SyrianAir
Syria’s state-owned flag carrier, operating scheduled domestic and regional services from its main base in Damascus.
About SyrianAir
SyrianAir is Syria’s national flag carrier and one of the Middle East’s longer-established airlines. Founded in 1946 as Syrian Airways, it later adopted the Syrian Arab Airlines name and now trades internationally as SyrianAir. The carrier is owned by the Syrian government and uses the IATA code RB, with its identity closely linked to the country’s civil aviation system and national transport infrastructure.
Damascus International Airport is SyrianAir’s primary hub, while Aleppo has traditionally served as an important secondary departure point. Its schedule has included domestic links and international flights across the Middle East, North Africa and selected destinations farther afield. The precise network can change frequently because of operating conditions, regulatory restrictions and variations in demand, so travellers should verify that a route is currently active before making arrangements.
The fleet has historically combined Airbus A320-family narrow-body jets with ATR 72 turboprops, alongside a small number of larger or older aircraft used when operationally available. Airbus aircraft generally handle regional international services, while turboprops are suited to shorter sectors. Economy is the principal cabin, with business-class seating offered on certain aircraft and routes. Cabin layout, amenities and onboard service can vary considerably by aircraft.
SyrianAir does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, and its opportunities for reciprocal alliance benefits are consequently limited. The airline has promoted frequent-flyer benefits at different times, but current programme details and online enrolment information are not consistently available. Passengers seeking mileage credit, status recognition or partner-airline privileges should request confirmation directly from SyrianAir before relying on benefits for a particular journey.
The carrier’s main strength is its role in providing direct air links to and within Syria, including services that may be difficult to replicate on foreign airlines. The principal challenge is operational uncertainty: schedules, payment options, aircraft assignments and international availability may change with relatively little notice. Travellers should reconfirm flights, entry requirements and onward connections close to departure and allow additional time when building separate-ticket itineraries.
Good to know
Flying with SyrianAir — what to expect
Reconfirm Your Flight
Schedules can change because of operational or regulatory conditions. Check the flight directly with SyrianAir shortly before departure, even when a travel agency issued the ticket.
Check Baggage Terms
Baggage allowances may depend on the route, cabin and fare shown on the ticket. Confirm both checked and cabin baggage limits before arriving at the airport.
Allow Connection Time
Leave a generous buffer for connections, particularly when continuing on a separate ticket. Another airline is unlikely to protect an onward booking after a SyrianAir delay or schedule change.
Expect Aircraft Changes
Aircraft assignments and cabin features may vary, so a particular seat layout or onboard amenity should not be assumed. Review the latest booking information before selecting or paying for a seat.
Verify Payment Options
International sanctions and banking restrictions can affect online booking and card acceptance. Confirm the available payment and refund methods before committing to a fare.
Reviews of SyrianAir
TripAdvisor · 2016–2019- 50
- 41
- 32
- 21
- 10
What travellers flew
Counted from the 4 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.
A Good Start
On the way to revival, everyone in Syria is trying their best to provide the best services after years of war. It starts with your air flights which would be good enough and ends up in the wonderful restaurants that invite you to their delicious food… See more everywhere. Safety in Damascus in no more a real concern as you can enjoy your time in the old city or the newly opened malls and caffees so safely. Yesterday I visited The Mountain Story , a restaurant at the top of Qasioun Mount that took me back to the memories of the old days. The view was beautiful and the food was delicious.The coffee, tea and sweets were served so kindly and politely with welcoming smiles from the staff and the rest owner who was saluting the visitors warmly. This is Syria back on the way to recovery.
See lessPosted November 2019 by Dr.Hala El Miniawi, Dubai
Syrian Air is improving!
Syrian Arab Airline has made some dynamic changers over the past few years. These changes, in my humble opinion, were very positive. There on time schedule in the past was notorious for being not minutes late but hours late. The service in both cabins was a… See more joke; the aircraft they were flying were obsolete and very all dirty! Still today, Syrian Arab Airlines needs to also improve their web site as one cannot select a seat or a Special Meal and one cannot purchase a ticket online! This was a real problem at check-in as I had asked for a window seat and we were given two seats in the middle and not a window seat as we asked for! Plus the meal service had only Chicken and Beef and this was a challenge as I have not had a piece of red meat or chicken in 45 years! My wife and I decided to give Syrian Arab Airlines a new chance and to see if they had improved and boy did they improve! From our arrival to Damascus International Airport to our flights landing in Dubai this airline has improved! Our Business Class check-in was fast and the only problem turned out to be our seat selection. We then enjoyed our time in the small yet nice Business Class Lounge in the departure area near our gate. Our flight departed Damascus only six minutes late and arrived in Dubai twenty minutes ahead of schedule. The aircraft was a fairly new Airbus 340 – 300 and had a two class configuration Economy and Business. The airplane was reasonably clean and comfortable. There was no inflight entertainment system and the food service took a really long time to be served. Once the food arrived it was served buffet style and at least I was able to ask for a large amount of vegetables! The service ‘Call Button’ appeared not to be working or it was willfully ignored! In conclusion, this flight, compared to my last Syrian Arab Airline flight many years ago, has improved and I would rebook a new flight if the schedule permitted! This Damascus flight really saves the traveler a lot of time traveling opposed to one traveling overland to Beirut!
See lessPosted December 2018 by THOMASFROMDAMASCUS, Damascus
The only way to travel from Damascus
Dew to the sanctions against Syria we don't have other option to fly to dubai unless we go go through Beirut air port and this will take 12 hours and two borders while it's only three hours flight from damascus airport.
Posted January 2018 by Hala J, Damascus
It stunk
Actually I traveled with this airline before the war in Syria. But what I remember is that the airplane stunk! There were hair near my seat and when the food came, I could hardly eat. Other passengeres, mostly Syrian Arabs, they took off their shoes in the… See more plane and started rubbing their feet in front of other passengers. I think i was the only woman on the plane. I do not recommend at all.
See lessPosted August 2016 by Merlin, Limassol City
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
SyrianAir — 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
- SyrianAir does not maintain a consistently published, stable destination total, and the number of active routes can change with operating conditions. Check its current schedule for the destinations available on your travel dates.
- The longest scheduled route can vary as SyrianAir adds, suspends or restores international services. Consult the current timetable rather than relying on a historical route listing.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- SyrianAir serves domestic and international routes from Syria, principally within the Middle East and nearby regions. Its active network can change, so travellers should consult the airline’s current timetable before booking.
- Lower fares are generally easier to find when travel dates are flexible and bookings are made outside major holiday and peak-demand periods. Compare several departure dates, but review change and refund conditions before choosing the lowest fare.
- Cabin-baggage rules can vary by route, fare and aircraft. Use the allowance printed on your ticket or confirm the permitted size and weight directly with SyrianAir before departure.
- SyrianAir’s primary hub is Damascus International Airport. Aleppo has also served as an important secondary operating point.
- Damascus International Airport is the airline’s principal departure point. Aleppo International Airport is another notable SyrianAir base when scheduled services are operating.