Turkish Airlines

killbillvol2

Anybody have any experience of these guys? I'm considering flying to Singapore with them (via Istanbul) because they're quite a bit cheaper than any competitor.

Also, there's a 6/7 hour layover in Istanbul. What's the airport there like for hanging around?

Thanks.

BuffyBot

Turkish Airlines aren't too bad t all

http://www.carsurvey.org/air/airlineyear_Turkish+Airlines_2007.html
http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/turkish.htm

show some good opinions.

THe international terminal is fairly modern, though whether or not you want to spend hours there is personal choice really. I believe it's got free wifi in places if you've got a laptop with you.

LFC5Times

A couple of friends flew with them to Thailand and said the food was muck and the staff on the plane had never smiled in their life and was as if they didnt want to be there.

Not to mention they have a terrible record for plane crashes although most are internal flights but even still.

http://www.airsafe.com/events/regions/europe.htm

killbillvol2

LFC5Times wrote:

A couple of friends flew with them to Thailand and said the food was muck and the staff on the plane had never smiled in their life and was as if they didnt want to be there.

I'll feel right at home so. It'll be just like Ryanair or Aer Lingus!

Not to mention they have a terrible record for plane crashes although most are internal flights but even still.

Three crashes on domestic flights since 1979 isn't something that's going to influence me unduly. Seems like you're safe enough once you get out of Turkey.

BuffyBot wrote:

Turkish Airlines aren't too bad t all

http://www.carsurvey.org/air/airline...ines_2007.html
http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/turkish.htm

show some good opinions.

THe international terminal is fairly modern, though whether or not you want to spend hours there is personal choice really. I believe it's got free wifi in places if you've got a laptop with you.

Those reviews look fine. Thanks.

As regards hanging around the airport, the time is probably just too short to bother leaving. If I can get a couple of nights layover for the same price I'll happily spend some time in Istanbul.

BuffyBot

They've come on quite a bit. They're joining the Star Alliance soon which means they have to pass some rigorous hurdles. I think you'll be fine.

meglome

I flew with them to India and it varied a bit. From Dublin to Istanbul, I got on the plane and the crew appeared to be having an argument. The service was terrible and the staff were unhelpful and rude plus the food was total muck, literally. Now whilst saying all that the rest of the trip was fine. The food from Istanbul to Delhi wasn't great but the food on the way back was grand. All the rest of the service was good too. I'd fly with them again but bring extra food just in case and as LFC5Times says don't necessarily expect smiles.

I enjoyed Istanbul, the Airport was fine but it's an expensive city for a tourist.

killbillvol2

I'll say this for them - their website allows more flexibility than I've ever seen. I managed to book a flight to Istanbul, stopover for 3 nights, onward to Singapore and returning from Bangkok for about €400 less than anyone else could quote.

I'll get over the crappy service and bring some baguettes in my hand luggage!

meglome

killbillvol2 wrote:

I'll say this for them - their website allows more flexibility than I've ever seen. I managed to book a flight to Istanbul, stopover for 3 nights, onward to Singapore and returning from Bangkok for about €400 less than anyone else could quote.

I'll get over the crappy service and bring some baguettes in my hand luggage!

Exactly... I got over the lack of a smile for the €700 the trip cost to India.

jonny68

I flew with Turkish Airlines last year from London Heathrow to Istanbul and Istanbul to Dubai and ive no complaints, the food was actually not bad as regards airline food anyway and the trolly dollys were both courteous and professional, my only major gripe are the unprofessional pig ignorant staff at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, God help anyone having to go through transit there, they don't seem to have a clue what they are doing and i can count myself fortunate to make the flight back to London after these fools couldn't decide what queue i was supposed to be in and then decided after me queuing for over 20 mins that i had to go to another queue,just about got the flight:mad:

iLLegal_

www.kayak.com

killbillvol2

Just an update on Turkish Airlines. Credit where credit is due.

Dublin-Istanbul was ok, food was average airline standard. Don't bother with online check in because according to the bored Dubliner at the check in desk "we don't do that here".

Istanbul-Singapore, web check in and printed boarding pass so no queues. Food really excellent and staff professional.
Bangkok-Istanbul, web check in worked, baggage checked through and boarding pass for Istanbul issued in Bangkok, food again excellent and staff professional and cheerful. Spent 6 hours in Ataturk airport and there is free wifi but it's sloooow. Istanbul-Dublin was fine again and the staff were smiling and friendly.

I'd definitely use them again especially if they keep their prices competitive.

raqsierra

I had the mispleasure (HORROR) of travelling with Turkish Hell Airlines from Sao Paulo to Seoul with a layover in Istambul. upon entering the planes the first thing I noticed was the discusting smell. The seats are black with dirt, filthy!! There was turbulence the entire way (28 hours!) even though it was clear outside and, most irritating of all, the entire steward staff are the rudest bunch of people I have ever met in my life. Some don~t even speak English. More about the staff... one can see their horrible attitude clearly when booking a flight with their call center in Turkey and again at their airport counters. From the Brazilian ticket Agents at their main office at Av. Paulista in Sao Paulo (I visited that office prior to my flight to pay for my flight, as the phone operator just kept hanging up the phone on me without taking my payment) to the Flight Chief (Mr Han) at the Incheon South Korea Airport (the rude man whose cell phone I finnally after they lost my bags in Istambul), the entire experience is one for a horror movie script. Furthermore, all their flights delayed and the 200 dollars we saved on the ticket was NOT WORTH THE HEADACHES. I highly recomend flying with anyone but them. My flight was almost 10 days ago and my bags still have not been found. Nothing has been done to clear the situation. Even if I fly to Turkey I will NEVER take this airline again.

sitstill

I flew to Istanbul and back with them last year and thought they were brilliant. Friendly staff, food was fine and you get a choice of both food and drink (including alcohol). The airport in Istanbul is modern and nice. They are very reasonable on price.

I'm flying long-haul with them this summer with a stop-over in Istanbul.

highlydebased

raqsierra wrote: »

There was turbulence the entire way (28 hours!) even though it was clear outside

Ah, they knew you were coming! They must have pressed the "turbulence" button Turbulence is often caused by wind, too I hope you seriously don't think the airline put the turbulence there on purpose?!

raqsierra wrote: »

and, most irritating of all, the entire steward staff are the rudest bunch of people I have ever met in my life. Some don~t even speak English.

It is common practice to have native speakers of the country in which the flight is going to/originates from- so Portuguese if flying from Sao Paulo

dory

raqsierra wrote: »

from Sao Paulo to Seoul

Why oh why would each of them need to know English on such a flight? The imperialism of it all. Killbillvol2 - make sure you back in time 5 years and don't fly with them.

killbillvol2

dory wrote: »

Why oh why would each of them need to know English on such a flight? The imperialism of it all. Killbillvol2 - make sure you back in time 5 years and don't fly with them.

Actually I've flown with them quite a lot since 2007 and would recommend them to anyone.