As the saying goes, a real country needs three things – flag, football team and an airline. Ukraine has all three but the airline associated with the country – Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) airline – is one of the worst I have flown on in Europe. At a time when Ukraine seeks to maintain and improve its international image the airline that is most commonly associated with this country – UIA – is badly letting the country down.
Most of us who fly associate specific airlines with certain countries. They don’t have to be owned by the government and it does not matter if they are owned by a foreign company. For example, British Airways will always be associated with Britain because of its Union Jack symbols. KLM and Air France represent Holland and France, Lufthansa Germany and Aer Lingus Ireland.
KLM is one of the best airlines I have flown on. The staff are friendly, the service is great and they serve hot food and drinks (including alcohol) on their flights. One wonders why then KLM co-share with UIA? It is like an alliance between a Jaguar and a Trabant or Zhiguli.
The only way to describe UIA is as a discount no-frills airline that is masquerading as a scheduled airline. The service, staff and what they offer is not up to the standards of what you would expect from a scheduled airline co-sharing with KLM, Air France and other great airlines.
Checking in is always unpleasant. The staff ask you to first weigh your carry-on luggage. Then you are told you can only take one bag on to the plane. This is the only airline to have such a rule as the standard is a carry-on and a computer or hand bag. They then ask you to show them if you have computers in your carry on. Of all the many airlines I have flown on none of them ask such a personal question.
I complained at this treatment but to no avail. I complained to the heavyset person standing behind the check-in who I assumed as management (he was not doing anything except watching). It may as well have been in the USSR as he just gave a blank stare and did nothing even after I loudly complained at the terrible service.
Although co-sharing with KLM they would not recognise the KLM Skyteam card which in my case as a silver member permitted me to check in 2 cases and have 2 carry on bags. Eventually after haggling and the check-in’s discussions with others they permitted me to check in two bags.
Unlike KLM, the only thing they serve free is flat water – not even mineral water. If you want sparkling water you have to pay for it. All other drinks and food are to be paid for, just like on a charter flight or discount airline such as EasyJet. In North America flights don’t serve food in economy class but they do offer all manner of non-alcoholic drinks free of charge.
What would you choose if you had a choice of a Jaguar or a Trabant or Zhiguli? Obviously the Jag. I would therefore recommend never flying UIA and instead using its co-share airline when flying to that country. That way you will arrive stress-free, fed and hydrated knowing you are flying on a European scheduled flight. If you want to have an argument at the airport at check-in and pay for everything on board, try an airline that is more suited for post-Soviet Eurasia than in Europe.
