Air AstanaKC

Air Astana is the flag carrier airline of Kazakhstan, headquartered in Almaty. Founded in 2001 as a joint venture between Kazakhstan's government (51%) and BAE Systems (49%), the airline has grown to become Central Asia's largest and most awarded carrier. Air Astana operates a modern fleet of over 60 aircraft, serving more than 60 destinations across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The airline is not a member of any global alliance but has established codeshare partnerships with various international carriers. Air Astana has earned Skytrax 4-Star certification and has been named Best Airline in Central Asia and CIS for fourteen consecutive years at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline also owns FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's first low-cost carrier, which launched in 2019.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (16" x 12" x 8")
• Maximum weight: 3 kg (7 lbs)
• Maximum total dimensions: 80 cm
• Examples: Handbag, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22" x 18" x 10")
• Maximum weight: 8 kg (18 lbs)
• Included: All fare classes

Fare Class	Personal Item	Cabin Bag
Economy Basic	1 x 3 kg	1 x 8 kg
Economy Classic	1 x 3 kg	1 x 8 kg
Economy Plus/Sleeper	1 x 3 kg	1 x 8 kg
Business Saver/Flex	1 x 3 kg	2 x 8 kg

Additional Items Allowed Free:

• One cane, pair of crutches, or leg braces if needed
• Portable baby crib or folding stroller when traveling with an infant (max rolled size 34 x 32 x 14 cm)
• Duty-free goods purchased on departure day

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm / 62 inches linear maximum (length + width + height)

Maximum Weight per Piece: 32 kg (70 lbs) - this is a Kazakhstan legal requirement

Fare Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy Basic	None	-
Economy Classic	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Economy Plus	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Economy Sleeper	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business Saver	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
Business Flex	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Route Variations

CIS Routes (Moscow, Baku, Saint Petersburg, Tashkent, Tbilisi, etc.):

• Classic fare: 20 kg checked baggage
• Plus/Business fares: 30 kg checked baggage

Special Routes (Bishkek-Seoul, Istanbul-Kazakhstan):

• Increased allowance: 2 pieces up to 23 kg available on select routes

Excess Baggage

• Prepaid baggage (36+ hours before departure): 30% discount
• No single item may exceed 32 kg due to Kazakhstan regulations
• Excess weight charged per kilogram

Special Items

Item	Policy	Notes
Golf equipment	Standard bag fee	Counts toward allowance
Ski/snowboard	Standard bag fee	Counts toward allowance
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free	Not counted in allowance
Musical instruments	Varies	Small instruments as cabin bag; large may require seat purchase

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at airastana.com/baggage before traveling.

Air Astana operates a young fleet averaging 6.3 years, consisting primarily of Airbus A320neo family, A321LR, Boeing 767-300ER, and phasing out Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.

Business Class:

Boeing 767-300ER (Long-haul):

• Thompson Aero Vantage lie-flat seats in 1-2-1 configuration
• 30 seats with direct aisle access for all passengers
• Seat width: 22 inches (56 cm)
• 17-inch personal entertainment screen
• Universal power outlets and USB ports
• Amenity kit and noise-cancelling headphones

Airbus A321neo LR (Medium-haul):

• Lie-flat seats with 180-degree recline
• Seat pitch: 44-45 inches (112-114 cm)
• Seat width: 21.5 inches (55 cm)
• Bed length: 78 inches (198 cm)
• Configuration: 1-1 and 2-2 with 16 total seats
• "Throne seats" in 1-1 rows with extra privacy (premium surcharge)
• 16-inch seatback entertainment screen

Airbus A321-200:

• Recliner-style seats
• Seat pitch: 37-38 inches
• Seat width: 21-22 inches
• 28 Business Class seats

Economy Class:

• Standard seat pitch: 31-32 inches (79-81 cm)
• Personal entertainment via KCTV system (seatback screens or personal device streaming)
• USB charging ports on newer aircraft

In-Flight Entertainment:

• KCTV entertainment system with seatback screens on most aircraft
• Movies, TV shows, music, and games
• Personal device streaming available
• No onboard WiFi internet (as of 2025)

Dining:

• Business Class: Multi-course meals partnered with Auyl (World's 50 Best Discovery restaurant)
• Fine wines, champagnes, and craft cocktails
• Kazakh specialty dishes available including traditional options
• Economy Class: Complimentary meals on international flights
• Special meals available with 24-hour advance request

Booking:

• Book directly on airastana.com for best fare management and support
• Economy Basic fares have no checked baggage - factor this into price comparison
• Prepay excess baggage 36+ hours in advance for 30% discount

At the Airport:

• Use online check-in starting 36 hours before departure
• Download mobile boarding pass to avoid printing requirements
• Almaty and Astana airports have self-service kiosks for faster processing

Business Class:

• A321LR "Throne seats" offer exceptional privacy but carry a surcharge
• Boeing 767 offers the best long-haul experience with true lie-flat beds
• Pre-order special meals 24 hours in advance

Upgrades:

• Nomad Club points can be used for cabin upgrades
• Check availability online or at check-in counter
• Business Class on A321LR is particularly good value compared to competitors

Connections:

• FlyArystan (low-cost subsidiary) offers budget domestic connections
• Separate booking required for FlyArystan flights
• Allow adequate connection time when mixing Air Astana and FlyArystan flights

Regional Travel:

• Air Astana is the dominant carrier for Central Asia connections
• Good hub for reaching destinations in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond
• Consider Almaty as an alternative routing hub for Asia-Europe travel

Nomad Club:

• Join before your first flight to earn points from the start
• Status match available if you have elite status with other airlines
• Points don't expire as long as account remains active

Common Issues:

• Website may have access issues in some regions - try mobile app as alternative
• Visa requirements for Kazakhstan vary by nationality - check before booking
• Some international routes require printed boarding pass - verify online check-in options for your specific route