airBaltic
Latvia’s low-cost flag carrier, linking Riga with cities across Europe and nearby regions through a network built around convenient Baltic connections.
About airBaltic
Founded in 1995, airBaltic is Latvia’s flag carrier and operates under the legal name AirBaltic. The Latvian state is its principal shareholder, giving the airline a public-sector ownership identity while it competes commercially with low-cost and network carriers. Its business model combines competitively priced, fare-based travel with connecting services through the Baltic region.
Riga is airBaltic’s primary hub and the center of its route network. The airline serves 48 destinations across 26 countries on 105 routes, with Riga, Moscow, Brussels, Minsk and Tashkent its busiest departure points by route count. Its broader network connects Baltic and Nordic markets with major European cities and selected destinations farther east.
Aircraft types associated with airBaltic’s operational history include the Airbus A320, Avro RJ100, Boeing 737-300 and 737-500, Boeing 767-300, Canadair Regional Jet, De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 and Fokker 50. The airline has since centered its passenger operation on Airbus A220 aircraft. Fare products range from basic economy-style options to more flexible economy and business-class travel.
airBaltic is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, although partnerships and codeshare agreements can extend the journeys available through its network. Its loyalty programme is airBaltic Club, through which members can earn points and access rewards or selected benefits. Eligibility and earning rates depend on the fare, flight and participating partner.
A major strength is airBaltic’s ability to connect smaller Baltic and Nordic cities through Riga while also serving established European destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona and Brussels. The main practical challenge is that lower fares may include fewer services, so baggage, seat selection and changes can increase the final price. Travellers should compare the complete fare conditions before booking.
Good to know
Flying with airBaltic — what to expect
Check Fare Inclusions
The lowest fares may exclude checked baggage, advance seat selection and flexible changes. Compare the total cost of each fare bundle before paying.
Cabin Bag Rules
Carry-on limits depend on the fare and any baggage options purchased. Confirm the permitted number, dimensions and combined weight in your booking before departure.
Riga Connections
Riga is the airline’s main connecting hub and provides links between Baltic, Nordic and wider European markets. Leave sufficient transfer time, particularly when travelling on separate tickets.
Business Class Service
Business-class fares generally provide more flexibility, additional baggage and enhanced airport or onboard services. The exact benefits can vary by route and fare conditions.
Join Before Booking
Travellers planning repeat trips should consider joining airBaltic Club before purchasing. Points and benefits may depend on the booked fare and whether the membership number is attached correctly.
Network overview
Where airBaltic flies
airBaltic operates 105 routes to 48 destinations across 26 countries, its longest sector reaching Riga to Tashkent (3,639 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities airBaltic flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Riga → Tashkent
3,639 km · RIX → TAS
The longest sector in the airBaltic 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 airBaltic
Notable destinations on airBaltic's network.
BTRigadirectBTMoscowdirectBTBrusselsdirectBTTashkentdirectBTTurkudirectBTVaasadirectBTVilniusdirectBTAalesunddirectBTAmsterdamdirectBTBarcelonadirectBTBaridirectBTBergendirectDestination list is indicative of airBaltic's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of airBaltic
TripAdvisor · 2022–2024- 510
- 45
- 34
- 23
- 178
What travellers flew
Counted from the 100 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Tebbilbe airline and horrid airport staff
I had Airbaltic flight ticket from Hurghada to Riga. I arrived at the airport 3 hours before the plane's departure, by Uber taxi whose receipt confirms the arrival time. I had all my travel documents (EU passport, plane tickets) in order. I hadn't overstayed… See more my visa either. The travel agency had even confirmed the flight by email a day earlier. The Air Baltic check-in staff did not allow check-in and did not issue a boarding pass. I visited Passport and Immigration office to ask advice. According to the head of this office, nothing prevents flying if I have a boarding pass. I went back to the Air Baltic check-in again. I asked the Air Baltic check-in staff to visit the this authority which was 90 meters away (Airbaltic staff refused). The Airbaltic check-in staff required me to buy a new flight ticket for another airline and asked to get out from terminal. I took a video recording of the whole situation where Air Baltic check-in staff prevent the check-in and did not give the boarding pass. I complained about the Airbaltics check in staff breaching of the contract, infringement of EU regulations and rudeness to Air Baltic's head office. Airbaltic did not agree to reimburse the cost of the return ticket of 700 euros. It is better avoid this airline.
See lessPosted January 2024 by lauratmm, Tallinn
AirBaltic - best at not delivering your baggage
Long before every airline stopped any free food and beverage service AirBaltic did that, for the ticket price of normal aricompany. Now they upgraded their service to delaying flight and baggage. I am lucky to have my baggage delayed two times in a row. And… See more since Vilnius isn't my final destination (I have to take a bus from Vilnius to another country) I have to find a solution to their incompetence by myself. And they don't care if I lose time and money, talking to their customer service about reimbursement is waste of time in the end. Any connecting flight to Vilnius operated by AirBaltic is a lottery of arriving with or without suitcases. And normally connecting flights to Vilnius were delayed. (in baggage claim area there's Lost & Found counter. You can see how stuck with people and suitcases it is with almost every flight).
See lessPosted December 2023 by Bana N
Fresh and clean
Great fresh and friendly airline. Happily fly with them again. Definitely, something to recommend and look forward to if you book a flight with them or fly on one of their services for other airlines.
Posted September 2023 by Alexander
Delays
Flight postponed by 2 hours 45 minutes. Very smart. No insurance claims. Not the nice way to treat customers. Very disappointed.
Posted June 2023 by JK
Scam
Feeling scamed, they to ofthen change "partner airline" and you are stuck with cheap airline and old plane with small uncomortable seat with no leg room.... Whats really the point paying extra if u get stuck flying cheap "rynair type airline" but paying 3x… See more more for the flight, but no worries they give u some cheap 10 euro cupon for next flight, it hapened to me last 3 flights... And asking my friends its hapend with them allso. It was allso shown in latvian news, (airbaltic is Latvain airline) so i guess its comon pratice...
See lessPosted June 2023 by Matiss
Refuses to take responsibility for missing luggage
AirBaltic lost my luggage when I transferred to a flight out of Barcelona. Because I had an AirTag in my bag, I was able to share very precise location information with AirBaltic, information that they completely ignored. My bag was not returned to me until… See more after I arrived home, 19 days in all. I had to purchase underclothes, pants, shirts, a sweater, socks, and a jacket -- nothing extravagant as I shopped at H&M and other discount stores. And yet, AirBaltic will only reimburse me for 40 euro because they made "a good faith effort" to find my bag. This claim is clearly false as they ignored every one of my attempts to share the bag's location with them. AirBaltic will not take responsibility for their failure. My itinerary was booked through United. I will be contacting United to urge them to avoid AirBaltic whenever possible. United risks its own reputation by associating with this airline.
See lessPosted June 2023 by DadaCabaret, Washington DC
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
More from Latvia
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FAQ
airBaltic — 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
- The permitted cabin baggage depends on the fare and any additional baggage purchased. Travellers should check their booking confirmation for the current size, weight and item limits rather than relying on a general allowance.
- The longest airBaltic route is Riga to Tashkent, covering about 3,639 km nonstop.
- The busiest departure points by number of routes are Riga, Moscow, Brussels, Minsk and Tashkent. Riga is the airline’s principal hub and main connecting airport.
- airBaltic’s primary hub is Riga Airport in Latvia. Moscow, Brussels, Minsk and Tashkent also rank among its busiest departure points by route count.
- airBaltic serves 48 destinations across 26 countries and operates 105 routes.
- Fares are often lower when booked well ahead for off-peak travel, especially outside major holidays and the busiest summer periods. Midweek dates and less restrictive travel schedules can provide more choices, but prices vary with demand.
- airBaltic serves destinations across the Baltic region, the Nordic countries, Europe and nearby eastern markets. Examples include Riga, Brussels, Tashkent, Turku, Vaasa, Vilnius, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bari and Bergen.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the prices shown.