Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Steve Edwards
1 November 2005

To the man who asked if there is another way to get to North Cyprus, the answer is yes - fly to Larnaca and get a car to collect you. I've been to TRNC 3 times this year by this route with Cyprus Airways. The planes are better and the staff are more polite. They also fly an A330 which is a nicer plane than CTA's A300. I hope CTA's service will improve but it hasn't in the last 10 years. They cabin staff don't seem to know how to smile which is odd since generally the citizens of the TRNC are as friendly as anything. Also, the immigration at Ercan is dreadful. You could believe that CTA and the authorities at Ercan realise what a lovely place North Cyprus is and are trying to stop the rest of us from spoiling it!

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by John Dower
17 October 2005

My wife and I travelled to Dalaman and return to Stansted. We have travelled CTA frequently, both to Turkey and Northern Cyprus and have been quite satisfied with the flights. I am sorry to say that the standard of service and attitude of cabin crew appears to be falling. On our return journey it was a case of find your own seat - no seat allocation. On both journies the only service of drinks was when the meal was served. On the return journey the meal was served immediately after take off, this not being a problem as it was an early flight. However only one drink was offered with the meal and it was a matter of trying to attract the cabin crews attention as they cleared up to try and get another. Once the meal had been cleared away that was the last seen of the cabin crew. Another drinks service would certainly have been welcome. My wife and I prefer travelling with CTA as the legroom makes for a comfortable flight but CTA need to look at standards of service and try and improve cabin crew demeanour.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by John Merricks
9 October 2005

After a 10 hour delayed flight from Heathrow on the 3rd September on flight YK838, we arrived in Cyprus to discover that all the luggage for all passengers had been deliberately left behind at Heathrow in order for the plane to take off before the night time flying curfew. We were eventually re-united with our baggage 5 days later in a public car park at 1.00 am in the morning. Even this was chaotic, with any passer-by being able to help themselves to any number of cases! The airline staff in Cyprus were unhelpful, uncaring and untruthful and this episode ruined our first weeks holiday in North Cyprus. Despite writing to the Airline on our return, we still have had no apology, explanation or offer of compensation for the appalling treatment. Fly again with CTA? You must be joking. Is there another way to visit Northern Cyprus, because if not their tourist industry will seriously suffer.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Jean Painton
2 October 2005

I had the misfortune to be on flight YK838 on the 3rd Sept 05, there was a delay of 10 hours, and passengers were herded onto the plane in a very undignified manor, we were told to sit anywhere, forget seat allocation the plane was taking off before the 11.30pm curfew at Heathrow, we took off at 11.29pm. The pilot taxied around heathrow at such a speed, it could not possibly be safe. the cockpit door was left open during flight, again another security breach. At all times staff at CTA were not available to give us information as to what was going on. To make matters worse when we arrived at Ercan on Sunday morning, it was to find that all the luggage for all the passengers on board had been deliberately left at Heathrow. It was then another 5 days before we eventually received it. CTA were unhelpful and at times gave us totally wrong information just to get rid of you. Passengers are the future for CTA, however they seriously need to look at their customer service because more and more people will decide to go to Larnaca and travel thru to Northern Cyprus rather than have this very poor service.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Judith Brown
2 October 2005

We travelled to Northern Cyprus via Dalaman from Mancester. We were pleasantly surprised and found that we had little or nothing to complain about. The Airbus A320 was fairly new and comfortable with plenty of leg room. The service was second to none and all the crew were pleasant and helpful, food was very nice and well presented and all the drinks were free. We enjoyed our flights and Holiday and would do it again.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by John Merricks
2 October 2005

Flight YK838 from Heathrow to North Cyprus Saturday 3rd September 2005. Scheduled to depart at 13.40 but left at 23.29 All the luggage for all passengers deliberately left behind otherwise airline would not have been able to take off before 23.30 curfew . It took 5 days to reunite us with some of our luggage in a public car park at 1am in the morning. Cockpit door left open after take off. Fly CTA again? I don't think so!

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Gordon Robinson
1 September 2005

London Stansted to Dalaman with CTA, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Yes, the plane was a bit old, but there was plenty of legroom (better than many scheduled airlines, and better than any charter flight). The staff were helpful, if a bit slow, the food was adequate (certainly hot and plentiful), as were the drinks. And, unusual in this day and age, there was no great rush to serve the food so they could sell duty frees. Plane took off slightly early, and landed 45 minutes early at the other end. I also must comment on the booking process. A shame you cannot use the web, but how nice to be able to book seats (with a generous discount for children) and not pay anything until 6 weeks prior to the flight. All in all, I would happily use CTA again, and would recommend them to anyone else. My main complaint was the speed of the baggage reclaim at Stansted!

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Ann Corke
10 July 2005

The most basic of airlines: we travelled Gatwick to Dalaman. This is very much a no frills service, with mediocre food and drinks, sour faced stewardesses and very little in the way of pre-flight checks (stewardesses' own bags just lying on the floor of the emergency exits etc). The plus however was that there was hardly anyone on the plane and we could therefore stretch out over 3 seats and have a half decent sleep.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Dilek Gourpinar

4 July 2005

I have been travelling with Cyprus Turkish Airlines for the last 13 years from London to Ercan. I can say that the service has not improved at all and this year it has truely gone from bad to worst. I cannot believe such an airline with very bad customer relations are allowed to fly from Europe and charge so much. I had a prebooked and confirmed ticket, stamped by the cyprus turkish airlines, at their headoffice in London. However, when I tried to check in, I was told I was not on the flight list. The representative there was so unhelpful, rude and did not provide any support at all. Having a ticket, dated and stamped didnt mean anything and this was the reply I received from the representative there. On top I was not offered accomodation, food, or transport. 

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Martin McGuigan

16 May 2005

I had the misfortune to travel back from Antalya to London. Apart from the rude unhelpful staff who could not wait to throw the terrible "food" in front of passengers so they could relax, the disgustingly dirty toilets, their obvious difficulty with the basics of the English language, and the complete lack of entertainment of any kind, the worst thing was the appalling attitude to safety. In an ancient fleet this should be a priority but there was no demonstration and worst of all I found the cabin crew smoking at the back of the plane behind the curtain.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Tim Pritchard

6 May 2005

I travelled from Ercan to Heathrow yesterday and had no choice but to book CTA - whom I'd last used 5 & 6 years ago and sworn never ever to use again. However... the standard seems to have undergone a quantum improvement: smiling cabin staff performing their duties properly, edible food and a decent range of drinks freely available. And on time. If I had to criticise: there was very little leg-room and a very full plane for a top-dollar ticket price - but at least CTA now operate to a respectable standard of airline service.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Emine Dervish

17 February 2005

I am ashamed to admit that I am a Turkish Cypriot, when I see the behaviour of the Turkish community travelling to Cyprus in the summer. Have these people not learnt manners and to be polite and let the staff do their job. It is no wonder that the staff have their guard up and long faces as I feel exactly the same. I have seen several times where parents let their children jump up and down on the seats and press the button for the air hostess. Of course the air hostess is going to have a long face when she is constantly coming to the aide of her passenger only to find it is a spoilt brat that is just 'playing' with the buttons. It is not the fault of the child but the ignorant parent. This is just one example of behaviour that I have seen. My only complaint would be that sometimes the staff allow passengers to sit in any seat they feel instead of their allocated seats. The staff should stick to the rules and make passengers sit in their allocated seats. At present we do not really have much choice in the airline we choose to fly, but until there are other major airlines that fly to Northern Cyprus, I am more than happy to fly Cyprus Turkish Airlines.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by George Wilkie

8 February 2005

My wife and I have travelled CTA for a number of years - always found them helpful and cannot fault the cabin staff who have been extremely kind to my wife who is quite badly disabled. The ambulift has always been there for the transfers - a bit slapdash but CTA is not the worst. If anyone has been thru the newly revamped Ercan would be grateful if they could post the disabled access facilities between plane and terminal, is it direct walk on flights now - or still buses etc.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Engin Fehim

8 February 2005

Being a Turkish Cypriot who has travelled to North Cyprus twice a year for the 23 years of my life, I have to admit, I am always frustrated and annoyed at the service this airline provides. We have such a great country, lovely people as I'm sure everyone knows that has travelled to North Cyprus. Flights are expensive, and this is because again as everyone knows Cyprus Turkish Airlines are the only airline that flies to North Cyprus. I travelled in December 2004, and the onboard staff are dreadful. Many a time have I had a run in due to the fact they are rude, selfish and un-helpful. I only travel with them because we have to. The food is so so, I have never had an issue with drinks (always receive what I ask for - maybe the fact I am Turkish swings it in my favour?). It seems a shame that the first impression our beautiful country receives is of these sour faced people on the national airline.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Alice Cornish

17 January 2005

We have also had this problem with the wine on several trips, have been told they keep it for themselves.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Kim Hollis

7 January 2005

My mother returned from Ercan yesterday via Antalya (flight YK953) and asked a stewardess if she could have some red or white wine with her meal and in reply was told that "it had run out". A passenger sitting next to her, a Turkish gentleman, politely enquired as to whether everything was OK. My mother repeated the conversation she had had with the stewardess. The Turkish gentleman then spoke to the same girl, in Turkish, and several minutes later my mother was presented with her wine. Very odd! Not a good way to do business at all and my mother flies to Northern Cyprus at least three times a year and has experienced this problem on more than one occasion. Not a major incident I agree, but still disappointing and basically we would like to know why!

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Susan Moore

28 November 2004

My experience with this airline was nowhere near as bad as I had dreaded it might be having read some of the other reviews posted. Stansted - Alanya and return last week. Plane was a new A321 both ways, needed a vacuum and legroom was bad but that's not a major gripe. I note in their inflight mag they have three of these now in their fleet, which is a newish model and I would think reflects their commitment to updating their fleet and improving their service surely. Re; the other comments on the 737 800s in their fleets I believe this model is only about 7/8 years old, so even if they are in need of a clean, I think passengers should be reassured that these aircraft aren't that old in actuality. Food was fine and staff amenable to being helpful. Certainly no worse than other airlines in that respect. As for comments they hide between the curtains, well with no duty free to sell they don't have much else to do for the remainder of the journey once meals are served. And anyone who rang for drinks etc was promptly attended to. My only concerns were A/ As we rolled out on to the runway in Alanya coming home the exit door over the wing rattled a lot - but the stewardess assured me this was fine. That was a bit unnerving, especially as I think this was the same plane we had flown out on and I was in the same seat and hadn't recalled this rattle then. Once we were properly airborne it did stop thankfully. When we landed I noticed some condensation inside this door though - don't know if this is normal, and not to scare anyone. On departure we were delayed an hour on the plane as they firstly thought they were missing some passengers, then announced they had luggage from another flight on board and would have to identify it and remove it. Two bags were brought through the plane, one claimed by a passenger, one wasn't - presumably this was taken off board. On return to Stansted whilst waiting for my connecting flights on to Dublin I heard over the loudspeaker, once again, a call for the remaining passengers on the flight back to Alanya - an hour after it was supposed to have taken off! So can only presume this happens regularly - but maybe the ground handlers are to blame?

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Alan Gregory

10 November 2004

After reading some of the comments we were expecting the worst, however we ended up being quite impressed by Cyprus Turkish. The journey out on 5th Oct was on time, the cabin staff were pleasant and the food was passable. A second cup of coffee would have been appreciated though. The journey back on the 19th Oct at 06.15 from Ercan (meant leaving the hotel at 03.30) was again on time the cabin staff pleasant and the breakfast cold but passable, again stingy with the coffee. So no complaints and the holiday was excellent.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by T Davis

2 November 2004

CTA from Gatwick to Ercan on 22 October 2004. Very impressed with the flight on the way out, plenty of leg room, food reasonable and cabin staff polite. On the way back different matter. The flight was delayed by 8 hours due to a strike by the airline at Ercan airport. No apologies were given at the airport or when we boarded the plane. I have written a letter of complaint but as yet have not received a reply.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Jan Bennett

2 November 2004

All these complaints about CTA. Passengers should try flying Onur Air to Northern Cyprus. Not only do you get delays at UK airport but in Istanbul as well. No free drinks either - they even charge for drinks with meal. I've travelled with both airlines and I know which I prefer!

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Linda Paige

11 October 2004

It was with some degree of trepidation that we embarked on our trip to Ercan at the end of September. We flew from Gatwick, via Dalaman. Our experience was good The flights were on time, the cabin crews were polite and efficient at all times, the seats were comfortable with ample leg room. The food was acceptable, bearing in mind the cost of the ticket, and we enjoyed additional drinks, including wine.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Lynne Edin

29 September 2004

CTA and Ercan airport, possibly the worst air travel experience ever. I departed from Stansted on 4th September for my first trip to North Cyprus via Antalya in 15 years. The 737 was extremely cramped and uncomfortable, this was not helped by the extremely un -friendly and miserable staff who at one point launched a hot dinner at my daughter presumably this was because she had previously disturbed them for a glass of water. The seat belt light was permanently lit ,so toilets became inaccessable, this included 1 hour on the tarmac at Antalya. The captain seemed to be the only friendly crew member aboard. (But obviously not as important s the air hostesses). The CTA hostesses need to learn manners and perhaps re train as something else, as the service industry obviously does not suit.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Wendy Dilks

9 September 2004

Travelled to Ercan with CTA Airlines on 13th August 2004. Travelled several times during past 12 months with CTA and always been satisfied. Leg room always excellent and food acceptable. Never travelled on the newest planes until this journey and was very disappointed. Leg room absolutely awful and once seat in front was reclined no room whatsoever. Could not access bag placed under seat in front because not enough room to bend (even for my 6 year old granddaughter). Have never objected to paying CTA prices because always been comfortable but think they are now getting greedy. Will try to travel to the South next time and endure a much shorter journey for a much more realistic price. We paid £299.00 per adult and almost £200.00 for a child with CTA only to be "unacceptably squashed into our seats". Charter seats warrant charter prices! If CTA can only go backwards they will have to rethink their prices. We need more planes but not at the expense of comfort.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by John High

30 August 2004

Heathrow to Ercin. New A321 Airbus, clean, departure on time, landed on time, cabin crew polite but can't speak much English - food okay. Return flight much the same - nothing to complain about. We were served two drinks - anything you want from water to beer, wine. Kept well informed once on board about the flight details. We were surprised how good every thing was after reading some of the other comments.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Karen Beale

27 August 2004

We have flown with CTA many times over the years and yes whilst I agree with a lot of the comments regarding the sullen and unhelpful staff I think on the whole things have improved. Friends of ours have just flown with Onar Air and from comments I have heard from them and others who have travelled with this new Airline over the past 2 years I think CTA are the cream of the crop.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Keith Hunter

23 August 2004

We flew with CTA from Manchester - a 3 hour delay with no reason given. We boarded to find we were on a nearly new aircraft and were treated well - meals were good - excellent legroom that is better than most other airlines. On returning from Ercan we were on an older 737-800 but just as good as the outbound flight - on time arriving home early. All in all, a great holiday flight, food and drink included.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Marie Starbuck

19 August 2004

Flew to Cyprus via Turkey on 23 July, and back to UK on 6th Aug, the seating was a bit dated but we had ample leg room and the meal was adequate if not very exciting. The free bottle of wine went down well with some of our party. All in all I would recommend this airline to any-one and would travel with them again.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Bob Buckle

18 August 2004

Flew to Northern Cyprus on 26th July from Gatwick, which should have left on the 25th. We were given no meal or explanation as to why, in the six and a half hour flight we had a carton of warm Sour Cherry and a cake twice. On the flight back to Heathrow on the 9th Aug we were given a meal which made the cake look exciting. Like a previous poster said, the cigarette smoke from the cockpit was frustrating to the smokers on board and annoying to the non smokers. I have been to NC seven times and the Cypriots really do deserve a better Airline. I can except the planes being 'older' than other airlines, but TC really need to improve the service they offer and offer some form of in flight entertainment. I for one next year will fly to the South and cross the border, there is a wide choice of airlines and the fares are much much lower.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Clare Darbyshire

14 August 2004

Flew to North Cyprus on July 24th and returned August 9th from Heathrow. Marginal delay on outward flight due to delay on incoming flight. Although airline furniture slightly shabby, leg room was better than on BA. Cabin staff were quietly efficient. Meal on board to Cyprus better than most airlines. Pilot caught up time by the time we arrived in Cyprus. Very good turn round at Imran airport. En route home flight only 10 minutes late. Arrived very close to time at Heathrow. Cabin crew on return were livelier. Food perfectly acceptable.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Maureen Killian

11 August 2004

Travelled with Cyprus Turkish on 24 July to Northern Cyprus via Dalaman from Manchester. We were initially informed of a 14 hour delay two days before we travelled due to "technical problems". However when we arrived we were then delayed a further 5 and a half hours. No explanations. Boarded at 5.00 am and then sat on plane for a further two hours before leaving! Drinks are supposed to be free but stewardesses just hid behind curtain all of the flight! No in flight entertainment of any sort. Coming back my friend actually caught one of the stewardesses smoking in the toilet - she just laughed and said "oops!" My son's seat was broken and wouldn't recline. Airplane was very shabby. Would not travel with this airline again.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Julie Parr

9 August 2004

Cyprus Turkish airways to North Cyprus via Dalaman. 20 hour delay on departure, no services open at terminal 1 Manchester airport after 2am, had to make do with vending machines. Complete lack of communication, still don't know why we were delayed. Aircraft going out appeared to be a new aircraft, staff were courteous and professional, food as edible as any budget airline, but no entertainment. 1.5 hour delay on return, aircraft old, shabby and very dirty, bits 'missing' from the old worn seats, which were broken and wouldn't go into the upright position, surely a safety hazard. North Cyprus was beautiful but I would never travel with this airline again.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Ernest Goodbody

20 July 2004

I have just traveled with Cyprus Turkish Airlines on a 737-800 clean and efficient aircraft wonderful staff and good food. The delays were not caused by the company but by the ground staff at Heathrow. After being stacked for 25 minutes and being given a stand at terminal 3 we were imprisoned on the aircraft for an hour waiting for Swissport to supply steps to get off. When technical reasons are blamed remember that the airline is in the hands of the airport it is very rarely their fault.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Peter Bark

9 July 2004

Competition has arrived, never again do we need to suffer CTA. Fly to the south with Cyprus Airlines, much cheaper, more comfortable and a quality experience. Get a taxi to anywhere in the north, just ensure that the driver is insured for this. Typical fare from Nicosia to Lapta, about 90 minutes journey, £20 sterling.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Malcolm Jarvis

9 July 2004

Our first indication of the problems to come was when we were told, the day before our flight from Manchester, that it was delayed from 11:30hrs to 18:00hrs due to ‘Technical Reasons’. In the event it actually took off at 19:30hrs. The aircraft, a 737 – 800, had seen better days with the carpets and upholstery stained and shabby. My seat would not lock in the upright position, but what the heck we were airborne. The cabin staff served the food as soon as possible after take off. It was without doubt he worst airline meal I had ever had - that was until the ‘snack’ served on the Dalaman/Ercan leg. That consisted of a packet of dry crackers, an orange flavoured cake and a carton of fruit juice, which was literally thrown at passengers by the cabin staff. After serving the meal the crew vanished behind the galley curtain with no further service. These are relatively long flights of six and a half hours but there was absolutely no form of in- flight entertainment, not even background music. The use of CD players is banned and the staff are hardly entertaining! The return flight left me very nervous as security at Ercan is ludicrously lacking. There is a great show of screening passenger’s baggage before check in but as there is only one x-ray machine we queued for 15 minutes before even entering the terminal. Having checked our bags they were then given back to us to do with as we wished before checking them in. As I walked through the metal detector arch I set the alarm off but pointed to the bulge in my trouser pocket and said ’Phone’. The security man just waved me through. I set a further alarm off when going airside and no one even challenged me on that occasion. Throughout the flight the flight deck door was open to the front galley area, which is next to the toilet. Having said that after serving a meal, which seemed to consist of recycled rubber, all of the cabin crew were hiding in this area - presumably to prevent an attack on the flight deck! Has the news of 911 spread to this airline yet? In an industry where the boundaries between Charter and Scheduled flights are increasingly blurred this is one operator that knows exactly where it stands – behind the curtain in the galley ignoring the needs of the customer.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Nick Biskinis

28 June 2004

Peter Gibbs makes an interesting point when he asks how CTA would cope with competition. In fact the situation is bound up with whether or not Cyprus re-unifies under a new UN plan in the future. There has been talk of legalising flights to ERCAN airport in Northern Cyprus (at present such flights will only announce Istanbul or Izmir as final destinations to get round this), but without clarification as to the political situation change is unlikely to happen. If reunification does occur then Northern Cyprus is opened up to free competition from all EU airlines, including (Greek- Cypriot) Cyprus Airways and Helios Airways. From an aviation perspective, it is an interesting anomaly.