The new Aeroflot business class has been revealed. Aeroflot’s Airbus A350’s will feature new business class suites with doors. Aeroflot is a partner of Delta, and member of SkyTeam. Henrik Olsen has the scoop at InsideFlyer.dk.
Aeroflot has 22 Airbus A350s on order, and Olsen exclusively obtained photos from Aeroflot of their new inflight product rolling out on these aircraft which he offered to share. Eight A350s will be delivered in 2020.
The aircraft is expected to begin service between Moscow nd:
- New York JFK effective March 29, 2020
- Beijing effective May 1, 2020
- Seoul effective June 1, 2020
- Miami effective June 2, 2020
A Look At The Aeroflot New Business Class Suites
Business class suites will roll out next year as Aeroflot takes delivery of their first A350s. Seating configuration is 1-2-1, instead of current Aeroflot standard 2-2-2 using the same seat that United is replacing with Polaris.
These look to me like Thompson Vantage XL seats, similar to what Delta uses, though I’m awaiting confirmation.
Credit: Aeroflot
Credit: Aeroflot
Here’s the snack bar in the cabin.
Credit: Aeroflot
New Aeroflot Premium Economy and Economy Cabins
Premium economy seating on the A350s will be 2-4-2. I’m not a fan of a four seat middle section for the cabin though this is common on the Airbus, which has a wider fuselage than a Boeing 787.
Credit: Aeroflot
Economy meanwhile will be 3-3-3, and since that’s common on the 787 this offers a more comfortable experience in coach compared to 787 operators (or Boeing 777 operators cramming in 10-across).
Credit: Aeroflot
Redeeming Awards For The New Aeroflot Business Class Suite
It’s been several years since I’ve written about how I generally have great luck redeeming SkyTeam miles for travel on Aeroflot.
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to both Delta and to Air France KLM Flying Blue. Delta doesn’t add fuel surcharges when itineraries originate in the U.S. however I haven’t bothered trying to redeem SkyMiles for Aeroflot in a year.
All of the other bank transferable currencies will let you move points to Air France KLM as well. The Delta, Air France, and even Alitalia websites support searching for Aeroflot award space. Business class awards book into O, Premium Economy books into F, and Economy books into X.
Bear in mind when searching for awards that Aeroflot runs 3 daily New York JFK – Moscow flights, and it’s only SU122/SU123 that will be operated by an A350 to start.
Aeroflot Has Come A Long Way
A year ago I wrote about Aeroflot revoking elite status from customers (and journalists) who criticize the Russian flag carrier. Aeroflot has been a long time organ of the government, at one point over 20% of the airline’s employees were believed to be doubling as spies.
The product though has become absolutely first world. And indeed introducing suites with doors put Aeroflot only behind ANA and Qatar Airways and perhaps British Airways (by a hair) in terms of offering a strong business seat.
Aeroflot ad from 1970
I believe Delta is still not able to book Aeroflot awards since August 2018.
Unfortunately the long haul catering got downgraded after the sanctions
Dark meat chicken, cheap wines, very basic vegetables
Not the great spread it was pre 2016
But that seat is nice and crews are great and still champagne
The SU business class “suites” look as tight and uncomfortable as the D1 suite.
@Stanley – probably – I haven’t *tried* redeeming SkyMiles for Aeroflot in a year. I just go for Flying Blue.
Aeroflot Introducing New Business Class Suites With Doors
Moscow can do their poisoning of dissents with privacy..
All of those seats are Collins – no Thompson.
Yeah, this is Rockwell Collins and their new best\most expensive seat (better and more spacious than Vantage XL), for which SU is the launch customer
@Gary,
When did BA’s business seat become strong in your book? I thought you typically harp on Club World.
@AM – I’m referring to the new seat on the A350 and so far one 777 that is a Super Diamond (eg American Airlines 787-9) plus doors
As you stated yourself. The A350 is wider and can easily accommodate 343 I economy. Aeroflots 333 in A350 economy will be far superior in comfort to a 333 configuration on a 787. This is a case of simple maths. Unless Aeroflot go for a double width aisle on one side. Do the math as you say over that side of the pond.
Looks like Alitalia business, but with a door and a light. Although I’d rather fly Alitalia because of the catering. Mind you, I’d love to know why Lufthansa is a five star airline with such a crap business hard product compared to this. Even Rwandair have a better hard product than them. Laughable really.