airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 9771 times:
Globally Yours – Turkish Airlines IST-AMS
Dear a.netters!
Welcome and thank you for reading my tripreport about Turkish Airlines, taken in late 2010. This flight was a return on my previously reported (bad) experience on Austrian Airlines in C-class: Austrian Airlines To IST? A Bad Experience In C! (by Airbuseric Dec 5 2010 in Trip Reports)
Let’s see what Turkish Airlines can offer me. Booked in Economy Class, not the lowest fares around but worth a try. Skytrax awards Turkish Airlines for best inflight meals in Economy Class. I checked the options for me (some of you know, I do not eat some kind of meats), and I noticed this airline offers a unbelievable amount of special meals. I was thinking about either a SFML (Seafood Meal) or VLML (Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo), and decided that VLML would be maybe the better choice since I’m not always happy about fishy dishes on board. My ticket was booked through the German expedia site, therefore I thought it was easy to walk by the TK desk in AMS to get the meal arranged. It was done in seconds and the kind ground representative handed me even a copy of my reservation including confirmation of the meal. Well done!
I did online check-in at home the day before, so after landing from VIE on the previously mentioned OS flight I was able to stay in transit and did not have to pay the 15 Euro for a Turkish visa. I must say, the transit is very quick and convenient in IST, you can do it within 10 minutes. I don’t know about baggage connections, but short flight transfer is very well doable if you take handluggage only. Still beware of the congestion of IST, arrival gates seems not always available immediately and some arrival delays occurred to me more then once so far. Make sure to count in enough time for yourself.
How to do transfer:
IST offers various places for food, a foodcourt with fastfood, a Starbucks for good coffee and some taxfree shops with delicious Turkish delights, nougat and tea! You can also enjoy free WiFi at some areas, I think it’s not official for use but lack of security on some networks.
My flight was on the FIDS from gate 213, but later changed to 212. Pre-boarding was done and security/x-ray is also at this point. In the waiting area is sufficient seating available for a narrowbody flight, but I’ve seen widebody flights (e.g. SV A330) where this place is too small. Imagine also the amount of handluggage taken on some flights out of IST…
Boarding was on time and a ‘cold’ welcome when I entered the aircraft. I had a seat in the last row and I found another group of 3 occupying the row and my seat. I tried to explain they were wrong, but it didn’t work, so immediately I was approached by the very friendly cabin attendant who took care of it. Another point for TK, I like pro-active crewmembers!
Legroom on the blue/black coloured leather seats is good. No foodrest, but you will have one if seated until the emergency exit rows. Recline was possible also in the last row, and the headrest is adjustable also.
Boarding took a while to complete, and we were going out with full-house. I did not see a vacant seat, at least not in Y. It seems good business on this route, no wonder why TK operates 4x daily, nowadays even with the A330-300 on some flights!
Some bigger equipment coming in from Asia:
Anyway, doors were closed at some point which resulted in 15 minutes delay, not a big deal. The safety video was played on the screens and crew was meanwhile distributing pillows and blankets. Another crewmember handed out a pair of earphones and a menu. Impressive, maybe. I’m not used to this kind of service anymore on the airline I usually fly.
As usual in IST a queue of aircraft in front waiting for takeoff, so this took a while also, but I enjoyed watching outside to all the interesting traffic. Too soon we took off from runway 36R into the hazy skies.
Taxiing to runway 36R:
Airborne! See the Istanbul graveyard with many retired A300’s:
The first officer announced the expected flighttime was 3h05min and we will be flying at 36,000 feet. Enroute we will have to deviate course due to some weather over Bulgaria.
Climbing out of IST:
It’s really beautiful, don’t you think so?!:
Reaching cruising altitude:
Bulgarian airspace:
The screens were showing our flightmap with some commercials in between. Meals were distributed also not long after takeoff, and I got mine first (with some others who ordered a SPML). I was impressed by the tray and it’s contents. Maybe the main didn’t look too good, but it tasted very well. The salad and the fruit were very fresh also. Wine was available also and I went for the white Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.
Meal service (VLML):
They can be proud about their product:
After dinner was completed, a movie started. On this flight they played “Another Cinderella Story”. Also the music channels were available with various kinds of (world) music.
Moreover, the views outside were beautiful with amazing colours and sunset in the west, indeed some massive clouds enroute also, the crew was correctly informed about this weather.
CB clouds and some unstable conditions ahead:
Coming closer:
Finally the sunshine returns also:
Trays were removed and coffee/tea was given. I also received a bag of delicious walnuts.
I didn’t finish the wine yet, but the seat has a handy bottle-holder, so I was later able to fold up my traytable again.
Coffee or Tea?:
I still have to finish my wine. Handy holder for my bottle!
Cabin View:
The flight was further very uneventful. I had a good seat and pitch, good view out of my window and it was just a pleasant time being onboard with TK.
Can’t get enough of these views…
But unfortunately we’re coming closer to my destination…
Turning in for final approach runway 06
Therefore landing came too quick. A approach from the east, flying South of the airport and then some right turns for landing on runway 06. Taxiing took about 10 minutes to arrival gate G2, quite a long way after landing on 06. Just a few minutes late, no problem here.
So I must admit that Turkish Airlines is a very convenient airline to fly on, also in Y-class. The crew was attentive and friendly, pro-active during the boarding process. Some good amenities handed out, enough entertainment for a narrowbody experience and a good seat(pitch). I didn’t miss anything, real good here. A pleasant experience and recommendable for everybody.
Thanks for reading, feedback is always appreciated. If you’ve more questions I will be glad to (try to) answer
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1521 posts, RR: 28 Reply 1, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 9625 times:
Wow, airbuseric! What a contrast to your flight with Austrian in C!
Looks like Turkish really has an amazing Economy Class product. The more I read about them, the more I'm impressed with their attention to detail regarding all aspects of the "passenger experience" ..
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5429 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 9584 times:
Hi Eric,
great report with many high-quality picture, what a nice Sunday evening read! I really have to try TK soon, the Y Class product looks excellent.
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): It seems good business on this route, no wonder why TK operates 4x daily, nowadays even with the A330-300 on some flights!
Very impressive.
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): Another crewmember handed out a pair of earphones and a menu. Impressive, maybe. I’m not used to this kind of service anymore on the airline I usually fly.
Menu card on a regular European flight - can this be true?
That's a freakin' awesome picture! You could win a competition with that one!
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): I was impressed by the tray and it’s contents. Maybe the main didn’t look too good, but it tasted very well. The salad and the fruit were very fresh also. Wine was available also and I went for the white Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.
oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 23095 posts, RR: 60 Reply 5, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 9485 times:
Hey Eric great to see TK was good to you. I always had good flights on them in all classes. They do have a decent product. Hope they continue to provide such a service on Turkey to EU flights.
Regards
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 9472 times:
Eric -
Amazing difference between your outbound and inbound flights - between Austrian and Turkish isn't it? I am a HUGE fan of Turkish and think it is an airline to watch for the future. I have flown them on quite a few of their exotic legs and look forward to my next flight with them.
Their Y meal looks fantastic - compare this to what you receive on some of the other European carriers, and you know why the "other" Europe should be scared.
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 747 posts, RR: 27 Reply 10, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 9267 times:
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your enlightment on THY. Reports on this forum mostly are very postive on this airline and your report confirms this. Makes me want to try them some day also.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 1961 posts, RR: 54 Reply 11, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 9226 times:
Hi Eric,
With this excellent report of yours and being an experienced IST traveler, you show how good TK and IST are working on being a world hub. Now, no one will hesitate to fly through IST with TK. Thanks to you.
TK can justifiably be proud of her Y product. Just look what they have got on offer. In-flight entertainment, two choices of meal presented on nice crockery and great crew members.
I wonder why it had to be so difficult for the group to get explained that they were occupying the wrong seats. Some people are not meant to fly, especially in group.
Like Alex has said, what a difference with OS and to emphasize it, you were traveling J with OS!
Thank you for sharing this valuable insight review.
FLIEGER67 From Germany, joined Sep 2003, 3759 posts, RR: 58 Reply 12, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 9180 times:
Hoi, Eric,
really nice to follow you´re TK experience together with that well done pictures.
It seems a recommendable experience, also the food, you know the same intentions for me, looks good.
TK isnt covered in my log till now and also IST is a white place, so something also to do for me soon.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Reply 13, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 9148 times:
Hiya,
thanks for the further replies guys!
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 9): So this is the same route as the unfortunate accident recently.
Indeed. TK was unfortunately involved in the crash near AMS on 25Feb2009, TC-JGE, also a B738 was the unlucky aircraft that day. It will not keep me away from TK though.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 10): Reports on this forum mostly are very postive on this airline and your report confirms this. Makes me want to try them some day also.
Indeed no reasons to stay away from them.
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 10): And that for an international major airport...
I think it's more the small branches of bars/restaurants who control their own networks. It's handy when a strong signal reaches into the public areas
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 10): That's what your great photos tell me, good job!!
Thank you!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11): TK can justifiably be proud of her Y product. Just look what they have got on offer. In-flight entertainment, two choices of meal presented on nice crockery and great crew members.
Defintely!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11):
I wonder why it had to be so difficult for the group to get explained that they were occupying the wrong seats. Some people are not meant to fly, especially in group.
Not meant to fly is a bit harsh to say maybe, but I think they just need more assistance also onboard. These people were not regular travellers indeed.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 11):
Like Alex has said, what a difference with OS and to emphasize it, you were traveling J with OS
Fully agree with that statement!
Regards
- Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 583 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 9083 times:
Always nice to see a trip report on Turkish, and it seems they are getting nothing but rave reviews on the forum! It seems you initially got a "cold" welcome but then things started to warm out lol. Their meal delivery service seems fantastic, and your meal tray looks like something out of J class. Those silver cups are awesome! Did the tray cart also have the Turkish Airline logo on the side like documented in another report here.
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): My ticket was booked through the German expedia site, therefore I thought it was easy to walk by the TK desk in AMS to get the meal arranged. It was done in seconds and the kind ground representative handed me even a copy of my reservation including confirmation of the meal. Well done!
You actually had your meal service taken care of right at the counter, wow! Isn't it usually only allowed up to 24 hours before your flight.
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): I had a seat in the last row and I found another group of 3 occupying the row and my seat. I tried to explain they were wrong, but it didn’t work, so immediately I was approached by the very friendly cabin attendant who took care of it. Another point for TK, I like pro-active crewmembers
Nice to see that TK's cabin crew are pro-active.
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): Boarding took a while to complete, and we were going out with full-house. I did not see a vacant seat, at least not in Y. It seems good business on this route, no wonder why TK operates 4x daily, nowadays even with the A330-300 on some flights!
Good for TK!
Quoting airbuseric (Thread starter): The safety video was played on the screens and crew was meanwhile distributing pillows and blankets. Another crewmember handed out a pair of earphones and a menu. Impressive, maybe. I’m not used to this kind of service anymore on the airline I usually fly.
Yes, they do this on Air Canada too.................only you have to hand them back Toonies ($2) and Loonies ($1) change in change for your purchase on board, that is of the blanket and pillows!! Sheesh!!
Those Hazelnuts are such a nice welcome change and relief from the usual pretzels served on North American routes! Surprising they did not have Turkish coffee on board, or is that a specialty only on F/J class.
How would you compare them to PIA on the same route? I'm surprised you are very particular about what you eat, and you even ordered a special meal. How did you even eat the biryani on PIA?. (I hope I am not mistaking you for another person, and definitely not Suryo as I recall his report, because he had two helpings of it on board lol)
Burj From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 764 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 8599 times:
Great TR and I definitely agree the IST is a nice airport!
I'm pretty sure the snack they gave were not walnuts but hazelnuts. I don't read Turkish but that is what they look like on the bag and Turkey is a big producer of hazelnuts!
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1523 posts, RR: 15 Reply 16, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 8546 times:
Hey Eric, great report!
Nice to see another report from you, didn't expect to see one this soon considering you going through some busy times now.
Seems like you had a great flight on TK. As expected the service looked fantastic, nice to at least have a EU(?) airline that offers proper service to their costumers.
The Do&Co catering looked almost up to par with some airlines short haul Business Class, wine looked good too.
My parents actually flew with TK ARN-IST-CMN last year, and they were very pleased with the service. They were also offered amenity kits on both sectors which is a really nice touch. I suppose both flight were among the longer ones in the network.
Thanks for sharing!
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
RJtraveller From Indonesia, joined Feb 2011, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 8431 times:
Hi Eric,
Nice trip report, and nice pictures. Really impressed with TK economy class meal , really deserve the skytrax tittle given to it. IST seems to be a nice hub , and busy too. Really looking forward to fly TK thanks to you, thanks for sharing the wonderful TR, looking forward for your coming TR.!
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1489 posts, RR: 45 Reply 18, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 8157 times:
Hi Eric,
A nice report and definitely quite a contrast on your outbound experience. Turkish is quite an interesting airline, the flight product is very good even on the short European routes and they usually offer some very good fares to certain destinations. They even managed to drove AY out of the HEL-IST route and are now increasing that two twice daily on certain days...
Too bad the ground experience at IST can vary from abysmal to just about passable.
I've only flown TK once, IST-WAW some years ago on a 738 (w/o winglets, though), but that was already enough to get me convinced. I guess I should get around flying them again...
Oh yes, stunning. You know I'm a total sucker for both dawn and dusk photos, and thanks you your route from east to west you were lucky that you got to experience it the whole flight!
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 5569 posts, RR: 58 Reply 20, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 7897 times:
Hi Eric!
Very nice report with very nice pictures! Very similiar to my flight IST-MUC about a month ago but I did not post a report on that flight. On my flight, they did not play a movie but MUC is not as far from IST as AMS is.
Turkish Airlines is very impressive, I just hope they modernize the airport at IST to cope with growth.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14): It seems you initially got a "cold" welcome but then things started to warm out lol.
Yes maybe the lady was a bit 'stressed' with the ground staff, documentation, preperation etc. that the welcome was a bit colder. At least she didn't forget
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14): Did the tray cart also have the Turkish Airline logo on the side like documented in another report here.
Oh sorry, didn't notice it. My tray was brought seperately.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14):
You actually had your meal service taken care of right at the counter, wow! Isn't it usually only allowed up to 24 hours before your flight.
No, sorry to make a misunderstanding. I meant I went to their counter a few more days in advance of my flight (counter at AMS). I commute through the airport very regularly also by train, so it's easy to go upstairs and make some arrangements.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14): Surprising they did not have Turkish coffee on board, or is that a specialty only on F/J class.
I do not know, probably others here know if TK serves the Turkish coffee?
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14): How would you compare them to PIA on the same route?
PK pulled out of AMS, they are not operating anymore to AMS. Also...
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 14): I hope I am not mistaking you for another person, and definitely not Suryo as I recall his report
you mixed me up with fellow member CrimsonNL He did fly the A310 to IST. I wish I did as well, since that option is gone now so suddenly.
Quoting Burj (Reply 15): I'm pretty sure the snack they gave were not walnuts but hazelnuts.
Yes my bad! Hazelnuts, for sure they are! Thanks
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 16): Nice to see another report from you, didn't expect to see one this soon considering you going through some busy times now.
Sometimes I have to make time, expect more reports in the coming weeks.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 16): As expected the service looked fantastic, nice to at least have a EU(?) airline that offers proper service to their costumers.
Hmm,... I won't go into a discussion if TK is a EU airline or not, I bet they wish though. Future will tell... But the service is great and for me it doesn't make a difference if they're an EU airline or not.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 18): Turkish is quite an interesting airline, the flight product is very good even on the short European routes and they usually offer some very good fares to certain destinations.
Fares on my route are usually on the higher side, but we've a lot of ethnic traffic also. It seems to vary per destination indeed!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 18): I've only flown TK once, IST-WAW some years ago on a 738 (w/o winglets, though), but that was already enough to get me convinced. I guess I should get around flying them again...
So that won't have to take long, I guess?
Quoting BasilFawlty (Reply 19): That's a bit slow, from runway 06 to G2 can easily be done in 6 to 7 minutes.
Oh yes, I know. But not this time. Maybe other traffic ahead or just unfamiliar crew etc. It's still better then taxiing all the way from Haarlem
Quoting The777Man (Reply 20): Very similiar to my flight IST-MUC about a month ago but I did not post a report on that flight. On my flight, they did not play a movie but MUC is not as far from IST as AMS is.
Probably the reason indeed, a flight to MUC will be nearly 1 hours shorter flighttime.
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1468 posts, RR: 55 Reply 22, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 7271 times:
Hi Eric,
Great report on TK with some excellent pictures!
Turkish Airlines is not usually an airline that gets my attention, but an extensive service which even includes a menu (!!!) on a not-too-long flight in Y such as yours definitely gets my interest! I am quite impressed!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 16): The Do&Co catering looked almost up to par with some airlines short haul Business Class
I can totally see that this is Do&Co's catering! The meal looks like it is of exceptional quality!
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Cheers,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 583 posts, RR: 4 Reply 24, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks ago) and read 7214 times:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 21): No, sorry to make a misunderstanding. I meant I went to their counter a few more days in advance of my flight (counter at AMS). I commute through the airport very regularly also by train, so it's easy to go upstairs and make some arrangements.
Thanks for the clarification!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 21): you mixed me up with fellow member CrimsonNL He did fly the A310 to IST.
Oops!! Can't blame me, so many Dutch a.netters here, Suryo, you, CrimsonNL (now that you remind me) lol
25 PlaneHunter: Thanks! The chocolate mousse sounds promising! PH
26 NuD38: Hi Eric! Thank you for the very impressive trip report. I have to admit that you encouraged me to finish my own TR. I wonder how consistent TK is in t
27 RvXKaz: Hello Eric, Thanks for doing up this report and showing us the menu too! Its such a beautiful report, and very delightful to read. I especially loved
28 nethkt: Thanks for the pics once again. The intra-Europe flights on TK Economy are better product compared to their long-haul ones. At least the crew on short
29 stipica: Hi Eric ! First thanks for the effort ... very nice reading ... did you like the interior ?... TK unfortunately left that color scheme and officially
30 infodesk: Hi Eric, So good to hear that after your less than satisfactory outbound trip on OS that at least the return was as it should have been. Helpful groun
31 NZ107: Hi Eric, Another great TR with the expected high quality photos. Nice to see that TK left a good impression compared with OS. The meal looks really ni
32 airbuseric: Hi all, thanks for the further replies! It really makes a change to their competition on similar routes Good one! TK is interesting to book and compar
33 pilotaydin: It;s nice to see a positive trip report now and then, makes me proud to be a pilot for TK. I hope when I am a captain next summer, I will be able to m
34 parton87: Hello Eric Thank you for a nice story with very good pictures. I have to agree with the previous comments. TK looks like a very good airline. Sorry ab
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