Direct flights in 2022 Cyprus has disappeared and the tourist flow to the island from Russia has sharply decreased. All flight options via Armenia, Egypt and the Emirates require long transfers and are very expensive. Now tours to Cyprus are sold with transportation by flights Jazeera Airways and docking in Kuwait. Our special correspondent has experienced this route for himself and shares his impressions.
Cyprus this summer season is perhaps the most affordable of the European beach destinations.
On average, the cost of a package tour to the island to the three-star hotel with breakfast and included airfare through Kuwait starts from 190 thousand rubles for 7 days for two . If you compare, for example, with the same tour to Spain or Italy, then prices start from 230 thousand rubles. The price difference for tours to five–star hotels is even greater.
Large blocks of seats for tourists on Jazeera Airways flights this year exclusively bought only the tour operator “Russian Express”.
The flight through Kuwait, admittedly, was a little disturbing at first, but practice has shown that, although not a direct flight, it is quite convenient. But everything is in order.
FLIGHT TO CYPRUS VIA KUWAIT: SCHEDULE, TRAVEL TIME
Jazeera Airways is a budget Kuwaiti airline operating flights on modern Airbus A320 aircraft.
Jazeera Airways planes are new and look respectable. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
Flights with tourists traveling to Cyprus depart from Moscow Domodedovo Airport at 00:50, which is convenient for passengers. After a five-hour flight, the plane lands at the airport Kuwait.
The transfer in Kuwait on the way to Larnaca takes about four hours (you do not need to receive luggage and hand it over again , it will be overloaded automatically, since the booking is through), followed by a three–hour flight to Cyprus – to Larnaca. The total travel time is about 12 hours.
The plane arrives at Larnaca Airport at 13:15, so tourists get to the hotels just in time for check-in (recall, in Cyprus it is after 14:00).
Cyprus welcomes tourists from Russia with joy. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
The return flight is also convenient in time (at 14:00). The fact that it is not evening seemed to us a plus: as you know, the hotel day ends at 12.00, and in the case of an evening flight, you would have to extend the room for an additional fee.
In the case of a daytime flight, everything is convenient: no one is evicting you. We woke up, had breakfast, went to the sea and at 11 a.m. calmly drove to the airport to have time to wander through duty-free, have lunch in the business lounge and fly home safely.
On the way back, the transfer time in Kuwait has been reduced to two hours, the total travel time is already about 10 hours. Tourists arrive in Moscow closer to midnight on the same day and get home without traffic jams.
FLIGHT CONDITIONS: SEATS, SEAT SELECTION, ENTERTAINMENT
Jazeera Airways flies narrow-body aircraft of the Airbus A320 family, including A320 and A320neo.
Despite the status of a low-cost airline, Jazeera Airways offers quite comfortable flight conditions.
In the cabin of a Jazeera Airways plane traveling from Moscow to Cyprus via Kuwait. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
The first three rows of seats have maximum legroom, the next 6 rows are enlarged, and the rest are standard. To be precise: rows 1 to 3 – a distance of 84 cm, rows 4 to 10 – a distance of 79 cm, rows 11-12 (emergency exit) – 91 cm. And from the 13th to the 29th row – a distance of 74 cm.
The distance between the chairs is comfortable even in the standard version. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
Seat selection is available for an additional fee, no later than two days before departure (on the airline’s website).
Free online registration for package tourists does not work (but families are always given seats nearby), however tour operator customers can purchase paid seats if desired: from 1st to 3rd row – 100 USD, from rows 4 to 10 – 50 US dollars, 11-12 – 83 US dollars. Moreover, you can transfer to the front rows for an additional fee and already directly on board , if they turn out to be free.
Although there are no multimedia systems in the seat backs, passengers can connect to the on-board multimedia server from their devices and watch several dozen films in English.
It is worth noting that USB charging is not available on all sides, so we recommend taking a power bank with you ifmovies are planned to be watched.
ON-BOARD MEALS
As with most low-cost airlines, meals on board Jazeera Airways are not included in the ticket price.
Passengers can order food in advance when booking or through the booking management system on the airline’s website. This gives you a greater choice of dishes compared to buying food directly on board. If you have a travel package, then you can pay for meals when buying a tour.
Meals can be ordered in advance or directly on board, according to the catalog. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
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Payment on board is possible in cash in dollars and euros (but the change will be given in Kuwaiti dinars), as well as with foreign bank cards, if you have them. The cost of the dishes is from 10 US dollars.
NON-ALCOHOLIC FLIGHTS: ORDER ON BOARD
One of the features of Jazeera Airways flights is a complete ban on alcohol consumption on board. This is due to the laws of Kuwait, which completely prohibit the sale of alcohol.
Passengers can take alcohol from duty-free with them, but if they find a violation of the integrity of the package duty-free or alcohol without it at the transfer, it will be taken away after drawing up a protocol.
It is also impossible to “drink hand luggage” upon arrival in Kuwait – this offends local residents, so you will have to part with the “printed” one.
In fact, such rules are an important plus: thanks to this, not a single rowdy was noticed on the flight.
TRANSFER TO KUWAIT
Kuwait International Airport is a hub for Jazeera Airways, where it has its own terminal (T5), which simplifies the transfer process.
Cafe areas at Kuwait Airport. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
Transfer here is usually convenient, as the airport is relatively small compared to other Middle Eastern hubs.
There is simply nowhere to get lost in it, and many signs at the airport, as well as sound messages on board Jazeera Airways are duplicated in Russian, which makes it easier for Russian tourists to navigate.
Luggage, as we have already said, is rented in Moscow immediately to the end point, but hand luggage during transfer to Kuwait Airport passengers will need to be informed again.
The terminal has a duty-free with a basic set of goods and several cafes.
In Kuwait airport duty-free. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
For those who like comfort, Jazeera Airways offers access to its own Pearl Lounge in Terminal T5 for an additional fee. This small room offers light snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, as well as chargers for gadgets.
Business lounge at Kuwait Airport. Photo: Alexander Andreev, for ATOR
Kuwait Airport also provides an oval-shaped smoking lounge, located at the entrance to the business lounge.
LUGGAGE AND SHOPPING
For those who like shopping, Jazeera Airways offers a pleasant bonus – free transportation of 30 kg of luggage and another 7 kg of hand luggage.
This is quite relevant for Russians who plan to “shop” in Cyprus. Our compatriots usually bring olive oil and local wines from the island, which are not supplied outside the island, clothes, souvenirs (including soap, olives, carob, sweets, etc.) and electronics of well-known brands.
Recall that Cyprus has a Tax Free system, so that part of the cost of purchases can be refunded at Larnaca airport.
For us, baggage of 30 kg has become an important criterion for choosing a flight and a tour operator: if you fly, for example, through Armenia, as is often offered, then only by a low-cost airline without luggage (and the surcharges for it are off the scale).
SUMMARY
The Moscow-Larnaca route via Kuwait from Jazeera Airways is a fairly convenient and relatively inexpensive way to get to Cyprus.
Despite the status of a budget airline, the carrier provides a sufficient level of comfort and a number of additional services.
Convenient departure and arrival times, the absence of drunken rowdies on board and the opportunity to bring more souvenirs make this flight option attractive for Russian tourists who want to relax in Cyprus and bring home purchases.
Alexander Andreev, especially for ATOR
Photo: Alexander Andreev – for ATOR
