In August 2026, I will be heading back to Kazakhstan for TBEX Asia in Almaty, and this time I decided to fly with SCAT Airlines from Budapest to Almaty via Shymkent.

When I compared my options, SCAT Airlines was basically a no-brainer. It offered the best combination of price, travel time and convenience. I paid around US$320 for my Budapest to Almaty flight, and the entire journey is scheduled to take just 10 hours and 50 minutes.

This won’t be my first experience flying with SCAT Airlines. I had already flown with the Kazakh airline on a domestic Aktau to Almaty flight during a previous trip to Kazakhstan.

This time, however, I am flying a much longer international route.

In this SCAT Airlines review, I share my experience flying SCAT Airlines economy class, from booking my ticket and checking in at Budapest Airport to the onboard experience, food, baggage rules and my overnight layover at Shymkent Airport.

MY SCAT AIRLINES REVIEW FROM BUDAPEST TO ALMATY VIA SHYMKENT

  1. Why I Chose SCAT Airlines from Budapest to Almaty
  2. Booking My SCAT Airlines Flight
  3. My SCAT Airlines Budapest to Almaty Itinerary
  4. SCAT Airlines Baggage Allowance
  5. SCAT Airlines Check-In and Boarding in Budapest
  6. SCAT Airlines Economy Class Review
    6.1. Aircraft, Cabin and Seats
    6.2. Food and Drinks
    6.3. Cabin Crew and Service
  7. My Overnight Layover at Shymkent Airport
  8. Final Thoughts on SCAT Airlines

WHY I CHOSE SCAT AIRLINES FROM BUDAPEST TO ALMATY

I always start searching for flights on Skyscanner.

For my Budapest to Almaty trip, I compared several different routes and airlines, but the SCAT Airlines Budapest to Almaty connection via Shymkent made the most sense.

It wasn’t simply about finding the cheapest flight.

The schedule was convenient, the total travel time was reasonable, and I didn’t have to make some ridiculous detour through another major international hub.

My route is:

Budapest → Shymkent → Almaty

I can leave Budapest in the late afternoon and arrive in Almaty the following morning.

The total scheduled travel time is 10 hours and 50 minutes, including a 4-hour and 10-minute connection in Shymkent.

For around US$320, I considered this a very good deal from Hungary to all the way to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

BOOKING MY SCAT AIRLINES FLIGHT

As usual, my flight search started on Skyscanner, where I found the SCAT Airlines connection from Budapest to Almaty via Shymkent.

I booked the ticket through MyTrip. I had already used MyTrip before and had a positive experience, so I was happy to book through them again.

Payment was straightforward with Apple Pay, and the total came to around US$320.

For this trip, I chose the SCAT Airlines Basic fare. It included one piece of cabin baggage up to 10 kg, with maximum dimensions of 55 × 40 × 25 cm.

I didn’t bother paying for advance seat selection because I genuinely don’t care where I sit.

Window, aisle or middle seat — whatever. Just get me to Kazakhstan.

MY SCAT AIRLINES BUDAPEST TO ALMATY ITINERARY

My Budapest to Almaty journey consisted of two SCAT Airlines flights.

SCAT AIRLINES BUDAPEST TO SHYMKENT

Flight: DV490
Route: Budapest (BUD) → Shymkent (CIT)
Departure: 17:20
Arrival: 01:50 the following morning
Flight time: 5 hours 30 minutes

SHYMKENT AIRPORT LAYOVER

Layover: 4 hours 10 minutes

SCAT AIRLINES SHYMKENT TO ALMATY

Flight: DV705
Route: Shymkent (CIT) → Almaty (ALA)
Departure: 06:00
Arrival: 07:10
Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes

The entire Budapest to Almaty flight via Shymkent is scheduled to take 10 hours and 50 minutes.