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Since international sanctions changed air travel to Russia in 2022, finding flights requires new strategies. This comprehensive guide shows how to use AviaSales effectively to find charter flights with significant discounts.
⚠️ Important Travel Advisory
Due to current geopolitical circumstances, many countries have closed airspace to Russian aircraft. Always check the latest travel advisories, entry requirements, and sanctions before planning travel involving Russia. This guide is for informational purposes only.
✈️ Understanding Current Flight Restrictions to/from Russia
Before attempting to book any flights involving Russia, it’s crucial to understand the new aviation landscape. Here’s what’s changed:
❌ What’s Not Available
- Direct flights from EU, US, UK, Canada to Russia
- Russian airlines in Western airspace
- Standard booking paths on most global OTAs
- International credit card payments on Russian sites
✅ What Is Available
- Flights via third countries (Turkey, UAE, Armenia)
- Charter and special permission flights
- Separate ticket combinations
- Regional airlines from friendly nations
🔍 AviaSales Search Strategies for Russian Flights
AviaSales (also known as Jetradar) can still be incredibly useful for finding flights to/from Russia if you use these advanced techniques:
Step-by-Step AviaSales Approach
- Use Nearby Airports: Enable “nearby airports” in AviaSales settings
- Flexible Dates: Search ±3 days for best options
- Multi-City Search: Break your journey into segments
- Alternative Destinations: Search for hubs like Istanbul instead of Moscow
💡 Pro Tip: Hidden Charter Flights
Charter flights often don’t appear in standard searches. Start with AviaSales for baseline prices, then try searching for your route in Russian language (“авиабилеты Москва Стамбул чартер”) and check specialized Russian travel forums. Charter operators like Azur Air, Ikar, and Nordwind sometimes offer discounted seats through specific agencies.
💰 Finding Charter Flights with High Discounts
Charter flights can offer 20-40% discounts compared to regular commercial flights, especially if you know when and how to book. Start your search on AviaSales to understand the market rate, then look for charter-specific deals.
| Discount Type | How to Find | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Last-Minute Charters | Check 7-14 days before departure on AviaSales | 25-40% off |
| Group Charters | Join travel group forums | 30%+ for 4+ people |
| Off-Season Charters | Travel October-April (excl. holidays) | 20-35% off |
| Repositioning Flights | Empty leg searches on charter sites | 40-60% off |
🌍 Alternative Routes & Connection Points
These are currently the most reliable connection points for Russia travel. Use AviaSales to search these routes individually:
🇹🇷 Turkey (Istanbul)
- Most frequent connections
- Turkish Airlines + charter options
- IST and SAW airports
- Visa-free for many nationals
🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai/Sharjah)
- FlyDubai operates regularly
- Good charter availability
- DXB, SHJ, AUH airports
- 30-day visa on arrival
🇦🇲 Armenia (Yerevan)
- Short flight to Russia
- Multiple daily flights
- EVN airport only
- Visa-free for most
📝 Sample Discounted Itinerary: London to Moscow
Step 1: Book London → Istanbul (IST)
Use AviaSales, filter for cheapest, flexible dates
Step 2: Search Istanbul → Moscow
Check Russian sites: Tutu.ru, Yandex.Travel
Step 3: Look for charter discounts
Try “Istanbul Moscow charter” in Russian
Total Savings: This approach can save 35-50% compared to pre-sanction direct flights. Start your search on AviaSales to understand current prices.
🎯 Practical Booking Tips & Recommendations
Best Travel Search Sites
- AviaSales – Global flight comparison (our top pick)
- Tutu.ru – Best for domestic Russian and CIS flights
- Yandex.Travel – Comprehensive Russian search engine
- Ozon.Travel – Sometimes has exclusive charter deals
Payment Methods
- Russian Mir cards (if you have one)
- Cash at Russian travel agencies
- UnionPay (sometimes accepted)
- Cryptocurrency (few specialized agencies)
Ready to Start Your Search?
Begin your flight search on AviaSales to understand current market rates and available options. Their comprehensive search engine compares hundreds of airlines and booking sites to help you find the best deals.
⚠️ Safety & Legal Considerations
Essential Checks Before You Book
- Check travel advisories from your government
- Verify entry requirements for all countries in your itinerary
- Ensure travel insurance covers your entire trip (many exclude Russia)
- Confirm visa requirements for transit countries
- Have backup plans for flight cancellations
- Register with your embassy if traveling to Russia
Final Thoughts
While booking flights to or from Russia has become more complex, it’s still possible to find charter options with significant discounts. The key is flexibility, using multiple search strategies, and being prepared for higher prices and more complicated itineraries.
Our Recommendation: Start your search on AviaSales to get a comprehensive view of available options and prices. Their platform is excellent for comparing routes, dates, and airlines across hundreds of sources.
Safe travels and smart searching!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I book flights to Russia directly through AviaSales?
A: Yes, AviaSales shows available flights to/from Russia through third countries. While direct flights from Western countries aren’t available, you’ll see options via Turkey, UAE, Armenia, and other connection points.
Q: How far in advance should I book for the best charter discounts?
A: Unlike regular flights, charter discounts often appear 1-3 weeks before departure when operators try to fill remaining seats. However, for peak seasons, monitor prices 2-3 months out using AviaSales price alerts.
Q: Does AviaSales show charter flight options?
A: AviaSales primarily shows scheduled commercial flights. For charter-specific options, you’ll need to supplement your search with specialized charter websites and Russian travel forums. However, AviaSales is excellent for finding the commercial legs of your journey.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links to AviaSales. If you book flights through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help fund our travel research and allow us to continue providing detailed guides like this one. We only recommend services we genuinely believe in and have used ourselves for travel planning.
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