Tarom Airlines (ICAO: ROT): A Comprehensive Overview
TAROM, an acronym for Transporturile Aeriene Române (Romanian Air Transport), stands as the national flag carrier and the oldest continuously operating airline of Romania. Its roots trace back to 1920 with the establishment of the French-Romanian Company for Air Navigation (CFRNA). After a series of transformations, including its post-World War II iteration as TARS (Transporturi Aeriene Româno-Sovietice), the airline officially adopted the name TAROM on September 18, 1954.
The airline's primary operational base and main hub is Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) in Otopeni, near Bucharest. In addition to its main hub, TAROM also utilizes other key airports within Romania, including Cluj International Airport, Iași International Airport, and Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport, as part of its hub system.
TAROM operates a diverse fleet designed for domestic and international routes, predominantly focusing on Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The fleet generally includes Airbus A318-100s, Boeing 737s (specifically 737-700s and 737-800s), and ATR turboprop aircraft (ATR 72-500s and ATR 72-600s). As of late 2023 and 2025, the overall fleet size is around 14 to 22 aircraft, with an average age of approximately 15 years. TAROM is a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, which it joined on June 25, 2010. This membership allows passengers to earn and redeem miles through the Flying Blue loyalty program and access a broader network of destinations and benefits. The airline offers both Business Class and Economy Class services. Business Class passengers benefit from priority check-in, boarding, lounge access, spacious seating, and complimentary meals and beverages. While Economy Class services have largely transitioned to a buy-on-board model for food and drinks on many routes, complimentary water is often still provided.
Recent traveler reviews for TAROM present a mixed picture, highlighting both commendable aspects and areas needing improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, traveler sentiment suggests that TAROM can offer a functional and sometimes surprisingly pleasant journey, often marked by traditional comfort on older aircraft and friendly crew. However, the airline frequently faces criticism for operational inconsistencies, an aging fleet lacking modern amenities, and occasional lapses in customer service, particularly concerning delays and baggage policies.
TAROM maintains a generally sound safety record, although its history includes a significant incident.
The most notable incident in TAROM's operational history was Flight 371 on March 31, 1995. An Airbus A310-324 crashed near Balotești, Romania, shortly after takeoff from Bucharest, resulting in the fatality of all 60 people on board. The investigation attributed the accident to a faulty auto-throttle and the incapacitation of the captain. More recent incidents, though non-fatal, include a Boeing 737 hitting a car on the runway in 2007, and pilot incapacitations (first officer in 2021, captain in 2023), and tire damage on landing in 2023.
In terms of regulatory compliance, TAROM's Technical Division, which is responsible for aircraft maintenance, had its facilities updated by 2000 to adhere to EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) standards. AirlineRatings.com indicates that TAROM has passed audits and holds a "Fatality Free" rating within a certain timeframe for its incident record. The airline is not reported to be on any EU safety blacklist, implying compliance with European safety regulations.
The airline's fleet has an overall average age of approximately 15 years, with some types, such as the Boeing 737-700s, being older (averaging over 21 years), while newer ATR 72-600s average around 3.8 years. An older fleet can potentially lead to increased maintenance demands. However, TAROM's Technical Division is equipped and qualified to provide comprehensive maintenance services for its fleet.
Based on available data, TAROM has received an overall safety rating of 7/7 from AirlineRatings.com, indicating a high level of safety performance, taking into account its incident record and passed audits. No specific safety awards or recognitions were widely publicized in the gathered information.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAS → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
131 | 195 mi | AT72 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| TSR → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
129 | 247 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CLJ → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
125 | 192 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OMR → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
74 | 264 mi | AT72 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| RMO → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
60 | 213 mi | AT72 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| OTP → RMO | Chisinau International | 52 | 213 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OTP → IAS |
Iasi Int'l
Iasi
|
45 | 195 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OTP → TSR |
Timişoara Traian Vuia Int'l
Timişoara
|
43 | 247 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BUD → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
38 | 384 mi | B737 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| OTP → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
36 | 1110 mi | B737 | Nov 19, 2025 |
| OTP → CLJ |
Cluj-Napoca Int'l (Someşeni)
Someşeni
|
33 | 192 mi | AT72 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| SCV → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
30 | 216 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| OTP → IST |
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul
|
30 | 265 mi | B738 | Nov 24, 2025 |
| OTP → SCV |
Suceava
Suceava
|
26 | 216 mi | AT72 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| IST → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
26 | 265 mi | B737 | Oct 7, 2025 |
| OTP → BEY |
Beirut Air Base/Rafic Hariri Int'l (Beirut Int'l)
Beirut
|
25 | 896 mi | B737 | Nov 27, 2025 |
| OTP → CDG |
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
|
25 | 1152 mi | B738 | Nov 16, 2025 |
| TLV → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
24 | 990 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| OTP → BUD |
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Budapest
|
23 | 384 mi | AT72 | Nov 18, 2025 |
| OTP → CAI |
Cairo Int'l
Cairo
|
23 | 1041 mi | B737 | Nov 27, 2025 |
| OTP → OMR |
Oradea Int'l
Oradea
|
22 | 264 mi | AT72 | Nov 18, 2025 |
| AMS → OTP |
Bucharest Henri Coandă Int'l
Bucharest
|
19 | 1110 mi | B738 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| OTP → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
18 | 990 mi | B737 | Nov 15, 2025 |
| OTP → FRA |
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
|
18 | 903 mi | B737 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| OTP → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
17 | 1092 mi | B738 | Nov 19, 2025 |
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.