Air Astana A320NEO Business Class Review (Almaty–Osh) | Refined Comfort on a Short-Haul Gem

There’s something subtly elegant about Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier. It doesn’t chase the over-the-top glamour of the Gulf airlines. Instead, as I wrote about in my Air Astana A321LR Economy Class Review, it delivers a more understated, yet polished and surprisingly refined kind of comfort.

My journey from Almaty to Osh was short, barely an hour and a half, but I was curious to see how Air Astana would handle the premium experience on a regional route. I’ll admit – my expectations were quite modest. For such a short hop, I would’ve been satisfied with the typical “Euro-business” setup: an economy seat with the middle blocked out, and maybe a sandwich at best.

But what I found on board Air Astana’s Airbus A320NEO was much more impressive: a genuine recliner seat, large IFE screens, a polished cabin design, and service that felt more thoughtful than theatrical. In other words, it was the perfect balance between efficiency and elegance – with a touch of Central Asian hospitality along the way.

Booking Air Astana Business Class

I had been casually monitoring fares between Almaty (ALA) and Osh (OSS) on Kayak.com for a few days when I noticed something curious – economy prices were climbing fast, creeping from about $90 up to nearly $160.

Meanwhile, business class remained steady at $172. Since I had already procrastinated long enough and the flight was quickly approaching, I took the plunge and secured the business class ticket. For twelve dollars more, I traded a potential middle seat for a guaranteed window, priority boarding, and a proper recliner seat.

It turned out to be one of those rare wins in travel, when upgrading to business feels more like a well-timed strategy than an indulgence. Seat 4A was mine, and for a short regional hop like this, I was genuinely excited to see what Air Astana’s premium product could deliver.

If you’re planning to book, compare fares across multiple website as prices for Central Asia can fluctuate dramatically. I recommend using a VPN as well.

Almaty International Airport — Pre-flight Nap at the Capsule Hotel

After an overnight work shift and a long flight from Guangzhou to Almaty International Airport (ALA) in economy class, I desperately needed a horizontal surface and a shower before my connection. The “Caps Lock” Capsule Hotel, located right inside the terminal (downstairs near arrivals), turned out to be the perfect pit stop for my 4 hour layover.

At around $25 for 3 hours, it’s not the world’s cheapest capsule stay. I also found it a bit warm and bright for true rest – but for a few hours of sleep and a much-needed refresh, it did the job. There are showers, lockers, and individual pods with charging ports, which made it a comfortable place to reset before my next flight.

Almaty International Airport itself is surprisingly modern and efficient, with several decent cafés and restaurants both before and after security. Aside from the Capsule Hotel, there aren’t any hotels directly connected to the airport, though a few much better ones are within walking distance.

Check-In & Business Lounge at Almaty Airport

Check-in for my Air Astana business class flight was refreshingly smooth. Having already received my mobile boarding pass, I breezed through an almost empty passport control and security checkpoint in under ten minutes – hey, I’ll take the wins where I can find them.

A quick note for travelers: although Priority Pass lists an available lounge in Almaty Airport, access isn’t actually permitted via PP (I tried). So if you’re counting on using your PriorityPass here, plan otherwise. Fortunately, Air Astana’s own Business Lounge more than makes up for it.

The moment you enter, you’re greeted by a striking 787 model (which Air Astana just ordered more of) and a genuinely warm welcome – not something you take for granted in Central Asia, where service tends to be more understated. Inside, the lounge feels bright, modern, and surprisingly elegant. There’s a dedicated barista crafting real espresso drinks, a fresh pasta station, and an array of local Kazakh favorites like borscht, samsa, kurdyak, and chak-chak.

It felt like a miniature culinary introduction to Kazakhstan before even leaving the ground. Everything from the presentation of food to the spotless seating area suggested a carrier that’s truly serious about upgrading its premium experience.

Boarding & First Impressions

Boarding was smooth and orderly – I made my way to the priority line and once again, glided right onto Air Astana’s EI-KIE – a 4-month old Airbus A320-271N (A320NEO). Of note, Air Astana’s average fleet age is 5.2 years. For a frame of reference, United’s planes average over 15.6 years.

Air Astana’s A320NEOs feature 16 seats in business class plus 132 in economy for a total of 148 – a low number that suggests that Air Astana does not skimp on legroom and comfort.

I settled into seat 4A (a window seat, naturally), and immediately found the recliner seat extremely comfortable – wide, soft, offering ample legroom, a large IFE screen, USB and power outlets, and a movable headrest. The design strikes a smart balance between form and function (though not as amazingly comfortable as the extremely reclinable seat I experienced on Azerbaijan Airlines). Overall, though, I found it impressively comfortable for such a short route.

The cabin was completely full, yet the crew managed to make room for everyone’s bags and help everyone settle in efficiently. It does help that Air Astana’s brand-new A320NEOs come equipped with the latest generation of overhead bins, which allow carry-ons to be stored vertically. This makes a surprisingly massive difference.

Recommend reading: Top 5 Suitcases Pilots Use: Why You Need One

A plush pillow and blanket were already waiting, and there was even a small legrest for extra comfort. As we taxied out of Almaty, I realized my seat had three windows – perfect for soaking in the stunning mountain views en route to Osh.

For a one-hour flight, this setup felt genuinely premium. It’s so far beyond what you get with the Euro-style business class that many carriers still serve on similar length routes.

In-Flight Service & Meal

Even before takeoff, the cabin crew set the tone with a warm towel service and a small selection of signature Air Astana beverages, including cherry juice, pear juice, champagne, or water. It’s a simple gesture, but it immediately elevates the experience, especially on a short-haul route.

Once airborne, the crew moved through the cabin with quiet professionalism; smiling, attentive, and super efficient on this short flight. The meal service was quick yet thoughtfully presented: a small tasting platter of warm mini-pittas filled with chili con carne, spinach, and chicken with champignons, served alongside a fresh side salad. The flavors were delectable, each bite absolutely full of delicious flavor.

Although I’d classify it more as a snack service than a full meal, the presentation and quality makes it feel upscale. Even the tray table was solid and perfectly leveled – a small design detail that matters when you’re trying to work or dine comfortably (and can be massively detrimental when sagging like on some other carriers). And it’s far more than 90% of airlines feature on a one-hour flight (looking at you, US airlines….)

I was especially delighted by the decaf cappuccino – genuinely one of the better inflight decaf espresso-based coffees I’ve had. Foamy, rich, and perfectly served, it was good enough that I ordered a second round. Most carriers only offer decaf as instant coffee, so I was absolutely elated.

No Wi-Fi on this short hop, but with the above-average IFE selection and gorgeous views of the Tien Shan mountains, I didn’t miss it for a moment.

Conclusion: Air Astana Provides a Positively Premium Experience

For such a short hop across the mountains, Air Astana’s business class far exceeded expectations. Everything about the experience — from the elegant lounge and comfortable recliner seat to the well-paced service and quality meal — reflected an airline that’s serious about elevating its premium offering.

What stood out most was how much of a ‘premium’ experience Air Astana can stuff into a 1.5 hour flight. European and US airlines sit nowhere near this level of comfort and service.

On a 90-minute regional flight, Air Astana managed to deliver a genuinely premium experience that felt smooth, composed, and distinctly Kazakh.

I stepped off in Osh not just rested, but seriously impressed.

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⭐ Air Astana A320NEO Business Class Ratings

Category	Rating	Notes
Check-In & Boarding	★★★★★	Seamless process with priority handling and friendly ground staff
Lounge	★★★★★	Bright & modern. Excellent food, bar, and espresso-based drinks.
Seat / Hard Product	★★★★☆	Spacious recliner, strong IFE, ample legroom; not lie-flat but very comfortable
Soft Product / Service	★★★★☆	Polite, efficient, and quietly professional.
Meal & Beverage	★★★★☆	Tasty, well-presented snack service; excellent cappuccino and drink options
IFE / Connectivity	★★★★☆	Large screens, solid selection; no Wi-Fi but not missed on a short route
Overall Value	★★★★★	Outstanding value for $172 — business class comfort at economy prices

Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A refined, unpretentious premium experience that outshines many big-name carriers on similar-length routes.