Today may be the first day of Fall, but airBaltic is ready for next summer. The airline has recently unveiled its flight schedule for summer 2024. If you’ve been awaiting a fresh selection of travel destinations, airBaltic promises to take you on captivating journeys with 11 brand-new routes. Of these, 7 are launching directly from the picturesque city of Riga, broadening the connectivity across the Baltics.
But what’s inside the airBaltic A220-300 plane? And is airBaltic’s special in-flight menu worth buying?
First, here’s a quick glance at the new airBaltic flights from Riga:
| Destination | Frequency | Start Date | Starting Price (one-way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga – Alicante (Spain) | 2 flights weekly | February 27, 2024 | 129 EUR |
| Riga – Tirana (Albania) | 2 flights weekly | May 2, 2024 | 89 EUR |
| Riga – Sofia (Bulgaria) | 3 flights weekly | May 2, 2024 | 79 EUR |
| Riga – Ljubljana (Slovenia) | 2 flights weekly | May 2, 2024 | 79 EUR |
| Riga – Skopje (North Macedonia) | 2 flights weekly | May 2, 2024 | 79 EUR |
| Riga – Chisinau (Moldova) | 2 flights weekly | May 4, 2024 | 79 EUR |
| Riga – Pristina (Kosovo) | 2 flights weekly | May 4, 2024 | 79 EUR |
*All prices, including taxes, fees, and service charges, are subject to availability.
Apart from the routes from Latvia, there are additions from Estonia and Lithuania. Passengers can also look forward to more frequent flights from Riga to popular destinations such as Rome, Tel Aviv, and Prague.
Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, expressed his vision for the company’s growth. “airBaltic continues to be the leading airline in the region, and with the launch of 11 new routes next summer, we will strengthen our position and our ambition to grow, improving the connectivity from the Baltics. When preparing for the next season, we always carefully evaluate the market situation and the passenger demand. This time, we have identified an opportunity to widen our network in Central and Southeastern Europe with connections to Baltic and Nordic countries. Therefore, we are glad to expand the airBaltic offering next summer with convenient direct flights to this region and also increase flight frequencies on our existing leisure and business routes.”
Inside the Plane: airBaltic A220-300
Inside the Airbus A220-300: airBaltic’s Pride
A Glimpse at the Fleet
airBaltic prides itself on a streamlined approach to its fleet. Operating all its flights with a single aircraft type, the airline has chosen the Airbus A220-300, renowned as one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly aircraft in the commercial world today. This reinforces the airline’s commitment to sustainability and guarantees a consistent, high-quality experience for its passengers.
Why the Airbus A220-300 Stands Out
- Comfort Redefined: The Airbus A220-300 can accommodate 145 passengers, all of whom get to enjoy benefits like wider seats, larger windows that invite in more natural light, and enhanced hand luggage storage. The improved lavatories further elevate the passenger experience.
- Whisper-Quiet Flights: If the loud hums of an aircraft have perturbed you, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The A220-300 boasts noise footprints that are four times smaller, ensuring a peaceful journey above the clouds.
- Eco-Conscious Flying: Embodying the spirit of green aviation, the Airbus A220-300 stands as the world’s greenest commercial aircraft. Its transparent declaration concerning life-cycle environmental impacts is groundbreaking. The results speak for themselves, with reductions in CO2 and NOX emissions by 20% and 50%, respectively.
- A Proven Track Record: The aircraft has rapidly become a passenger favorite since the first Airbus A220-300 was introduced in late 2016. Over 10,980,000 passengers have flown on airBaltic A220-300 aircraft. Its reliability and performance are indisputable, with over 126,000 flights completed and over 275,500 block hours flown.
Specifications of Airbus A220-300:
- Number of Aircraft: 42
- Seating Capacity: 145 seats
- Max Take-Off Weight: 67.6 tons
- Max Payload: 16.7 tons
- Dimensions: Length – 38.7 m, Wing Span – 35.1 m
- Cruising Speed: 871 km/h
- Commercial Range: 4575 km
- Fuel Consumption: 2600 l/h
- Engine: PW 1521G
airBaltic Airbus A220-300 (LOPA) Seat Map
More detailed information and a seat map for those keen to dive deeper into the features and benefits of airBaltic’s Airbus A220-300.
FlightChic Tours the airBaltic’s Bombardier C-Series (A220) in Hamburg
In 2017, while FlightChic was in Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo, airBaltic brought its (then new) Bombardier C-Series aircraft (which a year later became the Airbus A220).
A group of journalists enjoyed a tour of the aircraft. These are FlightChic’s pictures from the event:
There’s a new airBaltic livery.
The airline introduced a new livery for the A220-300 in 2019.
FlightChic Behind the Scenes: How airBaltic Makes Its Fresh In-Flight Menu
That same week, FlightChic joined InFlightFeed (who arranged the trip) and other journalists to visit airBaltic’s facilities in Riga and learn about its in-flight dining tradition.
Savoring the Fresh Tradition of airBaltic’s In-Flight Menu
AirBaltic’s in-flight menu isn’t just about food; it’s a culinary journey, promising a taste of Latvia even before you set foot in the country.
Latvia is a country where food is revered. Cuisine based on fresh, local ingredients is highly celebrated. Recognizing this, airBaltic has embraced and showcased these local flavors in its in-flight menus.
Customers can pre-order their choice of in-flight meals from a mouthwatering menu at the time of booking or up to 24 hours before their flights. There are also last-minute meal options, so you won’t go hungry.
For airBaltic, offering fresh in-flight meal options isn’t just about satiating hunger: it’s about making passengers feel at home. During our trip, we saw how the local LSG SkyChefs kitchen prepared the airline’s in-flight meals, forging a connection between Latvia’s homely flavors, customizable menus, and a dash of destination inspiration.
Serving Home on a Plate
As part of the experience, we were treated to a taste-test of the mix-and-match dishes available for pre-order. A standout dish was a specially crafted broth for Economy class passengers. Developed in collaboration with the local LSG SkyChefs Chef, this delightful broth comprises zucchini, carrots, ginger, cilantro, chicken, and angel-hair pasta. It’s a taste of home, miles above the ground.
Paying Tribute to Latvia’s Food Heritage
AirBaltic hosted a tour of the Central Markets of Riga to encapsulate the culinary traditions that inspire their menu. Nestled inside the 1930s Zeppelin Hangars, these markets, overflowing with fresh food, are a testament to Latvia’s culinary heritage and a treat for aviation enthusiasts.
We also had a lovely tour of Riga.
If you haven’t been to Riga, consider adding it to your destinations list. You will fall in love.
It was a perfect day.
Note: Though airBaltic covered our flights for this tour in 2017, I was not paid by airBaltic to write this article. These are my genuine opinions. Read FlightChic’s Publishing Principles
About airBaltic:
In its 27-year journey, airBaltic has soared to remarkable heights. Boasting one of Europe’s youngest fleets with 42 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, the airline currently operates over 100 routes from cities like Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Tampere. Their impeccable service has earned awards from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).