The Azerbaijan Airlines, which are abbreviated as AZAL, is the largest air carrier of passengers in Azerbaijan. The stake in the company is wholly owned by the state. The fleet is assigned to the main Baku airport, named after Heydar Aliyev.
In 2008, Azerbaijan Airlines successfully passed a complex audit and were admitted to the International Air Transport Association
History
AZAL appeared in April 1992 by decree of the first president of independent Azerbaijan. In general, Heydar Aliyev understood the importance of establishing a national airline, so he spared no funds for its development. At the initial stage alone, more than two hundred million dollars were invested in Azerbaijan Airlines, which went to renew the fleet, build infrastructure and train personnel.
Initially, the fleet consisted mainly of Soviet aircraft, inherited from the Union. But gradually they were replaced by more reliable and modern Boeings and Airbuses.
And in 2010, AZAL completely abandoned obsolete Soviet aircraft. This was dictated by the desire of the company's management to comply with international standards of transport aviation and to provide a high level of service and maximum passenger safety. And in this "Azerbaijan Airlines", reviews of which are, as a rule, laudatory, they are very successful.
Fleet
In the summer of 2017, the AZAL fleet consisted of twenty-six airliners with an average age of 9.6 years. The oldest aircraft is 23 years old, and the newest is 2.7 years old. The fleet is as follows:
- 7 "Airbus A 320";
- 4 "Boeing 757-200";
- 4 "Embraer (Embraer) 190" ;
- 3 "Airbus A 319" ;
- 3 "Boeing 767-300";
- 2 "Boeing Dreamliner 787-8";
- 2 "Airbus A 340-500";
- 1 "Embraer 170 LR".
Directions
Azerbaijan Airlines flights connect more than thirty cities of Azerbaijan, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In the fall of 2014, a permanent flight to New York appeared.
In addition to domestic passenger transportation, most of the flights AZAL makes to Turkey and Russia. Azerbaijan Airlines flies to Moscow, Yekaterinburg, the Ministry of Water, Kazan, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and the company’s representative offices are located in the same cities.
Service
Azerbaijan Airlines offers its passengers four classes of service. So, the VIP club has excellent reviews and guarantees the client maximum comfort:
- registration priority;
- personal accompaniment during landing;
- lack of delays and delays;
- a special menu with delicacies, custom dishes and a variety of drinks;
- a very comfortable chair that turns into a full bed;
- entertainment during the flight (music, films, a large 17-inch screen);
- increased rate for free baggage;
- gifts for children.
The comfort club offers the passenger:
- places with increased legroom and a large angle of backrest;
- excellent food;
- registration priority;
- personal accompaniment during landing;
- lack of delays and delays;
- 10-inch screen for movies;
- slightly less than the VIP-club, but still increased baggage allowance;
- gifts for children.
The business class is more modest than the first two classes, but compares favorably with the economy class:
- a chair with increased legroom and a large angle of reclining back;
- airport access to business class lounges;
- custom menu;
- higher baggage allowance.
Economy class is the most affordable option in terms of price and the most numerous, while in terms of comfort and quality of service, judging by the reviews, it meets international standards. The passenger is offered ergonomic chairs with a 10-inch screen and delicious food.
Azerbaijan Airlines: baggage and transportation of animals
Baggage allowance varies by class of service. For VIP club passengers, the norm is:
- 3 places, weighing no more than 32 kilograms;
- 2 hand luggage, weighing no more than 10 kg.
A person who has bought a comfort club or business class ticket can carry:
- 2 dimensional luggage, weighing up to 32 kg;
- 2 bags up to 10 kg.
An economy class client can transport one luggage up to 23 kilograms for free and take another one, weighing up to 10 kg, with him to the salon. Each subsequent luggage will cost 50 €.
Animals are transported in a mandatory cage. If the cage with the animal weighs less than 32 kilograms, then the passenger will pay 50 € for it. If the weight is more than indicated, but less than 72 kg, then the price will be 100 €.
For each subsequent kilogram and centimeter above the norm (the norm for the cell is 158 centimeters in each spatial direction), you will have to pay extra.