When planning a vacation, you should consider everything to the smallest detail. Of no small importance is the choice of the air carrier with which you start your journey. Nordwind airlines has been in the passenger transportation market for a long time. In order to find out whether it makes sense to use its services, let's do a quick review.
History
Northern Wind Airlines is one of the fastest growing Russian carriers. It was created in 2008. At that time, the fleet consisted of only 3 aircraft, and the geography of flights was limited to 6 charter destinations. In 2009, 4 more aircraft were purchased, and in 2012 - 18. By 2014, the fleet was equipped with 36 aircraft, and the total passenger turnover for the entire period of the enterprise's existence amounted to more than 4 million people.
Today the route gridincludes more than 100 destinations in 27 countries of the world. The air carrier also signed a contract for the purchase of 5 new airliners in order to modernize the aircraft fleet. "Northern Wind" is the carrier of the tour operator "Pegas Touristik".
Priorities
The main priority of the company, like any air carrier, is safety. This applies to aircraft, employees and passengers. Nord Wind Airlines has set a course for improvement and development, which is the key to the quality of services provided.
The fundamental difference between the company and other air carriers is honesty and punctuality. Correspondence of price and quality of services plays a paramount role in this respect. The activities of the "North Wind" are controlled by the authorities. All staff are highly qualified and constantly trained. The company strives to be a leader in travel transportation.
North Wind (airline): Aircraft
The average age of the company's fleet is 14.5 years. The oldest airliner is 21 years old and the newest is 7.5 years old.
In total, the airline has 6 types of aircraft:
- Airbus A320-200 is listed in the park in the amount of 1 unit. There are two classes of service, the total capacity is 180 people. The aircraft is 8.5 years old.
- "Airbus" A321-200 is present in the amount of 8 units. When configured with two classes of service, the capacity is 170 passengers, withone - up to 220. The oldest airliner is 14.5 years old, and the youngest is 7.5.
- "Boeing" 737-800 is available in the amount of 4 units. The layout can be either one or two classes of service. Depending on this, the capacity can vary up to 230 people. The oldest aircraft is 13 years old, and the youngest is 7.5.
- The airline has 8 Boeing 757-200 aircraft. The layout assumes the presence of one class of service and can accommodate up to 189 passengers. These aircraft range in age from 12 to 21 years old.
- The fleet also includes 16 Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which can accommodate up to 300 people in one class of service. The oldest aircraft is 20 years old, and the youngest is 14.
- "Boeing" 777-200 is present in the amount of 3 units. When configured with one class of service, the capacity reaches 550 passengers, and with two - 305. The oldest aircraft is 16.5 years old, and the youngest - 10.
Baggage allowance
North Wind Airlines sets baggage allowances in accordance with the ticket fare. The weight of hand luggage, which is included in the free allowance, must not exceed 5 kg.
The luggage of a passenger who bought a ticket at an economy fare, up to 20 kg is transported free of charge. For passengers with business fare tickets, this allowance has been increased to 40 kg.
Prospects
North Wind Airlines in 2015 reduced the number ofyour fleet. This was done in order to optimize it. Such a move was necessary due to the low demand for passenger transportation on popular tourist routes. After optimizing the loading of flights, they began to correspond to the carrying capacity of airliners.
Also in the future it is planned to get a new Boeing 737-800 and replace other aircraft with newer ones. In particular, in 2016 it is planned to purchase three domestically produced MS-21 aircraft. Some branches of the company in the regions will be closed.
Flights
"Northern Wind" appeared on the air transportation market relatively recently, but it has a fairly wide geography of flights, numbering more than a hundred destinations depending on the season. The main office of the company is located in the capital's Sheremetyevo airport. There are also bases in the air harbors of Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk.
Flights of the airline "North Wind" are carried out both in domestic and international (the countries of the Asian region, Europe, Central and South America) directions. Passengers are attracted by special fares and ticket discounts.
The route network is constantly expanding and adapting to more popular destinations. To date, the route network consists of the following routes:
- From Moscow - Aqaba, Bangkok, Varadero, Cam Ranh, Cancun, Monastir, Punta Cana, Phuket, Eilat.
- From Samara - Bangkok, Phuket.
- From Orenburg to Cam Ranh.
- From St. Petersburg - Eilat.
Air accidents
There have only been two incidents in the airline's history.
The first one occurred in April 2013, when the airliner was flying from Sharm El Sheikh to Kazan. While flying over Syrian airspace, the flight crew noticed the explosions of rockets that were allegedly fired from the ground. As a result, the decision was made to raise the altitude to 36,000 feet. After investigating this incident, the federal agency Rosaviatsia banned passenger air transportation over Syria until the end of the civil war on its territory.
The second incident occurred in December of the same year with a plane flying on the route St. Petersburg - Goa. Almost immediately after takeoff, a depressurization occurred in the cockpit, as a result of which the aircraft was forced to land at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
Nordwind airlines: passenger reviews
What do its customers think of the carrier?
From the positive feedback, the following points can be noted:
- relatively low airfare;
- punctuality;
- fresh, hot food;
- politeness and friendliness of the staff when serving on board;
- speed and quality of onboard service;
- quick baggage claim at arrival airport;
- cleanliness and well-groomed salon;
- low percentage of flight delays and cancellations;
- special attention to children;
- comfortable seats are provided for passengers with children.
From negativehighlights:
- old planes;
- narrow space between the seats in the cabin;
- narrow aisles;
- flight rescheduled a day before departure;
- not all lights light up above passenger seats;
- air conditioner not working on some planes;
- bad faith of the carrier's representatives in the check-in hall.
Summing up
8 years ago, the Nord Wind airline appeared in Russia. During this time, the aircraft fleet has become much larger, and the geography of flights has also expanded. The airline's activity is to carry out charter flights to popular destinations for Russian tourists. The schedule is focused on the seasonal demand for a particular direction. Priorities are flight safety and comfort for each passenger. In most cases, passengers are satisfied with the services provided by the company.
