Air Astana
Kazakhstan’s full-service flag carrier, operating domestic and international scheduled flights through its principal hub at Almaty.
About Air Astana
Air Astana was founded in 2001 and operated its first commercial flight, between Almaty and Astana, in May 2002. It is Kazakhstan’s flag carrier and a publicly traded airline, with the country’s Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund remaining its largest shareholder. The wider Air Astana Group also owns FlyArystan, a separately branded low-cost carrier serving domestic and regional markets.
Almaty International Airport is Air Astana’s primary hub, with Astana serving as its second major base. The airline operates 121 routes linking 37 destinations across 18 countries. Its network combines important domestic points such as Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe and Kzyl-Orda with international cities including Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Baku, Beijing, Istanbul, London and Moscow.
Air Astana’s aircraft record spans several fleet generations, including the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 families, Airbus A330 variants, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767, Embraer ERJ-190 and Fokker 50. Its modern passenger operations have increasingly focused on Airbus A320-family aircraft and Boeing 767 wide-bodies. Economy and Business Class are offered, with cabin configuration, seating and service varying by aircraft and route.
Air Astana is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It instead uses individual codeshare and interline relationships to extend connection options beyond its own network. The airline’s frequent-flyer programme is Nomad Club, which allows members to earn points on eligible flights and participating services, then redeem them for rewards such as flights or cabin upgrades under the programme’s applicable rules.
One of Air Astana’s principal strengths is its combination of extensive domestic coverage and direct international links from Kazakhstan, reducing the need to connect through foreign hubs. Its network also reaches markets across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Caucasus. A practical limitation is that some international routes operate seasonally or only several times per week, making careful connection planning particularly important.
Good to know
Flying with Air Astana — what to expect
Main Connection Points
Almaty is the primary hub, while Astana is another major connecting airport. Check the city and airport carefully when comparing itineraries because Kazakhstan journeys may route through either hub.
Cabin Baggage Rules
Carry-on allowances vary by cabin and operating carrier, with Business Class generally permitting more than Economy. Confirm the current item, weight and size limits before departure, particularly on codeshare flights.
Aircraft May Vary
Cabin layouts and Business Class seating differ across the fleet. Review the aircraft and seat map for the specific flight, while remembering that operational substitutions remain possible.
Check Flight Frequency
Some international services are seasonal or operate only on selected days. Longer connection buffers can be worthwhile where the onward route is not served daily.
Nomad Club Credit
Nomad Club points depend on the fare and booking class purchased. Add the membership number before travel and retain the ticket and boarding pass until the points have posted.
Network overview
Where Air Astana flies
Air Astana operates 121 routes to 37 destinations across 18 countries, its longest sector reaching Almaty to London (5,622 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Air Astana flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Almaty → London
5,622 km · ALA → LHR
The longest sector in the Air Astana network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Air Astana
Notable destinations on Air Astana's network.
KCAlmatydirectKCAstanadirectKCAtyraudirectKCAbu DhabidirectKCAktaudirectKCIstanbuldirectKCAktobedirectKCAmsterdamdirectKCBakudirectKCBeijingdirectKCKzyl-OrdadirectKCMoscowdirectDestination list is indicative of Air Astana's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Kazakhstan
Other airlines based in Kazakhstan
FAQ
Air Astana — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Air Astana serves domestic and international destinations across Kazakhstan, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Its network includes Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Baku, Beijing, Istanbul and Moscow.
- Carry-on limits depend on the cabin and operating carrier, and Business Class generally receives a larger allowance than Economy. Check Air Astana’s current baggage guidance for the permitted dimensions, weight and number of items before travelling.
- The busiest departure points by route count are Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. Almaty is the airline’s principal hub and the largest connecting point in its network.
- Tickets are often cheaper when booked in advance and outside major holidays and peak summer travel periods. Compare nearby dates and departures from both Almaty and Astana where practical, as frequency and seasonal demand can affect fares.
- Air Astana’s primary hub is Almaty International Airport. Astana is its other major base, while Atyrau also supports a significant number of departures.
- Air Astana’s longest route is Almaty to London, about 5,622 km nonstop. Flight schedules and aircraft assignments can still vary by travel date.
- Air Astana serves exactly 37 destinations across 18 countries. It operates 121 routes within that network.