Russian Carrier Transaero Introduces Flat Bed First Class on Short and Medium-Haul Routes

Russian carrier Transaero, the airline one step removed from having a hot tub in first class, is introducing three-cabin 737s for short- and medium-haul routes. (Article is in German, quotes via Google Translate)

I believe this will be the first commercial 737 with three classes o service (American’s new Airbus A321s flying New York JFK – San Francisco and Los Angeles will have three cabins, and United is transitioning away from the three-cabin narowbodies they were running on those routes).

First class cabins on these planes will consist of just four seats, and the planes will serve routes between Moscow and Western Europe, former Soviet states, and Israel.

As for amenities beyond flat beds:

The catering will be provided by the first-class luxury Moscow restaurant “Café Pushkin” and served by private VIP flight attendants.

Even economy on these birds won’t be terrible, with 34 inches of pitch (compared to a US-standard 31 inches). Six of these planes are projected to be going into service for the winter schedule.

I have long wanted to fly Transaero’s Imperial Class — which is really just about its inaccessibility, they used to partner with british midland but you could redeem for business class but not first, and Transaero’s new interline agreement with JetBlue does not include reciprocal frequent flyer earn and burn.

Without a mileage redemption partner, I cannot imagine that I will — though clearly this Russian premium carrier has really stepped up its game on Europe routes! British Airways has a mix of equipment serving Moscow, including a 747, but most flights between Europe and Russia have intra-European business class as their forward cabin product… something akin to coach with a blocked middle seat and upgraded meal.


About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. In counterpoint, LH F is so very unobtrusively gracious that I truly enjoy the decadence. But somehow, Transaero strikes me as being so hideously nouveau riche that the appeal of seeing it is a bit like the appeal of seeing a train wreck – you don’t want to plan it but you just cannot pass up the opportunity see it when it comes to pass.

  2. Since Russia has strict laws against Homosexuals there must be only female flight attendants. Punishment for a gay trolly dolly is they are thrown off the plane before the ramp is attached.

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