Belavia Airlines Of Belarus Does What British Airways Does In First Class On Long-Haul Flights. Despite Sanctions, Flight Team Retains Pride In Their Tasks. That’s Critical For The Country.

Flight time from Istanbul, Turkey, to Minsk (population approximately 2 million), the capital of Belarus (population approximately 9.3 million), prior to sanctions upon the government of Belarus, Belarus airspace, and Minsk, Belarus-based Belavia Airlines, implemented in 2021 by the European Union (EU) and United States was two (2) hours, then four (4) hours, and is now six (6) hours with flights having to traverse country borders. 

Rather than overflying Ukraine, flight path today includes traversing Kazakhstan and Russian Federation (including near the city of Moscow). 

Fuel cost for a round-trip was US$10,000.00 and today is US$30,000.00.  There are two flight attendants for the fourteen passengers in Business Class and two flight attendants for 170 passengers in Economy Class.  There had been three and up to four flight attendants for Economy Class. There are occasions when pilots and flight attendants will make the round-trip journey in one long fifteen-hour shift.  Employee extra hour payments have been steadily reduced- 70% of normal. 

The aircraft crew receive and divided amongst themselves 8% of total revenues from onboard duty free sales, which are obtained in currency only- Belarus Ruble, Russian Ruble, U.S. Dollar, Euro. 

The aircraft used on the Istanbul-Minsk route is a 2016-built Boeing 737-800 absent electrical outlets or WiFi or two-by-two First Class/Business Class seating- Belavia separates the cabins with Business Class leaving the middle of three seats empty- as does British Airways and Lufthansa among other airlines for the Business Class product servicing Continental Europe. 

Belavia Airlines had four (4) Boeing 737-Max aircraft ordered; one was delivered but remains not operational and the others remain in the United States.  The Russian Federation will not permit the Boding 737-Max to operate in its territory to a dispute with the United States. 

The Belavia Airlines flight was a code-share with Turkish Airlines which sent an email and text message confirming that flight was to depart 13:20 rather than 15:20, but the flight departed at 17:50.  An email to Belavia Airlines customer service received a prompt automated response followed soon after by a email from a customer service representative with information about the flight. Impressive customer service regardless of the size of an airline. 

The meal was brought from Minsk- no using Do&Co known for its quality offerings in Istanbul.  Beverage service with glasses etched with diagonal pattern.  

Flight attendant motioned that should anything be needed, just ask- and use buzzer if desired.  How many flight attendants want a passenger to use the buzzer?

The extraordinary moment… visiting galley to speak with crew.  A flight attendant obtains a small plastic tray, places a ceramic teacup and saucer on the tray, obtains a tea bag, a bag of cookies.  Then, reaches into a storage area and obtains a white ceramic tea pot.  Fills the pot with water and then departs to present to passenger.   

A tea pot.  Not a cup with a tea bag.  A tea pot.  Count on one hand to identify an airline that provides passengers with a tea pot.  British Airways has restarted its Afternoon Tea Service in its First Class cabins on long-haul flights.  

The citizens of Belarus continue to endure internal pressures created by the government of Belarus and external pressures created as a result of decisions by the government of Belarus.

Retaining pride in one’s work can be challenging, and even agonizing in the best of circumstances. In Belarus, today generations who looked to those who birthed them to provide a life space better are disappointing and angry. Some believe a correction is unlikely, so they leave for other countries- and becoming the seeds of hope for others. Some remain- because they want to, because they have no alternative.

Unnoticed… At the 267-room Renaissance Minsk Hotel (a brand owned by Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International, Inc.), a restaurant hostess carefully cleans a table, using all COVID-19 protocols even though masks are no longer required in the hotel.  This young woman makes certain that the four placements are perfectly aligned with the edge of the table, tableware perfectly aligned, napkins carefully centered. Pride remains……

Belavia Airlines Business Class Short-Haul/Medium-Hall Tea Service

British Airways First Class Long-Haul Afternoon Tea Service