THE PLANE BROKE! Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet Business Class *Crazy Experience*

Today was not a normal flying experience...

Come and experience what it's like to fly onboard the Russian made Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Business Class. Unfortunately things didn't quite got to plan which resulted in a very different travel day. I begin my day in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport after staying overnight in the airport transit hotel. First we'll check out the Aeroflot Business Class lounge before boarding our flight to Poland.

I'm reviewing Aeroflot's Business Class product today, which happens to offer one of the best soft and hard products in Europe. Seats even on narrow body jets are proper business class, unlike many of the blocked middle's you'll get throughout the rest of the continent.

As usual on these trip reports, i'll look at all elements of the experience, from boarding, inflight service, food and seat comfort.

[jamessysko]

In 1978 I flew aboard an Aeroflot aircraft. The interior was so spartan that it appeared as though it could be converted to a military cargo plane in half an hour. Our flight crew was quite dour and abrupt. Glad to see that the planes have improved and that you experienced genuine Russian hospitality. Stay safe and resilient.

[ianhamilton]

Old Russian Proverb, 'If the plane breaks on the ground, Jesus loves you'.

Yes, by law, Russian carriers are required to serve a full meal.

[jimw]

I flew Aeroflot back in the days of the USSR. Your Superjet 100 was many steps above the Soviet Tupolev Tu-154s I flew in. I remember sitting near the rear of the plane once and marveling at the ice which formed around the emergency exit door; I guess that's one way to keep the cabin pressurized. Above each door was stored a knotted rope to be used as an emergency escape. Drinks service for the longer flights was room-temperature water poured from pitchers into plastic cups. In terms of flight characteristics, I mostly remember that the descent from cruising altitude to landings took about 4 or 5 minutes as the nose of the plane pointed down and we dove at about a 40° angle, leveling off just before touching down.

[rolfytumeric]

Suggestion…. Keep your shoes on until airborne. If there is an emergency, without shoes, you will have difficulty getting off the plane and running in a hurry !

[chilglish]

Great, interesting content as usual with your jovial manner! Also fascinating to see a Russian aircraft! Glad to see you managed to score some champagne before changing planes! You are still one of the most underrated travel vlogers out there and should reach 100, 000 subs soon, no probs.

[loveaodai]

Great video including the mechanical flight board at 5:05! My first flight on a Russian built plane was Feb 11, 1988 flying from Bangkok to Ho Chi MInh City on a TU 134. Two years later I got braver and flew an IL62 being one of the coolest looking planes ever built by any nation from Montreal to Ho Chi Minh City via Moscow when it was still part of the Soviet Union then to Bombay then to Hanoi and finally to Ho Chi MInh. Everything was great. I would later fly many flights within Vietnam on the Tu134. Loved every flight!

[davidendara]

Thank you for this review. I enjoyed it very much.

Suggestion: you could film the menu, so we can have a look at the food&drinks they provide.

Some of us pause the videos to read the business class menu.

[nicholasfinneran]

for the quality/experience this guy provides in his videos, I'm surprised he doesn't have more views/subscribers. Well done m8. nothing like getting home from a flight and watching reviews of other flights that I will be sure to try out in my business travels.

[MattiasThing]

I would point out, that the plane itself is not the main cause of the fatal crash. The 2012 test flight crash was caused by the pilot flying the plane directly into a mountainside due to spatial disorientation. The planes safety system warned the pilots, but they ignored the planes safety systems and subsequently crashed. The 2019 flight, which is the only fatal commercial flight was primarily caused by pilot error again, as the pilot completely messed up their landing, I'll be it the plane had lost auto pilot due to a lightning strike, but the plane was functioning correctly. And you would expect a pilot to know how to fly without auto pilot!

I've flown the Sukhoi several times (I live in Russia) and it does have some positive sides like good comfort. The main issue is reliability. It's been riddled with minor issues that means it breaks more often than others, but it hasn't compromised the safety of operation. It just adds operational costs, and it's one of the reason the plane has failed.

Not trying to "save" the reputation of the plane, just trying to come with a bit more information :-) Mainly, I personally don't consider it unsafe (otherwise it wouldn't be certified around the world), but it does have problems.

[OliverHinz]

The crew asking for the channel is lovely and the honest feedback you are giving here is a pleasant thing in modern days. Thank you!

[iPelaaja]

I once had the Superjet SJ100 on Brussels Airlines. It was very comfortable and modern looking. Compared to the usual BAe 146 / AVRO RJ100's they had on the route, it had much bigger windows, it was perhaps quieter and the seats and even legroom was better. Totally surprised me. But I can easily see how it has been too ambitious project for Sukhoi and that's why the many accidents. They've had to take a HUGE step in aircraft design to accomplish something like that, and with major changes problems will always arise.

[wilsonlim]

I always look forward to Will's content, you get the genuine experience. Keep it up! We support you!

[JoshCahill]

I don't know but there is something sexy about the Sukhoi Super Jet 😂

[johnnyyen]

I flew yesterday (12/03/22) from Murmansk to Moscow in one of these Sukhoi planes with Aeroflot. As usual, the 2 hour flight was on time, the excellent cabin crew were professional and polite, and the plane was spotlessly clean. I agree with you though about the engines. I sat in 7A right in line with air intake from left side engine, and the noise is almost unbearable. If I rested my head against the window I could feel the vibrations. Due to the current situation with sanctions Business Class was completely empty, there were no foreign tourists on board, and on landing at Sheremyetevo airport it was an eye-opener to see no foreign planes, and the tarmac full of Aeroflot and Rosiyya aircraft parked up in storage. A plus is that it was really fast to retrieve baggage and exit arrivals.

[lmac]

Damn looks like no one will be flying Aeroflot in a very long time :(

[Sanznachito]

All in all not a bad experience at all… I’m very keen to try Aeroflot, they’re certainly an airline which has improved so much over the years I believe (leaps and bounds….!) 👍😀

[AleksFolk]

I flew with Aeroflot back in 1994 when they used to operate flights to Australia. That's an experience I will never forget! Although with the Sukhoi, I really think as a regional product, this could be a competitor to markets where the Dash-8 and CRJ are too small, but demand isn't quite there to meet the capacity for the A220. I see it being ideal for flights along the Adriatic and even some secondary Med airports These markets are highly dependent on the summer tourism, but could easily be upgraded to year round if they were only marketed the right way.

[AhmedYehias]

I flew the Sukhoi Superjet multiple times now. In fact I just came back from Russia 4 days ago and flew it 2 ways from Moscow to Saransk. I have the same comments as you particularly the loudness of the aircraft but other than that it's a good plane for short distances. Also, Aeroflot's A350 is amazing, flew it from Dubai to Moscow and was so happy with the experience. Oh and yes Russian's don't believe in masks. This part made me laugh :D

[pmarmify]

that menu ticking what you want is a feature all business airlines should adopt, simple & effective

[maglrus]

Actually SSJ 100 is a rather comfortable plane. Especially for economy pax. This plane economy seats are wider than Boeing or Airbus. Also there are more baggage space in your overheads.
You really should try Aeroflot's A350 business class.