Turkish Airlines - any good?

[DaveR]

They are obviously spending a lot of dosh on advertising at the moment (Messi and Kobe Bryant), and I read that they won some kind of award last year, but I have also heard a few stories about lots of cancellations and unfriendly cabin crew. Anybody with any recent experience flying with them, especially long-haul? Their fares to the Far East are very good currently, but I don't want to find myself stranded in Istanbul with a hostile Turkish stewardess.

[Huguenot]

I only flew short haul from Istanbul (small and somewhat disorganized airport) to Bucharest. I wouldn't want to stay long in Istanbul.

The service was fine, but the main concern was the internal colour scheme, which was the kind of aggressive sky blue that goes at you like a circular saw right between the eyeballs.

I'm not sure I'd get any sleep in that kind of environment.

[Carrie]

We flew back from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines in October having flown out to Turkey with EasyJet. Admittedly anythi g would probably be better than EasyJet but we were quite impressed with Turkish Airlines, cabin crew were pleasant, food was ok,seats were comfortable although as Huguenot says a slightly strange colour scheme.

[Annasfield]

Think we flew Turkish Air from Istanbul to Trabzon. No complaints here.

The little airport is Sabia Gochen (sp) which is quite a way out from the city centre. It's best to fly to the main one if you can.

[Lowlander]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> I only flew short haul from Istanbul (small and

> somewhat disorganized airport) to Bucharest. I

> wouldn't want to stay long in Istanbul.

>

> The service was fine, but the main concern was the

> internal colour scheme, which was the kind of

> aggressive sky blue that goes at you like a

> circular saw right between the eyeballs.

>

> I'm not sure I'd get any sleep in that kind of

> environment.

Wouldn't want to stay long in Istanbul or Istanbul Airport? Istanbul's a fine place to spend some time. I'm not sure how a colour scheme prevents you from sleeping :-)

Loads of info here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles-641/ especially the first thread. You may be eligible for a free hotel/tour if you change in Istanbul.

In summary: On a par with BA and better than EasyJet and the other budget airlines. If you're not a frequent flyer and aren't bothered about airmiles etc. then go for it.

[Huguenot]

Istanbul Airport - I'd happily spend a couple of years in Istanbul :)

In the airport the only saving grace was that my HSBC Premier card allowed me into a canteen/lounge! Passing through transfer lounges was a mess of untidy queues and pushing and shoving.

For information on the impact of colour on mood I refer you to greater powers, but this particular shade of blue is like nails down a blackboard. It leaves my teeth on edge, and certainly not in a position to sleep.

Everything else I thought was fine.

[Lowlander]

Good, I like to hear of people enjoying Istanbul. Ataturk is not the greatest of airports, I flew into Sabiha G?k?en recently which was rather nice although over an hour away by coach from central Istanbul.

Of course the nicest way to arrive in Istanbul is through Sirkeci railway station from Greece or Bulgaria.

A quick search shows Turkish airline interior to be rather blue, I'm sure the photos don't do it justice. They sound fine to me, certainly on a par with Western European carriers and way above the budget ones. Colour scheme excepted.

This thread has reminded me that I've visited Turkey many times but only twice by air.

[Marmora Man]

Lowlander Wrote:

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>

> Of course the nicest way to arrive in Istanbul is

> through Sirkeci railway station from Greece or

> Bulgaria.

>

I agree entirely - and it's worth bearing in mind it's very easy and more fun to travel all the way by train from St Pancras. No. 63 bus to thEre from ED and it's public transport all the way to the Blue Mosque - beats air travel every time and it is a very fine city to spend a few days in. With my monicker I just had to go there.

To be fair last time in Istanbul I left by Turkish Air ( Business Class ) to Cairo and all was very pleasant and relaxing. I don't recall the decor or colour scheme.