Aeroflot – Russian Airlines vs S7 Airlines
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Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Aeroflot and S7 Airlines are Russia's two best-known full-service carriers. Aeroflot is the flag carrier, based at Moscow Sheremetyevo, while S7 is a privately owned airline with hubs at Moscow Domodedovo and Novosibirsk. Travellers compare them mainly on domestic routes between Moscow and Siberia or the Far East, and on the few international routes still open to Russian carriers.
Quick verdict
Aeroflot is the larger carrier and the only one of the two with widebody aircraft, so it suits long domestic sectors, business-class travel and Moscow Sheremetyevo connections. S7 suits travellers heading to or from Siberia, or those who want a simple fare ladder with a cheap bag-free Economy Basic option. Both are affected by sanctions, airspace closures and the suspension of their alliance memberships, so check current travel rules before booking either.
Choose Aeroflot – Russian Airlines if…
- You want a widebody (A330, A350 or 777) on a long domestic route.
- You are flying through Moscow Sheremetyevo or one of Aeroflot's other hubs, such as Saint Petersburg.
- You want a Comfort cabin between Economy and Business.
Choose S7 Airlines if…
- You are travelling to or from Novosibirsk, Irkutsk or Vladivostok.
- You want a clear four-fare structure and are happy to pay for a checked bag only when needed.
- You prefer a Moscow Domodedovo departure.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Aeroflot centres on Moscow Sheremetyevo, with Krasnoyarsk and Saint Petersburg also listed as hubs. The wider Group, which includes Rossiya and Pobeda, served 104 destinations. S7 is built around Moscow Domodedovo and Novosibirsk Tolmachevo, with Irkutsk and Vladivostok as focus cities. Its network is mostly domestic, and a 2026 outlook report says the summer 2026 map grew to 136 destinations with a push into Asia. Both are banned from the EU.
Fleet and long-haul capability
Aeroflot's mainline fleet is 171 aircraft (September 2026), including A330-300, A350-900 and 777-300ER widebodies. It has orders for the MC-21, SJ-100 and Tu-214. S7 operates about 102 narrowbodies (August 2025): Airbus A319, A320 and A321 family, Boeing 737-800 and Embraer E170. It has no widebodies. Many of its A320neo and A321neo aircraft are parked because of Pratt & Whitney engine problems. In February 2026 it signed a memorandum for 100 Tu-214s.
Cabins and fares
Aeroflot sells Economy, Comfort and Business, depending on aircraft and route. S7 sells four fare types: Economy Basic, Economy Flex, Business Basic and Business Flex, and several of its aircraft have an eight-seat business cabin. Check the airline's website for the seat type on your specific flight.
Baggage
On Aeroflot, most Economy fares include one 23 kg checked bag. Business includes two bags of up to 32 kg, and the cheapest fares may be cabin-bag only. The cabin allowance is 10 kg in Economy and Comfort, and 15 kg in Business. On S7, Economy Basic has a 10 kg cabin bag and no checked bag, Economy Flex includes one 23 kg bag, and Business includes one 32 kg bag (Basic) or two (Flex). Confirm on s7.ru.
Loyalty and alliances
Aeroflot Bonus has four levels, and S7 Priority is S7's programme. Aeroflot was a SkyTeam member from 2006, but its membership has been suspended since 27 April 2022. S7's oneworld membership is also suspended. In practice, reciprocal elite benefits, lounge access and miles earning on partner airlines should not be assumed with either airline.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aeroflot better than S7?
Aeroflot is larger and has widebody aircraft and a Comfort cabin, so it suits long routes and Moscow Sheremetyevo connections. S7 is stronger for Siberian routes and has a simple fare structure. Neither is clearly better overall.
Does S7 include checked baggage?
Not on Economy Basic, which has only a 10 kg cabin bag. Economy Flex includes one 23 kg bag, and Business includes 32 kg bags. Confirm on s7.ru.
Does Aeroflot include checked baggage?
Most Economy fares include one 23 kg bag, but the cheapest fares may be cabin-bag only. Business includes two bags of up to 32 kg. Check the fare rules when booking.
About Aeroflot – Russian Airlines Read more
Overview
Aeroflot – Russian Airlines is the flag carrier of Russia. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 25 February 1932 and is headquartered in Moscow. It is the parent of the Aeroflot Group, which also includes Rossiya Airlines and the low-cost carrier Pobeda. Aeroflot was a SkyTeam member from 2006, but its membership was suspended on 27 April 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Moscow Sheremetyevo. Wikipedia also lists Krasnoyarsk International and Saint Petersburg as hubs, with focus cities including Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Sochi, Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg. The Group served 104 destinations according to the same source. The Group carried 55.34 million passengers in 2025, essentially flat on the previous year, with international traffic growing. Western sanctions and airspace closures have restricted its international network since 2022.
Fleet
The mainline fleet uses Airbus A320 family, A330 and A350 aircraft and Boeing 737 and 777 aircraft. Wikipedia gives 171 aircraft excluding subsidiaries (112 Airbus and 59 Boeing); the date of this figure is not stated. The Aeroflot Group as a whole was reported at 352 aircraft at the end of 2025, including three wet-leased. The airline plans to introduce the Yakovlev MC-21, with deliveries expected from 2027.
On board
- Cabins: Economy, Comfort and Business, depending on aircraft and route.
- Seat pitch, meals, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not confirmed from the sources consulted; check the Aeroflot website for the specific aircraft and fare.
Good to know
- Baggage: third-party sources (for example Deep Arrival, updated June 2026) report a 10 kg cabin bag in Economy and Comfort and 15 kg in Business. Most Economy fares include one 23 kg checked bag, while Business includes two bags of up to 32 kg. The cheapest fares may be cabin-bag only. Confirm with the airline before travel.
- Loyalty: the programme is Aeroflot Bonus, which has four levels.
- Sanctions: flights to and from Russia are restricted for many travellers because of sanctions, airspace closures and government travel advice. Check current rules before booking.
About S7 Airlines Read more
Overview
S7 Airlines, legal name JSC Siberia Airlines, is a Russian carrier headquartered in Ob, Novosibirsk Oblast, with offices in Moscow. According to Wikipedia, its origins lie in a Tolmachevo squadron formed in 1957; it began operating as Siberia Airlines in 1992, was privatised in 1994 and rebranded as S7 in 2005. It is part of S7 Group (S7 AirSpace Corporation). It is a oneworld member, but membership has been suspended since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Like other Russian airlines, it is banned from flying into the EU.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Moscow Domodedovo and Novosibirsk Tolmachevo, with Irkutsk and Vladivostok as focus cities. The network is mainly domestic, with international services to countries still open to Russian carriers. A 2026 outlook report says the summer 2026 route map was expanded to 136 destinations, with a push into Asia.
Fleet
As of August 2025, Wikipedia lists 104 aircraft, including two cargo Boeing 737-800BCF. The types are:
- Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321 and A321neo
- Boeing 737-800
- Embraer E170
Many A320neo and A321neo aircraft are parked because of Pratt & Whitney GTF engine problems. In February 2026, S7 Group, United Aircraft Corporation and GTLK signed a memorandum for 100 Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft. The fleet figure may have changed since then.
On board
According to Alternative Airlines, S7 sells four fare types: Economy Basic, Economy Flex, Business Basic and Business Flex. Several types are listed with an eight-seat business cabin. Seat pitch, meal and entertainment details were not confirmed in the sources reviewed, so check the airline's website before travelling.
Good to know
- Baggage: The same source gives a 10 kg cabin allowance (55 x 40 x 20 cm) for Economy Basic, and 15 kg for Economy Flex and Business fares. Wingie reports no checked bag on Economy Basic, one 23 kg bag on Economy Flex, and 32 kg bags in Business. Confirm on s7.ru.
- Loyalty: The frequent-flyer programme is S7 Priority.
- Alliance benefits: With oneworld membership suspended, reciprocal benefits should not be assumed.
- Travel restrictions: Sanctions and airspace bans limit the routes available to many international travellers.
Sources (4)
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