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How American Airlines Fare Classes Work

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Table of Contents

American Airlines booking classes

American airlines fare classes, american airlines different classes of economy fares, why do american airlines class codes matter, how do i find my fare class on american airlines, how to earn aadvantage miles quickly, american airlines classes and fares recapped.

Booking a flight used to be simple. Travelers had the option of booking a seat in either economy or first class. However, more recently, airlines like American Airlines have focused on "product segmentation" — adding in additional fare classes and cabins in an effort to maximize revenue.

Now, travelers have seemingly endless fare options when trying to book a flight. Should you book basic economy or "Main Cabin" — American Airlines' new term for a standard economy ticket? And what the heck is Main Plus? Let's dig into the American Airlines class codes, fare classes and more so you can make sense of it all.

American Airlines uses the following booking classes for revenue (non-award) fares:

Basic economy: B.

Main Cabin: O, Q, N, S, G, V, M, L, K, H, Y.

Premium economy: P, W.

Business class: I, R, D, C, J.

First class: A, F.

You'll notice that there aren't separate booking fare classes for Main Cabin Extra, Main Plus, Main Select or Flagship Business Plus as these are just add-on packages on top of the standard fare in that cabin.

» Learn more: Business class vs. first class on American Airlines

At current count, American Airlines offers at least 11 different fare classes:

Flagship First .

Flagship Business .

Flagship Business Plus .

First class (domestic).

Business class (short-haul international).

Premium economy .

Main Select.

Main Cabin Extra .

Main Cabin .

Basic economy .

You can do a deeper dive into the fare classes in our full guide on American Airlines seat selection .

Not every flight is going to have every one of these classes. For example, a domestic U.S. flight will typically offer first class, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating — with basic economy, Main Plus and maybe even Main Select fares sold on that flight.

Meanwhile, an international flight on American Airlines' flagship Boeing 777-300ER will offer Flagship first class, Flagship business class, premium economy, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating — typically with basic economy, Main Plus, and sometimes Main Select fares sold in the Main Cabin and the option to buy Flagship Business Plus in business class.

» Learn more: American Airlines' basic economy vs. Main Cabin

Almost every American Airlines flight offers Main Cabin Extra, Main Cabin and basic economy fares. There are also two fare options — Main Plus and Main Select — that give you access to Main Cabin Extra seats and a few other perks.

So, let's break down the differences between these American Airlines economy fare classes:

Compared to other airlines — looking at you, United Airlines — American Airlines' basic economy isn't as punitive . Basic economy passengers still get a full-size carry-on bag, are able to purchase seats from the time of booking and AAdvantage elites are still eligible for upgrades to first class.

However, American Airlines passengers earn 60% fewer miles when booking a basic economy seat compared to a Main Cabin fare. Plus, you won't be able to change your booking.

Purchasing a Main Cabin fare gets you a higher mileage earning rate, free changes (though a fare difference may apply), free seat selection and a slightly earlier boarding group. However, your seat and in-flight experience will be the same — unless you purchase a Main Cabin Extra seat.

» Learn more: American Airlines boarding groups and how you can upgrade your group

Main Cabin Extra technically isn't a different fare class. Instead, you score a couple of extra perks by purchasing a "Main Cabin Extra" extra-legroom seat — or selecting it for free if you have AAdvantage elite status. In addition to extra legroom, perks include an earlier boarding group and complimentary beer, wine and spirits. However, you still generally get the same seat type and service as Main Cabin.

Main Plus is essentially a fare class package that adds a free checked bag and Main Cabin Extra on top of a standard Main Cabin ticket.

Likewise, Main Select is a different type of fare package that makes your fare fully refundable, bumps you up to Group 4 priority boarding and lets you make confirmed flight changes the day of departure. However, you don't get a free checked bag with this option.

» Learn more: American Airlines boarding groups and how you can upgrade

If you're opting to earn AAdvantage miles on an American Airlines flight, your booking class generally doesn't matter. If you booked basic economy, you'll earn a base of 2 miles per eligible dollar spent. Otherwise, you'll earn a base of 5 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent. And AAdvantage elites earn a bonus on top of those base earning rates.

However, your booking class matters if you booked a special fare (e.g. as part of a package), plan to apply a mileage upgrade or plan to credit your flight to another mileage program. In these cases, your American Airlines class codes will determine how many miles you earn or how much your upgrade will cost.

For instance, let's take a flight from New York-John F. Kennedy to Los Angeles. Booking a $108 one-way basic economy fare will earn a base AAdvantage member 174 miles (2x the base fare of $87). If you book the flight as part of a package, it may code as a special fare and earn 248 miles (10% of the 2,475-mile distance). Or, you can credit this basic economy flight to British Airways to earn 619 Avios (25% of the 2,475-mile distance).

However, if you select the $153 Main Cabin fare instead, you'll earn 645 AAdvantage miles (619 if booked as a special fare) or 619 Avios. Plus, you gain the ability to upgrade this fare to business class for 15,000 miles plus $75 — if there's upgrade availability.

If you book at the last-minute or a flight is almost sold out, you'll likely book into a higher American Airlines fare class. AAdvantage mileage earnings would still be calculated based on the cost, but you'll earn additional miles when crediting to another mileage program.

» Learn more: How to know how many miles you’ll earn from a flight

When you’re shopping for a ticket on American, the fare classes are listed under "Details" under each departure time.

Click the "Details" button and a screen will pop up with class code info, broken out by ticket type.

For example, in the screenshot above, the flight from Chicago to Dallas has the following fare classes: B in basic economy, N in main cabin and I in first class.

You can stock up on miles for booking American flights by applying for one of the following cards and meeting the requirements for the welcome offer.

on Citibank's application

on Chase's website

on Bilt's website

on Bank of America's website

If you're a loyalist, applying for an American Airlines credit card can be a smart money move. But if you value flexibility, consider other card options that allow you to transfer points to AAdvantage or book American flights without "chaining" you to a single brand.

AAdvantage is a partner of Marriott Bonvoy . You can transfer points to American from the hotel brand at a 3:1 ratio.

Bilt Rewards is a unique program that allows members to earn points on rent, then transfer to eligible programs for travel bookings. AAdvantage is an option for 1:1 transfers.

Because of a special partnership between Alaska Airlines and American , members in either program can use their miles to book flights with either brand.

Unfortunately, AAdvantage is not a transfer partner of any of the major bank / transferable points programs (Chase, American Express, Capital One or Citi).

American Airlines offers a large variety of fare classes and booking codes.

While the alphabet soup of booking fare codes has been a part of airlines for years, new American Airlines fare classes like Main Plus, Main Select and Flagship Business Plus add new complications when travelers are booking a flight.

However, knowing the differences between the fare classes and picking the right one can help you get the features you value most — whether that's an extra legroom seat or higher mileage earnings.

(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)

The information related to Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

1x Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

70,000 Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

What airline fare classes tell you about your ticket

I expect few things are more complicated than the revenue management department of a major airline.

Forget about the miracle of flight — the people and computers that decide how much you and your fellow passengers will pay for a ticket are modern marvels themselves, with passengers in the same row of a plane often paying vastly different sums for their tickets. There's quite a bit of pressure to deliver a strong bottom line, and one of the ways airlines control revenue is by offering tickets in different fare classes for every flight.

Within what we think of as service classes (economy, premium economy, business and first) there are subdivisions that even many devout frequent flyers can't identify. Fare classes — which are even further divisions of each of those service classes — are complicated and vary from airline to airline, but having at least some familiarity with the lingo can help the next time you're searching for an elusive award ticket , booking an upgradeable fare or simply trying to figure out how many miles you'll earn for an upcoming trip.

Today, I'll address a common question by explaining fare classes so you can understand what the fare basis code tells you about your next flight.

Fare class basics

In the most simple definition, the various fare classes divide every seat on a plane into different categories, each with its own price and set of rules. Fare classes are identified by one-letter fare codes. Some fare classes and codes are standard across all airlines, while some are very different depending on the airline.

Here are a few fare codes that are typically the same across all airlines:

• Y: Full-fare economy-class ticket.
• J: Full-fare business-class ticket.
• F: Full-fare first-class ticket.

Among the large U.S. carriers, Delta and United no longer market any flights with the F fare class, with J being the highest fare class available for purchase. American does use the F fare class, but only for flights offering Flagship First service on its three-cabin aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A321T.

Note: These letters are also commonly used as abbreviations on message boards like FlyerTalk to refer to the "generic" class of service (e.g., "I'm flying in Y from New York to London and want to upgrade to J" means "I'm traveling in economy from New York to London and want to upgrade to business class"). However, this article is focusing on the actual published fare classes from airlines.

Why fight for the armrest when you can rest easy? The difference between cramped flying and classy flying is just a matter of points away with the free TPG App !

Fare classes are used by airline reservation systems and travel agents to sell seats on a plane, and to keep track of which fare classes are still available.

Let's take a look at a quick example. Here's a screenshot from ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) with American Airlines Flight 38 from Miami (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR) on Sep. 1:

The fare classes with a number next to them are still available; the ones with a zero are not. The number after the letter delineates how many tickets are left in each fare — ExpertFlyer maxes out at seven for AA, so there are at least seven seats left in most economy-class fare buckets but zero seats left in fare classes F, A, R, I, W, P, G, N, Q and O.

Here's how these fare classes fall into the classes of service offered on the Boeing 777-300ER American is using on this route:

• F and A: first class
• C, J, R, D and I: business class
• W and P: premium economy
• Y, H, K, M, L, G, V, S, N, Q, O and E: economy
• B: basic economy

While these fare classes represent all the tickets you can buy directly with cold hard cash (i.e., revenue fares), you'll see that ExpertFlyer gives us a bit more information, including certain upgrade and award fare codes.

For example, A (which is zeroed out on this flight) doubles as the fare code for discounted first-class tickets and for upgrades from business to first class on a three-cabin aircraft. Meanwhile, upgrades from economy to business fall under the C fare class, while the W fare class is for premium economy, along with the P class.

Related: Understanding American Airlines' revenue, award and upgrade fare classes

Keep in mind that the most-discounted fares also have the strictest rules when it comes to refunds, changes, baggage allowances and earning frequent flyer miles or elite credit. Some airlines don't award frequent flyer miles at all if you buy a ticket in the most-discounted economy fare class, especially when trying to credit the flight to loyalty programs of partner airlines. I find this site very helpful when deciphering Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest and United fare codes.

How fare classes affect you

Here's an example of how these various fare classes come into play when you're purchasing a ticket.

Let's say that you're looking to book a flight from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX). Yesterday when you checked the price of a round-trip ticket, you found one for $305, but you needed to confirm dates with a family member before locking in your itinerary. Today when you go to book, the price has jumped to $375. The best explanation for the price increase is that the more-discounted fare class you were looking at yesterday is now sold out.

(Remember that in most situations, you can pull the trigger on a flight and cancel within 24 hours and get a full refund. Check out this guide to airline hold and cancellation policies for more details, and this guide to airline no-change-fee policies if you are outside of the 24-hour window.)

This may also affect you when you go to take the flight, as your fare class will sometimes dictate the number of miles you earn on the flight, from both a redeeming and elite-qualifying standpoint. While American, Delta and United have all switched to a revenue-based model of awarding miles for flights on their own (respective) flights, traveling on most of their partner airlines will use a somewhat complicated formula that takes into account distance flown as well as fare class booked.

As an example, here's the mileage accrual chart for Delta Air Lines when you credit an Aeromexico flight that was not booked through Delta to the carrier's SkyMiles program:

Related: How to earn miles in the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program

As you can see, the lowest fare class (V) only awards you 25% of the miles flown. If you book a round-trip flight from Mexico City (MEX) to Atlanta (ATL), you'll cover a total distance of 1,331 miles. However, that would only give you 333 miles. Booking into a fare class at the next level (E, N or R) would double those earnings.

This is also critical if you're chasing Delta Air Lines Medallion status . Using the chart above, the lowest economy fare class would get you 1,331 Medallion Qualification Miles, but only 5% Medallion Qualification Dollars. For example, if the base fare of the MEX-ATL flight on Aeromexico was $200, you would only earn 10 MQDs. While those numbers would be doubled if you booked into E, N or R, even booking into full-fare business class nets you a maximum of 40% MQDs. Delta is capping the MQD earnings as an incentive for its most loyal travelers to earn status by flying on Delta's own flights or, at the very least, booking partner flights through Delta.

Finally, it's important to note that many carriers will either prevent you from upgrading tickets booked into certain fare classes or will add cash copays to do so. Therefore it's critical to know what fare class you've booked so you can fully understand how that will affect your flight.

Related: The ultimate guide to upgrading with miles

Standard practices and common fare rules

While fare class is generally designated by a single letter, this gets more complicated very quickly. When you combine a fare class with other rules, you'll wind up with a series of alphanumeric characters, and this is known as a fare basis code. This tells airline reservation specialists and travel agents everything they need to know about your ticket and how the fare is constructed.

The above screenshot shows the fare basis code KAA2PHEN for a United flight from New York (LGA) to Chicago (ORD). I know this is a K-class fare, but I would have to click on "rules" to understand all the restrictions associated with this fare. A good rule of thumb is that the cheaper the fare class, the more restrictions that will be associated with the fare. A K fare with United is a deeply discounted non-basic economy fare that still earns 5 miles per dollar for non-elite members and is upgradeable using cash, miles, PlusPoints or a space-available Complimentary Premier Upgrade for MileagePlus Premier members .

Fare basis codes can also tell an agent whether a fare is refundable, good for one-way or round-trip tickets, departing to or from specific countries, combinable with other fares and good in high or low season, as well as how far in advance the fare can be booked and whether there are any routing restrictions or change penalties.

Example: Fare basis code WH7LNR tells me the following:

• W: I have a W fare class ticket.
• H: It's a high-season ticket.
• 7: I have to book seven days in advance.
• L: It's a long-haul flight.
• NR: The ticket is nonrefundable.

Deciphering fare basis codes takes practice and knowledge specific to the airline, as each one has its own style for writing codes. I wouldn't put too much time into being able to understand anything beyond your fare class and its set rules.

Common fare classes in the points and miles hobby

As noted above, you'll often see bloggers or avid award travelers discussing tickets using generic codes:

• Y: Economy.
• W: Premium economy.
• J: Business.

For example: "There are great Y fares from the U.S. to Europe this winter." Remember that these letters are often used for specific fare classes as well — generally the most expensive (full-fare) ones.

However, the most important implication of fare classes for points and miles enthusiasts involves award tickets and upgrades. Most airlines will set aside specific fare buckets for these awards. Just because there's an open seat in the designated cabin that you want to fly doesn't mean that it's available using miles.

The same holds true for upgrades, whether you're looking to redeem miles, use certificates or take advantage of elite status for complimentary bumps to the front of the plane. I see almost daily comments along the lines of, "But there are three open first-class seats! Why won't (insert carrier here) upgrade me?" If those seats aren't placed into the fare class designated for upgrades, the carrier isn't making them available for upgrades. Note that this may not happen until 60 or even 30 minutes before departure.

The easiest way to illustrate this is with Star Alliance . The 26 member airlines have standardized their award-booking classes, so if you're looking to use miles from one carrier's program on a flight operated by another carrier, you'll need the following inventory:

• X: Economy award seat
• I: Business award seat
• O: First award seat

Since all Star Alliance member airlines are searchable on ExpertFlyer , this can make it relatively simple to search for award inventory and set alerts if your desired class of service isn't available. That said, there are some restrictions here. Swiss, for example, typically only allows elite members of its Miles & More program to redeem miles for first class on its own flights, while Singapore generally only releases long-haul first- and business-class awards to members of its own KrisFlyer program. On the other hand, Swiss' parent airline, Lufthansa, does release limited first-class inventory to its Star Alliance partners.

Related: The hardest first-class products to book with points and miles

I also find knowing these fare classes to be handy in case my online booking screen doesn't tell me what cabin I'm in for partner airline flights. If I book Thai Airways with United miles , sometimes my confirmation only says "TG 678 (I)." Because I know "I" is business, I don't have to call United to confirm that I was booked in the correct cabin.

Special fare classes

Many airlines use specific fare classes for their own products, passengers or other situations. Perhaps my favorite example of this is a benefit only open to United cobranded cardholders or MileagePlus Premier members . If you hold any United card, or Premier Silver status or above, you have access to fare class XN — extra economy award seats only available to Chase cardholders. While United's website is one of the best for searching Star Alliance award space since you don't need to log in to do so, you definitely should if you hold a card like the United Explorer Card .

Related: The best credit cards for United flyers

Whenever you encounter this extra award inventory, it'll be notated directly in the award search results (again, once you are logged in to your United MileagePlus account):

Here are a few other examples of these special fare classes:

• OU: Delta uses this code for complimentary Medallion upgrades.
• PZ: United uses this code for complimentary Premier upgrades.
• U: Alaska uses this code for complimentary MVP upgrades to first class. Travelers confirmed into Alaska first class via U class are not eligible for access to the Alaska Lounge .
• CB: Indicates an extra seat for cabin baggage.
• P : Etihad uses this code for The Residence on A380s .
• IN: Infant fare , usually 10% of an adult fare
• CH: Child's fare, varies from 0%–50% savings depending on the airline
• CL: Clergy fare (Who knew?)
• DP: Diplomat
• PG: Pilgrim
• YCA: Contracted military/U.S. government fares. They are treated mostly as full Y tickets, but unfortunately are no longer upgradeable on American Airlines.

Bottom line

Knowing your fare class is important for several reasons.

First, it can tell you whether you'll earn 100% of your frequent flyer miles from a purchased ticket. This is even more important when crediting your flight to a partner airline. Once you know your fare class, make sure to utilize wheretocredit.com when deciding which frequent flyer program you'll credit your flight toward.

Your fare class also tells you whether your ticket is upgradeable and where you may stand in the upgrade priority line . In case things go wrong or you need to make a change, knowing your fare class can tell you if your ticket is refundable and if any change fees are required, and it can help you plan your strategy for making changes before talking to the airlines. Knowledge is power, and the more you understand about how the airline industry works, the better positioned you'll be to get the maximum value out of your points and miles .

If you're new to The Points Guy , check out our points and miles guide for beginners .

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How To Upgrade to Business/First Class on American Airlines Flights

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Types of American Airlines Upgrades

How to find out if upgrade space is available, upgrade priority: who gets the upgrade first, aadvantage credit cards: a faster path to elite status, upgrading with miles, upgrading on partner airlines, companion upgrades, with american aadvantage elite status, without american aadvantage elite status, final thoughts.

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Want to upgrade on your next American Airlines flight? If you’re not a top elite member of the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program, your chances may seem less than optimal.

But you shouldn’t give up hope. Although upgrade demand is high and availability limited, there’s usually a way to fly in the front of the plane if you:

• Understand how the upgrade process works
• Know how to leverage your frequent flyer miles for upgrade opportunities
• Take advantage of premium flights when pricing is discounted

Let’s take a look at American Airlines’ definitive policy for allocating upgrades to its top elites and how non-elites stand a chance of flying in premium cabins.

American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program rewards its top elite members with complimentary upgrades and the ability to earn worldwide upgrades.

All travelers who have AAdvantage miles can use them to upgrade their flights when upgrade space is available.

Complimentary Upgrades

All AAdvantage elite members receive complimentary upgrades on all flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. These upgrades can include 1 companion on the same flight.

Systemwide Upgrades

Systemwide upgrades can be chosen annually as part of the Loyalty Point Rewards system starting at 175,000 Loyalty Points.

These upgrades allow for up to 3 segments in each direction of travel (outbound or return) to be upgraded from Basic Economy or Main Cabin to business class or business class to first class.

Mileage Upgrade Awards

Use your miles to upgrade American-marketed and operated flights worldwide. Depending on the destination you’re traveling to, you can use a combination of miles and a cash co-pay to secure an upgrade to the next higher cabin. For example, a domestic itinerary within the continental U.S. would require 15,000 miles and $75.

One of the greatest challenges of securing an upgrade on American Airlines is finding available seats. Just because you can purchase a business class seat does not mean that the seat is available for an upgrade.

If you have ConciergeKey or Executive Platinum status with American Airlines, you’ll be able to see the availability of using systemwide upgrades or mileage upgrade awards when you search for a flight on aa.com .

Others will have to call to find out if upgrade space is available and if it is possible to use miles to upgrade on a particular flight.

Another option to find out if upgrade space is available is to subscribe to a third-party service such as ExpertFlyer and search for C (business class) or A (first class) award space.

• When upgrading from Basic Economy or Main Cabin to domestic first, you need C inventory
• When upgrading from business class to Flagship First, you need A inventory
• When upgrading from Basic Economy or Main Cabin to Flagship Business, you need C inventory

The upgrade hierarchy for American Airlines is similar to other airlines’ upgrade rankings in that elite status is the most important factor.

This is the order in which upgrades are processed as well as their numeric code when listed on the internal priority list (known as the PALL):

1. Elite Status Level: Highest to Lowest 

• ConciergeKey (UPG1)
• Executive Platinum (UPG2)
• Platinum Pro (UPG3)
• Platinum (UPG4)
• Gold (UPG5)

2. Upgrade Type: Highest Priority to Lowest Priority 

• Systemwide upgra des (listed as a VIP) and mileage upgrade awards (listed as MLG), tied for the same ranking
• Complimentary upgrades (formerly 500-mile upgrades) on purchased tickets
• Complimentary upgrades (formerly 500-mile upgrades) on award tickets (only for ConciergeKey and Executive Platinum)

3. 12-month Rolling Loyalty Points

The amount of Loyalty Points the elite member has earned in the previous 12 months.

4. Time/Date of Upgrade Request (Tie-breaker)

The only option for non-elite members to secure an upgrade is with mileage upgrade awards (or a gifted systemwide upgrade from an elite member), and even then, all elite members will supersede your request on the upgrade waitlist.

Hot Tip:  Don’t let the upgrade priority list keep you from requesting a mileage upgrade award. Even without elite status, if upgrade space is available when you book your ticket, the upgrade may clear immediately. The trick is finding available upgrade space, but it is possible. 

The Importance of AAdvantage Elite Status

Elite status is the #1 factor determining which travelers will be upgraded on American Airlines flights. Top elite members, for example, can earn systemwide upgrade (SWU) certificates that, when used, outrank most other upgrade requests.

Here’s how elite members fare when it comes to securing an upgrade:

ConciergeKey

This top status is by invitation-only at American Airlines’ discretion. It includes all of the upgrade benefits of Executive Platinum plus upgrade priority over all other elite members.

Executive Platinum

You can earn 2 systemwide upgrades on the way to Executive Platinum status (at 175,000 Loyalty Points) plus the ability to earn extra SWUs at 250k, 400k, 550k, 750k, 1,000,000, 3,000,000, and 5,000,000 Loyalty Points earned.

Complimentary upgrades are available on flights within the U.S. (including Hawaii) and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Platinum Pro

Achieving Platinum Pro earns complimentary upgrades on flights within the U.S. (including Hawaii), and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Platinum and Gold

Achieving Platinum and Gold earns complimentary upgrades on all eligible flights. You will fall behind all other elite tiers.

Bottom Line:  Top AAdvantage program elite status is the #1 factor that determines who will receive an upgrade on American Airlines. Having the right credit card in your wallet can make earning one of these elite statuses easier. Read more in our guide to the best credit cards for airline elite status .

There are 2 issuers of AAdvantage credit cards: Citi and Barclays.

Having an AAdvantage credit card does not increase your chances of receiving an upgrade, but it can make your trip more comfortable and affordable. You’ll be able to get a free checked bag , as well as save on inflight food and beverage purchases.

For co-branded credit cards, you will earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 dollar spent. For example, Executive Platinum status, requiring 200,000 Loyalty Points, would require $200,000 spent on a co-branded credit card. The more you spend on your co-branded credit card, the faster you can earn elite status.

Hot Tip: For a list of American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards and the perks and rewards available with each card, access our complete guide .

All travelers, regardless of AAdvantage frequent flyer status, can use AAdvantage frequent flyer miles to upgrade on American Airlines- or American Eagle-marketed or operated flights based on availability.

Upgrades are valid for a single-class upgrade on up to 3 segments for the outbound or return journey and exclude award tickets.

The amount of miles it takes to upgrade a ticket varies depending on the route and the fare class of the ticket. The following chart reflects the number of miles and co-pay needed to upgrade.

The good news is that even a discount economy ticket qualifies for an upgrade with miles. Unfortunately, upgrade space is not always available.

Visit aa.com for complete descriptions of fare classes and zone definitions for these types of mileage upgrades.

Bottom Line:  You don’t have to have elite status with the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program to be able to upgrade a flight using miles. Even a discount economy ticket is eligible. 

You can use your AAdvantage frequent flyer miles to upgrade on British Airways and Iberia flights .

One caveat is that you will need to purchase at least a full-fare economy ticket such as the Y/B fare class to use miles to upgrade, which may be quite expensive.

Here are examples of how many miles it takes to upgrade flights on these partner airlines:

Mileage upgrades are valid for up to 3 segments on a one-way journey, outbound or return.

One possible sweet spot here is the British Airways premium economy to business upgrade for 12,500 miles each way . This fare occasionally goes on sale, making it a good value for securing an upgrade.

Keep in mind that there may be additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees for specific itineraries, such as flights originating in Great Britain and France.

Additional routes not originating in North America are also available for mileage upgrades. View complete zone and fare class definitions for partner airline mileage upgrades on aa.com.

You can also use systemwide upgrades on British Airways provided that the ticket was purchased through American and has at least 1 segment on American Airlines.

Hot Tip:  British Airways offers discounts for AARP members at the rate of $200 per business class ticket and $65 for economy or premium economy for flights originating from the U.S. It’s a potentially good value when combined with mileage upgrades. You do not have to be 50 or older to join AARP .

American Airlines has recently improved its companion upgrade process. If an elite member is traveling with a companion, the companion upgrade will now receive the same status priority as the elite member.  Companions do not have to be AAdvantage program members, and the upgrade is deducted from the sponsoring member’s account.

For example, if an Executive Platinum elite member is traveling with a companion on the same flight, the companion will be elevated to Executive Platinum priority for upgrades, regardless of whether the companion has status. An upgrade can be designated as either “split” or “no split” by speaking with an agent. If there is 1 seat available, a “split” upgrade would upgrade 1 person, but leave the other person in economy. If the upgrade is marked as “no split,” both upgraders will decline the upgrade, and the upgrade will move down on the list to the next eligible person.

Companion upgrades are complimentary for up to 1 companion traveling with you on the same flight. Prior to July 2022, companion upgrades required 500-mile certificates but these have since been retired.

10 Ways To Secure an Upgrade (or Increase Your Chances) With American Airlines

Securing an upgrade on American Airlines may be challenging. Upgrades are limited, and demand is high, but there are ways to increase your chances of an upgrade or secure a premium cabin ticket directly.

• Earn systemwide upgrade certificates. These SWUs can be used on any American Airlines flight worldwide and a ticket issued in any fare class, including Basic Economy.
• Use miles to purchase business or first class award tickets. When you absolutely want to fly in a premium cabin, the easiest way is to use miles to secure business or  first class tickets .
• Buy an upgrade at ticket purchase, check-in, or at the gate. Upgrades may be offered while you’re booking your ticket, when you check-in, or at the gate before departure based on a “load factory based upgrade.” Pre-departure gate upgrades for purchase may be discounted and a good value. A load factor-based upgrade will never be offered unless all other elites who have requested an upgrade have cleared.
• Have a top AAdvantage elite member sponsor you.  It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Knowing a top elite member could equal an upgrade if you’re both traveling on the same eligible flight. The top elite member just needs to request the upgrade.
• Use miles to purchase business or first class award tickets.  Purchasing a premium class award ticket with miles is the easiest way to secure a seat in the front of the plane. AAdvantage credit card sign-up bonuses often deliver enough miles to secure a business or first class award ticket, but there are lots of ways to earn plenty of American Airlines miles .
• Upgrade with miles.  Even discount economy tickets are eligible for mileage upgrade awards if space is available.
• Set up fare alerts for business class fares.  Since discounted business class and premium economy tickets can occasionally be less expensive than economy, you can set up fare alerts with sites such as Google Flights to alert you when the route you’re looking for has a good business or first class deal.
• Trip disruption or voluntary denied boarding. If you miss your connection due to disruption at the fault of the airline or give up your seat when a flight is oversold, you may be able to ask to be upgraded on the next flight.

A definitive process for allocating upgrades is a positive and rewards AAdvantage elite members whose loyalty is strongest with American Airlines. For others, just like with any airline, directly purchasing premium class tickets to fly in premium class is becoming increasingly necessary.

Flying in premium class can be accomplished quite easily by purchasing a business or first class award tickets with miles or with paid flights offered at discount prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a first class upgrade cost with american airlines.

There is no single price option for upgrading to first class on an American Airlines flight as the price in cash or miles is based on the route you are flying and the fare class of the ticket you wish to upgrade. Upgrades are also subject to availability.

You can access a chart with all the prices in miles and with miles and co-pays on aa.com.

Can I upgrade my Basic Economy ticket?

Yes. As of October 1, 2020, Basic Economy fare tickets can be upgraded by AAdvantage elites.

The Basic Economy fare was created to provide a low-cost product for those who prioritize cost over amenities and has several additional restrictions, including no cancellations or changes and no advanced seat selection.

Can I upgrade my ticket with miles?

Most tickets are eligible to upgrade with miles and a cash co-pay, but there must be upgrade availability.

To find out if there is upgrade space available on your flight, you would need to contact American Airlines unless you have top AAdvantage elite status that will allow you to view upgrade space when booking your ticket.

You can view a complete upgrade chart with the cost for upgrading your ticket with miles and with miles and co-pays on aa.com.

Does having an American Airlines credit card help with upgrades?

Having an American Airlines AAdvantage credit card will not help you get upgraded, but it will make your trip more comfortable and affordable with priority boarding and a free checked bag.

You’ll realize additional savings with a 25% rebate on food and beverage purchases onboard your flight.

Do I earn miles on my upgraded ticket?

If you upgrade a ticket with miles, you will earn mileage based on the original purchased ticket fare class.

For example, if you purchase a full-fare economy ticket and then upgrade it with miles to a business class ticket, you will accrue miles based on the original full-fare economy ticket that you purchased.

How do I find discounted business or first class fares on American Airlines?

If you have a specific route you’d like to fly, you can set up alerts on several web sites to notify you when the fare on that route changes.

Google Flights is an example of one website that allows you to narrow your flight search to American Airlines or even Oneworld Alliance to find flights.

Once you’ve found a flight you like, you can have the site track the flight and alert you when the price changes.

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About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

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Find cheap flights from New York to Moscow

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When to book flights from New York to Moscow

Faqs for booking flights from new york to moscow, what services are available for travelers with limited mobility.

If you or someone you are traveling with has limited mobility, there are a few services available for you to benefit from. For example, all airports in the New York and Moscow regions have employees that are there to help individuals with limited mobility go through security. Each airport also has elevators and ramps to make the main terminals accessible for individuals in wheelchairs.

What are my transportation options for going from downtown New York to LaGuardia?

An easy way to go from downtown New York to LaGuardia is by driving, as the trip will only take you around 20 to 25min as long as there is no extra traffic. Otherwise, you can use public transportation, like the Babylon bus line, which will bring you to the airport in around 35 to 40min.

Can I rent a car directly from Domodedovo Airport?

There are several car rental companies that have offices directly at Domodedovo Airport, including Hertz and SIXT. You can find the desks for these companies on the first floor of the International Arrivals hall. Each company keeps its fleet on airport property.

How can I go from Sheremetyevo International Airport to the city center?

If you opt to drive from Sheremetyevo International Airport to the city center, you can plan on the trip normally taking between 40 to 45min, depending on weather and traffic conditions. Public transportation can be used for this journey as well, such as bus lines 41 and 20K. If you opt to take the bus to get to the city center, you will arrive in around 40min total.

Do I need a passport to fly between New York and Moscow?

Yes, you’ll need a passport to travel to Moscow from New York.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from New York to Moscow?

We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific route.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New York to Moscow?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New York to Moscow.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New York to Moscow?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Moscow from New York is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New York to Moscow?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Moscow with an airline and back to New York with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New York to Moscow?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Moscow from New York up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from New York to Moscow

• The New York area has a few different airports for visitors to fly into, such as LaGuardia (LGA), Newark Liberty (EWR), and John F. Kennedy (JFK). LaGuardia is the closest to the city center, as it is only 10 miles away, while John F. Kennedy can be found approximately 17 miles away from downtown New York. You will find Newark Liberty approximately 13 miles from downtown.
• Moscow is serviced by five different airports, which are known as Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), Vnukovo (VKO), Zhukovskyt (ZIA), and Ostafyevo (OSF). Domodedovo International Airport is one of the largest in the area and services many international flights, including those from the United States.
• If you have some extra time before you can board your plane at John F. Kennedy, you may want to rest and relax in one of the airport lounges. There is the Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 1, the Centurion Lounge in Terminal 4, and the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 8.
• Those that will be traveling with little ones should keep in mind that Vnukovo International Airport has a parenting room in Terminal D that can be accessed for free. This room contains changing tables, a play area, and baby cribs.
• To rest before a long day of traveling, you may want to treat yourself to a spa treatment at the Departure Spa in Terminal C of Newark Liberty. You can choose from a variety of treatments here, including manicures, massages, and pedicures.

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‘Use the Restroom in the Back of the Plane’: Retired Black Judge Seated In First Class Claims American Airlines Crew Member Threatened Her with Arrest Over Lavatory Use

A retired Black circuit court judge from Chicago is suing American Airlines for racial discrimination, claiming a male flight attendant told her to “use the restroom in the back of the plane” even though she was booked to fly in first class.

Pamela Hill-Veal filed a federal civil complaint against the airline, alleging that the flight attendant, whose name and race were not disclosed, racially profiled her during a flight from Chicago to Phoenix on Feb. 10.

The lawsuit claims that the flight attendant accused Hill-Veal of slamming the lavatory door when she used it the first time and then began hounding the woman as she continued to use the same restroom, even as she was rightfully seated in first class with members of her family.

“The flight attendant stopped me as I was returning to my seat and told me I ‘slammed the restroom door and I was not to do it again since passengers were sleeping on the plane,'” Hill-Veal told NPR during a recent interview about the incident. 

The flight attendant’s insolence didn’t provoke Hill-Veal, who said she ignored the remark and proceeded to walk back to her seat, believing the man was simply mistaken because she knew she didn’t slam the door behind her.

Later during the flight, Hill-Veal got up to use the restroom again, leading to a second encounter with the male flight attendant, who attempted to dress down Hill-Veal again as she left the lavatory and headed back to her seat, the complaint said.

However, this time, the reprimand was more severe and had clear racist undertones.

“He began to berate me by pointing his finger at me toward my face and saying, ‘I told you not to slam the door … so from now on, you are to use the restroom in the back of the plane’ while he pointed in the direction of the restroom in coach,” Hill-Veal said.

By now, Hill-Veal said she felt the flight attendant was clearly using the restroom as a pretext to harass her.

American Airlines issued a statement, saying they have reached out to Hill-Veal in an effort to get to the bottom of what happened.

“We strive to ensure that every customer has a positive travel experience, and we take all claims of discrimination very seriously,” the airline said.

It wasn’t clear if the representatives of the airline had spoken yet with Hill-Veal, who claims she endured the racial harassment throughout her entire flight.

She said she never noticed any other first-class passengers complaining about the restroom door being slammed. She also pointed out that white passengers used the same first-class restroom without ever being confronted.

However, she said the intensifying clash with the flight attendant ultimately caused the other passengers to become annoyed with her.

Hill-Veal said she felt the flight attendant was singling her out for no other apparent reason than her skin color and believes beyond the shadow of a doubt that the confrontation was racially motivated. 

The flight attendant got back in Hill-Veal’s face a third time when she used the first-class restroom again about 30 minutes before the flight landed, defying his earlier command for her to use the lavatory at the back of the plane.

This time, while walking back to her first-class seat, Hill-Veal said the flight attendant shadowed her and then put his hands on her before vowing that she would be arrested as soon as the plane reached the airport.

Hill-Veal said she withheld any response and walked back to her seat.

The complaint states that the flight attendant didn’t like the way Hill-Veal talked to him and accused her of assault, which Hill-Veal denied.

“This was a complete fabrication as I told him that I never hit him,” she states in the complaint.

Since the incident, Hill-Veal said she has struggled to rest due to the trauma and humiliation she experienced.

“I’m still uncomfortable about flying because I don’t know what they’re going to say that I did … in an attempt to cover up for what they did during this particular time,” Hill-Veal said.

The incident recalls the historical injustice of Rosa Parks being told to move to the back of the bus almost 70 years ago, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and galvanized the civil rights movement.

Despite the passage of more than six decades since the situation involving Parks, incidents like these in 2024 highlight ongoing challenges with racial equality in the United States.

Previously, American Airlines faced two discrimination accusations in 2023, one involving track star Sha’Carri Richardson and the other involving musician David Ryan Harris. 

Richardson was kicked off an American Airlines flight in January 2023 after a verbal altercation with a flight attendant, whom she claimed was harassing her for filming a video.

The following September, Harris was traveling with his two biracial children when he was stopped and questioned at Los Angeles International Airport after a flight attendant suspected he was trafficking children.

Yet another incident involves a Black man who has filed a lawsuit in Florida against American Airlines, alleging “blatant racial discrimination.” He was removed from a flight from Miami to Atlanta following an argument with a flight attendant during boarding.

American Airlines has faced accusations of discriminating against Black travelers. In 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory urging Black people to avoid flying on American due to complaints. The advisory was lifted in 2018 after American implemented bias training and reviewed its complaint system.

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American Airlines changes its frequent flyer rules—again

Looking to achieve frequent-flyer status with American Airlines? Book direct.

The carrier has announced another round of changes to its loyalty program, saying passengers will only receive Loyalty Points and AAdvantage miles if they book directly with American, one of its partners, or a “preferred” travel agency. Flights booked elsewhere won’t earn miles.

The new rules go into effect in July.

At present, there’s no word on which agencies qualify as “preferred”—and it could be early June before that’s cleared up. The Wall Street Journal says that classification will depend “on whether they have adopted modern booking technology.”

“Booking with us provides a better travel experience,” the carrier argued in its announcement. “You can manage your trip online, receive travel credit for canceled trips and more. Plus, you’ll continue to earn miles and Loyalty Points through our non-airline partners and on eligible purchases with an AAdvantage credit card.”

Direct booking also lowers costs for the carrier.

For passengers who opt for basic economy fares, booking direct is the only way they’ll earn AAdvantage Miles or Loyalty Points. Preferred travel agency bookings will not be eligible.

American last announced a major overhaul of its frequent-flyer program in 2021, doing away with using how far or often someone flew to calculate status. That’s when Loyalty Points were introduced, which could be earned via travel or spending on branded credit cards.

Other airlines have followed its lead, with Delta announcing a big overhaul on its SkyMiles rewards program last year, which resulted in a bit of a rebellion among that company’s customers, forcing Delta to walk back some of its changes .

American noted that any existing reservations booked with third parties or non-preferred travel agencies will earn miles or Loyalty Points.

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Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

Travelers and their luggage in a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in August 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

Travelers and their luggage in a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in August 2023.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to crack down on airlines that charge passengers steep fees to check bags and change flights, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new regulations aimed at expanding consumer protections .

One of the final rules announced Wednesday requires airlines to show the full price of travel before passengers pay for their tickets. The other will force airlines to provide prompt cash refunds when flights are canceled or significantly changed.

"Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement announcing the new rules.

Taking on junk fees is popular. But can it win Biden more voters?

Surprise junk fees have become a large and growing source of revenue for airlines in recent years, according to the DOT.

"Today's announcements will require airlines to both provide passengers better information about costs before ticket purchase, and promptly provide cash refunds to passengers when they are owed — not only saving passengers time and money, but also preventing headaches," Buttigieg said.

The airline industry is unlikely to welcome the new rules. At a hearing on the proposed fee rule in March 2023, an industry lobbying group representing American, Delta and United said it would be too difficult for airlines to disclose their charges more clearly.

"The amount of unwanted and unneeded information forced upon passengers" by the new policy would only cause "confusion and frustration," warned Doug Mullen, the deputy general counsel at Airlines for America . "Very few, if any, need or want this information, and especially when they are initially trying to understand schedule and fare options."

But the DOT insists its new rule will give consumers the information they need to better understand the true costs of air travel.

Transportation Department cracks down on airline 'junk fees'

"I believe this is to the benefit of the sector as a whole," Buttigieg said in an interview with NPR's Morning Edition , because passengers will have "more confidence in the aviation sector."

The new rules require airlines to disclose all baggage, change, and cancellation fees, and to share that information with third-party booking sites and travel agents.

The regulation also prohibits bait-and-switch tactics, the DOT says, that disguise the true cost of flights by advertising a low base fare that does not include all mandatory fees.

"This is really about making sure that we create a better experience for passengers, and a stronger aviation sector in the United States," Buttigieg said in the NPR interview.

Alaska Airlines was named America's favorite airline for the 2nd year in a row — months after a hole blew in the side of one of its planes

• A major consumer survey found that Alaska Airlines is the most popular airline in the US for the second year running.
• The airline topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index, despite its infamous panel blowout in January.
• Overall, US air travel customers were happier than last year with their experiences.

Alaska Airlines is the most popular airline in the US for the second year running, according to a major consumer survey.

The airline comfortably topped the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 82, a one-point improvement compared to 2023.

American Airlines was second with 79 points, while low-cost carrier Allegiant Air beat better-known legacy names like United and Delta to take third place. Allegiant registered a four-point rise in overall customer satisfaction, making it one of the fastest climbers this year.

United Airlines was the only carrier to lose ground, sliding three points to a score of 75.

The index, which has been running since 1994, tracks customer satisfaction across five travel industries — airlines, car rentals, lodging, online travel agencies, and ridesharing platforms.

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To determine the rankings, 16,352 customers were asked to rate their experiences with companies based on nineteen different factors, such as ease of making a reservation, check-in process, cleanliness of cabin and lavatory, courtesy and helpfulness of flight crew, and timeliness of arrival. By collating this information, the American Customer Satisfaction Index says it provides a "definitive measure of passenger satisfaction."

Alaska Airline's top ranking comes despite the airline's nightmare safety incident in January 2024, during which a decommissioned door plug flew off during one of its flights at an altitude of 16,000 feet.

The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 9 made a safe landing back at Portland International Airport 35 minutes after takeoff, with all 177 people on board surviving.

14 passengers on the flight have since filed a class-action lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines, asking for monetary damages to cover injuries sustained during the incident and claims that some oxygen masks malfunctioned.

US airlines are getting better

Overall, the data found that customers were increasingly happy with airline travel, with ratings for all nineteen areas of customer satisfaction across airlines either improving or staying level with responses from 2023.

The polled customers were particularly happy with app services, the ease of making reservations, and airlines' websites, pointing to the importance of developing customer-friendly technology offerings.

As they become happier with travel experiences, customers are also travelling more. This February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 21.5% rise in global air passengers compared to the previous year.

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Moscow Flight Information

Plan your visit to moscow.

Moscow is an amazing city with colorful cathedrals, famous landmarks and a hint of modern influences. When you visit this majestic city, you will see some of the world's most beautiful architectural masterpieces. If you're looking for cheap flights to Moscow, visit Orbitz.com, where you can get a great deal every day.

Major Airports

Russia is a large country with many airports, and three of them are located within an hour of Moscow. When you arrive, you will likely land at Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport or Vnukovo International Airport. Sheremetyevo is about 35 minutes from downtown, and you can take the city bus to town for 28 to 70 rubles. Domodedovo is about 45 minutes from the city, and you can take a train, bus, shuttle or taxi to Moscow from this location. Vnukovo is about 30 minutes southwest of the downtown area. It is the third-busiest airport in the country and handles more than 9 million passengers annually. Board the Aeroexpress Train for the fastest service into the city.

Enjoying Moscow

The weather in Moscow varies greatly by season. Summer highs can soar into the upper 90s and hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter lows fall below freezing. April and October see pleasant temperatures in the 70s and 80s, so this is a great time to visit. Even the warmest months can have chilly evenings, so bring a sweater or jacket, even in the summer. Winter travelers will need to pack a heavy coat and plenty of warm clothing. St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the city's must-see attractions. This amazing structure was built for Ivan the Terrible in the 1500s and is regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Located in the city's center, Red Square is an ideal place to begin your exploration. From there, explore the Kremlin and other historic sights. Before you head home, stop by the Bolshoi Theatre and see the world-famous Russian ballet dancers perform.

Book Your Tickets

Save time and money with the help of Orbitz.com. You can find a wealth of information to help you plan a successful trip and cheap flights to Moscow. Moscow is an enchanting city with stunning views and breathtaking scenery. No matter when you visit, you are sure to enjoy everything this great city has to offer.

Moscow When to Go

June, July, and August are the most crowded months in Moscow, and getting into popular attractions like the Kremlin can be difficult. It’s worth braving the crowds, though, to see the golden domes, bright white bell tower, intricate Fabergé eggs, and the rest of the impressive complex. There are sure to be crowds in Red Square during the summer, too, but you can’t miss St. Basil’s fairytale-like Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the fanciful Kazan Cathedral, and the popular, upscale GUM shopping mall. Keep an eye on the forecast. Temperatures in summer reach into the 90s and it’s the rainiest period in Moscow.

Spring is shoulder season in Moscow, as well as a pretty time to visit. The flowers around the city come into bloom. To celebrate the end of a long winter, Maslenitsa, a religious and folk holiday, ushers in the new season with pancake feasts, traditional (and friendly!) fist fighting, bonfires, and other celebrations. Temperatures warm up to the 50s and 60s during the day, so enjoy a visit to one of Moscow’s many parks; there are almost 300 square feet of parks per person here. Kolomenskoye is a nice one, with a beautiful church that dates back to 1532.

Tourists are in shorter supply during the winter due to Moscow’s notorious cold, but if you enjoy a snowy landscape, pack some warm boots and go. The Russian Winter Festival at the end of December and beginning of January is a fun way to celebrate the best of the season—troika rides, ice hockey games, snowmen, and plenty of warm tea. Especially in winter, make use of the (heated) Metro public transit. Many of the underground stations feature art, including statues, stained glass windows, mosaics, and chandeliers.

Frequently asked questions

• Turkish Airlines - 380 flights to Moscow per month
• Azur Air - 136 flights to Moscow per month
• Flydubai - 105 flights to Moscow per month
• Consider other airports to save cash. Enter your preferred departure and arrival airports in the form fields, then select the ‘Nearby airports’ function below. It will list the available options.
• If your plans aren’t cast in stone, click on the ‘Show flexible dates’ link to check out the flight deals for a selection of departure dates. You may find an even better fare.
• You can also hit the ‘Show options’ link to filter results for your preferred airline, seating class, nonstop flights and refundable flights. Under ‘Sort & Filter’ to the left, you can even pick the time of day you’d like to fly.
• Book your fare as soon as you’ve sorted your travel dates. While it does happen from time to time, airfares rarely fall in price as your date of departure approaches.
• Make big savings on your vacation by bundling your flights, hotels and car rentals into one handy package. Your credit card will thank you for it.
• Where possible, don’t fly in the most popular seasons. Airfares soar during school breaks, summer and other vacation periods like Easter and Thanksgiving.
• St. Petersburg (LED-Pulkovo) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 1 hour and 28 minutes
• Sochi (AER-Sochi Intl.) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 4 hours
• Yekaterinburg (SVX-Koltsovo) to Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - 2 hours and 39 minutes
• In all cases you’ll need some identification. How much? This depends on where you’re traveling to and from. When reserving your flight tickets, we suggest to put down the same name, birth date and gender as shown on your government-issued ID.
• If you’re flying direct to Moscow, chances are you’re going to be airborne for quite a while. Pack lots of snacks and things to keep you busy. Now is the perfect time to get stuck into that book you’ve been eager to read!
• Cabin temperatures are often chilly enough to give you goose bumps. Carry an extra warm layer even if you’re vacationing during the height of summer.
• Flexibility isn’t just useful for your yoga. Have some room to move around your travel dates so you can snap up more affordable airfares when they pop up.
• Budget airlines offer first or business-class seats at a fraction of the usual cost. Skip the full-service carriers and consider these cheaper options.
• Make the most of your airline’s frequent flyer program and use points to upgrade your seat. You can also bid for an upgrade in an online auction if available.
• Slip on a pair of comfy sneakers and tour this bustling city on foot. There are many awesome attractions to make your way to, such as Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral.
• You’ll discover rewarding day trips a quick drive from the center of town. Tour Moscow State University first and then find time for Crocus Expo Center.
• Love to find out what else Moscow has to offer? Organize a car rental and hotfoot it to Dmitrov or Sergiyev Posad. With your own vehicle, exploring those harder-to-find destinations will also be easy.

More to Explore

Moscow flights, flights to moscow.

• New York to Moscow
• Chicago to Moscow
• Washington to Moscow
• San Francisco to Moscow
• Almaty to Moscow
• Tashkent to Moscow
• Orlando to Moscow
• London to Moscow
• Berlin to Moscow
• Kyiv to Moscow
• Paris to Moscow
• Milan to Moscow
• Mineralnye Vody to Moscow
• Amsterdam to Moscow
• Beijing to Moscow
• Istanbul to Moscow

Airports Near Moscow

• Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)
• Vnukovo Intl. Airport (VKO)
• Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA)

Other Travel Ideas For You

Fare, taxes & fees:  Fares include all taxes and fees, except baggage fees. Rates shown reflect fares found by other Orbitz users over the past 7 days. Due to rapidly changing airline prices & seat availability, these fares may no longer be available.

Refunds/changes/cancellations:  Itinerary changes, if permitted for the fare, will have a $30 service fee charged by Orbitz. Additional airline charges may apply.

Other conditions:  Schedules, fares and rules are subject to change without notice. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights/dates or in all markets. Lower fares may be available. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly/partially unused ticket. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Fare rules are provided for the selected itinerary before booking.

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