Aegean Airlines
Greece
airBaltic
Latvia's airline, flying an all-Airbus A220 fleet from Riga
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LatviaCountry
- BTIATA Code
- BTIICAO Code
- IndependentAlliance
- HybridAirline Type
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About airBaltic
airBaltic is Latvia’s national airline, flying an all-Airbus A220 fleet from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius across Europe. Its fares range from MINI (personal item only) to FLEX (two 23 kg bags), and in September 2026 it entered Chapter 11 restructuring while continuing to fly. This guide covers what the restructuring means for passengers, fares and baggage, power bank rules and how airBaltic compares with Finnair and LOT.
airBaltic was founded in 1995 and is Latvia’s national airline, with the Latvian state as majority shareholder and the Lufthansa Group holding a 10% stake. It flies only one aircraft type, the Airbus A220-300.
Contents
airBaltic’s 2026 Restructuring: What It Means for Passengers
airBaltic is going through a difficult year. After engine problems grounded part of its fleet and fuel costs rose, it filed for Chapter 11 protection in a New York court; the filing became public on 14 September 2026. It secured €350 million of new financing and says all flights continue as normal during the process.
- The airline plans to cut its A220 fleet from 54 to about 36 aircraft by the end of 2026 and focus on Riga.
- Some routes have fewer flights in winter 2026/27, so check your schedule before travel.
- Pay by credit card where possible and consider travel insurance that covers airline insolvency.
Power Bank Rules on airBaltic
airBaltic follows the ICAO power bank rules in force worldwide since 27 March 2026:
- A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
- Up to 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh only with the airline’s approval.
- No charging power banks, or devices from them, during the flight.
- Never pack power banks in checked bags.
Check-In at Riga
Online check-in is available on the website and app. Riga Airport is compact, so 90 minutes is usually enough for Schengen flights; allow two hours for flights to the UK and other non-Schengen countries, where passports are checked.
How to Find Cheap Flights to the Baltics
- Compare Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius; fares can differ a lot.
- Pick BASIC or CLASSIC instead of MINI if you need a cabin bag.
- Travel outside June–August for lower fares.
- Use Riga to connect between Scandinavia, the Baltics and southern Europe.
- Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see airBaltic next to Finnair, LOT and others.
airBaltic vs Finnair vs LOT
Three ways to reach the Baltic region.
| airBaltic | Finnair | LOT Polish Airlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub | Riga | Helsinki | Warsaw |
| Alliance | None | oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Cheapest fare cabin bag | Personal item only (MINI) | Cabin bag included | Cabin bag included |
| Best for | Point-to-point Baltic trips | Long-haul via Helsinki | Central Europe and long-haul |
See our Finnair guide and LOT Polish Airlines guide to compare.
Arriving in Riga
Riga Airport is about 10 km from the Old Town. Bus 22 runs to the city centre in about 30 minutes, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are available.
You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.
Is airBaltic a Good Airline?
airBaltic has a modern, quiet A220 fleet, free Wi-Fi and a wide Baltic network, but its 2026 restructuring means schedules may change. Book with care and check your flight before travel.
For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.
Facts checked in October 2026 against ch-aviation on the Chapter 11 filing, Aviation Business News on the fleet plan and airBaltic’s fare conditions. Rules change, so check the official airBaltic website before you travel.
Airline Partnerships
The airline is not a member of an airline alliance, but the Lufthansa Group owns a minority stake and the airlines work together on some routes.
Codeshare & Interline Partnerships
It codeshares with partner airlines and connects passengers through Riga between Scandinavia, the Baltics and the rest of Europe.
Hubs & Focus Cities
Riga International Airport (RIX) is the hub, with further bases in Tallinn (TLL) and Vilnius (VNO).
Popular airBaltic Routes
Popular routes link Riga with Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, London, Amsterdam and Tallinn. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.
Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.
airBaltic Reschedule & Cancellation Policy
airBaltic sells Economy as MINI, BASIC, CLASSIC and FLEX, plus Business Class. MINI includes only a personal item and cannot be changed; BASIC adds a cabin bag; CLASSIC adds a 23 kg checked bag; FLEX includes two 23 kg bags and free changes on the same route.
On BASIC and CLASSIC, changes cost €50 plus any fare difference. Under EU261 you may be entitled to compensation for long delays or cancellations.
- MINI Personal item only (40 × 30 × 15 cm); no changes allowed.
- BASIC Cabin bag and personal item (8 kg total); changes €50 plus fare difference.
- CLASSIC Adds 1 × 23 kg checked bag and free regular seats; changes €50 plus fare difference.
- FLEX 2 × 23 kg checked bags; free changes on the same route.
- EU passenger rights EU261 may apply for long delays and cancellations.
- How to change Use Manage booking on airbaltic.com or the app.
airBaltic Seat Selection & Additional Services
Seat selection starts at €7.99 on MINI and BASIC and is free (regular seats) on CLASSIC and FLEX. The A220-300 has a 2–3 seat layout, so there are fewer middle seats. Food and drinks are sold on board in Economy, and free Starlink Wi-Fi is available on its A220s.
- Seat selection From €7.99 on MINI and BASIC; regular seats free on CLASSIC and FLEX.
- A220 cabin 2–3 seat layout with fewer middle seats.
- Wi-Fi Free Starlink Wi-Fi.
- Food and drinks Sold on board in Economy.
- Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.
airBaltic Baggage Allowance
MINI includes only a personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. BASIC, CLASSIC and FLEX include a cabin bag plus a personal item, 8 kg in total, and all fares can upgrade the cabin allowance to 12 kg for a fee.
Checked bags cost from €24.99 on MINI and BASIC; CLASSIC includes one 23 kg bag and FLEX two. Your exact allowance is shown on your booking.
- MINI Personal item only (40 × 30 × 15 cm); checked bag from €24.99.
- BASIC Cabin bag (up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm) and personal item, 8 kg total; checked bag from €24.99.
- CLASSIC Cabin bag and personal item, 8 kg total; 1 × 23 kg checked.
- FLEX Cabin bag and personal item, 8 kg total; 2 × 23 kg checked.
- Cabin upgrade 12 kg allowance available for a fee on all fares.
- Tip Add checked bags online before you fly; airport prices are higher.
airBaltic Club: airBaltic Loyalty Programme
airBaltic Club is the airline's free loyalty programme. Members collect points on flights and partner purchases, and spend them on tickets and extras, with status levels giving extra benefits.
- Membership Free to join.
- Earn Points on airBaltic flights.
- Redeem Flights and extras.
- Status levels Extra benefits, including VIP status.
airBaltic: Frequently Asked Questions
01What are airBaltic’s IATA and ICAO codes?
The airline's two-character IATA code is BT. It appears in flight numbers (for example BT 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is BTI, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.
02Which airline alliance is airBaltic part of?
It is not a member of a global airline alliance, although it may still have codeshare or interline agreements with individual airlines.
03Where is airBaltic headquartered?
The airline is headquartered in Riga, Latvia.
04When was airBaltic founded?
The airline was founded in 1995.
05What are airBaltic’s main hubs?
Its main hubs and focus cities are: Riga (RIX) – Main Hub.
06What is airBaltic’s frequent flyer programme called?
The frequent flyer programme is called airBaltic Club. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.
07What is the airBaltic hand luggage allowance?
MINI includes only a personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. BASIC, CLASSIC and FLEX include a cabin bag of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm plus a personal item, 8 kg in total, and you can pay to raise this to 12 kg.
08How much is a checked bag on airBaltic?
On MINI and BASIC fares, checked bags start from €24.99 when added online. CLASSIC includes one 23 kg bag and FLEX two.
09Is airBaltic still flying after its Chapter 11 filing?
Yes. airBaltic filed for Chapter 11 in September 2026, secured €350 million of new financing and says all flights continue as normal, though some winter schedules are reduced.
10What aircraft does airBaltic fly?
airBaltic flies only the Airbus A220-300, with a 2–3 seat layout, so there are fewer middle seats.
11Does airBaltic have free Wi-Fi?
Yes. airBaltic offers free Starlink Wi-Fi on its aircraft.
12Is airBaltic a good airline?
airBaltic is a good choice for travel to and through the Baltics, with a modern A220 fleet, free Wi-Fi and well-timed connections in Riga. Its cheapest MINI fare is very basic, so compare it with BASIC if you need a cabin bag.
13What is airBaltic's airline code?
airBaltic's IATA code is BT and its ICAO code is BTI.
14Can I change or cancel an airBaltic flight?
airBaltic sells Economy as MINI, BASIC, CLASSIC and FLEX, plus Business Class. MINI includes only a personal item and cannot be changed; BASIC adds a cabin bag; CLASSIC adds a 23 kg checked bag; FLEX includes two 23 kg bags and free changes on the same route. On BASIC and CLASSIC, changes cost €50 plus any fare difference.
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airBaltic, its logo and trademarks are the property of Air Baltic Corporation AS and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by airBaltic unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.