Turkish Airline................

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 22:31

Flying Turkish Airline for the first time,any comments.

EsentepeKav


Joined: 21/06/2010
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:07

Fasten your seat belt



Sorry - couldnt resist

mozgor



Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:10

If it's Turkish Airlines then you have no worries - I flew with them a few times before their prices became uncompetitive. I flew from Amsterdam to Istanbul then Istanbul to Adana one trip and they were great. Good luck.

TheBarrel


Joined: 21/07/2010
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:14

Only good ones!



Don't forget to get a miles and smiles card so that you would earn miles every time you fly and then might earn enough for a ticket. You can do that online from http://www.thy.com

Starburst


Joined: 03/08/2010
Posts: 6

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:42

They changed our airport and flight times with two weeks to go which was a nuisance, but the experience was good. Loads of room, good unintrusive service although a bit dour, typical airplane food. No bar trolley although you can have the choice of an Efes lager or Red/White wine with your meal -make the most of it you only get one! Your colas and fruit joices are served from large bottles in small cups which brings a smile to your face when you are used to the individual cans on the more traditional brit flights!



No duty free service so buy everthing you need in duty free, we still buy water/chocolate/sandwhiches in duty free for the flight as a standby, we snuck open a bottle of bubbly!

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:49

If you fly long distance business class, dont bother with Thy they are worse than Air France !

Im sure someone can back this up ?

gaziali


Joined: 23/03/2009
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
03/08/2010 23:55

Turkish airlines is the third biggest and trustful airline in Europe.

mollycorbin


Joined: 12/03/2010
Posts: 390

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 00:13

I prefer THY's salmon/potato salad/cheese/chocolate mousse over BA's onion chutney ick. No complaints with THY. They make me "feel like a star!"

Ali-seo


Joined: 26/10/2009
Posts: 17

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 00:21

great choice you have made. definitely sign up for miles and smiles. Make sure you fill out all the food and seat preference forms. It works.



I recently traveled with Turkish, was given very front row window seats (as I prefer) AND was surprised to be served Shrimps for dinner (while everyone else had a small hellim sandwich) for no extra charge



safe journey

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 00:40

Msg 5

With the amount of money they spend on advertising with CNN & BBC World News I would hope there's more dosh left in the kitty than just providing either one can of beer or a glass of wine per pax per flight!

I've never understood why these '2nd class' airlines try to compete with the World's elite (Singapore, NZ, Korea, Virgin, United, etc.) without doing basic homework. Drinks trolley out first for pre-dinner drinks followed later by food service with wine & soft drink trolley! So much for being a 'star'!



Richard

Turbo


Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 833

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 01:42

Love THY, I am a regular with them and they have to be one of the best i have come across. If you ever get a chance to try out their VIP lounge in Istanbul, it is by far one of the best in the world, definitely better than all American airlines.

THY anyday...

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 03:23

Paddy,



I have flown with THY on three occasions DUB to ECN. Excellent service and no concerns about being left in the lurch if there are any problems or delays. They are a full service airline and they will look after you.



Sign on for Miles and Smiles on their website before you travel. Six return trips will earn you a free one so it is worth it.



I will be on duty at Dublin Airport on Thur & Fri so let me know here and I can assist you through formalities if I can.



DD

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 07:09

Uk to Ercan do you have to change planes? I have heard people having problems with this.

Krin52


Joined: 25/08/2008
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 07:11

Have to add our bit! We've just flown Turkish last week from Ercan to Chicago and back, and cannot praise them enough. They were on time, courteous and more comfortable than a lot of other airlines!



AND we got more than one drink with dinner!



Definitely sign up for Miles and Smiles!

jacktheladett


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 528

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 07:59

We have been using them for the last 7 years and the improvement over that time has been impressive. They now have an excellent track record and are one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. Enjoy your flight.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 11:51

Msg 12.

Normally fly Belfast -Stanstead, Stanstead Ercan. Dublin-Ercan works out cheaper and a lot quicker . Little concerned about the short lay over to change planes in Turkey.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 12:13

Turkish Airlines - we use them for convenience (from Birmingham) To Turkey, TRNC and even Egypt, they often cost a little more than CTA (did) or Pegasus (does) but then you get that back in space and general service levels.

We can book them for you!

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 13:16

Re Msg 16.



Paddy,



Do not be too concerned about the short lay over in IST. If the connection is missed THY will put you up in hotel and bring you onwards on the next available flight. In this day and age of Easyjet and Ryanair such service is rare and a real comfort to know that it is available.



The alternative is to fly on the days that THY leave DUB early in the morning. This leaves a six (6) hour layover in IST. It can be difficult to fill the time, really adds to your overall journey, and at 19YTL for a pint is truly painful.



Good luck with the trip and let me know if I can help. I will be on 00353876949928 on Thursday and Friday if there is anything I cna do.



DD

AllyTT


Joined: 13/09/2008
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 13:31

I love the fact that they only give one drink! Unfortunately in business class it's unlimited drinks - which invariably means at least one increasingly drunk passenger making trouble for everyone else.

With THY the seats are comfortable, the flights are mostly on time and the food (even if it's just a sandwich etc) is at least edible. A much better option than the other alternatives that fly to Ercan although be careful when booking online that you don't choose the Anadolu Jet option. Anadolu Jet is their low-cost airline and the seating is so cramped even a short journey would be unbearable.

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 16:47

They are excellent.

Turbo


Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 833

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 21:00

message 14:

You should have been served as many drinks as you wanted on transatlantic flights.



A suggestion for anyone that has a long layover , pay the 39 euros and go into the upstairs Millenium lounge, worth it after two beers. Food (sandwiches soup) cappuccino,drinks, and free internet.. you can even take a nap. if you have an HSBC gold card its free.

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 21:06

I have flown Manchester to Ercan many times with Turkish. No problems at all.

MajorieDawes


Joined: 23/10/2008
Posts: 62

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 21:24

Turkish is always my preference now after the disgraceful shenanigans with CTA this year. Have used Turkish several times in the past, usually from Manchester, and the service is always first class. The transit at Istanbul can be a pain, but I usually make use of a lounge with my Priority Pass, so that tends to while away the time. If transfer will be tight then I tend to pick a later flight from Istanbul to Ercan to avoid any unexpected hassle re-booking at Istanbul as the Manchester to Istanbul flight on a Saturday can often be a bit late in to Istanbul.

iankb


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 21:34

I can only second most of the replys.My wife and I use them all the time.Antalya ---Istanbul and Long Haul.No complaints.There Smiles and Miles program is excellent.We fly to Goa in January with just one ticket to pay for.Excellent service and if you ask, as many drinks as you wish.



Ian

skyals80


Joined: 04/08/2010
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
04/08/2010 23:31

Hello everyone!



It's my first time to post here in this site, it's my pleasure to be part of it.

I wish i could also experience traveling with the turkish airline, it would be very interesting. Since, I'm new just want to ask if when could we post sigs here? Thanks a lot!

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
06/08/2010 01:08

Turkish Airlines is one of the best and safest airlines in the world. But the prices are way to expensive. Paddywack, if your flying transit, I do not suggest turkish airlines to you because you'll swop planes and theres a big possibility of loosing your suitcases. Plus you'll have to change planes and wait the second time whereas with other airlines you'll stay on board and do nothing.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
06/08/2010 14:34

Been using Turkish for 5 years since I got fed up with CTA.Excellent service but no longer cheap.

Never had a resriction on drinks, just ask.

If you get a Garanti bank shop & miles visa card you get to use the Garanti lounge at Istanbul which makes the time go quicklywhilst the wife shops. These cards also give you air miles if you have a THY card.

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 14:25

Those miles cards are a big advantage, especially if your'e a elite card holder, everthing is priority for you ;fast track cards, bags being loaded in a special hold of the plane so that it can be released first, extra weight allowances, use of vip lounges of some airports that have one, you can also be upgraded to bussiness class i think...

MarkVPiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 14:56

Just booked Turkish from Heathrow to Ercan for £320 leaving 28/8 - only £21 more than via Stansted Atlas/Pegasus



Always flew CTA before, so looking forward to the change

rosieposie


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 17:08

what are they usually like on weight restrictions? Are they lenient if your suitcase is a bit overweight or really strict about it?

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 18:31

Rosie,



The issue of weight restrictions will probably lie with the handling agent looking after your airline.



I know at Dublin the agent for Turkish were flexible when operations first started but they have tightened up considerably. This was because THY are popular with onward connections troughout the middle east and Africa. Many immigrant families were turning up with huge well stuffed suitcases and even household implements to bring back to families in parts of the world where shopping just does not exist.



So the result was a strict enforcement of the weight rules.



You will just have to take your chances. Besides - they have shops in Turkey and the TRNC!!! Do you really need to bring stuff on an aircraft?





DD

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 18:49

They are a little strict "as Turkish Airlines". they may let you off upto 1 or 2 kilo's but normally they are strict.its not worth taking the risk.The 1/2kg depends a bit on the person on the check-in really. He or she may or may not allow it. For some countries 3kg excess weight is 50stg, but for others it may only be 10stg. Excess weight costs change according on the country you are travelling to and the weight limits also change according to the destination. For example N.cyprus to America your weight limit will be 60kg, if you were to travel to London 40kg will be your limit.it all changes on where you are going to and the class of your ticket.

iankb


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 20:27

we have flown with Turkish for many years.Joined Smiles & Miles at the start.We have had many ' free ' flights from Antalya to Istanbul and next January we are going to Goa with one ' free ' ticket.They are expensive however and next Tuesday we fly to New York with BA as they are almost half the price of Turkish.Whilst I try to support turkish as much as I can money talks.Insaying that Turkish are a super airline but a bit stingy with the drinks.



Ian

steveafc


Joined: 12/12/2008
Posts: 405

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 20:33

" Flying Turkish Airline for the first time,any comments. "



errrr.............why? like you're gonna change your mind?

Noeler


Joined: 23/01/2009
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 23:47

Like Dublinderm and others, I have flown Dublin-Istanbul-Ercan a few times and found the service excellent. It's probably a bit more expensive than flying via Stansead from Dublin, or to Larnaka via Frankfurt with Lufthansa, but service, comfort and flight times make it worth while.

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 00:25

steveafc, your question was for me I suppose, if so, why for what? if it's about the weight limits being different then thats because of the distance of the country, flight hrs and the class of the ticket you buy. but to why excess costs per kg change for each country i do not have a clue. but I guess like dublinderm said, some families from some countries turn up with heavy stuff and I think for those countries excess costs are much higher.

TheScarlets



Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 877

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 08:52

Is it true that Turkish Airlines will not be flying to Ercan in future? Instead ANADOLUJET will be flying on their behalf



Ian

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 13:24

Anadolu jet is flying under the name of Turkish Airlines at the moment because they are not well known.This is what is happening now, anadolu jet is flying on their behalf just to get recognised as a name first in order to be able to fly alone just like Turkuaz airlines were doing with CTA to get recognised. Soon, once anadolu jet is recognised properly it will begin flying not on the behalf of Turkish Airlines, but alone. So it's not true Ian

Glasbury


Joined: 13/08/2010
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 14:00

I have only travelled with Turkish Airlines once but found them to be very good. Only problem with flying from Manchester via Istanbul to Ercan was that we were late leaving Manchester and missed the connecting flight. No problem - we were slotted onto the next and everything was fine. We certainly had more than one drink and the food was very good as was the legroom. The cost of refreshments in Istanbul Airport were very expensive so beware. Would definitely use them again.

Glasbury


Joined: 13/08/2010
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 14:00

Have only travelled with Turkish Airlines once but it was a good experience despite missing our connection in Instanbul due to delays in Manchester. We were put on the next flight and everything went well. Good food and more than one drink - legroom was excellent. Would certainly use them again.