Croatia Airlines

ICAO: CTN IATA: OU Active as of Jan 30, 2026

Airline Statistics

113

Active Routes

1946

Flight Observations

35

Unique Destinations

35

Origin Airports

528

Avg Route Distance (mi)

1250

Longest Route (mi)

2

Domestic Routes

98

International Routes

About Croatia Airlines

Here is comprehensive information about Croatia Airlines (ICAO: CTN):

Croatia Airlines Ltd. is the national flag carrier of Croatia, established on August 7, 1989, originally as Zagal - Zagreb Airlines, before officially becoming Croatia Airlines in 1990/1991. The airline commenced domestic jet services in 1991 by leasing a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 and launched its first international flight from Zagreb to Frankfurt on April 5, 1992. Its headquarters are located in Zagreb, with its main operational base at Zagreb International Airport (Franjo Tuđman Airport). The airline also identifies Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar as focus cities for its operations.

The airline is currently undergoing a significant fleet modernization program. Historically, its fleet has comprised Airbus A319s, Airbus A320s, and De Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q400 turboprop aircraft. Croatia Airlines is transitioning to an all-Airbus A220 fleet, with the first new Airbus A220 aircraft delivered in 2024 and additional deliveries planned through 2027, aiming for a total fleet of up to 15 A220 aircraft. The airline primarily operates domestic flights within Croatia and an extensive international network connecting Croatian cities with numerous destinations across Europe.

Since November 2004, Croatia Airlines has been a proud member of Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance, providing its passengers with access to a vast global network and enhanced connectivity. The airline offers services primarily in Economy Class and Business Class. In Business Class on its Airbus aircraft, a flexible cabin setup often includes a neutralized middle seat for added comfort. Passengers in Economy Class typically receive complimentary snacks and beverages during flights.

Traveler Reviews

Recent traveler reviews for Croatia Airlines offer a mixed but often critical perspective on the airline's services.

What Travelers Love:

  • Occasional Punctuality: Some passengers have reported that flights were on time and uneventful.
  • Friendly Crew (sometimes): While opinions vary, some reviews mention professional and friendly cabin and ground staff.
  • Included Amenities: The provision of complimentary snacks and beverages in Economy Class is often appreciated.
  • Baggage Handling for Smaller Airports: Some travelers flying through smaller airports appreciate the tarmac baggage handling, which they believe reduces the risk of lost luggage.

Common Complaints:

  • Poor Customer Service: A frequently highlighted issue is the perceived lack of helpfulness, disinterest, and occasional rudeness from customer service and ground staff.
  • Flight Delays and Cancellations: Many passengers report frequent and significant flight delays and cancellations, leading to missed connections and considerable travel disruptions.
  • Baggage Problems: Complaints include lost or delayed luggage and issues with baggage policies and charges, sometimes leading to unexpected fees.
  • Aging Aircraft Interiors: Some reviews describe the aircraft, particularly the Dash-8 turboprops, as old, clunky, or overused with worn interiors.
  • Lack of In-Flight Entertainment/Wi-Fi: The absence of comprehensive in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi is a common point of feedback.

Overall, the sentiment surrounding Croatia Airlines is polarized. While some travelers have positive experiences regarding punctuality and included services, a significant number express dissatisfaction, primarily concerning operational inconsistencies like delays and cancellations, coupled with what they perceive as subpar customer service and aging aircraft.

Safety Information

Croatia Airlines maintains a strong safety record, notably with no fatal accidents in its history. Despite this, like any airline, it has experienced minor incidents, including an APU fire indication in 2019, an engine shut down in flight in 2018, an unsafe gear indication in 2018, and a reported hole in the fuselage in 2022.

The airline holds key regulatory certifications that underscore its commitment to safety. It is certified under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program, an internationally recognized system for assessing airline operational management and control. Croatia Airlines is not listed on the European Union (EU) safety blacklist and has the necessary endorsements or permissions from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

While the airline is currently modernizing its fleet, its existing aircraft had an average age of approximately 18.6 years as of January 2023. The airline states that special attention is paid to aircraft maintenance to ensure the highest safety standards.

Based on available data, Croatia Airlines consistently receives a high safety assessment. It has been awarded the maximum 7-star safety rating by AirlineRatings.com, a leading safety and product rating agency. This top rating places it among the world's safest airlines, a recognition it has held since at least 2014.

Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 2 months ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

SPU → ZAG
Split Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
153 miles
291 flights
BCS3
DBV → ZAG
Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
246 miles
277 flights
A319
SPU → MUC
Split Airport → Munich Int'l
397 miles
113 flights
DH8D
SPU → FRA
Split Airport → Frankfurt Int'l
579 miles
95 flights
BCS3
PUY → ZAD
Pula Airport → Zadar
89 miles
87 flights
DH8D
SPU → FCO
Split Airport → Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
238 miles
77 flights
BCS3
ZAD → ZAG
Zadar Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
118 miles
68 flights
DH8D
57 flights
DH8D
PUY → ZAG
Pula Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
120 miles
54 flights
BCS1
ZRH → ZAG
Zürich Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
376 miles
50 flights
BCS1

Top Destinations

ZAG (LDZA)
Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
857 flights
11 routes
MUC (EDDM)
Munich Int'l
Munich
171 flights
6 routes
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
154 flights
3 routes
FCO (LIRF)
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
100 flights
2 routes
ZAD (LDZD)
Zadar
Zadar
96 flights
2 routes
SPU (LDSP)
Split
Split
86 flights
20 routes
ZAG (LDZA)
Zagreb Pleso
Zagreb
81 flights
14 routes
PUY (LDPL)
Pula
Pula
61 flights
2 routes
DBV (LDDU)
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
53 flights
9 routes
ZRH (LSZH)
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
51 flights
3 routes

Top Origin Airports

SPU (LDSP)
Split Airport
Kaštel Štafilić
755 flights
25 routes
DBV (LDDU)
Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport
Čilipi
381 flights
9 routes
ZAG (LDZA)
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport
Velika Gorica
158 flights
23 routes
PUY (LDPL)
Pula Airport
Pula
141 flights
2 routes
ZAD (LDZD)
Zadar Airport
Zemunik Donji (Zadar)
136 flights
3 routes
ZRH (LSZH)
Zürich Airport
Zurich
53 flights
3 routes
VIE (LOWW)
Vienna International Airport
Vienna
37 flights
2 routes
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt am Main
32 flights
3 routes
MUC (EDDM)
Munich Airport
Munich
30 flights
5 routes
RJK (LDRI)
Rijeka Airport
Omišalj
26 flights
1 route

Top Border Crossing Flights

ZAG (LDZA)
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport
Zagreb, HR
857 flights
11 routes
MUC (EDDM)
Munich Airport
Munich, DE
171 flights
6 routes
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt am Main, DE
154 flights
3 routes
FCO (LIRF)
Rome–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
Rome, IT
100 flights
2 routes
SPU (LDSP)
Split Airport
Split, HR
86 flights
20 routes
ZAG (LDZA)
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport
Zagreb, HR
81 flights
14 routes
DBV (LDDU)
Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport
Dubrovnik, HR
53 flights
9 routes
ZRH (LSZH)
Zürich Airport
Zurich, CH
51 flights
3 routes

Longest Routes

ZAG → ARN
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport → Stockholm-Arlanda
1250 mi
SPU → DUB
Split Airport → Dublin Int'l
1232 mi
OSL → SPU
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen → Split
1172 mi
SPU → OSL
Split Airport → Oslo, Gardermoen
1172 mi
SPU → ARN
Split Airport → Stockholm-Arlanda
1117 mi

Shortest Routes

ZAD → PUY
Zadar Airport → Pula
89 mi
PUY → ZAD
Pula Airport → Zadar
89 mi
ZAD → ZAG
Zadar Airport → Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
118 mi
ZAG → ZAD
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport → Zadar
118 mi
SPU → DBV
Split Airport → Dubrovnik
120 mi

All Routes

113 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
SPU → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
291 153 mi BCS3 Jan 29, 2026
DBV → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
277 246 mi A319 Jan 30, 2026
SPU → MUC Munich Int'l
Munich
113 397 mi DH8D Jan 29, 2026
SPU → FRA Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
95 579 mi BCS3 Jan 29, 2026
PUY → ZAD Zadar
Zadar
87 89 mi DH8D Jan 28, 2026
SPU → FCO Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
77 238 mi BCS3 Jan 29, 2026
ZAD → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
68 118 mi DH8D Jan 29, 2026
ZAD → PUY Pula
Pula
57 89 mi DH8D Jan 28, 2026
PUY → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
54 120 mi BCS1 Jan 30, 2026
ZRH → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
50 376 mi BCS1 Jan 30, 2026
DBV → FRA Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
49 694 mi A319 Jan 11, 2026
SPU → ZRH Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
40 463 mi DH8D Jan 27, 2026
VIE → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
30 165 mi DH8D Jan 30, 2026
ZAG → DBV Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
27 246 mi A319 Jan 30, 2026
RJK → MUC Munich Int'l
Munich
26 254 mi DH8D Jan 7, 2026
FRA → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
25 457 mi BCS3 Jan 30, 2026
DBV → FCO Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
23 313 mi A319 Jan 29, 2026
SJJ → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
22 173 mi BCS1 Jan 23, 2026
OMO → ZAG Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
Zagreb
21 191 mi DH8D Jan 25, 2026
ZAG → SPU Split
Split
21 153 mi A319 Jan 30, 2026
SPU → IST Istanbul Airport
Istanbul
21 653 mi A320 Jan 10, 2026
SPU → CPH Copenhagen
Copenhagen
21 851 mi BCS3 Jan 2, 2026
BRU → ZAG Zagreb Pleso
Zagreb
19 640 mi A320 Oct 17, 2025
SKP → ZAG Zagreb Pleso
Zagreb
19 381 mi BCS3 Aug 29, 2025
SPU → DUB Dublin Int'l
Dublin
16 1232 mi A320 Oct 5, 2025
Data Information:

Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Jan 30, 2026 20:00
Coverage: Observed routes only