FlyArystan is Kazakhstan’s first low-cost airline, created to make flying more accessible and affordable across Central Asia. Launched in May 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Astana, FlyArystan follows a proven low-cost model, inspired by airlines like easyJet and AirAsia.
The idea was first announced by Air Astana’s CEO, Peter Foster, in late 2018. The airline started flying with its inaugural route from Almaty to Astana and quickly grew its network across the country. By 2024, FlyArystan had become a separate company with its own operating certificate, opening doors to even more opportunities, including international partnerships.
Built around offering low base fares, FlyArystan keeps costs down by letting passengers choose and pay for extras like seat selection and baggage. Its all-economy Airbus A320 fleet maximises efficiency and keeps fares competitive.
FlyArystan’s growth has boosted Kazakhstan’s domestic aviation market, helping it become one of the world’s fastest-growing by 2021. Today, the airline connects major cities across Kazakhstan and flies to neighbouring countries, playing a key role in making travel across the region more affordable.
At Alternative Airlines, we make it simple to search, compare and book FlyArystan flights all in one place - with the freedom to spread the cost your way, thanks to our flexible payment options. Whether you're flying across Kazakhstan or exploring beyond, we’re here to help you get there with ease.
FlyArystan connects cities across Kazakhstan - and beyond - with a growing network of domestic and international flights.
FlyArystan flies to 13 cities across Kazakhstan, linking major hubs and regional centres. Key destinations include Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda, Aktau, Atyrau, Aktobe, Kostanay, Kyzylorda, Oral (Uralsk), Oskemen, Semey and Turkistan.
With demand on the rise, FlyArystan has recently added more flights on busy routes like Almaty-Astana and Astana-Shymkent, making it even easier to travel across the country.
Looking to travel further? FlyArystan now serves 10 international destinations across 8 countries, including Baku, Urumqi, Yining, Sharm el-Sheikh, Kutaisi, Bishkek, Istanbul, Antalya, Gazipaşa and Tashkent. New routes launching in 2025 include Almaty-Yining and Karaganda-Istanbul, giving even more choice for regional and holiday travel.
FlyArystan’s top routes - like Almaty-Astana, Astana-Shymkent and Almaty-Karaganda - show just how vital these connections are for business trips, weekend getaways and everything in between.
Booking your FlyArystan flight with Alternative Airlines is easy.
Just head to our search tool, pop in your travel plan details, and see FlyArystan flights alongside 600+ other airlines - all in one place.
You can filter by times, stopovers, and even add extras like baggage and seat selection. It’s all done in just a few clicks, no stress.
When it’s time to pay, you’ve got plenty of choice. We let you pay in over 160 currencies, including Kazakhstani tenge (KZT), US dollars (USD), euros (EUR) and more - plus PayPal if that’s easier for you.
Looking for more flexibility? We’ve got you. Spread the cost with Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Klarna, Afterpay, Tabby, Zip, Tamara or Affirm, depending on where you live. Whether you want to pay in 4 interest-free instalments or spread payments over a few months, we’re here to make it happen.
FlyArystan makes check-in simple, whether you’re doing it online or at the airport. Here's what you need to know to keep your journey running smoothly.
You can check in online from 30 days up to 40 minutes before domestic flights, and up to 60 minutes before international flights.
Just head to the FlyArystan Online Check-In page, enter your surname and booking number, and follow the steps. A seat will be assigned automatically, or you can pick your own for a small extra fee.
Don’t forget to save or print your boarding pass! If you're flying internationally, your boarding pass will be given to you at the airport after document checks. Some passengers, like unaccompanied minors or anyone needing extra help, must check in at the airport desk. Need a printed boarding pass? Airport kiosks are available for 500 KZT.
FlyArystan keeps flying simple and affordable, with a baggage policy made for budget-conscious travellers.
Every passenger can bring one free piece of hand baggage, weighing up to 5kg and measuring no more than 56 x 23 x 36 cm. This includes your personal items like handbags, laptops, cameras and duty-free shopping.
Need more space? You can add an extra hand baggage allowance of up to 10kg. Just make sure to arrange it with us at least 2 hours before a domestic flight or 3 hours before an international one. Anything over 10kg will need to be checked in, with extra fees applied.
Checked baggage isn’t included in the base fare. You can buy a separate allowance, with each piece weighing up to 32kg and a combined size of no more than 158cm.
You can bring one foldable stroller free of charge for each child under 5 years old. If it’s larger than standard size, it’ll need to be checked in.
FlyArystan keeps flying simple, comfortable and affordable, with a streamlined cabin experience designed around what matters most.
FlyArystan’s Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft are set up in an all-Economy layout. The A320 seats 180 passengers, while the A320neo carries either 180 or 188. You’ll get 28-30 inches of space between your seat and the one in front, a width of 17.5 inches, and a 3-inch recline for a little extra comfort.
Want more space? You can pay extra to pick your seat, including front-row and emergency exit rows for extra legroom.
Every passenger can bring one piece of hand baggage. Overhead bins are available, but the ones above seats 1ABC and 1DEF are reserved for emergency equipment, so nearby passengers will need to use under-seat space or other compartments.
There’s no seat-back entertainment, but you can connect to FlyArystan’s "FlyAndFun" system on your device to enjoy movies, music and games. Snacks, meals and drinks are available to buy onboard at reasonable prices. If you’re a reader, remember to bring your own books or magazines.
FlyArystan keeps things focused on what you need - a simple, comfortable journey at a price that makes sense.
FlyArystan keeps it simple with two main fare types to choose from:
Want to make your trip a little smoother? FlyArystan offers bundle options to upgrade your journey:
Pick your seat when you book, through the app or at the airport.
If you don’t pick one, no worries - FlyArystan will assign you a seat at check-in.
FlyArystan’s Arystan Café offers a range of meals, snacks, and drinks available for purchase onboard. You can pre-order meals up to 24 hours before departure through the FlyArystan website, mobile app or the "Manage Booking" section. Onboard purchases are also available, with payment options including cash, card and mobile payments.
For the full menu or to pre-order your meal, visit the Arystan Café page. For more information on special meals, check out our page on special airline meals.
FlyArystan connects Kazakhstan with the wider Central Asian region through a strong network of domestic and international flights.
👇 Click below to see all of FlyArystan's destinations 👇
While FlyArystan offers low-cost flights across Kazakhstan and beyond, there are several other airlines you might consider for your travel plans:
No way, really?! Yes! We’ve partnered with some amazing BNPL payment providers to allow you to pay for your flights over time, with ease.
FlyArystan passengers can join the Nomad Club, Air Astana’s frequent flyer program, to earn and redeem points across both airlines.
The Nomad Club offers four levels:
Points are earned by flying with FlyArystan and Air Astana, and by using partner services like hotels, banks and car rentals. Points can also be transferred between members.
Points can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades to Business Class or services like seat reservations. A domestic flight award, for example, can cost between 5,000 and 10,000 points.
Register online by filling in your details, activate your account through an email link and manage your points through the website or app.
The FlyArystan mobile app makes it easy to manage flights with Kazakhstan’s leading low-cost airline. Available for Android and iOS devices, it’s packed with features designed to simplify your travel.
Located within the city of Almaty, ALA is Kazakhstan’s busiest airport and the main gateway for FlyArystan. In 2024, the airport handled over 11 million passengers, making it the busiest in Central Asia. FlyArystan’s parent company, Air Astana, also uses ALA as a key hub.
FlyArystan has introduced self-service check-in terminals called iJan and a new baggage drop-off system called BagJan at Almaty Airport. These upgrades help passengers check in, manage baggage, and purchase extras more quickly and easily.
Other international airlines that operate from the airport include Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa.
Beyond Almaty, FlyArystan operates major bases at:
These bases allow FlyArystan to maintain strong domestic coverage and expand international services across Central Asia.
As of April 2025, FlyArystan operates 26 Airbus A320 family aircraft, built to support its low-cost model and keep fares affordable.
The fleet includes:
By running a standardised fleet, FlyArystan keeps maintenance simple, costs low and reliability high across its growing network. The A320neo models also help cut emissions and noise, supporting FlyArystan’s goal of making flying greener.
In a nod to its spirit of discovery, FlyArystan names its aircraft after stars and constellations. Recent arrivals include Spica (A320neo), Temirkazyk (Polaris) (A320ceo), and Sumbile (Sirius) (A320ceo) - each one a symbol of inspiration and direction.