Hi all,
am asking this question on behalf of my sister whom I want to catch-up with in Hamburg, Germany in June. She lives in Houston, TX and will be flying with her 9-year old son (husband has to stay behind and work) to Hamburg. She usually flies LH, BA, UA (no clue about aviation and no alliance loyalty).
She mentioned TK are offering very competitive rates in economy from IAH via IST to HAM (about USD 500.00 less per person than the others) but she is very reluctant to fly TK. I told her TK flies a 777 in to IAH and that they are fine but she somehow does not trust me.
What do you guys think ? Has anyone has any positive/negative experiences on TK long haul in coach ? Feedback highly appreciated.
Cheers from Brisbane,
Peter
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
Lots of positive trip reports can be found on TK here.
Though will admit, Istanbul is a bit of a detour between Hamburg and Houston.
Though will admit, Istanbul is a bit of a detour between Hamburg and Houston.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
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- DocGATTACA
- Posts: 53
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RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
TK is fine. I've flown with them several times from SIN to various European destinations. However, as mentioned above, Istanbul is a little out of the way if you are flying Houston-Hamburg. If your sister doesn't mind an extra two or three hours in the air, then she should go for it.
Although this may not matter to her, the TK lounge at IST is brilliant.
Although this may not matter to her, the TK lounge at IST is brilliant.
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- Braniff747SP
- Posts: 2579
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RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully that will convince her.
Cheers from Brisbane,
Peter
Cheers from Brisbane,
Peter
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
I've flown TK both short haul (IST-CDG, IST-TLV) and long haul (SIN-IST). They're really good. Crew can be hit or miss, but IFE is great and so is the food. Definitely better than UA and LH.
The arrivals in the early morning, especially if you park at a remote stand, can be a bit chaotic, but otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate flying them again.
Cheers
Coal
The arrivals in the early morning, especially if you park at a remote stand, can be a bit chaotic, but otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate flying them again.
Cheers
Coal
Nxt Flts: SQ SIN-KIX | HD UKB-CTS | NH CTS-NRT | SQ NRT-SIN | AK SIN-DPS-SIN
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
One downside I see is that IST is operating at capacity levels. This is for terminal (aka. concourse) capacity as well as for finding parking spots for aircraft - both: *at times*.
Departure delays due to lack in runway capacity (due to operating procedures during certain wind directions) reportedly have been cut back in recent years.
Compared to connecting at LHR the flight IAH to IST should be longer by 3 hours; and also the flight IST to HAM at 3+ hours will be considerably longer than feeder flights from FRA / AMS / LHR.
So this longer time people spend in aircraft is one reason why TK need to attract pax by offering lower fares than competiitors with more direct routings.
My experience with TK long haul is limited to Business Class and I put them very high in ranking (above LX and LH), even though the European feeder flights had some lacking performance by cabin crew.
-HT
Departure delays due to lack in runway capacity (due to operating procedures during certain wind directions) reportedly have been cut back in recent years.
Compared to connecting at LHR the flight IAH to IST should be longer by 3 hours; and also the flight IST to HAM at 3+ hours will be considerably longer than feeder flights from FRA / AMS / LHR.
So this longer time people spend in aircraft is one reason why TK need to attract pax by offering lower fares than competiitors with more direct routings.
My experience with TK long haul is limited to Business Class and I put them very high in ranking (above LX and LH), even though the European feeder flights had some lacking performance by cabin crew.
-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 !
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
for Shorthaul and 77W operated flights great. It is in my top 3 along with NH & CX. Certainly better than the North Americans and QR/EK.
Flown to 147 Airports in 62 Countries on 83 Operators and counting. Wanderlust is like Syphilis, once you have the itch it's too late for treatment.
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
No problem with TK at all. I had a breakfast once on IST-LHR I didn't like the taste of much, but for overall service, comfort and yes food, they are certainly the equal of the ME3 if not better than them. More consistent anyway. And she can save USD1000?? My god man, book it before the price goes up.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
Welcome to my hometown...
I think your sister will love TK; just tell her that Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe for the third year by customers at the 2013 World Airline Awards.
And don't tell her, that TK is operating 3 Indian Jet Airways B777 which might be operating the IAH flight...
And regarding your nephew, make sure that TK famous CHML Children-Meal is pre-ordered with the booking!
I think your sister will love TK; just tell her that Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe for the third year by customers at the 2013 World Airline Awards.
And don't tell her, that TK is operating 3 Indian Jet Airways B777 which might be operating the IAH flight...
And regarding your nephew, make sure that TK famous CHML Children-Meal is pre-ordered with the booking!
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
I flew TK in 2010 JNB-IST-OSL and back, and I wasn't that impressed.
The IST-OSL segment had the most children on one plane I have ever seen. They were running up and down in the aisles screaming and shouting. They were jumping up and down on the seats. It looked like a nursery school.
On the return OSL-IST we landed and stopped during taxi, waiting for traffic to pass. Everyone jumped up and grabbed their bags and we weren't even close to the terminal building. It took a long while before the attendants requested the passengers to sit down again and some remained standing for the taxi to the parking bay.
I felt both these instances were serious safety concerns.
[Edited 2014-01-17 05:02:04]
[Edited 2014-01-17 05:02:46]
The IST-OSL segment had the most children on one plane I have ever seen. They were running up and down in the aisles screaming and shouting. They were jumping up and down on the seats. It looked like a nursery school.
On the return OSL-IST we landed and stopped during taxi, waiting for traffic to pass. Everyone jumped up and grabbed their bags and we weren't even close to the terminal building. It took a long while before the attendants requested the passengers to sit down again and some remained standing for the taxi to the parking bay.
I felt both these instances were serious safety concerns.
[Edited 2014-01-17 05:02:04]
[Edited 2014-01-17 05:02:46]
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- futurestar68
- Posts: 180
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RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
| Quoting yakima (Reply 10): The IST-OSL segment had the most children on one plane I have ever seen. They were running up and down in the aisles screaming and shouting. They were jumping up and down on the seats. It looked like a nursery school. |
| Quoting yakima (Reply 10): Everyone jumped up and grabbed their bags and we weren't even close to the terminal building. It took a long while before the attendants requested the passengers to sit down again and some remained standing for the taxi to the parking bay. |
That's the Turkish mentality for you
Obviously, you can't throw them all in one bag, but my experience with Turkish people are just like that, rules/laws are rather suggestions for them. And that's the only reason for me to avoid TK, I can't stand their mentality, as bad as it sounds, but it's my personal experience.-
- Viscount724
- Posts: 19316
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RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
| Quoting LAXintl (Reply 1): Though will admit, Istanbul is a bit of a detour between Hamburg and Houston. |
You almost fly right over HAM on the great circle route IAH-IST. Only 8 nm further via HAM than nonstop.
To save $500 per person it would probably be worth the extra time, about 6 hours longer each way vs. more direct connections via AMS/FRA/LHR etc..
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- TurkishWings
- Posts: 1244
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RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
| Quoting debonair (Reply 9): And don't tell her, that TK is operating 3 Indian Jet Airways B777 which might be operating the IAH flight... |
That won't happen. 9W jets only fly LHR/BOM/DEL and BKK ...
Coffee - Tea or Me?
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
| Quoting yakima (Reply 10): I felt both these instances were serious safety concerns. |
I have seen it on many flights the world over. EK/RJ/LA/AR/CX/UAand more. If passengers refuse to listen to the professionals they DESERVE to be injured.
Best response I saw was the RJ crew who went out from their jumpseats like they were riot police to make everyone sit down by pushing them back into their seats. They had to give up because for every one they forced back down another would take their place like the heads of Cerberus .Still no one was listening to the announcements, so the crew sat down again. In the end the Captain planted his foot on the brakes and they all fell over. I've never laughed so much in my entire life, and likewise for the crew.
Flown to 147 Airports in 62 Countries on 83 Operators and counting. Wanderlust is like Syphilis, once you have the itch it's too late for treatment.
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
Right... same as local people behaviour in China.
The Spirit of AustraliAN - Longreach
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
| Quoting yakima (Reply 10): I felt both these instances were serious safety concerns. |
Why? How are these two in any way TK's fault?
| Quoting yakima (Reply 10): Everyone jumped up and grabbed their bags and we weren't even close to the terminal building |
| Quoting aerorobnz (Reply 14): I have seen it on many flights the world over. EK/RJ/LA/AR/CX/UAand more. If passengers refuse to listen to the professionals they DESERVE to be injured. |
| Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 15): Right... same as local people behaviour in China. |
It happened on a recent MIA-EWR flight. It can happen in any country / for any culture.
Cheers
Coal
Nxt Flts: SQ SIN-KIX | HD UKB-CTS | NH CTS-NRT | SQ NRT-SIN | AK SIN-DPS-SIN
RE: Turkish Airlines Longhaul - Recommended?
Hi guys,
after all the responses would not hesitate to fly TK but as a "OW Boy" (just managed to keep my platinum status for another year) do not thing I'll be flying TK any time soon.
Am really interested to see how my sister decides. After years of below average UA service hope she will grab the cheap TK offer but believe in the end it will come down to the usual candidates such as BA, LH, etc. just because the flight times to HAM are more convenient.
I'll let you know how she decides.
Cheers from Brisbane,
Peter
after all the responses would not hesitate to fly TK but as a "OW Boy" (just managed to keep my platinum status for another year) do not thing I'll be flying TK any time soon.
Am really interested to see how my sister decides. After years of below average UA service hope she will grab the cheap TK offer but believe in the end it will come down to the usual candidates such as BA, LH, etc. just because the flight times to HAM are more convenient.
I'll let you know how she decides.
Cheers from Brisbane,
Peter
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