It’s not every day you get to board the national airline of a country most people can’t even locate on a map. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t giddy with excitement to try Azerbaijan Airlines. The largely overlooked carrier is surprisingly relevant for crafty fliers thanks to Azerbaijan’s strategic location between Europe and Central Asia, making Baku an efficient connection point.

So what’s it like on board Azerbaijan’s flag carrier? Join me today as I try AZAL’s regional A319 business class from Jeddah to their hub in Baku. Could this be the world’s most overlooked airline? Read on to find out.

The Jeddah North Terminal Experience

Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz Airport has several terminals, each providing a very different experience. Most flights leave from the modern Terminal 1, but Azerbaijan Airlines (along with several low-cost carriers) still departs from the old North Terminal — which is so old and out of the way that my Uber driver couldn’t believe I had a flight there and dropped me at Terminal 1 instead. I proceeded to run around like a lost puppy before an off-duty Saudi Border Guard, who spoke no English but was keen to help, got me sorted. One more twenty-minute Uber later, my new driver had to ask a construction worker on the side of the road where the terminal actually was.

Editor’s Note: If you’re departing from Jeddah’s North Terminal, budget extra time — most maps and drivers don’t quite know how to find it. Bring your patience hat. This is not a ‘Virgin Atlantic Upper Class’ style airport arrival.

Check-in was tucked in a back corner and staffed by genuinely helpful agents; mine got me processed quickly after validating my Azerbaijani visa. Business class gets a dedicated line, which made no difference since every line was empty. Security was another story: an impromptu document checkpoint, a crowd forming faster than staff could process it, a few arguments, and one man getting thrown out of the terminal entirely. I kept my head down and eventually made it through — about thirty minutes of security wait with no priority line to be found.

The terminal itself was loud, crowded, and short on food, shopping, and seats — a “bus terminal” atmosphere badly in need of a refresh.

The ‘Business Class’ Lounge

I was surprised to learn AZAL passengers get lounge access in Jeddah, and even more surprised by where: nestled directly to the left of the security checkpoint. The lounge has no name — it brands itself simply Business Lounge, while maps and online listings call it the First Class Lounge. Maybe it was recently rebranded. Maybe it’s having a mid-life identity crisis. Who knows.

Inside, it was roomy and quiet, with an abundance of dated-but-functional furniture — sit by the windows for some light in an otherwise dark space. I skipped the food, which was limited and didn’t look fresh. This lounge isn’t winning any awards, but a lounge’s core value is how much better it is than the terminal — and here, it was a significant improvement.

Boarding & Pre-Flight Service

The North Terminal has no jet bridges — every gate boards by bus, which is ironic given my earlier comparison. Boarding began on time but with no announcements, no group signs, and no indication of where to go, so passengers formed one ambiguous line snaking through the gate area. At one point a few women tried to cut in front of me — but the man behind me had other plans, instantly yelling at them in Azerbaijani and demanding the line-cutters let me proceed. They fought back; this mystery man had justice on his mind and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I tried to thank him. He wasn’t interested in communicating with me.

The one perk of a bus gate is the plane views: today’s 19-year-old A319, nicknamed “Gazakh,” was glistening in the sun, and AZAL’s dark blue livery remains one of the most recognizable in the sky. Business class received the same chaotic boarding and bus ride as economy — functional, but short of the industry standard of priority boarding.

On board, things looked up. The two-row, 2-2 cabin was clean and well maintained despite the aircraft’s age, with bright blue seat accents — I always praise airlines that carry their brand colors into the seat design. I was booked in row two but moved to row one so a family could sit together, which turned out to be a bit of a mistake. Flight attendants were speedy with hot towels, nuts, and drinks; I picked the most interestingly colored one, which turned out to be Azerbaijani kompot, enjoyed while staring at the Yemenia plane parked next to us. It’s not every day you come face to face with Yemen’s national airline.

Seat Analysis

The seat itself was comfortable and well padded in leather, with plush adjustable headrest wings and a seat-back curve that actually supports you. Width was decent, helped by a thick armrest with a small table for drinks, plus a genuinely handy water-bottle holder between the seats.

The problems: row one’s bulkhead made legroom shockingly tight — I’m 5’6” and couldn’t come close to extending my legs, which is disappointing for business class. The unorthodox seat controls supposedly operated recline and a leg rest, but mine were stuck; no amount of pushing or pulling changed the seat’s position at all. Beyond that, the seats are bare bones — no storage, no power outlets, and no IFE screens, though a streaming-only Wi-Fi portal offers the airline’s limited catalog (no actual internet). The amenities partly made up for it: the bluest blanket I have ever seen, a plush pillow, menus, and bottled water — impressive kit for what’s functionally a regional flight.

Main Meal Service

The menu was lopsided: an impressive four main courses but a single appetizer option — I’m honestly not sure how they cater four mains for a cabin that seats eight. The vitello tonnato appetizer arrived quickly and looked well above average for regional business, the veal a little dry but flavorful. Then things got strange: my tea came with the chocolate mousse dessert before I’d finished the appetizer — a first for me — followed by nearly an hour sitting with an empty tray, wondering if the meal was over.

Just as I was losing hope, the main arrived. It won’t win awards for presentation, but I’d be damned if this wasn’t one of the best plane meals I’ve ever had — juicy, vividly memorable lamb with excellent vegetables. I didn’t have Azerbaijan Airlines delivering a culinary masterclass on my bingo card, but I’m not complaining.