jetBlue777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 1427 posts, RR: 1 Posted (1 year 9 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 2960 times:
We're looking to fly to ARN from JFK via IST and I'm not familiar with TK, so to those who flew with them recently, are they good? How's the IFE, Food and Service?
The price is significantly lower than others, although the connecting time outbound is 6 Hours and the return is 21 Hours. Fortunately, there's actually a hotel inside IST (Istanbul International Airport Hotel) for 145 Euros or around $209 (So around 70 bucks for each of us, we're a family of three btw)
BTW the JFK-IST-JFK flights will be operated by a 77W and the IST-ARN-IST on the 738. On a side note, how's their A343 compared to their 77W?
debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2098 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (1 year 9 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2921 times:
Quoting jetBlue777 (Thread starter): The price is significantly lower than others, although the connecting time outbound is 6 Hours and the return is 21 Hours.
I've never flown TK, but I echo Debonair's comment - use this 21 hours to see the city! And probably save some money too - there are nice hotels for much less than EUR145. The Sultanhamet area is easy to get to on the metro / modern tram, where the Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque are, also the Grand Bazaar and Basilica Cistern.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 3, posted (1 year 9 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2867 times:
Their product is good. You want to get on the 77W which has the latest product. Food is always decent on TK. I also advise getting a hotel in the city. The Richmond Hotel is a lovely 4 star right in the centre and a great base to see the sights. I have stayed there myself. There is a regular bus that goes from Airport to Taksim and then you can either have a 10 mins walk from there to the Richmond Hotel or take a taxi.
6 Hours you can relax in the new lounge which is quite pleasant. ( take showers etc... )
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6473 posts, RR: 27 Reply 5, posted (1 year 9 months 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 2811 times:
I have flown TK in spring 2011 in Business Class consisting of a European sector HAJ - IST - HAJ on a B73H and an intercontinental one IST - SEL - IST on A332/A343.
My review of TK is a positive one, although some negative aspects need to me mentioned:
- Inbound aircraft for my first sector arrived 50 minutes late from IST with subsequent late departure. Not a single word of explanation or apology was given by the crew (and also not at the gate).
- Connecting through IST, there always is a security check at the gate; factor in this time when connecting flights.
- Depending on winds, departure queues can be long at IST.
As the positive aspects are related to Business Class I am sparing my praise here ...
-HT
Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !
Lufthansa747 From Philippines, joined May 1999, 3174 posts, RR: 47 Reply 8, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2397 times:
Quoting jetBlue777 (Thread starter): The price is significantly lower than others, although the connecting time outbound is 6 Hours and the return is 21 Hours.
You get a free hotel and transfers if there is no connection. 10 hours is the minimum in Y, 7 in C. Free transfers.
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