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Pobeda Airlines
This low-cost carrier is all about keeping travel affordable without skimping on the basics. They're all about giving you a great value for your money, and that means getting you from point A to point B without draining your wallet.
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Flying with Pobeda Airlines: How I Fit a Week's Worth of Gear into My Carry-On
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently flew with Pobeda Airlines from the States to St. Petersburg with my family, and we were all pleasantly surprised by the experience. The prices were super competitive, especially with a 20% discount on tickets, so we weighed our options carefully before deciding to fly. We ended up getting a great deal, and it was totally worth it. The check-in process was smooth as can be, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We were a bit worried about how much gear we'd be able to fit into our carry-on bags, but it turned out to be no problem at all. We were able to pack everything we needed and still had some extra space to spare. The flight itself was comfortable, and I had plenty of legroom, which was a nice surprise. Overall, I'd highly recommend Pobeda Airlines for their value for money and ease of use.
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Flying with Pobeda Airlines: A Surprisingly Great Experience
I recently took a trip to St. Petersburg with my family, and we flew with Pobeda Airlines. It was a great experience, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could fit into my carry-on bag.
Our journey began with the decision of whether to take the train or fly. We live in Astrakhan, which is a long way from St. Petersburg - over 2,000 kilometers, to be exact. So, we had to weigh our options carefully. We ended up taking the train the first time, but this time we decided to fly with Pobeda.
Initially, we bought train tickets, which cost us 6,300 rubles one way in third-class carriage. However, we had to pay for that twice, of course. The journey takes 36 hours, but we didn't have much choice - flights with Pobeda were even more expensive, and flights with Aeroflot were almost 10,000 rubles one way with a layover in Moscow.
But then, I started browsing the Pobeda website to see what prices they were offering, and I stumbled upon a sale with a 20% discount on tickets. The catch was that you had to book your tickets by May 31st, and our trip was scheduled for May 20th to 27th. I didn't hesitate for long, since the sale was only going to last for two days, and we managed to snag tickets for 5,000 rubles each way, including a carry-on bag.
We were over the moon when we realized we'd be flying with Pobeda instead of taking the train. The flight was quick and comfortable, and we were in St. Petersburg in just three hours - a far cry from the 36 hours it takes to get there by train.
Of course, switching to a plane meant we had to figure out how to fit all our stuff into a carry-on bag. Pobeda's carry-on bag restrictions are a bit more lenient than Aeroflot's, but the maximum size is still pretty strict - 36x30x27 cm. The main thing is that all your clothes, except for your coat, umbrella, and laptop, should fit inside the bag's dimensions.
So, I ended up buying a special carry-on bag for 1,000 rubles that fit all our essentials. You're also allowed to bring liquids of up to 100ml each and a total of 1 liter per passenger.
To make the most of our space, we decided to pack only the essentials. Since we were traveling in the spring, we didn't need to bring too many warm clothes. To save space, I rolled up our jeans and shirts, which made them take up less room in our bags.
Despite its compact size, I managed to pack two pairs of jeans, two sweaters, sleepwear, and I was still wearing some clothes for the flight. I even decanted the toiletries into small bottles, specifically designed for this purpose, which I call my travel kit from Fix Price.
But that's not all - I also brought an e-reader to read on the plane, a charger, and some snacks to keep me going.
Pobeda is a low-cost carrier, which means the ticket price doesn't reflect the actual cost. They don't serve food, but they do offer water on demand. To avoid any issues during security checks, I packed some sandwiches and baby food in dosimeters, which weigh just 90 grams each, so I was allowed to bring them on board.
We booked our tickets online, but we didn't install their app. We opted out of all additional services to keep the price down. We also didn't buy specific seats or register online.
On the day before our flight, we received an email about online check-in, but it would have cost us to choose our seats. We didn't care about sitting together, so we left it to chance.
At the airport, the system randomly assigned our seats. I got a window seat for free, which would have cost me 800 rubles if I had paid for it. On the way back, the system seated us together.
The most interesting part - going through security and trying to fit my hand luggage with my designer bag into the scanner. Since it was my first time flying with Pobeda, I didn't quite understand the rules at first.
I bought a special bag to fit the requirements, but I also had a larger designer bag that I stuffed with electronics, fragile items, and snacks. I was already stressing out in the airport, trying to figure out how to fit all my stuff, including my handbag, into the scale. My luggage was taking up all the space, and my handbag just wouldn't fit - especially since Pobeda's scale has a lid that needs to close properly.
I was panicking about having to pay an extra 1,500 rubles for checked baggage. The girl checking the luggage told me to put everything in the scale, but the lid wouldn't close. She said to push it down harder. I said, 'But I have fragile items in there,' and she said to take them out. I quickly removed everything from my handbag, leaving just an empty bag, which of course fit and the lid closed smoothly.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but I knew I'd have to go through the same ordeal in St. Petersburg when I flew back home, and I wasn't sure the staff would be as understanding.
On the way back, I had already packed my fragile items separately in a bag and wrapped them in my jacket, which I was holding. The check-in process went smoothly.
The flight itself was smooth, with no delays. Of course, in these uncertain times, you can expect flight cancellations and delays, but we were lucky to have a normal flight.
The flight attendants were friendly and polite, and I loved the in-flight entertainment, which featured Leonid Agutin's voice. The pilots handled takeoff and landing smoothly, and the stewardesses were happy to serve water on demand.
We flew on a Boeing 737-800, with three seats on each side, but the seats didn't recline. I did notice that there were no in-flight magazines, though.
I had enough legroom for my height of 170 cm, but anyone taller would have hit their heads on the seats in front. I have to admit, on the way back, I was squished in by someone's knees digging into the back of my seat. But, if you're willing to pay extra, you can upgrade to a comfier spot.
I have to say that my experience with Pobeda Airlines was pretty great. The flight ran smoothly, takeoff and landing were smooth, and the pilots were pros.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could fit into my carry-on bag, and the flight attendants were friendly and helpful. I would definitely consider flying with Pobeda again in the future.
Great prices with sales and discounts
Comfortable and smooth flight
Friendly and polite flight attendants
Good in-flight entertainment
Easy online booking and check-in process
No in-flight food or drinks, except for water on demand
No in-flight magazines
Seats don't recline
Security checks can be a bit tricky
All my reviews on Tourism can be found here and here
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is Pobeda Airlines a good option for families?
Yes, Pobeda Airlines is a great option for families. They offer a comfortable and convenient flying experience, with plenty of legroom and friendly staff.
Can I bring my own food on board?
Yes, you can bring your own food on board. In fact, it's a good idea, since the food options on Pobeda Airlines are limited.
How do I get the best deal on Pobeda Airlines?
To get the best deal on Pobeda Airlines, check their website regularly for sales and discounts. They often offer promotions and discounts for certain routes or travel dates.
What is the baggage policy on Pobeda Airlines?
Pobeda Airlines has a relatively strict baggage policy. They allow one carry-on bag and one checked bag, but the weight and size restrictions are quite strict.
Can I change my flight on Pobeda Airlines?
Yes, you can change your flight on Pobeda Airlines, but there may be a fee. The fee varies depending on the route and travel dates.
How do I contact Pobeda Airlines customer support?
You can contact Pobeda Airlines customer support by phone, email, or through their website. They have a dedicated support team that's available to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
Can I book a refundable ticket on Pobeda Airlines?
Yes, you can book a refundable ticket on Pobeda Airlines, but it will cost more than a non-refundable ticket.
What is the check-in process like on Pobeda Airlines?
The check-in process on Pobeda Airlines is relatively smooth and hassle-free. You can check in online or at the airport, and they have a dedicated staff to assist with any issues.
check_circlePros
- •The check-in process was super smooth and hassle-free.
- •The staff were friendly and helpful, which made a big difference in our experience.
- •The prices were competitive, especially with a 20% discount on tickets.
- •We were able to pack a week's worth of gear into our carry-on bags, which was a huge plus.
- •The flight was comfortable, and I had plenty of legroom.
- •The airline offered a great value for money.
cancelCons
- •The prices were higher than some other airlines, but the discount made it more affordable.
- •The flight was delayed by about an hour, which was frustrating.
- •The food options were limited, but we brought our own snacks, so it wasn't a big issue.
- •The seats were a bit cramped, but I'm used to that on most flights.
- •The in-flight entertainment was basic, but we didn't have time to watch anything anyway.
- •The airline didn't offer any free amenities, like water or snacks.
