St. Petersburg -- In an attempt to lure back passengers put off by poor service and rising prices, Aviation Enterprise Pulkovo, Aeroflot's St. Petersburg division, has introduced a new Comfort Class on its five daily flights to Moscow.


It is the first time that the Russian airline, with its reputation for lax security, long delays and appalling in-flight services, has tried to imitate Western-style business class services on board its planes.


Comfort Class, as the new service is called, entitles passengers to a separate check-in facility, a separate waiting lounge and a priority baggage handling service including an extra baggage allowance of 10 kilograms.


On board the plane passengers are seated in a separate compartment aboard the Tu-154 with a seat free in between them to allow more space. They are treated to a cold meal with vodka and champagne, free newspapers and magazines. In contrast to the usual policy on domestic flights, smoking is permitted in one section of the Comfort Class compartment.


The new service, which was introduced Nov. 20, also promises access to duty free shopping throughout the one hour flight -- another first for domestic Russian flights.


For foreigners, the price for this exclusive treatment is only slightly higher than the ordinary fare; $115 as opposed to $89 one-way. Prices for Russians are 90,000 rubles ordinary fare one-way and 155,000 rubles for Comfort Class.


"We've been wanting to set up a business class service for a long time now. This is the first step towards it," said Vyacheslav Koliganov, head of passenger transportation on flights in the Commonwealth of Independent States at St. Petersburg's domestic airport Pulkovo 1. "Of course it's not up to international standards, but we are planning to refurbish the compartments and install new seats."


He says that the demand for Comfort Class already outstrips availability, although the service only began operating 12 days ago and has not yet been advertised. "A lot of people also buy economy class and then want to upgrade at the airport, which is possible if there is still room," adds Koliganov.


The response from the foreign business and diplomatic community to the new service has been positive. Michael Bird, director of the British Council in St. Petersburg who recently flew Comfort Class to Moscow, said he believed Aeroflot was really trying to get things right.


"The staff were excellent and they really seemed to enjoy the novelty of having something to offer," he said. "I've always believed that if you combine genuine Russian hospitality with increased standards the recipe cannot fail."


If the service proves to be successful, airline officials say they are considering introducing it on other domestic and international flights.


The international airport in St. Petersburg has already received a major facelift. Earlier this year two new business lounges were introduced and a new wing was opened with gangways which allow passengers to embark directly onto the aircraft from the waiting area.