Buta Airways
Azerbaijan’s former low-cost airline, which operated regional flights from Baku before being integrated into flag carrier Azerbaijan Airlines in 2023.
About Buta Airways
Buta Airways was established in 2016 and began scheduled services in September 2017 as the low-cost brand of Azerbaijan Airlines, commonly known as AZAL. Based in Azerbaijan, it was created to provide a simpler, lower-fare alternative on regional routes. Although presented to travellers as a separate airline, Buta Airways remained closely connected to its state-owned parent and generally operated using Azerbaijan Airlines’ flight code and infrastructure.
The airline’s primary hub was Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. From there, Buta Airways served a regional network focused principally on nearby markets, including destinations in Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Iran. Its schedules also included Ukrainian services before those flights became affected by regional conflict and airspace restrictions. The network was designed around relatively short international sectors rather than long-haul travel or extensive domestic flying.
Buta Airways primarily used Embraer E190 regional jets, an aircraft family well suited to thinner short-haul routes. The onboard product followed a low-cost model, with a largely single-cabin layout and a basic fare intended to keep the entry price low. Optional services, checked baggage and greater flexibility could depend on the selected fare, so passengers needed to compare the inclusions rather than judge tickets solely by their headline price.
Buta Airways was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and did not maintain a clearly separate frequent-flyer programme of its own. Its relationship with Azerbaijan Airlines meant that reservations, operations and some customer-service arrangements overlapped with the parent carrier. Travellers considering current AZAL services should consult Azerbaijan Airlines directly for the latest loyalty eligibility and mileage rules, as historical Buta fare conditions may no longer apply.
In October 2023, Buta Airways ceased operating as a standalone low-cost brand and was integrated into Azerbaijan Airlines under a unified identity. Its main strength had been straightforward access from Baku to a range of regional cities, often using right-sized regional aircraft. The principal challenge for travellers researching it today is that old route maps, baggage rules and booking pages can be outdated; current flights and conditions should be checked under Azerbaijan Airlines rather than assumed from archived Buta Airways information.
Good to know
Flying with Buta Airways — what to expect
Brand No Longer Active
Buta Airways was integrated into Azerbaijan Airlines in October 2023. Current schedules, bookings and travel policies should therefore be checked on AZAL’s official channels.
Check Fare Inclusions
Buta operated with a low-cost fare structure, and services such as checked baggage or ticket changes could vary by fare. Do not rely on archived Buta conditions when booking a present-day AZAL flight.
Baku Connections
The former network was centred on Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Allow sufficient connection time and confirm whether baggage will be transferred when combining separate tickets.
Regional Jet Cabins
Buta primarily flew Embraer E190 aircraft, which have a smaller cabin than typical mainline narrow-body jets. Cabin baggage storage can consequently be limited on busy services.
Use Current Documents
Old Buta Airways itineraries and references may still appear online. Verify the operating carrier, terminal, baggage allowance and check-in instructions on the current Azerbaijan Airlines booking record.
Reviews of Buta Airways
TripAdvisor · 2018–2023- 55
- 418
- 35
- 23
- 119
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 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.
Worst experience ever
They violated the international transportation rules for hand luggage cited on their website forcing me to register my medicine as a separate baggage as well as extremely rude service on the airplane that is not acceptable. Customer service cites 30 business… See more days for a standard reply that still hasn't responded to me. Save the headache and fly a different airline.
See lessPosted May 2023 by Aida
Pleasant surprise
I bought the ticket because the route was cheaper than with Azal. I was concerned about transferring in Baku because online I needed to change terminals. But I didn't need to leave the terminal-the directions in the terminal were in English so I could follow… See more them easily. I arrived and departed on Buta airlines. There are chairs with no arms near the "cocoon area" where you can lie down during long layovers. Buta offers a sandwich and hot beverage even on a 50 minute flight. I ordered a special meal online for two flights of my 4 flights, but they only had the meal on one of them. The embarrassed stewardess brought me other food to try and find something for me to eat. She said she would write a note that they didn't have the food that I had bought. I've sent a request to get my money returned; we'll see.
See lessPosted October 2022 by Mara G
Good flight
The flying time between airports was not long +-1hr 10 mins. The seats were comfortable and there was adequate legroom.
Posted June 2022 by Adventurers049, Brisbane
Buta Airways flight J29224 from Tbilisi to Baku was a have safe and reliable flight
We have bought tickets with Azerbaijan Airlines, but we were flown with Buta Airways (a 100% subsidiary of Azerbaijan Airlines), taken the flight J29224 from Tbilisi [Shota Rustaveli International Airport (TBS) to Baku [Heydar Aliyev International Airport… See more (GYD) ] on board of an Embraer-190 (a small aircraft with a seat configuration of 2+2), which was a smooth short flight (about one hour) without any turbulences and problems. No one has explained to us that we will fly with BUTA AIRWAYA although the tickets are with Azerbaijan Airlines. Both take-off and landing was very good and the Baku airport was impressive. The service on board was good and they offered tea, coffee, juice, without charge [and wine on payment] although it was a very short flight. I liked my flight from Tbilisi to Baku and probably I will fly again if I am in the area of Caucasus.
See lessPosted April 2022 by Κωνσταντίνος Δ, Athens
Customer service
We bought our tickets to Baku in January 2020. Since the pandemic started, all flights were canceled. After 2 years!! we still didn't receive our money back. All this time we have been trying to contact customer service, but always got the same answer, which… See more they just copied and pasted from their website. If it would only be 2 tickets that's ok, we would wait until they resume their flights. But I'm talking about 10! 10 tickets!! I Would Not recommend Buta air to anyone. It is better to overpay with Turkish airlines, at least you will know that if something happens they will always return your money. Very disappointed.
See lessPosted February 2022 by Anna E, Houston
Decent Flight
The flight seating was comfortable. The whole experience was pretty decent. Even though was a full flight I was satisfied with the flight. Would try it again someday. It is much better than most of the low cost airlines I would have flown.
Posted June 2020 by Jetskii, Riyadh
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 Azerbaijan
Other airlines based in Azerbaijan
FAQ
Buta Airways — 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
- Buta Airways was based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Following the brand’s integration in 2023, current services should be checked with Azerbaijan Airlines.
- Buta Airways currently serves no destinations as an independent brand because it was integrated into Azerbaijan Airlines in October 2023. Historical network totals varied by season and operational restrictions.
- Buta’s historical cabin-baggage entitlement depended on its applicable fare and conditions. Because the brand is no longer active, passengers should use the allowance printed on their current Azerbaijan Airlines ticket rather than an archived Buta policy.
- Buta Airways tickets are no longer sold under a standalone operating brand. For comparable Azerbaijan Airlines services, lower fares are generally easier to find by booking early, comparing nearby dates and avoiding peak holiday periods.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Since Buta Airways is no longer a standalone brand, relevant current results may appear under Azerbaijan Airlines.
- Buta Airways has no current routes because the brand was integrated into Azerbaijan Airlines. Its historical network changed over time, so there is no reliable current longest route to quote.
- Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku was the airline’s principal departure airport and network base. Travellers should search current departures under Azerbaijan Airlines.
- Buta Airways no longer operates as a standalone airline. Historically, it connected Baku with regional destinations in markets including Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Iran, while the current network is sold under Azerbaijan Airlines.