The makings of Baltia is a long airline story that started in 1989, when they wanted to be the only airline flying directly from the US to, then, USSR states. With a tumultuous history of paying down payments on planes, loosing the route privileges and then finally being deemed fit to fly, the airline has finally come up with cash for aircraft, route approval and (almost) safety certification.

This oldest newest airline will be based out of New York and flying Boeing 747-200s. The planes will offer passengers three classes of service and a premium lounge in the air. You see, the entire upper deck will be a first class lounge with live entertainment and a bar. First and Business class passengers will have access to to the Golden Rooster Club on the ground and limo airport transfers.

Economy tickets are estimated to cost between $800 and $1200 round-trip while first class will be as much as $16,000. But if you plan to fly back and forth between these cities, you can save some pennies buy pre-purchasing tickets in packs of 2, 5 and 8.

The Baltia saga should prove intriguing, even as the planes take to the skies. Will they be a flash in the pan? It may be worth an 8-hour trip to explore a new city and the new airline. Let's just hope they fly in time for the World Cup in 2018. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Photo: Baltia Facebook ]