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Taken July 2002 from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Murmansk

The attitude of Aeroflot is that its passengers are not cattle, it is just that we should be treated like cattle. Check-in in Russia for domestic flights is never a pleasure. One is regarded with deep suspicion (of what, I don't know) and served with a scowl. Not a welcoming experience.

Internal flight in a Tu-134. A hot day in Moscow, but the air-conditioning unit seemed to be able to keep the temperature down although with a weird effect of water vapour pouring from the overhead vents. Seemed more like a preparation for a space launch.

The Tu-134 accelerates like an overloaded Lada and consumed most of the runway at Moscow before lurching into the air. The high air temperature (+30C) obviously having a negative effect on flight characteristics. The Tu-134 is old and very cramped and has no closed overhead lockers. Any heavy items need to be placed under the seat in front further restricting space available.

Russian aircraft on domestic flights have a curious smell and it isn't pleasant. My impression was of damp and perhaps a de-humidifier would benefit the atmosphere.

Food and its delivery seems to have improved since my last internal flight 16 months ago, but that isn't saying much.

The flight was exactly on time, but then everything was spoilt by having to wait 35 minutes for bags at Murmansk. We were the only aircraft to be serviced, so there seemed no excuse for the delay. Again, there is an attitude that passengers exist for the benefit of Aeroflot and its agents and not vice versa.

I would pick another carrier, but Aeroflot seem to have a monopoly on the route.