Summary

  • Aeroflot, Russia’s national flag carrier, faced challenges due to sanctions and airspace closures after the invasion of Ukraine.
  • The airline now only flies to Belarus, with limited routes, and has a diverse fleet of 292 aircraft.
  • Aeroflot’s history dates back to 1923, and it became the first Russian airline to join Sky Team in 2006.

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 22, 2022, Russia’s national flag carrier Aeroflot flew to 146 destinations worldwide, including four in the United States of America. Besides the sanctions imposed on anything Russian and the closure of airspace, Russian airlines like Aeroflot leased most of their Western-built aircraft.

The fear was that even if they were allowed to fly to international destinations, the aircraft would be seized and returned to the lessors so they could lease them out to other airlines. The only foreign country Aeroflot still flies to is Belarus, which has three daily flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Minsk National Airport (MSQ).

Where Aeroflot used to fly to in the USA

Looking at the information provided by the global airline analytics website Cirium in January, February, and March 2022, Aeroflot was flying from Moscow to four destinations in the United States, which were:

  • Washington, DC
  • New York
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
Aeroflot USA route map

Image: GCmaps

SVO to IAD

Aeroflot used to fly three times a week between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The flight departed SVO at 10:25 and arrived at IAD at 13:00. For the 10-hour, 35-minute flight, Aeroflot used an Airbus A330-300.

SVO to JFK

Aeroflot connected Moscow and New York City with two daily flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). SU 100 departs SVO at 09:25 and arrives at JFK at 11:48. SU 102 departs SVO at 14:30 and arrives at JFK at 17:30. For the 10-hour, 15-minute flight, Aeroflot used a Boeing 777-300ER.

Aeroflot - Russian Airlines Boeing 777-3M0(ER)

SVO to LAX

Aeroflot connected Moscow and Los Angeles with two daily flights between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Aeroflot SU 106 departs SVO at 12:40 and arrives at LAX at 12:37. Aeroflot SU 108 departs SVO at 08:20 and arrives at LAX at 21:16. On the up to sometimes 12-hour flight, Aeroflot used a Boeing 777-300ER.

SVO to MIA

Aeroflot connected Moscow and Miami with three weekly flights on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Miami International Airport (MIA). Aeroflot SU 110 departed Moscow at 17:10 and arrived in Miami at 11:50. On the nearly 12-hour flight, Aeroflot used an Airbus A350-900.

Aeroflot’s current fleet, including aircraft that are not active

According to the aviation data and statistics website, ch-aviation Aeroflot has a fleet of 292 aircraft made up of the following planes:

  • 26 x Airbus A319-100s
  • 60 x Airbus A320-200s
  • 6 x Airbus A320-200neos
  • 32 x Airbus A321-200s
  • 3 x Airbus A321-200NXs
  • 12 x Airbus A330-300s
  • 7 x Airbus A350-900s
  • 41 x Boeing 737-800s
  • 2 x Boeing 737-900ER
  • 3 x Boeing 777-300
  • 26 x Boeing 777-300ERs
  • 74 x Sukhoi Superjet 100s

About Russian national flag carrier Aeroflot

Aeroflot is the national flag carrier and largest airline in the Russian Federation, the world’s largest country by land area, encompassing 11 time zones. Regarded as one of the oldest active airlines in the world, Aeroflot can trace its history back to 1923. The name “Aeroflot” was officially adopted on March 25, 1932. With a lack of connecting roads between most of the Soviet Union’s major cities, Air Transport played a vital role in keeping them connected.

Aeroflot cabin crew

Following the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany on June 22, 1941, Aeroflot suspended its western routes. Still, it could keep operating in Siberia, Central Asia, and other regions unaffected by the war. Following the defeat of Germany, some 80 Junkers Ju 52 were captured and given to Aeroflot to help enlarge its fleet.

Aeroflot and the Cold War years

Following the end of WWII, the Soviet government began rebuilding airports in the west of the country and prioritized air routes between Moscow and the capitals of the Union republics. To help Aeroflot enable this, the government gave Aeroflot many license-built Soviet Douglas DC-3s called the “Lisunov Li-2.” As the world entered the jet age, Aeroflot expanded with flights to far-flung corners of the globe, connecting to 54 countries.

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Modern-day Aeroflot

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Aeroflot’s fleet was divided to create 400 regional airlines, with the Russian Federation keeping the name Aeroflot and most of its aircraft. Now, without the restriction of buying home-grown planes, Aeroflot began adding Boeing and Airbus aircraft as it looked to modernize its fleet.

Economy cabin Aeroflot Boeing 777-300

By the 2000s, Aeroflot was focused primarily on international flights, leaving domestic routes to airlines like S7 Airlines, Rossiya Airlines, and UTair. In April 2006, Aeroflot became the first Russian airline to join an airline alliance when it became the tenth member of the Sky Team, a global partnership that includes Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.

Aeroflot canceled international flights following sanctions after it invaded Ukraine

Over the next 16 years, Aeroflot continued to grow but suffered a massive setback to its operations when countries placed sanctions on Russia following its February 22, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, the most significant attack on a European country since the Second World War.

Boeing 777-300ER Aeroflot

Now banned from flying to most international destinations and from flying over many countries’ airspace, Aeroflot looked inward and began concentrating on domestic passenger flights. The sanctions also prohibited Airbus and Boeing from selling Aeroflot spare parts, so the airline now tries to source the parts it needs from intermediaries in China and the United Arab Emirates.

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