MIAT Mongolian AirlinesOM

MIAT Mongolian Airlines is the flag carrier of Mongolia, headquartered in Ulaanbaatar and operating from its hub at the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). Founded in 1956, MIAT has served as Mongolia's primary international gateway for nearly seven decades, connecting this landlocked nation to the world.

The airline plays a critical role for Mongolia—a vast, sparsely populated country surrounded by Russia and China with no sea access. MIAT provides essential links to major Asian cities (Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo), Russian destinations (Moscow, Irkutsk), European capitals (Berlin, Frankfurt), and seasonal service to North America. For many travelers, MIAT is the only practical option for reaching Mongolia directly.

MIAT is not a member of any major airline alliance. The airline operates a modest but modernizing fleet, transitioning from aging Boeing 767s to Boeing 737-800s, with Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order to enhance long-haul capabilities. The Chinggis Club frequent flyer program offers earning and redemption opportunities for regular travelers.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (all fares):

• Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in)
• Must fit under seat in front of you
• Examples: Small backpack, handbag, laptop bag

Cabin Bag (all fares):

• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit: 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
• Weight limits are enforced—pack carefully

Fare Type	Personal Item	Cabin Bag	Notes
Economy	Included	Included (1)	8 kg max
Business	Included	Included (2)	8 kg max each

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear dimensions maximum (length + width + height)

International Flights:

Cabin Class	Bags Included	Additional Bag	Weight Limit
Economy	1	$60	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2	$60	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Currency Notes:

• Baggage fees may be quoted in USD, EUR, or MNT (Mongolian Tugrik) depending on booking location
• Payment typically accepted in major currencies at airport

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Condition	Fee
Overweight (24-32 kg / 51-70 lbs)	$50
Heavy bags (33-45 kg / 71-100 lbs)	$100
Over 45 kg (100 lbs)	Not accepted

Oversized Bags: Bags exceeding 158 cm linear dimensions incur additional fees. Contact MIAT for specific oversized rates.

Elite Status Benefits

Chinggis Club Status	Extra Baggage	Other Benefits
Silver	Priority handling	Lounge access
Gold	+1 bag	Upgrades, dedicated support

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/Snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	$80	Must be properly packed
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/Mobility aids	Free
CPAP machine	Free	Does not count as carry-on

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

Cabin Classes

MIAT operates two cabin classes: Business Class and Economy Class. Service levels reflect the airline's position as a full-service flag carrier rather than a low-cost option.

Business Class

Seat Specifications by Aircraft:

Aircraft	Pitch	Width	Recline	Configuration
Boeing 737-800	40" (102 cm)	20" (51 cm)	Full recline	2-2
Boeing 767	58-62" (147-157 cm)	20" (51 cm)	Lie-flat	2-1-2

Business Class Features:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Lounge access at UBN (when available)
• Two checked bags (32 kg each) included
• Multi-course meal service featuring Mongolian and international cuisine
• Complimentary beverages including wine, beer, and spirits
• Amenity kits on long-haul flights
• In-seat power and USB charging

Fleet Transition: Boeing 767s are being phased out, with Boeing 787 Dreamliners expected to enter service for long-haul routes, promising an improved business class product.

Economy Class

Seat Specifications:

• Pitch: 31-32" (79-81 cm)
• Width: 17-18" (43-46 cm)
• Recline: Standard 3-4"
• Configuration: 3-3 (737) or 2-3-2 (767)

Economy Class Features:

• One checked bag (23 kg) included
• Complimentary meals on all international flights
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• In-flight entertainment on long-haul aircraft
• Blanket and pillow on overnight flights

Food & Beverage

Business Class:

• Multi-course meals with Mongolian specialties
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Snacks available throughout flight

Economy Class:

• Complimentary hot meals on international flights
• Mongolian and international cuisine options
• Non-alcoholic beverages included
• Alcoholic beverages available for purchase

Mongolian Specialties:

• Buuz (steamed dumplings)
• Khuushuur (fried meat pastries)
• Airag (fermented mare's milk)—occasionally featured
• Traditional dairy products

Entertainment

Long-Haul Aircraft (Boeing 767/787):

• Personal seatback screens
• Selection of movies, TV shows, and music
• International and Mongolian content

Boeing 737-800:

• Overhead screens or personal device entertainment
• Limited selection compared to widebody aircraft

Booking

• Book direct: miat.com often has best availability for award seats and schedule changes
• Flexible dates: Limited flight frequencies mean flexibility helps find better fares
• Seasonal pricing: Summer (June-August) is peak season for tourism; expect higher fares
• Winter travel: November-February offers lower fares but extreme cold

At Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN)

• Allow travel time: Airport is 52 km from Ulaanbaatar—budget 60-90 minutes by road
• Limited amenities: New airport is modern but dining and shopping options are still developing
• Currency: MNT is local currency; USD widely accepted
• Lounge access: Business Class and Chinggis Club elite members have access

Maximizing Chinggis Club

• Join before flying: Earn miles from your first trip
• Book direct: Some partner bookings may not earn miles
• Track expiration: Keep account active to prevent mile expiration
• Check partners: Limited but useful partner earning opportunities

Understanding Mongolia Connectivity

• Landlocked reality: MIAT is often the only direct option to/from Mongolia
• Transit alternatives: Consider routing via Beijing (Air China), Seoul (Korean Air), or Moscow (Aeroflot) if MIAT schedules don't work
• Visa requirements: Check Mongolian visa requirements—many nationalities can visit visa-free for 30 days

Common Issues

• Limited frequency: Many routes operate only 2-3 times weekly—plan accordingly
• Fleet transition: Service levels may vary as fleet modernizes
• Weather delays: Winter operations can be affected by extreme cold
• Communication: English service is available but Mongolian is primary language
• Payment methods: Some online bookings may have limited payment options

Best Times to Visit Mongolia

• June-August: Warm weather, Naadam Festival (July), peak tourism
• September: Beautiful autumn, fewer tourists, reasonable weather
• November-February: Extreme cold but unique winter landscapes, lowest fares
• March-May: Spring transition, unpredictable weather

Fleet Outlook

MIAT is modernizing its fleet:

• Current: Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767 (being retired)
• Future: Boeing 787 Dreamliner on order for long-haul routes
• Benefit: Improved reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency expected