Ernest Airlines
A former Italian low-cost airline that linked several Italian cities with destinations in Albania, Ukraine and Romania before ceasing operations in 2020.
About Ernest Airlines
Ernest Airlines was an Italian privately owned low-cost carrier founded in 2015. Scheduled passenger operations began in 2017 under the Ernest brand, with the airline positioning itself primarily around direct links between Italy and underserved markets in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Its legal identity and ICAO code differed from the Japan Asia Airways details sometimes associated with the reused EG IATA code.
Milan Malpensa was its principal operating base, while flights also departed from airports serving Rome, Naples, Venice, Bologna, Verona and other Italian cities. The network focused especially on Albania and Ukraine, including services to Tirana, Kyiv and Lviv, alongside selected routes to Romania. Many flights were aimed at visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic rather than traditional connecting passengers.
The carrier operated Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft configured for short- and medium-haul flying. Service followed a single-class, low-cost model, with optional products such as checked baggage, preferred seating and other extras sold separately from the basic fare. Travellers therefore needed to compare the complete trip price rather than judging an itinerary solely by its headline fare.
Ernest Airlines did not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and did not operate a widely established frequent-flyer programme. Its point-to-point business model offered limited emphasis on interline connections, alliance benefits or through-checked baggage. Passengers generally booked individual sectors directly and were responsible for allowing sufficient time when arranging separate onward flights.
The airline's clearest strength was its concentration on nonstop routes between Italy and communities that had fewer direct travel options. Its limited scale, however, left passengers with fewer alternative departures when disruption occurred. Ernest Airlines suspended operations in January 2020 after its operating licence was suspended and subsequently ceased trading, so its former schedules, baggage rules and sales channels are now of historical interest only.
Good to know
Flying with Ernest Airlines — what to expect
Operations Have Ended
Ernest Airlines ceased operating in 2020 and no longer sells tickets or runs scheduled flights. Travellers searching the same routes must use another airline.
Point-to-Point Network
The airline primarily sold direct, low-cost journeys rather than protected connecting itineraries. Separate onward flights would normally have required a generous connection buffer.
Extras Cost Separately
Its basic fares generally followed the low-cost model, with checked baggage, seat selection and other extras priced separately. Historical fare comparisons should therefore consider the total cost of the selected options.
Airbus Narrow-Bodies
Ernest operated Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft in a single-class layout. Cabin service was designed for short- and medium-haul routes rather than a full-service premium experience.
Limited Disruption Options
As a small carrier with relatively low frequencies, Ernest had fewer replacement flights available during disruption. This was an important consideration on trips involving separate connections or fixed appointments.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Ernest Airlines
Notable destinations on Ernest Airlines's network.
EGMilandirectEGRomedirectEGNaplesdirectEGVenicedirectEGBolognadirectEGVeronadirectEGTiranadirectEGKyivdirectEGLvivdirectEGBucharestdirectEGIașidirectDestination list is indicative of Ernest Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Ernest Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2019–2020- 510
- 45
- 33
- 22
- 130
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.
No one is answering emails
So all flights from 13th of Jan got cancelled due to legislation problems. Okay fine sh*t happens BUT THE WAY THEY HANDLED IT oh my god. Could've at least replied my (2) emails about rebooking my flight for an earlier date? No? okay.
Posted January 2020 by Julia
Never ever in my life
I’ll never even recommend it. We are stacked at airport for a day and still haven’t left it. It’s super unreasonable. I had to be at a different country this morning. All flights are cancelled. This company are not even supposed to be named as company.… See more Customer care a not responding after 10 calls. Can’t add any plus.
See lessPosted January 2020 by marta k, Vienna
Good experience with customer service
Ernest had moved my flight to a time when I could not make it and they were most gracious after the fact with a full refund.
Posted January 2020 by Katie O, Reno
The worst experience ever!!!
I can’t believe how terrible this airline was, ruined my whole families trip to kiev. They changed my afternoon flight 3:40pm to morning 9:00am, with zero sympathy. I was forced to check in my carry on and pay additional 45€ At the airport. In addition if you… See more have any size purse, even the size of the wallet, you will be charge an extra fee. The fact that Hahn Airlines represents them and I didn’t know whom I was flying with, is the biggest disappointment.
See lessPosted December 2019 by Valentina Martynovich, Miami
Shameful service
If u wanna not to get your flight , u have to get tickets via Ernest. I got tickets Kharkov - Rome 3 weeks before flight which was cancelled in 3 days after my reservation. I phoned to the company and got the new offer to change a flight for other day or… See more airport. I changed my day but still got flight from Kharkov. They told me that flight will be for sure. But, suddenly, in 2 days i got new info my rebooked flight was cancelled, less than one week before flight. Such a nice surprise for Christmas. They offered a new flight from Kiev but if i wanted to take flight from Kiev i could make a reservation directly from Kiev. So, in the end, i took flight from Kiev but the airport service was terrible, flight was delayed without any info, cabin crew didnt care about people on boarding, even didn't say Hi. Thanks God , i came final destination. But , for sure, i will not recommend Ernest to my friends, relatives and other tourists. Never more Ernest.
See lessPosted December 2019 by OlgaBurm, Kharkiv
Smooth flight.
Booked a holiday with Tui and discovered our flight Departure was with Ernest airways, never heard of them but was reassured by the holiday assistant they were ok. Checked their website found some poor reviews, so was a bit concerned. Holiday arrived went to… See more Newcastle airport stood in the (all Tui flight) check in only when when nearing the front, only to find we were in the wrong check in line and Ernest had their own check in line I blame Tui for this as quite a few passengers did the same thing, thought hear we go good start. BUT when checking in we we’re confronted with a friendly check in assistant, this was the start we wanted. Flight time we were told was on time. Flight called to our gate number and boarded the aircraft welcomed by flight attendants, found seats easily. Seats in black leather and very clean. On departure the air flight attendant spoke about the safety in broken English which was hard to understand, this being the only downside to this flight. Only one drinks service and no duty frees. We arrived early in Verona the flight landed very smoothly, the whole flight was good, so don’t be alarmed if you are on a Ernest flight. I would fly with them again.
See lessPosted September 2019 by David r, Gateshead
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.
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FAQ
Ernest Airlines — 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
- Ernest Airlines principally operated from Milan Malpensa, supported by departures from several other Italian airports. The airline ceased operations in 2020.
- Ernest Airlines tickets are no longer available. For alternative carriers on its former routes, lower fares are often easier to find by booking early, comparing nearby dates and avoiding major holiday periods.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Since Ernest Airlines has ceased operations, searches will show available alternatives rather than Ernest-operated flights.
- Ernest Airlines currently serves no destinations because it ceased operations in 2020. Its historical network changed over time, so a single current destination count is not applicable.
- Milan Malpensa was Ernest Airlines's principal departure base. Its historical network also included departures from Rome, Naples, Venice, Bologna and Verona.
- Ernest Airlines no longer flies. Its former network linked Italian cities with destinations including Tirana, Kyiv, Lviv, Bucharest and Iași.
- There is no current allowance because Ernest Airlines no longer operates. On low-cost airlines serving similar routes, cabin-bag limits depend on the fare and must be checked directly with the operating carrier before travel.
- Ernest Airlines has no current longest route because it no longer operates. Its former network was composed mainly of short- and medium-haul services between Italy and Eastern or Southeastern Europe.