International Airport Irkutsk

The domestic flight section is more crowded and bigger, one feels like modern kind of airport. Whereas international flight section is small and very old fashioned nothing interesting there.

Unfortunately, during covid-19 you can meet long queue with rude people.

Not so good service. People don’t really have service mind.

(For non-Russian travelers...) I flew on S7 airline to Irkutsk from US via Beijing. Upon arrival, shuttle bus take us to international terminal building. Passport checks have 4 windows open but avoid the right most window because airline crew will cut in line there. Once passed custom, you enter a small common area (~15m wide x ~30m long). I never seen a small airport like this. There is no checkin counter in normal airport. Apparently you enter a departure area to get inside another small area with 3 (out of 5) counters (shared for all airlines I think) for checkin. In the common area, there are 2 ATMs, one small shops, several information desks (but with no people) and one information window. I asked someone at information about buying SIM card and was told to exit building and then turn left to another building - that other building turns out to be domestic airport and is much bigger and nicer. There are shops and cafe and stuff. No one speaks English there but after many trial and errors, I found a small store on end of 2nd floor selling SIM card. The smart guy use translator to tell me they have SIM card :) and we talk back and forth with written translation :) SIM was 950 rubles (cash only). Overall, this airport isn't bad. It is just small for a small Russian city with few incoming international flights. Yes, it could be updated since airport is the first thing foreigners see upon arrival. Now for departure, people line up outside a small departure room? around 2-3 hours before the flight departure time. Once inside, there are 3 open counters (out of 5). After ticket counter check, you enter a waiting area (~10m x 20m?) with rows of metal chairs. There are 3-4 shops/cafes. There is a "Comfort lounge" near a corner. PriorityPass works here. Once inside, it is just another smaller room with some drinks and snacks. My pass allows me to "buy" drinks and snacks with 350 rubles. Water, soda, peanuts sells for 100-150 rubles. There is a restroom which is cleaner than the common outside, so that is 1 good thing there. Don't expect much in this "comfort lounge" however.

Immigration is unbelievably slow. Even people who have obtained visa prior are assessed for very long time without specific reasons.