Pulkovo Airlines
 

We will be flying from Moscow to St. Pet via Pulkovo Airline. Can anyone help me with the baggage allowance and carry on dimensions and weight. I do know that the allowances are quite restrictive and that they charge $2/kg over weight charge.

Here's their website: http://eng.pulkovo.ru/
Good luck!

Be sure you check which Moscow airport your flight leaves from as they use both SHEREMETYEVO & DOMODEDOVO.

I have flown Pulkovo many times from SVO-LED. Have never never landed at, or departed from Domodedovo. Alwasy to and from SVO1.

Firstmate....
Please help me with a question about carry on luggage. What are the linear and weight limits? I carry a medical device (CPAP machine) that I can't trust to baggage so I must carry it on. Any help would be appreciated

What are the dimensions? I'll ask my agent to call tomorrow and get their official policy, which they generally do bend, at least for weight of checked baggage. I know that for art objects we need to check almost anything-several of my clients fly back and forth on Pulkovo with near-priceless works and don't have a choice in checking them.

What other "hints" are you looking for? I've taken Pulkovo (and Aeroflot) many times between Moscow and St. Petersburg, and St. Petersburg and elsewhere in Russia. Their planes on this route are Russia- (actually Soviet-) made TU-154s (much like a B-727), TU-134s, and Il-86s. Aeroflot and Pulkovo fly most of the Moscow-St Petersburg routes. The planes are old, but well maintained, and service is no worse (or better) than a typical American carrier. Be aware that the domestic and international flights at Sheremetyevo (Moscow) generally depart from completely separate terminals, and it can be a bear to get between them if you don't speak Russian or have prearranged ground transportation (which is why I recommend to my clients that they not transfer in Moscow if possible).

Ironically, clients usually prefer the Pulkovo schedule if they are connecting in Moscow for Aeroflot.

Thanks for the reply. I carry my CPAP in a standard carryon roller 14"x10"x21. Do the Moscow-St. Pete flights usually arrive and depart on time? We have an 11:15 am flight.
Thanks again.

Sounds like you are only flying from SVO1 to LED. I can not say precisely what the dimensions and or weight restrictions maybe. I would call to Pulkovo and ask them if you can fnd such info on the net. I will say, that the over head baggage space is only about half the size and area of what you maybe accustomed. It was a bit inconvenient the first time I had carry on. I usually always check my bag now because of the space limitation. Length will not be a problem, but I am guessing that if your device is more than 12-14 inches wide/deep, it maybe a bit problematic to put in over head.
As Mr.Miller has mentioned, transferring in Moscow can be a bit stressful for the first time. It is a very short distance from SVO1(domestic) to SVO2(International). As I recall, in distance it is only about 8km. You did not mention if you were travelilng from LED-SVO1 for a connecting flight, or if you were going to stay in Moscow.
If you are only transfering from SVO1-SVO2, I would imagine that you'll be able to manage with the maze of "cabbies" who'll be upon you when you enter the Terminal. Also, although am not certain of it, perhaps Mr. Miller will know, but I think there is Shuttle Bus to tranfer people between the 2 Terminals.
If you are going into downtown Moscow, then absolutely you should absolutely have prearranged ground transportation. If you take a taxi to downtown Moscow, you will part with $75+. If you arrange something in advance it will be much less. Probably at least 50% less. Same way on the return from downtown Moscow to SVO2. Prearrange your transportation.

Their on-time performance is reasonably good, on par with an American or European airline. So far no one has missed their connecting flights, alhtough I never ticket clients too tightly.

I'll get the size verified.

There is a shuttle bus between SVOI/II, but it can be difficult to find, and I know of at least one person who missed their flight as a result of this.

dmahalek, saw your other post. I am thinking that given the dimensions you have given for your carry-on that you should be OK on size. Assuming that Mr. Miller can verify the allowable dimensions& weight allowances. I am now interested to find out myself.
All flights I have ever taken from LED-SVO1 have usually departed at or near the scheduled departure time, even in harse winter conditions. It is only about 1hour flight.
Not sure when you are going, but I will be sitting on Pulkovo flight from SVO1-LED in a week or so, and could take a little better look-see at the overhead and/or underseat capacity& let you know.

Firstmate,
I am going in July. Have you ever had your carryon weighed by Pulkovo? BTW, we have a private guide to take us to the airport and help us check in at SVO. Thanks for checking on your next flight. You can email me at [email protected].

I'll check it out on my flight next week. I'll let you know what if anything thing that I can ascertain that may be germane to your problem. To answer your question, I think when I cehck in @ Pulkovo, and put my bag on the platorm it is weighed. OPbviously, I've never been over the weight limit, cuz I have never had any;one say anything to me.I'll be returning mid June so should have ample time to e-mail you with any pertinent information. You are gonna have a great time in Russia.

I spoke with a Pulkovo manager in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport this morning. He said that the size restrictions are approximately 17.75 x 13.75 x 6 (inches), and that if there is some slight overage you should be alright. There is an 11-pound weight restriction for carry-ons, though, and he said that is often enforced, depending on how filled the plane is. Note that the flights generally are quite full (especially in the summer), so you might have to fight for storage space.

For what it is worth, there is plastic wrapping available at the airport to seal any checked bags. At least at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg guards scrutinize passenger's claim checks before departing the baggage area.

One unusual feature, as Firstmate points out, is that the overhead storage is smaller than that on Western airlines. Although most of the planes on the Moscow-St Petersburg route are TU-154's, I've been on several Il-86 (a four-engined wide-body), and immediately upon entering the cabin you have the illusion of a huge amount of space, because there are so few overhead bins in the center.

Marc is correct in that they absolutely check and scrutinize and match all baggage to bagggage claim checks. They do not always do it upon arrival to LED, but most of the time. However, always they do it at SVO1.
Hope you have a great time in Russia. I never tire of traveling to Russia and always look forward to returning. You will have a great time, and you will be anxious to return.

Marc and Firstmate,
Many thanks for the help, it is greatly appreciated.

Found this old thread while looking for a cheap way to get to St Pete. Has anyone used Pulkovo? How do you book them? Their online system doesn't seem to work. Do I phone them in London? How do I get schedules? Fares? Any advice please.