave it to your imagination! I still recall the tyres with almost no thread on our flight from Moscow to Samarkand, and the most discourteous manner of the flight attendants towards the passengers. Best of all though, was the quick exit of the pilot - once he landed the plane he just b.......ggered off and left everybody else to their own devices - he didn't even thank me for flying Aeroflot!

Our flight from Moscow to Novosobisk (sorry can't remember the correct spelling) was even more eventful, but we still served rubber chicken and yellow mineral water......ah, those were the days!

Why not? I always loved it, my kid brother is gaga for it too.

Yeah, too bad things never change...

we are in 2009 right? .... and he flew with that thing in the 80s ?

Business class in Aeroflot is by far MUCH better than business in Swiss regarding the Zurich Moscow route. More room, better food, better service.
There's no problems flying out of Zurich, but there are delays once you get to the Moscow airport - try to rush and get to the passport control ASAP - before the rest of passengers do.

Perhaps he's eating caviar while swimming around.

Does anyone smell somthing stinky? I doubt it's the caviar nor it's the cow's poo from Fribourg.

Flew ZRH to Moscow with them last year. They were fine, enough room (economy class) and no major delays.

I was young, but I could still remember.