From "Air Fleet" to Modern Carrier

Aeroflot is one of the world's oldest airlines and arguably the most symbolic for Russia. Its history mirrors the history of the country itself — from the creation of a unified Soviet air fleet to its transformation into a modern market player.

The Soviet Era: Aeroflot as the Brand of All Soviet Civil Aviation

The company dates back to 1923, when its first regular flights began. But its true scale came later: in 1932, all civil aviation in the country was consolidated under a single name — Aeroflot, meaning "Air Fleet". This was not just a carrier, but an entire system covering the vast territory of the USSR.

In Soviet times, Aeroflot became the largest airline in the world. By 1976, it carried over 100 million passengers annually. Its fleet numbered thousands of aircraft, from light biplanes to jetliners. In 1956, Aeroflot became the first airline in the world to operate regular jet passenger services with the Tu-104, while domestic routes were served by the Il-62, Tu-134, Yak-40 and other Soviet-designed aircraft

After 1991: Collapse and the Birth of a New Aeroflot

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the unified system fell apart. Hundreds of regional airlines spun off from the giant Aeroflot, and the carrier itself transformed from a state enterprise into a semi-privatized company. The fleet, once numbering thousands of aircraft, shrank to 115 by 1996.

It was a difficult period: the airline had to rebuild passenger trust, modernize its fleet, and meet global standards. Gradually, Western aircraft — Airbus and Boeing — replaced Soviet-built jets. In 2006, Aeroflot joined the global SkyTeam alliance, signaling its integration into the world aviation system

Today

Today, Aeroflot remains Russia's national carrier and largest airline. The state retains a controlling stake, but the company operates by market rules. Its fleet includes both Western aircraft and Russian-built Sukhoi Superjets, reflecting an effort to support domestic aviation manufacturing. Aeroflot flies to hundreds of destinations, and its story — from a symbol of Soviet aviation to a modern player — continues to unfold.