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Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) (J2) Guide

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A practical guide to AZAL: the network from GYD, the Embraer 190 and the rest of the fleet, luggage rules, check-in and cheaper fares. Ask a question
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In short

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is the flag carrier of Azerbaijan, based at Heydar Aliyev International in Baku. It flies to 57+ destinations in Azerbaijan, the CIS, Turkey, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, a full-service link for travel to Baku. AZAL is not in an alliance and runs AZAL Miles. Cabins are Business and Economy.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is the flag carrier and largest airline of Azerbaijan, founded in 1992 and based in Baku next to Heydar Aliyev International Airport. It flies to destinations across Asia, the CIS and Europe.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL). Routes, schedules, fleet and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Azerbaijan Airlines, known as AZAL, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Azerbaijan, based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. It suits travellers flying to and from Azerbaijan and those using Baku as a stop between Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and Central Asia. The airline was set up in 1992, soon after independence, and is owned by the state through AZCON Holding.

Network from Baku

AZAL serves about 57 destinations from its single hub in Baku. Europe includes cities such as Paris and London. The network also covers Turkey, the Gulf and the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia and parts of the former Soviet Union, with Beijing in East Asia. In 2023 the low-cost brand Buta Airways was merged back into AZAL, so all flights are now sold under one name.

Because the network runs through one airport, Baku works as a transfer point. Check the minimum connection time and whether your onward flight is on the same ticket before relying on a short connection.

Codeshares with Turkish, Lufthansa and Qatar

AZAL is not a member of any global alliance. It relies on codeshares with airlines including Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Uzbekistan Airways, and interline agreements with carriers such as Emirates, KLM and Singapore Airlines. A codeshare or interline ticket lets your bags be checked through to the final destination, which matters when Baku is only a stop.

Suspended flights to Russia

AZAL has suspended a number of flights to Russia, so check the current status of any Russian route before booking.

Baggage, online check-in and visas

Baggage allowance depends on the fare and route and is shown in your booking. Online check-in is offered through the AZAL website. Check visa rules for Azerbaijan if you plan to leave the airport during a long connection.

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Checked against trusted sources:
AZAL official website

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  1. AZAL official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1992

Everything you should know

Airline codes

J2 · AHY

IATA · ICAO · callsign “AZAL”

Look for J2 in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the AZAL code. Enter J2 and the number to follow a AZAL departure.

Key facts

Main hub

Baku (GYD)

Heydar Aliyev International

Network

57+ destinations

Azerbaijan · CIS · Turkey · Europe · Middle East · Asia

From Baku, AZAL flies to Nakhchivan and other domestic airports, and to Turkey, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East, Europe and India.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Business

and Economy

Business and Economy; Boeing 787 and 767 flights have seat-back screens. AZAL sells three cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Which ones you can book depends on the aircraft. The 787 and widebody jets carry the full range, while the Embraer 190 and many Airbus narrowbodies have a smaller business section at the front.

Compare cabins

Good to know

AZAL’s loyalty programme is AZAL Miles, with five status levels. The airline’s site, azal.az, handles bookings and check-in.

Frequent flyer

AZAL Miles

No global alliance

AZAL Miles is where AZAL flights earn points; the airline has not joined Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam.

How it works

Start a new search

One bookingMentor search puts a AZAL ticket next to every other option on your route, so you can see which airline gives the better deal.

Have a good trip, whether you start in Baku or somewhere else on the AZAL network.

Select dates

At a glance

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL; IATA: J2, ICAO: AHY) is the flag carrier of Azerbaijan, based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Founded in 1992, it flies Airbus A320-family, Boeing 757, 767, 787 and Embraer 190 aircraft to destinations in the CIS, Turkey, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Key facts about Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL)
HeadquartersBaku, Azerbaijan
Fleet typesAirbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321neo, Embraer 190, Boeing 757, 767 and 787
Frequent flyerAZAL Miles
Official websiteazal.az

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Destinations listed in AZAL’s published network, grouped by region. Seasonal and new AZAL routes come and go, so check the schedule for your dates. Search flights

Azerbaijan

Baku (GYD) departures4 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

AZAL operates about 49 aircraft. The short and medium-haul fleet is three Airbus A319-100s, ten A320-200s and eight A320neos, with seven Embraer 190 regional jets. Long-haul flying uses two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and three Boeing 767-300ERs. AZAL is also the last operator of the Airbus A340-500, with two in its fleet, and four Boeing 757-200s have been reported stored since 2024. A separate VIP fleet, including an Airbus ACJ319, an ACJ320, an A340-600 and a Boeing 777-200LR, flies government and charter missions and does not appear on scheduled flights.

  • Airbus A319 Narrow-body Most regional routes from Baku
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body Most regional routes from Baku
  • Airbus A320neo Narrow-body Most regional routes from Baku
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body · 2 in service Newest narrow-bodies in the fleet
  • Embraer 190 Regional jet · 7 in service Domestic and regional routes
  • Boeing 757-200 Narrow-body · 4 in service Busier regional routes
  • Boeing 767-300ER Wide-body · 3 in service Longer routes
  • Boeing 787-8 Wide-body · 2 in service Long-haul routes

Cabin classes

AZAL sells two cabins, Business and Economy. The aircraft and route decide which AZAL cabins you can book.

Business Most flights

Business class

Business class on AZAL flights.

Priority servicesLounge access

Economy All flights

Standard seat

Economy with reclining seats and adjustable headrests.

Touch-screen entertainment on 787 and 767

AZAL Miles

AZAL Miles is AZAL’s frequent flyer scheme, and you can sign up on azal.az.

AZAL Miles has five status levels. Members earn flight miles and status points on AZAL flights and redeem miles for award tickets and other privileges.

The frequent flyer programme is AZAL Miles, with five status levels. Members earn miles on AZAL flights and can redeem them for award tickets and upgrades. Add your number at booking.

Baggage allowance

On AZAL, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your J2 e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Set by your fare
Extra bags
Add online before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Expect the allowance on AZAL to change with distance and cabin: higher cabins include more than basic economy on the same flight. Look up your route on the baggage page of azal.az.

Pro tip: if your J2 fare comes without a hold bag, buy one in your booking before you fly; airport prices for extra bags are usually higher.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Here is the order to follow for a J2 flight: check in, sort your documents, meet the airport deadline and drop your bags.

  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use azal.az to check in for eligible flights. Have your AZAL booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Before leaving for the airport, check that your passport is valid and that you hold any visa or entry document needed at the other end of your AZAL flight. Domestic J2 passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for AZAL check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Check your deadline
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    AZAL desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your J2 trip.

    AZAL counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official AZAL website.
Check in with AZAL
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Cheap tickets

How to find a cheaper AZAL fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your AZAL dates

    If your dates can move, look at J2 flights across the whole week. Midweek seats are often cheaper than weekend ones.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Travel around the busy dates

    Holiday peaks push up fares on routes from Baku. Shift your AZAL trip just outside them where you can.

    School holidays · festivals
  3. 03

    Price the bundle, not the base fare

    Look at the next AZAL fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Book busy AZAL routes early

    Popular AZAL flights fill the cheaper fares first, so give yourself several weeks of lead time on busy routes.

    Popular routes
  5. 05

    Join AZAL Miles

    Add a AZAL Miles number to your booking so points from your J2 flights are credited.

    Before you fly

  6. Ready to compare fares?

    Search AZAL alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search AZAL flights

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).
Last reviewed on 10 October 2026 against azal.az and published airline records.

General

Azerbaijan Airlines operates from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Most of its routes start or connect there.

Getting there