Iran Aseman AirlinesEP

Iran Aseman Airlines is Iran's oldest airline, founded in 1980 following the Islamic Revolution. The carrier emerged from the merger of four domestic airlines: Air Taxi Company, Pars Air, Air Service Company, and Hoor Aseman. Headquartered in Tehran, Aseman Airlines operates as a semi-private carrier with partial government ownership, focusing primarily on domestic Iranian routes with limited regional international services.

The airline operates approximately 30 aircraft including Boeing 737s, ATR 72s, and Fokker 100s. Aseman serves an extensive domestic network connecting major cities with smaller regional airports across Iran, making it particularly important for internal travel within the country.

Important for travelers: Iran Aseman Airlines is banned from operating in European Union airspace due to safety concerns and has been on the EU Air Safety List since 2017. International sanctions have severely impacted the airline's ability to acquire new aircraft, spare parts, and modern equipment, resulting in an aging fleet and operational challenges.

Iran Aseman Airlines is not a member of any airline alliance.

Important Note: Baggage policies may vary by route and fare type. Due to operational constraints and currency fluctuations, always confirm current policies when booking.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 6" (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, small backpack

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 8" (55 x 40 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit varies by class

Class	Cabin Bag Weight
Economy	7 kg (15 lbs)
Business Class	10 kg (22 lbs)

Checked Baggage

Standard Size Limit: 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length + width + height)

Domestic Flights (within Iran):

Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy	1 bag	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	2 bags	30 kg (66 lbs) each

International Flights:

Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Currency Note: Domestic flights quote fees in Iranian Rial (IRR). At current exchange rates, approximately 500,000 IRR equals $10-12 USD, though rates fluctuate significantly.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags:

Weight Range	Approximate Fee
20-32 kg (44-70 lbs)	Variable per kg excess
Over 32 kg	May require cargo shipment

Note: Fees vary significantly by route and currency. Contact the airline for current rates.

Special Items

Item	Policy
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee (counts as 1 checked bag)
Skis	Standard bag fee
Car seat	FREE
Stroller	FREE (gate-check available)
Wheelchair/mobility aids	FREE
Musical instruments	Contact airline 48 hours in advance

Policies as of January 2026. Verify at iaa.ir before traveling.

Business Class

Available on select Boeing 737 routes.

Boeing 737-500/400:

• Configuration: 2-2
• Seat: Recliner seats with enhanced pitch
• Pitch: 38-40" (96-102 cm)
• Width: 17-18"
• Amenities: Priority boarding, enhanced meal service

Business Class Includes:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Enhanced meal service
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Additional checked baggage allowance

Economy Class

Boeing 737-500/400:

• Configuration: 3-3
• Pitch: 30-31" (76-79 cm)
• Width: 17"
• Recline: 3-4"
• Entertainment: Limited or none

ATR 72-600/500:

• Configuration: 2-2
• Pitch: 30" (76 cm)
• Entertainment: None (short regional flights)

Fokker 100:

• Configuration: 2-3
• Pitch: 31" (79 cm)
• Entertainment: None

All Economy Classes Include:

• Complimentary meals on flights over 1 hour
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Light snacks on shorter domestic routes

Dining

Important: Iran Aseman Airlines is a dry airline—no alcohol is served on any flight in accordance with Islamic law.

Route Type	Meal Service
Domestic (1+ hours)	Hot meal or snack
Short domestic	Snack and beverages
International	Full meal service

Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

• Persian tea (chai)
• Coffee
• Juices and soft drinks
• Doogh (traditional yogurt drink, select routes)

Special Meals: Pre-order vegetarian or special dietary requirements at least 48 hours before departure.

In-Flight Entertainment

Due to the aging fleet and sanctions impact, entertainment systems are limited:

• No personal seatback screens on most aircraft
• Overhead cabin announcements
• Persian-language magazines
• Consider downloading content to personal devices before travel

Booking

• Book through authorized Iranian travel agents for smoother payment processing
• Direct website booking may have payment limitations for international cards
• Cash payment in local currency accepted at city ticket offices
• Verify route availability close to departure—schedules change frequently
• Book well in advance for popular pilgrimage routes (especially Mashhad)

Fleet & Safety Considerations

Current Fleet (approximate):

• Boeing 737-400/500: Medium-haul routes
• ATR 72-500/600: Short domestic routes
• Fokker 100: Regional domestic routes

Critical Information:

• Iran Aseman Airlines is on the EU Air Safety List (banned from EU airspace)
• International sanctions have severely limited fleet modernization
• Aircraft average age is significantly higher than international standards
• The airline cannot acquire new Western-manufactured aircraft or parts
• Some aircraft have been grounded due to maintenance challenges
• A fatal accident in February 2018 (Flight 3704) raised safety concerns

Traveler Decision: Some travelers avoid Aseman due to fleet age and safety concerns. Others accept the risks for domestic Iranian travel where alternatives may be limited.

Sanctions Impact

International sanctions affect Iran Aseman Airlines significantly:

• Fleet limitations: Cannot acquire new Boeing or Airbus aircraft since 2018
• Parts shortage: Limited access to genuine spare parts
• Route restrictions: Cannot fly to EU destinations
• Payment processing: International credit cards generally not accepted
• Insurance: Limited international insurance coverage
• Schedule reliability: Higher than average cancellation rates

At the Airport

• Tehran Mehrabad (THR): Primary Aseman hub, more central than IKA
• Arrive early: Allow buffer time for potential delays
• Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR) required for most purchases
• Exchange: Use official exchange offices; rates vary significantly

For International Travelers to Iran

• Visa: Most nationalities require a visa; check requirements
• Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance highly recommended
• Dress code: Conservative dress required; women must wear hijab
• Currency: Bring cash (USD or EUR) to exchange locally
• Communication: Internet services may be limited; consider VPN

Domestic Travel Tips

• Aseman often serves smaller airports that larger carriers don't reach
• Useful for reaching remote destinations like Kish Island, Bandar Abbas
• Compare with Mahan Air, Iran Air, and domestic LCCs for alternatives
• Morning flights tend to have better on-time performance
• Reconfirm flights 48 hours before departure

Alternative Airlines

When comparing Iran Aseman Airlines, consider:

• Iran Air (IR): Flag carrier with newer fleet on some routes
• Mahan Air (W5): Private carrier with extensive domestic network
• Qeshm Air: Domestic and regional routes
• Kish Air: Focus on Kish Island resort routes
• ATA Airlines: Domestic low-cost option

Recommended Routes

Despite challenges, Aseman can be useful for:

• Tehran (THR) - Mashhad (MHD): Pilgrimage route with frequent service
• Tehran - Shiraz (SYZ): Cultural tourism access
• Regional connections: Smaller cities not served by larger carriers

Routes to Avoid

Exercise extra caution or consider alternatives for:

• Any international routes (limited options, EU ban applies)
• Long-haul domestic routes where alternatives exist
• Critical travel where delays would have serious consequences