Founded: 1923
Headquarters: Prague, Czech Republic
Main hub: Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Czech Airlines, known in Czech as ČSA, was one of the oldest airlines in the world and for a century the traditional flag carrier of the Czech Republic. Its story reflects the history of Central Europe itself, and for many travellers it was the natural way to fly to Prague. Here is a look at the airline’s history and what you need to know about flying to the Czech Republic today.
The history of Czech Airlines
Czech Airlines was founded in 1923 as the national airline of Czechoslovakia, making it one of the five oldest airlines in the world. Through the communist era it operated as the state carrier, and after the Velvet Revolution and the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 it became the flag carrier of the Czech Republic. It was a member of the SkyTeam alliance and at its peak flew to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
The fleet
In its later years, Czech Airlines operated a small fleet of Airbus A320-family jets and ATR turboprops, suited to short and medium-haul routes.
Decline and integration into Smartwings
Over the past decade, Czech Airlines faced growing financial difficulties and competition from low-cost carriers. It came under the control of the Czech airline group Smartwings, and after the pandemic its operations shrank dramatically. In October 2024 Czech Airlines operated its final flight under its own name, and its operations were absorbed into Smartwings, bringing a century of history to a close.
Flying to Prague today
Prague remains one of the most popular city breaks for travellers from Israel, and there are several ways to get there:
- Smartwings: the largest Czech airline, now carrying on the country’s aviation tradition. See our Smartwings airline guide.
- Israeli airlines: El Al, Israir and Arkia have all operated flights between Tel Aviv and Prague – see our profiles of El Al, Israir and Arkia.
- Connecting flights: via hubs such as Vienna, Frankfurt or Munich.
Schedules change with the seasons and the security situation, so always compare the options available on your dates.
Planning your trip
Flying to the Czech capital for the first time? See our Prague guide for a first visit and plan the rest of your Central European trip with our Austrian Airlines profile.
