edik,

It has been good 10 years since CAL's plans and rumors about going to Russia started floating around. I think there was first push to hire Russian speaking FA's in EWR about that time.

Variety of reasons slowed the progress. Sure you can guess them all including political and recession of US economy followed by 9/11.
I remember talking to a Delta's CSA in JFK once and he told me that Delta's JFK-SVO (Moscow) flight produces the highest revenue seat per mile in the whole Delta's system. Doesn't surprise me a bit. Moscow was just ranked the most city in the World.

Last year CAL got pretty serious and even sent a delegation there to talk to the Russian government. The corruption at GSGA is outrageously high and every bureaucrat hope to come home every night with an gratuity envelope. CAL doesn't give bribes especially to begin service - it'll get out of control. Presents to airport managers in Mexico is one thing, but flat out bribes - no way.

That's why the Russians came up with ridiculous rules and costs.

From 3 month old conversation with Larry Kellner I gathered that it was OK - CAL doesn't have enough airplanes to go there anyway. The delegation was just a first try. "Now it doesn't make sense to get more 767's when the 787 is right around the corner" - straight from Larry.

We'll go there - the 2 777's in 07will relief thing a bit and for now the planned date is March 07. Will see.
Traditionally CAL is very carefull opening new routes.