I made a solemn promise to myself that I'd never step aboard another flight with this airline again. Yet, after a full decade, I'm right back in the seat, wondering if redemption is possible.
October 21, 2025 — 5:00am
The airline: Croatia Airlines
- Route: Frankfurt to Split, flight OU417
- Frequency: Operates two to four times a day
- Aircraft: Dash 8-Q400, a reliable turboprop model known for its efficiency on shorter routes
- Class: Economy, specifically seat 10D on the aisle
- Flight time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, though we touched down 18 minutes behind schedule
Checking in
A decade back, my last experience with Croatia Airlines (check out the original review here: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/inspiration/airline-review-croatia-airlines-economy-20150126-12y0nt.html) involved a heated exchange with a chilly check-in agent, leading me to swear off the carrier forever. Time heals most wounds, I suppose, because I'd completely forgotten about that incident—and my self-imposed ban—until just days before this trip. This go-around, though, the check-in process was a breeze, filled with friendly smiles and zero issues.
I opted to spend the night at an airport hotel right in Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport, which meant a super short stroll to the counters. The airline recommends showing up three hours early for your departure, but check-in desks don't open until two hours prior. Lucky for me, I snagged the front of the line.
Baggage
Baggage rules depend on your ticket type. For the most basic fare, called FlyEasy, you won't get any checked luggage allowance. My FlyFlexi economy ticket, on the other hand, lets you bring one handbag or personal item weighing up to 8 kilograms, plus one checked bag not exceeding 23 kilograms. That old baggage dispute still lingered in my mind, making me anxious as my suitcase hit the scales. To my utter surprise and delight, it weighed in at exactly 23 kilograms—no overage fees in sight!
And this is the part most people miss: The overhead compartments on the Dash 8-Q400 turboprop are quite snug and not wide enough for standard roller bags. As a result, several folks were politely informed by the flight attendant that their carry-ons had to be stowed in the cargo hold instead.
Loyalty scheme
Croatia Airlines participates in the Miles & More program, which is shared among various Star Alliance partners. This means you can rack up and redeem points on flights with airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand. For beginners diving into frequent flyer programs, it's like a points bank that grows with every qualifying trip—think of it as earning rewards on purchases, but for miles traveled.
The seat
This plane features a 2-2 seating arrangement across 78 total seats. I was assigned aisle seat 10D. Save your money on upgrading to business class here—on this model, economy and business seats share the same width (17 inches or 43 centimeters) and pitch (31 inches or 79 centimeters, except for the exit rows, which are a bit roomier and classified as business). As someone on the shorter side, I still found the legroom a tad cramped. The taller gentleman seated directly behind me even kindly requested that I avoid reclining, explaining that his knees were already brushing against my seat back. But here's where it gets controversial: Is it fair that airlines like this skimp on comfort for short hops, especially when premium seats offer no real perks? Some might argue it's a smart way to keep costs down for budget travelers, but others see it as a missed opportunity to prioritize passenger wellbeing.
Entertainment + tech
No Wi-Fi on Croatia Airlines' vintage propeller planes, and forget about seat-back screens or built-in charging ports. Instead, I browsed through their in-flight magazine, CROATIA, which comes out quarterly. It packs in travel news, destination guides to places the airline serves, and a shop section with items like model aircraft and Croatian-made jewelry—perfect for picking up a souvenir during the flight.
Service
The team delivered warm, efficient, and laid-back service both on the ground and aloft. Even when passengers grumbled about having their cabin bags moved to the hold, the crew responded with genuine smiles. Their uniforms strike a professional yet stylish note, blending navy and white with a vibrant red accent.
Food
For this brief journey, passengers receive a simple snack of herb crackers, paired with your choice of still or sparkling water. If you're looking for more, extras like drinks and munchies are available for purchase at premium prices—for example, a 330ml Coke sets you back $9, a small Heineken beer costs $14, and a 40-gram bag of Pringles is $9. To put that in perspective, these are the kind of marked-up rates common in aviation, where space and storage add to the expense.
Sustainability
Croatia Airlines is stepping up its game by incorporating more Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is essentially a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel made from renewable sources, helping cut down on harmful emissions. They're also expanding their fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft and improving fuel management practices. For newcomers to this topic, think of SAF as a greener gasoline for planes—it reduces the carbon footprint of flights, making air travel more eco-friendly over time. But is this enough, or should airlines face stricter regulations to accelerate their shift? It's a debate worth having.
One more thing
Look forward to spotting newer additions to the fleet soon, as Croatia Airlines receives several Airbus A220s—modern jets renowned for their efficiency and comfort. With tourism to Croatia booming, the carrier plans to introduce extra European routes to meet the growing demand.
The price
Economy fares from Frankfurt start at €211 for a round-trip. (Prices reflect availability three months from publication and can fluctuate.)
The verdict
Service has undeniably improved since my past ordeal a decade ago, yet the aging aircraft, uncomfortable seating, and lack of Wi-Fi remain drawbacks.
Our rating out of five
★★★
The writer traveled as a guest of Unforgettable Croatia.
*Want to dive deeper into aviation and the environment? Check out iata.org for more insights.
**Prices are based on availability three months ahead and may change.
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A to Z list of all Traveller’s expert airline reviews (https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/airline-reviews-a-to-z-of-travellers-expert-flight-tests-20180131-h0r914.html)
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From our partners
What do you think? Should airlines prioritize comfort over cost on shorter routes, or is that just unrealistic in a competitive market? And on sustainability—do efforts like using SAF make a real difference, or is it greenwashing? Share your opinions or personal experiences in the comments below; I'd love to hear your take!
