First Class Flights to Almaty

Almaty used to be the capital city of Kazakhstan, until this title was passed over to Astana in 1995. The population of Almaty is just short of two million people, making it the largest city in the whole country. It has managed to retain its place as the financial and cultural hub of Central Asia. Anybody who comes here is immediately struck by the beauty of the surrounding Tien Shan Mountains and great lakes.

Flying First Class from UK to Almaty

Almaty’s reputation as a first class tourist destination has grown in recent years. As increasing numbers of people have been visiting this city the number of airlines offering flights from the UK has also grown. Among the best known names are BMI, Air Astana, KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways and Turkish Airlines.
After a long journey, expected to take somewhere in the region of 9 hours from UK airports, you will finally arrive at Almaty International Airport. First class travellers may want to stop off at the airport bar. This place serves a good variety of beverages and has cable TV to keep customers entertained should they have to wait around.

Getting Around Almaty

It is sensible to have transport from the airport prearranged for when you arrive in Almaty. Taxis do not cost a great deal in Kazakhstan, you will have to pay somewhere in the region of £4.50 for the 11 mile trip from the airport to the city centre. This is one of the most cost effective and easily accessible modes of transport in Almaty. If you do choose to use taxis it is worthwhile remembering to have the name of your chosen destination written in a card in Russian. The vast majority of drivers will have an extremely limited knowledge of English.
People who are planning to visit Almaty are encouraged to take a basic Russian language course beforehand. Your first class travel experience may be improved if you are able to converse with the local people. A basic grasp of the native language is always advantageous when attempting to deal with confusing bus and tram services.

Other Useful Information about Almaty

The national currency of Kazakhstan is the tenge. It is important to remember that £1 is relative to 230.80 tenge. It is worthwhile taking some travellers cheques when visiting Almaty. They can be cashed in at numerous banks throughout the city.
When packing for a business trip to Kazakhstan it is worth remembering that the dress code is reasonably understated. It is essential to bring business cards with you, as they are considered highly important in the hierarchical society of this country. In order to make a good impression it is a good idea to have your details printed in English on one side of the card and Russian on the other. Many meetings will take place at posh restaurants, where delicious food is served.