Somon Air
Tajikistan’s privately owned national airline, operating scheduled regional and international services with an all-Boeing 737 fleet from its main base in Dushanbe.
About Somon Air
Somon Air was established in 2007 and began commercial operations in February 2008, initially linking Dushanbe with Moscow. The privately owned carrier was the first private airline established in Tajikistan and has since developed into one of the country’s principal international operators. Its name refers to Ismail Samani, the historical figure also commemorated by Tajikistan’s currency.
Dushanbe International Airport is Somon Air’s primary hub, while Khujand serves as an important secondary departure point. Its scheduled network connects Tajikistan with cities in Russia, Central Asia, China, South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Important international markets include Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai, Jeddah, Delhi, Tehran, Munich and Urumqi, although individual routes may operate seasonally or on limited weekly frequencies.
Somon Air operates a compact fleet of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 aircraft from the 737 Next Generation family. These narrow-body jets are suited to the airline’s mixture of short regional sectors and longer services to Europe and the Gulf. Economy Class is the principal cabin, with Business Class offered on applicable aircraft and routes; catering and other inclusions can vary by fare and destination.
The airline is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, so passengers should not expect alliance-wide mileage earning, reciprocal status benefits or through-lounge privileges. Somon Air does not currently publicise a conventional frequent-flyer programme. Its online customer account can simplify booking management and save passenger details, but it should not be confused with a mileage-based loyalty scheme.
Somon Air’s main strength is its portfolio of nonstop links from Tajikistan, including routes that would otherwise require a connection through a larger regional hub. Its relatively small fleet and the limited frequency of some services can be a challenge when schedules change, because same-day alternatives may be scarce. Travellers should reconfirm departure details and leave generous margins around separate onward tickets.
Good to know
Flying with Somon Air — what to expect
Check Your Fare
Baggage, change and refund conditions can differ by fare and route. Review the rules attached to your ticket instead of assuming every Economy fare includes the same benefits.
Compact Route Schedule
Some Somon Air destinations are served only on selected days or seasonally. Allow extra time between separately booked flights because rebooking alternatives may be limited.
Two Cabin Options
Economy Class is standard across the network, while Business Class is available on applicable aircraft and services. The precise seating and onboard offering can vary within the Boeing 737 fleet.
Online Check-In Limits
Online check-in availability may depend on the departure airport and route. Keep your travel documents handy and arrive early enough to use the airport counter if online processing is unavailable.
Transit Documentation
Passengers connecting through Dushanbe or travelling internationally should verify visa, transit and entry requirements before departure. Somon Air’s point-to-point network includes countries with substantially different document rules.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Somon Air
Notable destinations on Somon Air's network.
SZDushanbedirectSZKhujanddirectSZMoscowdirectSZSaint PetersburgdirectSZIstanbuldirectSZDubaidirectSZMunichdirectSZDelhidirectSZJeddahdirectSZTehrandirectSZAstanadirectSZUrumqidirectDestination list is indicative of Somon Air's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Somon Air
TripAdvisor · 2016–2022- 56
- 44
- 35
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- 16
What travellers flew
Counted from the 22 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.
So far so good
Budget class , value for money , average services, average food quality , less of leg space, no entertainment. Can be tried
Posted January 2022 by Sumit Sharma, Dushanbe
NEVER AGAIN
My elderly and sick mother accompanied by my sister came to Almaty airport earlier to be check up at 09 am, but the airplanes has been long gone at 04:00AM and there was no representative to explain the situation. When relatives approached the airline in… See more Dushanbe after looking for hours whom to approach no one takes responsibility.
See lessPosted September 2021 by Zara Z
Amazing airline! I really liked it.
I am living now in Tajikistan as a tourist. I flew with this airline just once. What I liked - the flight was on-time. The seats were comfortable. I liked snacks. I found out that not so many people know about this airline. I think that more people should know… See more about them. I would like to recommend this airline.
See lessPosted May 2021 by Agnetha F, Canada
Horrible management and airplane
This airline never on time. Very expensive ailine with very poor management and customer service The food is awful
Posted May 2021 by Camila W
Nice, comfortable and on-time
2020 is the worst year for everybody. I want to say that in summer we were in panic and did not know how to get home when the borders of all countries were unexpectedly closed. What a disaster! Thank God this airline of course with the participation of the… See more governments arranged the repatriation flight and we got the chance to fly home. The prices for the flight were not expensive at all though we thought they would. It was a first surprise because we heard how all international carriers raised their prices to get the income as fast as they could. So, after 6 hours of a very comfortable and nice flight we were in Germany. The cabin was clean and the cabin crew were very friendly and English speaking. I want to thank a lady that served us. Such a beautiful and kind person! Thanks a lot Somon Air.
See lessPosted December 2020 by Valerie Curt, Spain
Give it a try!
I was initially reluctant to fly on this carrier, but was pleased with the level of service I received. The check in was reasonably smooth and the boarding was without complications. We were given a dinner (in spite of the fact that the flight left in the… See more morning!) and it was tasty. The flight was smooth enough to allow for about an hour of sleep, so the lack of any inflight entertainment was not a problem. The B737 was in decent shape and the cabin appeared clean and well cared for.
See lessPosted May 2019 by Ron R, Portland
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 Tajikistan
Other airlines based in Tajikistan
FAQ
Somon Air — 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
- Somon Air’s primary hub is Dushanbe International Airport in Tajikistan. Khujand is an important secondary operating point.
- Somon Air links Tajikistan with destinations in Russia, Central Asia, China, South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Notable cities include Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai, Munich, Delhi, Jeddah, Tehran and Urumqi, with some routes operating seasonally or on selected days.
- Cabin-baggage limits depend on the fare, cabin and route, and the airline may apply both weight and size restrictions. Confirm the allowance shown on your ticket or Somon Air’s baggage page before travelling.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the prices it displays.
- Fares are often lower when booked early for travel outside summer, major holidays and periods of heavy family or labour traffic. Comparing nearby dates is especially useful because some Somon Air routes do not operate daily.
- Somon Air’s published network presents roughly 25 destinations, but the active total can change as seasonal and limited-frequency routes begin or pause. Check the airline’s current timetable for the dates you plan to travel.
- Dushanbe International Airport is the airline’s main departure base, followed by Khujand Airport. Major overseas departure points in its network include Moscow Vnukovo, Istanbul Airport and Dubai International Airport.
- Dushanbe to Munich is among Somon Air’s longest scheduled nonstop services. Networks and seasonal schedules can change, so confirm that the route is operating on your intended dates.