In my second series of trip report, I would like to cover my experience flying different airlines on the SIN – CGK – SIN route, back during the days where I was based in Singapore. As the trip was quite some time ago I would like to apologize if it lacks some details. Furthermore, please do keep in mind I am not a professional photographer and some photos may not be at its best quality.
Background
During the days I was based in Singapore, I had to make some trips between Singapore and Jakarta. The route itself was the busiest international route out of the two cities, with the more ‘premium’ carriers like SQ and GA operating the most frequency between the two cities, followed by the budget carriers like AK, JQ, and TR that had some share of the market.
However, beside those carriers operating between CGK and SIN, there are some fifth-freedom carriers which are much more interesting to explore for aviation enthusiasts like us. Hence, without any doubt when I had to travel to CGK, I would put these fifth freedom carriers, especially those which I have never flown before, on my priority list whenever I need to travel to CGK.
One of those fifth-freedom airlines was Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey, which operated daily flights from IST to SIN, which continues on to CGK. Join me as I explored TK International Long-haul service on board this short 1.5 hours hop.
After a taxi ride from the Singapore city area, I arrived at SIN Terminal 1 around two hours prior to the estimated departure time of 17.45. Business Class passengers are invited to do their check-in process on the dedicated SATS Premium Check-in room, which was used by several airlines departing out of SIN Terminal 1. The check-in process was quite efficient and I made my way into the passport control through a direct link from the Premium Check-in area. This indeed saves much time as in the regular departure area there would be queue for the Auxilary police officers to check your boarding pass before you entered passport control.
TK passengers are invited to use the SATS Premium Club lounge at the second level of Changi Airport Terminal 1 transit area. The lounge was neat and efficient. Some major facilities includes free wireless internet, computers with internet access, and toilets with shower provided inside. The food offerings was quite generous with traditional menu of Nasi Lemak was being served at that time, along with choices of drink and beverages. While the FIDS informed that my flight TK66 would have delay for around 45 minutes due to late arrival of the aircraft from IST, I used the massage chair while waiting for further information on boarding time.
FLIGHT DETAILS
Flight number : TK66
Type of aircraft: Airbus A330-343E
Registration: TC-JNH, named 'Topkapi'
ETD : 1715
ETA : 1905
The flight departure was delayed for 45 minutes due to late arrival of aircraft from IST
Boarding
IMG_3904 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
TK66 with 1715 departure still showing at the FIDS
IMG_3912 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
TC-JNH, "Topkapi" is operating our flight today
Finally at around 17.30, the lounge agent informed me I could board the aircraft through our gate, C23. The gate was very full and the queue for the secondary security check before boarding was sneaking out of the gate door. Apparently the flight was having full or at least near-full load today, and most passengers were Indonesians traveling from IST for holiday, along with passengers that has just only joined from SIN like me. Passengers on Business Class and Star alliance gold were allowed to board the aircraft first.
Cabin crew welcomed passengers on the entrance 1L and actively assisting the passengers. Shortly after, welcome drinks consisted of champagne, water, or orange juice was offered to the J Class passengers. I was pleased to find that this was one of TK’s newer A333 which has been fitted with the new J Class seats that can turn into a flat bed, instead of angled ones.
IMG_3951 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
Bar area on the A333, taken prior to meal service
Pushback was done around 18.05, and it took a long way for us to reach the runway and took off from SIN. It was sunset when we were climbing over neighboring islands of Singapore, which I believed it was under the Indonesian territory. The cabin crew prepared the meals shortly after take-off and started the meal service. Apparently TK has an onboard chef on this route, however the chef was just stationed in the bar area of the A333 on this leg, while the cabin crews distributed the meals.
IMG_3963 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
Reading 'Skylife', the in-flight magazine of Turkish Airlines.
Although the presence of an onboard chef was a plus for TK, I was quite surprised to find that they had no choice of meals and its meal was only consists of desserts, even in J class. This was quite contrary to what had been offered in SQ or GA in this route. The dessert itself tasted good.
IMG_3962 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
My seat, almost 'full-flat' mode throughout the flight.
After the meal service, I checked-out TK’s ‘Planet’ In-flight entertainment system, which seems packed with movies and music, looking at the in-flight entertainment guide. The system also had lists of TKs fleet and short history of the company, which I found quite interesting. As I was not feeling really well at that day I stretched my seat into a fully-flat bed and take a short nap, until the captain announced from the PA that it was already time for approach into CGK.
Landing into CGK
IMG_3972 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
CGK terminal building as we taxied to our parking position
IMG_3975 by dirktraveller, on Flickr
Final picture of TK's new Business Class seats before disembarking the flight.
The plane conducted descent into CGK around 20.30 local time, and we made a smooth touchdown at CGK half an hour later. Passengers in Business Class disembarked first through the 1L door and made their way into the busy passport control of CGK which required some time to complete due to the long queue, and worsened by lack of staff at that time. My priority tagged baggage was one of the first that come out of the baggage carousel and I made it out into the terminal where my car has already waiting to bring me to my apartment.
Final thoughts of the flight
On my first ever flight with TK I was satisfied with their Business Class service, all the way from the premium dedicated check-in, and their new business class seats which was impressive. I would look forward for a longer flight on board the TK Business Class one day. Stay tuned for my return flight to SIN on board TK67.
anthonychua527 From Singapore, joined Aug 2012, 39 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 10014 times:
I have always wanted to try out TK's Economy Class...but never had the chance. Looks like the Business Class is quite good. It will be great to fly this product to IST. By the way, how much did you pay for the return ticket on Business?
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 9953 times:
Hello antonychua527,
Thanks for reading. hope you enjoyed it.
I'm sure it will be a great product to fly for long-haul to IST. Someday you should try it I guess, on their flight to IST or like what I did for a much shorter hop to CGK, as I have no plans for flying to IST in the near future.
Quoting anthonychua527 (Reply 1): y the way, how much did you pay for the return ticket on Business?
I'm sorry I didn't remember the exact amount as this flight was actually quite some time ago, but if I remembered correctly it was around SGD 400-550 something.
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 9771 times:
After spending three days attending some event in Jakarta, it was already time for me to go back into SIN. I was quite excited to check out what TK has in store on this CGK-SIN sector that night.
FLIGHT DETAILS
Flight Number : TK67
Type of Aircraft: A330-343E
Registration: TC-JNJ, nicknamed 'Kapadokya'
Seat number: 5J
ETD: 1915
ETA: 2155
Check-in
TK-decorated Check-in desk at CGK
Despite the massive traffic jam on Jakarta roads, I managed to reach Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Terminal 2D at 1700hrs, just in time for the 1915hrs flight. There was around six check-in counters prepared for the TK67 flight bound for SIN and IST. There was a dedicated counter for business class where I checked in my bags. Check-in process was pretty simple and efficient, although no Premium area check-in services as in SIN. After check-in process completed, I headed straight away for passport control in CGK, which took some time to clear due to the heavy traffic out of CGK tonight.
Lounge: JAS Premier Lounge, Terminal 2D Soekarno-Hatta Airport Jakarta
Seating on the lounge
Another view of lounge seating areas
My foods from the lounge
Buffet area in the lounge
The lounge was neat and simple. Meal options were quite simple, with a hot pasta bolognaise as their main dish options, along with a variety of traditional snacks and beverages. It was announced that the departure for TK67 would be pushed back for 25 minutes, for some reason that were undisclosed to the passengers. So I spent some time checking out on work using the free access computers provided on the lounge. Finally, at around 1905hrs, there was a boarding announcement calling for TK67 passengers. That was the sign that I had to make my move to gate D6, passing through a secondary security check before entering gate area.
Boarding
My boarding pass to SIN
A view of the Business Class cabin
TK Business Class seats
By the time I reached gate D6, Business class passengers and Star alliance gold members were invited for boarding, and I made my way to the aircraft. Judging by the crowds on the gate the load on this flight apparently were quite good. As the boarding process continues in both J and Y classes, I took some pictures of the new J class seats, which hopefully give you more ideas about the new TK J class seats.
Welcome Drink
Our flight routing that night
After most J class passengers were already on their seats, flight attendants distributed welcome drink, consisted of water or orange juice this time. As the aircraft started pushback from the gate, safety video was played and we were soon making our way to the runway, in which we took off from CGK at around 1940hrs.
In-flight
Cabin crew with the onboard chef preparing the meal service
Flight attendants on the drink station of the Business Class cabin
The chicken skewers for tonight's dinner
Quick visit to the lavatory.
Shortly after take-off, the cabin crew, as well as the on-board chef that TK has on this route, swing into action and prepares the meal service on tonight's flight. Several cabin crew manned the bar area of the A333, which was the place where the drinks were served to passengers.The meal consisted of some kebab skewers, which tasted quite good. The meal was delivered directly into your seat, as the crew did not go around using their trolley as they normally did.
Enjoying the movie from 'Planet' IFE
The Planet IFE Guide, along with the headphone
After the meal service, I thought of watching a movie from the 'Planet' Entertainment system. Well, as the flight was just a short hop between CGK and SIN, I could not finish the full movie which runs about 2hours or so. Soon, there was an announcement coming from the flight deck that we were already on our approach to SIN. Passengers who were already snoozing off at their full-flat 180 degrees seat has no choice but to wake up as seats were have to be back in their original position, in preparation for landing.
Landing into Singapore Changi Airport
The 'Flight info' feature,
Runway in-sight, approaching SIN
Touchdown
Reached our parking position at SIN Terminal 1
J Class cabin after the 1hours 35minutes flight
On approach into SIN, I switched the 'Planet' Entertainment system into the flight info mode, which has a camera feature. The camera feature allows me to watch our approach into SIN, and our landing as well. Other airlines should have installed these cameras as well, what a nice feature from TK's Planet IFE system. The flight landed at Changi Airport at around 2155hrs local time, and we headed for our gate. All passengers are required to disembark the aircraft, including those that continues to IST. A ground staff were already waiting for passengers bound for IST to assist them and inform them about their one hour transit, before returning to the same gate for the IST flight.
Goodbye TC-JNJ, see you soon and have a nice journey back home to IST
Heading for the immigration check and baggage claim
I managed to take some last views of TC-JNJ, the airframe that flew me into SIN, and headed straight away into immigration check which was simple and efficient as usual in SIN. My priority tagged luggage were ready for collection from the carousel and I headed home by taxi.
Final thoughts about the flight
TK has delivered an efficient premium service for their Business Class passengers on both sectors. Their new business class seats was very comfortable, even for a long flight to IST. The onboard chef was a great feature that improves the whole flying experience and thumbs up for TK on that. I would look forward for a longer flight with them one day.
Thank you for reading the first part of the report. And stay tuned for part 2, which may be coming up someday around this week. Should there be any comment or questions to improve my TR further, I would be glad to hear it. Anyway, to those who are interested on a small challenge, anyone would like to guess which carrier would I be flying on this SIN-CGK-SIN route on part 2?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8267 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 9308 times:
Nice report and pictures, thanks for sharing with us.
Quoting dirktraveller (Thread starter): Although the presence of an onboard chef was a plus for TK, I was quite surprised to find that they had no choice of meals and its meal was only consists of desserts, even in J class. This was quite contrary to what had been offered in SQ or GA in this route. The dessert itself tasted good.
- Only desert, how odd!
I've had a could of flights with TK, I found the product on the 343 to be excellent, seat and food, was hoping to see the new seat on a 333 but we got subbed to a 321 which had the 3-3 config with the middle seat blocked, quite dissapointing when you expect the widebody seats.
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 8855 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 4): Nice report and pictures, thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you! hope you enjoyed it.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 4): I found the product on the 343 to be excellent, seat and food, was hoping to see the new seat on a 333 but we got subbed to a 321 which had the 3-3 config with the middle seat blocked, quite dissapointing
I know how disappointing it is, for aviation enthusiasts like us, when your J class widebody is subbed with European configured J class seats. Actually i was surprised that the IST-SIN-CGK sector was equipped with the latest J class seats, because last time it was operated by A343 with older J class seats.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 6, posted (9 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 7281 times:
Hi Dirktraveller,
nice report, good idea to try TK's J Class on this short hop. I flew LHR-IST-SIN on TK's A332 and A343 last year and was impressed.
I recommend to post the reports at once - if you post the second part into the original thread after a while, readers may miss it. If I had replied to the first part immediately after posting, I would have missed the second part.
Quoting dirktraveller (Thread starter): I was pleased to find that this was one of TK’s newer A333 which has been fitted with the new J Class seats that can turn into a flat bed, instead of angled ones.
Although the presence of an onboard chef was a plus for TK, I was quite surprised to find that they had no choice of meals and its meal was only consists of desserts, even in J class. This was quite contrary to what had been offered in SQ or GA in this route. The dessert itself tasted good.
That's not just a dessert - I can see salmon, an aubergine roll, cheese and scampi.
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (9 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 7073 times:
Hi Planehunter
Thanks for reading the TR.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6):
I recommend to post the reports at once - if you post the second part into the original thread after a while, readers may miss it. If I had replied to the first part immediately after posting, I would have missed the second part.
Noted your suggestion, PH. I would post the second one immediately after I posted the first one to prevent readers from missing out the other parts. These should be amended when I posted the part 3 of this trip report series (and other TR onwards), as I had already posted the part 2 in the similar manner.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 6): That's not just a dessert - I can see salmon, an aubergine roll, cheese and scampi.
Apologized for that, guessed you might have known that 'dessert' impression come from, especially after my PR flight. That being said, I was just trying to explain the smaller size of the meal compared to other carriers serving the route.
nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 985 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (9 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 6138 times:
A nice Star alliance way to fly this route.
At least you've got to try out the seat and the service a little bit before the real deal on longer flights.
I was lucky enough to non-rev on longer TK business class flights multiple times during my airlines industry career, from A340-300, A330-200 and the leased B777-300ER from Jet Airways. It was awesome experience. I can tell you there are always plenty of food, too much food really.
Too bad I left before the introduction of their own 77Ws and 330s
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
net-hkt
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (9 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 6109 times:
Hi nethkt
Thanks for reading!
Quoting nethkt (Reply 9): A nice Star alliance way to fly this route.
At least you've got to try out the seat and the service a little bit before the real deal on longer flights.
Indeed it is a nice experience, and I enjoyed my flight with TK. Enjoyed trying the TK New Business seat although it was just a short flight from SIN to CGK.
Quoting nethkt (Reply 9): I was lucky enough to non-rev on longer TK business class flights multiple times during my airlines industry career, from A340-300, A330-200 and the leased B777-300ER from Jet Airways. It was awesome experience.
You are certainly very lucky. Must be a wonderful experience flying different types of TK widebodies in Business Class.
Quoting nethkt (Reply 9): I can tell you there are always plenty of food, too much food really.
I am sure that they actually had an impressive meal service on long haul J Class routes when I saw the presence of an onboard chef and after I read some TK trip reports on the forum. Thanks for the information
The amount of food I was served that day, was actually reasonable based on the flight duration, but certainly it was 'smaller' compared to the other carriers operating the route.
groomyjl From Singapore, joined Sep 2012, 32 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4660 times:
Hi Dirktraveller,
Thanks for sharing the TR. Too bad that TK doesnt offer this 5th freedom flight anymore. The meal from SIN-CGK was indeed very small and unlike J standard.
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 months 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 4513 times:
Hi Jim,
You're welcome, I hoped you enjoyed the TR. The flight itself were actually difficult to book, as the fifth freedom were not always available at their online booking.
Quoting groomyjl (Reply 11): Too bad that TK doesnt offer this 5th freedom flight anymore.
It was sometimes on and off, but I was not aware that the whole fifth freedom actually had been discontinued altogether, thanks for the information.
Quoting groomyjl (Reply 11): he meal from SIN-CGK was indeed very small
The TK J class meal was actually considered small, compared to J class of other carriers serving the route. I've flown on some other airlines in this route, and found that their meal were considerably larger in size.
Thanks for reading.
Regards,
Dirktraveller
To those who wished to check out part 2 and 3 of this TR series and see how the three carrier compares on the route
lax888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (6 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 3219 times:
Hi Dirktraveller
Thanks for this report. I will be on TK myself but flying to IST. Do you happen to know how early one can check-in for TK? What time did you reach the airport? Since C check-in is done in the SATS premier lounge, is it possible to check-in around lunchtime?
Also how good are the cabin crew? Do they have good English skills? I have heard mixed reports of things being "lost in translation" on TK and of cabin crews which are inconsistent. Also heard that the male crew is usually friendlier than the female crew...
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (6 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3067 times:
Hi lax888
Thanks for reading!
Quoting lax888 (Reply 13): Since C check-in is done in the SATS premier lounge, is it possible to check-in around lunchtime?
Sorry, I am not really sure about their early check-in timings. Perhaps you could check about this in your local TK representative.
I arrived at the airport around 1530hrs for my scheduled 1715 departure to CGK that day. Maybe you could check your baggage around that time since their counter has already been opened.
Quoting lax888 (Reply 13): Also how good are the cabin crew? Do they have good English skills? I have heard mixed reports of things being "lost in translation"
I have heard about this issue before, but luckily I did not encounter any experience concerning lack of English skills with TK crews on both sectors.
Quoting lax888 (Reply 13): TK and of cabin crews which are inconsistent. Also heard that the male crew is usually friendlier than the female crew...
Coincidentally cabin crews which served my J class cabin that day was females, and I found that they are polite and had acceptable English command. However, I feel that they did not try to interact with their passengers as usually one would expect from crew in J class.
That being said, TK is a nice carrier to try and I hope you have a good experience on your upcoming TK flight.
lax888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (6 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 3002 times:
Quoting dirktraveller (Reply 14): Sorry, I am not really sure about their early check-in timings. Perhaps you could check about this in your local TK representative.
I arrived at the airport around 1530hrs for my scheduled 1715 departure to CGK that day. Maybe you could check your baggage around that time since their counter has already been opened.
Thanks for your quick reply. I have not heard back from them yet when I sent them an e-mail. Might call them soon to get a reply.
OK good to know about the service. Anyway since it's a night flight I am really looking forward to the bed which hopefully will be comfortable and the food which everybody raves about
dirktraveller From Singapore, joined Jan 2011, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (6 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2962 times:
Hi lax888
Quoting lax888 (Reply 15): Thanks for your quick reply. I have not heard back from them yet when I sent them an e-mail. Might call them soon to get a reply.
You're welcome. Hopefully you got a reply soon.
Quoting lax888 (Reply 15): Anyway since it's a night flight I am really looking forward to the bed which hopefully will be comfortable and the food which everybody raves about
TK has a nice fully-flat bed J class seats on their longhaul A333s. And from what I saw from some other previous reports on their long-haul food is much more impressive than what I had on the SIN-CGK sector.
Perhaps if you have some spare time, do write a trip report on your upcoming TK journey. Would be interesting to see what they offered on the SIN-IST route. Thanks.
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