Iraqi Airways
Iraq’s state-owned flag carrier, operating domestic, regional and selected long-haul services primarily from Baghdad International Airport.
About Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways is Iraq’s national airline and one of the Middle East’s oldest surviving carriers. Established in 1945 and beginning operations in 1946, it is owned by the Iraqi government and operates under the authority of the country’s Ministry of Transport. Its green-and-white identity and traditional bird emblem are closely associated with Iraqi civil aviation.
Baghdad International Airport is the airline’s primary hub, supported by important operations from Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah. The network connects Iraq’s major cities with destinations across the Middle East, including Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and the Gulf states. Selected services also extend to Asia, North Africa and Europe, although schedules can change with regulatory and operational conditions.
The fleet combines several generations of aircraft and includes Airbus A220 and A320-family jets, Boeing 737 aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These types allow the carrier to cover domestic sectors, busy regional links and longer international journeys. Cabin products vary by aircraft, but Economy Class is standard throughout the network and Business Class is offered on many international services.
Iraqi Airways does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Consequently, passengers should not expect the reciprocal lounge access, through-ticketing privileges or network-wide mileage benefits associated with a major global alliance. The airline has offered customer and loyalty-related services, but travellers should confirm the current programme, earning rules and available benefits directly with Iraqi Airways before booking.
The carrier’s principal strength is its extensive access to Iraq, particularly for travellers who need nonstop or one-stop links to cities beyond Baghdad. Its varied fleet also provides flexibility across routes of very different lengths. A fair challenge is that timetables, aircraft assignments and onboard standards may be less consistent than those of larger Gulf carriers, so passengers should reconfirm arrangements before departure.
Good to know
Flying with Iraqi Airways — what to expect
Reconfirm Your Flight
Schedules can change, particularly on less frequent international services. Check the operating time and departure terminal with Iraqi Airways shortly before travelling.
Mixed Aircraft Fleet
Aircraft type and cabin layout can differ considerably between routes and may change operationally. Review the seat map again when online check-in becomes available.
Baggage Varies
Checked and cabin baggage entitlements depend on the route, fare and travel class. Use the allowance printed on your ticket rather than assuming the same policy applies across the network.
Baghdad Connections
Baghdad is the airline’s main connecting point, while Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah also support significant operations. Allow ample time for security, document checks and any terminal procedures.
Entry Documents
Visa, passport and health-document requirements vary across Iraqi Airways’ international network. Confirm both destination and transit rules before arriving at the airport.
Alliance Limitations
Iraqi Airways is not a member of a major global airline alliance. Do not assume that status benefits, mileage credit or lounge access from another carrier will apply.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Iraqi Airways
Notable destinations on Iraqi Airways's network.
IABaghdaddirectIABasradirectIAErbildirectIANajafdirectIASulaymaniyahdirectIAIstanbuldirectIADubaidirectIAAmmandirectIABeirutdirectIACairodirectIAJeddahdirectIATehrandirectDestination list is indicative of Iraqi Airways's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Iraqi Airways
TripAdvisor · 2018–2023- 512
- 412
- 39
- 23
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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.
Modern flight
Ontime flight with no delay. Good legroom, very new and modern Boing 737-8 Max, In-flight entertainment. very good breakfast for just one hour flight. I really loved this flight. I will choose it again.
Posted April 2023 by Majid
A good experience
I urge you all to travel with Iraqi airways it’s very comfortable and good all the staff are friendly and the food is normal like other airlines the pilot are excellent I didn’t feel the touch in the landing so overall it’s a good experience with Iraqi airways
Posted March 2023 by حسين شمس ا
Bad airline, not recommended at al
I am iraqi and i do not recommend anyone to use this airlines, their flight is new but the staff unprofessional and the service is very bad. Believe me if you want to use this airline make sure you book on the business class not economy and be ready for the… See more late checks, boarding and everything Also be ready for the most bad airport (BGW) in the world
See lessPosted March 2023 by Mohammed N
Duped -Refund and Compensation
2.5 hrs and there was no proper information at the Mumbai airport of the change of gates or flight delays. Our boarding passes had a different gate no printed and later on it was changed we had a hard time running with the senior citizen and the child. I must… See more say that Iraq Air does not respect the pilgrim passengers at all. Like other airlines when we departed there were no instructions on safety of seat belts and no announcement of take off and landing ,there were many passengers in the flight who were first time travellers and did not even know how to put a seat belt. There was no service in the aircraft my mother needed water and inspite of ringing the bell many times no flight attendant ,responded and attended us or any other passengers. We are paying the fare and travelling and not for free so why this kind of behaviour by Iraq Air staff. They were occupying the first row aisle seats both ways instead of giving it to the older passengers with leg problems and just busy talking amongst themselves in the flight as well at the airport. Why is it always that the first row aisle seats are occupied by the Iraq Air staff instead of the senior passengers with leg problems. And yes we had booked a wheelchair throughout both ways and the wheel chair was not available and not attempted to be provided at Mumbai airport on departure or at Najaf airport on landing my mother with a leg problem had to walk all the way out on landing at the Najaf airport on 24th Oct. Again on arrival on 4th oct although they provided the wheel chair at Bombay airport but they had less staff so we were asked to pull the wheel chair. The Bombay airport staff is yet a bit co.operative but the crew on flights n staff at Najaf airport are completely clueless,unprofessional and work as if they are obliging the passengers and do things at their time ,all the time they are chatting away internally and laughing away making fun of the pilgrim passengers when we ask them for something or any info. There has to be an inspection of the crew on board and at the airport. It was a worse experience with Iraq Air We have payed 88USD and faced mental harassment at Najaf airport and in flight .I have written N email to them few days ago ,awaiting their reply. Kindly attend to this on an urgent basis. The e mail is marked to many authorities, kindly help us get the refund as we cannot afford it and it's playing on our minds as we have to repay the borrowed amount. My email is khambati_rashida@hotmail.com. We were pilgrim travellers to Najaf ( only ladies with a senior citizen on wheel chair and a child of 10 yrs) they treated us very badly at the airport ,unprofessional and rude staff. No safety instructions for first time pilgrim travellers. No announcement of take off and landing. Always delayed.
See lessPosted October 2022 by Rashida Khambati
Domestic flight, departed on time, fresh plane
This was a positive experience. Plane was OK, left on time. The catering was fine for a domestic flight. Booking a bit difficult, but finally OK through their webpage. But the internet outages not the fault of Iraqi Airways.
Posted November 2019 by Arbete och Fritid, Stockholm
Average airlines
Iraqi airlines use older Boeings. Airplanes seem to be in a reasonable conditions. Service is OK. They provide some refreshment - food and drinks.
Posted July 2019 by Bret S, Prague
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.
FAQ
Iraqi 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
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Iraqi Airways’ primary hub is Baghdad International Airport. The airline also operates important services from Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah.
- Baghdad International Airport is the airline’s principal departure point. Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah are also prominent airports within its Iraqi network.
- Iraqi Airways serves domestic cities and international destinations across the Middle East, with selected routes to Asia, North Africa and Europe. Its schedule commonly includes cities such as Istanbul, Dubai, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Jeddah and Tehran.
- Cabin-baggage limits can vary by route, fare and aircraft. Check the allowance shown on your booking and confirm current size and weight restrictions with Iraqi Airways before departure.
- The airline’s longest services are generally its routes from Iraq to East Asia, although the exact longest operating sector can change with the timetable. Check the current schedule because long-haul routes may operate only on selected dates.
- Fares are generally easier to find when booked ahead for off-peak dates with flexible departure days. Prices may rise around religious travel periods, public holidays and other dates of heavy demand to and from Iraq.
- The total varies as seasonal services, regulatory conditions and timetable changes affect the network. Consult Iraqi Airways’ current booking system for the destinations available on your intended travel dates.