BACKGROUND: Air Astana is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s Samruk State Holding and BAE Systems. The airline started up regular flight operations in 2002 and currently serves 21 international and 25 domestic destinations from its hubs in Almaty, Astana (capital of Kazakhstan) and Atyrau. Its Asia-Pacific points are Beijing, Bangkok, New Delhi and Seoul.
CHECK IN: I arrived at Beijing’s humongous new Terminal 3 at 5pm with plenty of time to catch Air Astana flight KC888 to Almaty at 12.30am. Knowing the plane would depart from T2, which was some distance away, I had made arrangements for a transfer.
The check-in counters opened at 10.30pm. I was the only customer in the Business queue then, while there was a sizeable number of passengers in the Economy line. I asked and was immediately granted a first-row window seat.
THE LOUNGE: I was invited to proceed to the BGS lounge, Air Astana’s ground handler, which is also used by a number of airlines.
There was nothing flashy about the lounge but it did provide adequate refreshment, free Wi-Fi internet access and shower facilities. As the staff had informed me earlier that no broadcast announcements were to be made, I kept an eye on my watch and headed for the gate 10 minutes before boarding time.
BOARDING: My overcoat was taken from me before I even sat down, then I was offered a drink and newspapers. Quick boarding procedures had us pushing off at 12.25am, five minutes earlier than scheduled.
THE SEAT: There were a handful of us in the first section of the premium cabin of this two-class Boeing B767-300ER, featuring a 2-2-2 (AB-CD-EF) configuration.
The seats were the type phased out some time ago by the major airlines. Using the control panel on the left armrest, the back reclines and footrests go up, creating an angled bed. However, the 140cm- seat width was extremely capacious. Each seat had its own IFE monitor, which sprung up from a crevice on the right side of my right leg. There was a selection of feature films, documentaries, animated films and a couple of spoof programmes.
WHICH SEATS TO CHOOSE? The front row is closest to the washroom but not near enough to be disturbed. I wouldn’t choose 1B as you would be too close to the aisle and the traffic. The window seat is best, although on hindsight, the seat behind me is less exposed to movements on the aisle.
THE FLIGHT: The inflight magazine Tengri – “sky” in the language of the ancient nomads – contained some interesting articles, including one on the Kazakhstan president’s personal pilot and Air Astana vice-president Yerbol Ospanov and another on renowned dancer Bulat Qyukhanov, a former roommate of the legendary Rudolph Nureyev.
I think it was very kind of the male flight attendant to have stopped by and ask if I had enough to read.
The menu, printed on quality linen paper, was prefaced with a welcome note from Peter Foster, a former Cathay Pacific man who’s been spearheading Air Astana’s tremendous growth in the past four years, introducing little service touches that make the difference (we knew we had seen that very useful amenity pouch with the neck string from somewhere).
The dinner mains was a choice of Chicken Gongbao and Provencale of Beef or a lighter option of Fusili Pasta. Drinks consisted of reds and whites from around the world, vodka (this being a Central Asian airline), beer and others. After the meal, bulky duvets in light yellow, which looked capable of warding off the harshest of Kazakh winters, were handed out.
ARRIVAL: Landing was smooth and so was the immigration process. The only hitch was the 25-minute wait for bags. I was terribly drowsy.
VERDICT: The hardware may not have been the latest generation, but the service could rival that found on any of the big players. The staff were excellent at anticipating one’s needs.
PRICE: Internet fare for a return Beijing-Astana flight for the last week of April starts from US$880.
CONTACT: www.airastana.com
Margie T Logarta
