Cheap Flights on Malev Hungarian airlines. Book online Malev Hungarian airlines fares.
Malev Hungarian airlines Travel/Flight Information
Cheap Flights on Malev Hungarian airlines. Book online Malev Hungarian airlines fares.
Malev Hungarian Airlines is the biggest airline in Hungary and the country's national carrier.
Based in Budapest's Ferihegy Airport, the airline traces its history right back to the very beginnings of aviation in Hungary, which was part of the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time.
Inspired by a demonstration flight by the French aviator Louis Bleriot (who earlier had become the first man to fly the English Channel) Hungarians formed the first national aviation company in 1910.
It wasn't until 1918 however, that aviation in the country really took off, as the rapid technological developments forced on the industry by the first world war revolutionised flying and made regular postal flights possible.
Flying continued to become more widespread in the now independent Hungary throughout the 1920s, led by Malert, the predecessor to Malev Hungarian Airlines, which carried increasing numbers of passengers.
However, the second world war put an abrupt halt to Malert flights. Its aircraft were requisitioned and Malert employees drafted for military service.
By the end of 1944 the company's air fleet had been totally destroyed and the airports in Hungary were in ruins.
Following the war, Hungarian aviation started almost from scratch again, with the establishment of Maszovlet, the legal ancestor to today's modern Hungarian airline which was half-owned by the Soviet Union.
The new airline however, benefitted from much of the Hungarian expertise that had been built up before the war and around half of Maszovlet's pilots and staff were ex-Malert employees.
Maszovlet grew rapidly, beginning with domestic flights in 1946 and expanding to include international operations with its first connections to Prague in 1947.
With its rapid expansion and the opening of the new Ferihegy Airport in 1950, it was judged that Hungarian civil aviation could stand up by itself.
As a sign of its coming of age, the Soviet Union let its baby fly the nest and the young airline changed its name to Malev Hungarian Airlines to reflect the change in ownership.
Malev continued to grow and expand its fleet network throughout the second half of the 20th century, adding a multitude of international routes which it operated with Soviet made aircraft.
In 1988, the company began acquiring US-built Boeings, taking its first delivery of a 737 in November of that year.
Today Malev operates a fleet of exclusively western-built aircraft, including Boeing 767s and 737s, Fokker 70s and CRJs - Canadian built light jet planes.
Malev offers direct, cheap flights between London and Budapest, as well as serving Manchester and Edinburgh airports in association with partner airlines.
As a member of the prestigious oneworld airline alliance, Malev passengers benefit from its partnership agreements with airlines such as British Airways.
With the help of its partner airlines, Malev maintains a flight network stretching across Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East, taking in convenient destinations such as Tel Aviv, Kiev, Beijing, Toronto and Riga.
Malev's loyalty card scheme, Duna Club, brings frequent flyer benefits to passengers who are members when they use any of Malev's partner airlines.
The Duna Club scheme rewards passengers for every flight they take with one of the airlines and can be used to buy bonus free flights, making Malev's airfare even better value for money.
Customers travelling with Malev can choose to fly economy or business class according to their needs. The economy class service includes a 20kg luggage allowance, an express check-in service and a great in-flight magazine among its many benefits.
Families flying with either class will appreciate the great facilities for children provided by Malev. A range of toys, games and puzzles are given out to all children on the flight to keep them occupied, and even before the flight, children can enjoy using the great playroom at Budapest's Ferihegy Airport.
For those who want to spend a little more on their airfare for some added luxury, Malev business class can offer extra legroom and seat width on many types of aircraft, as well as a delicious selection of meals served with real porcelain crockery and priority boarding.
If you want the very cheapest airfares that Malev Hungarian airlines can offer, be sure to book through Major Travel.
Cheap Flights on Malev Hungarian airlines. Book online Malev Hungarian airlines fares.
Last updated: 21st August 2008
