I asked you folks a few weeks back whether I should take a TAROM A318 or 737-800 in business class to Bucharest and most of you suggested I take the A318 before it is too late. I did, and found the flight…quaint.
TAROM A318 Business Class: My First Impressions
The Airbus A318 is the “baby” in the A320 family and in all my years of flying, I had yet to ever try it.
My choice was to fly from London to Bucharest nonstop on the A318 to fly via Amsterdam. If I fly via Amsterdam, I could have flown the 737-800 from AMS-OTP, meaning I would have had a “real” business class seat plus an extra KLM flight to review from London to Amsterdam.
The other thing I neglected to mention earlier was that the nonstop flight would only give me a 70-minute connection in London and require a terminal change from Terminal 3 (where my Delta Air Lines flight arrived in) and Terminal 4, where TAROM flights depart. The option via Amsterdam would have given me more time to connect.
But I booked the short connection, reasoning that unlike Turkish Airlines (which is late every day…remember that?) Delta would be on time and probably early. And indeed, my Delta flight arrived nearly an hour early.
So I easily made the connection.
Onboard, I found exactly the dated product I was expecting. Business class seats are not 2-2, but 3-3 as in economy class with the middle seat blocked. However, this plane was over 16 years old and had “old school” style seats that were far better padded than the more modern slimline seats.
There was no wi-fi internet on the plane (despite the stickers on the seat) and no power plugs, which made me thankful that my devices were fully charged.
Lunch was served after takeoff, a chicken dish with mashed potatoes, a side salad, and tiramisu for dessert. It was fine, though I think British Airways offers much better catering from Heathrow.
The service was good. A flight attendant working business class did offer beverage refills from time to time, though the glasses were very small. I primarily drank sparkling water, though I did try a cup of coffee, which the flight attendant warned me was powdered.
And really that is it…the flight was three hours long and in some sense was painfully long. On the other hand, it was nice to “power down” and actually read a book for a large chunk of the flight.
CONCLUSION
I was happy to fly the A318 for the first and perhaps the last time. It is a cute little aircraft. Flying TARAOM is like stepping back in time at least 20 years. The upside is that you will enjoy a comfortable seat on the A318. The downside is that you’d better come prepared to keep yourself occupied.
I’ll have more details about the flight and how I booked my ticket in my full review.
Wow. Indeed. Look at all of the padding on those seats. The good old days of economy flying.
“from AMS-OTP, meaning I would have had a “real” business class seat”
Define “real”…like, a recliner seat? On KLM?
“The downside is that you’d better come prepared to keep yourself occupied.”
Window views over Europe tend to be pleasant and nice I find.
2-2 seating like domestic first/business in USA or Asia on TAROM 737-800.
Recliner seat? Or just a smaller wide-body plane? Some KLM flights now don’t block other seat anymore in 2-2 standard Euro business class, so am just curious as to the seat itself.
Recliner.
Thanks for a wonderful and unique trip report! 🙂
I have a question about KLM. Taking a quick look at Aerolopa, it appears that all the 737’s are equipped with standard 3-3 seating in business with middle seat blocked. Which aircraft/config are you referring to with 2-2 traditional USA biz class seating?
You’re quite correct, I’m referring to TAROM.
Hey Matt, appreciate the preliminary reviews. I’m heading to Bucharest for a conference in September and Tarom is an option for jumping around Central Europe. If you have any insights on Bucharest I’d love to read them. Same with Sofia, as that’s an option after the conference is done. There really aren’t a lot of points/miles related articles on travel to Romania & Bulgaria.
Coming soon!
Here is a pre-Covid trip series from OMAAT in Romania.
Look out for a guy who writes a travel blog called Paliparan, he’s a Dutch journalist based in Bucharest and he knows that part of Europe inside out, you can email him from his website and he’s full of info and often happy to meet for a beer if you are there.
Thanks!
What lounge does TAROM use at Heathrow?
Was there any choice in meal?
What about wine?
I flew TAROM once in 2013 from Frankfurt to Bucharest in economy comfort or whatever they called the extra-legroom seats. I was impressed they served a hot meal. It was a grilled chicken breast with vegetables and potatoes.
Plaza Premium in T4
No meal choice. Red wine only…no white wine!
That’s a neat little plane– was the flight full?
Not even close. Was about 1/4 full in back, half full in business.
TAROM is one of the oldest airlines in the world. It’s not only an airline, it’s a symbol. Don’t forget that Romania emerged from a long period of economic non-efficiency (socialist system). Understand that these efforts affect everything. TAROM is making big efforts to accommodate all kind of passengers. I am born in Romania, though I live in another not far away country. Whenever I can I fly TAROM, it’s sentimental too. For those ones that want super duper extra flight conditions may I suggest a private jet. As from my side, thumbs up for TAROM.
May I ask what European airline you have flown that has a 2-2 seating in business class on the continent. All I have flown has been like economy with the middle seat blocked? Thanks
Only TAROM, Bulgaria Airlines, and Turkish Airlines offer this since Air Serbia no longer does.
That was one reason I wanted to seek out the 737-800…it is so rare to see this style of seating within Europe.
3+3 seating in business class may be okay for short(ish) trips, but when we’re talking about 6 hour redeye flights, some airlines are taking the mickey. Yes, Finnair, I’m looking at you! (LPA/TFS-HEL).