The once mighty state-run Aeroflot is disintegrated into literally dozens of independent privatized airlines who try to cooperate to give some semblance of order to internal flights. There are widespread reports of canceled flights and overbooking. Aeroflot International, however, has held together and actually improved success on many international flights. Alternatives to the ex-Aeroflot companies have emerged, the best known and best run being Transaero. Some international carriers, especially Finnair, have landing rights in cities other than Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Get to the airport about two hours ahead of scheduled take-off. Be prepared for long lines, both at baggage and passport control. On Aeroflot domestic flights, still bring along your own food and beverages for long trips.

Approximate flight times and distances from Saint Petersburg to selected cities are listed below.

City Distance (km) Time (hours:minutes) Alma-Ata 3500 4 hrs 30 min Amsterdam 1700 4 hrs 30 min Berlin 1300 2 hrs 30 min Budapest 1500 2 hrs 30 min Frankfurt 1700 3 hrs Helsinki 320 0 hrs 55 min Kiev 1000 2 hrs London 2200 3 hrs Moscow 650 1 hr 10 min New York 8200 10 hrs Omsk 2100 3 hrs 10 min Paris 2000 3 hrs 30 min Riga 530 1 hr Rome 2300 4 hrs Simferopol 1600 2hrs 40 min Sochi 1700 3 hrs 10 min Stockholm 710 1 hr 20 min Tallinn 300 0 hrs 40 min Vladivostok 7000 12 hrs Warsaw 1000 2 hrs