CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 26 May 2009 : by M Gill

Customer Rating : 3/5

Travelled to Ercan via Izmir - not bad flight and only on ground at Izmir for 35 mins approx. Return check in excellent - we then went to Atalaya where we sat on the tarmac for a very long time. Firstly we were told to identify our hand baggage, then after a further wait we had to show our passports/boarding cards - again very little information as to why! The plane finally took off but by the time cabin crew served meal/drinks we had been on that plane for over 3 hours - during that time we were not offered any refreshments whatsoever. The plane was new, crew friendly enough but they just don't seem to want to answer any questions re delays etc.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 11 May 2009 : by Calvin Beckford

Customer Rating : 4/5

First flew from Heathrow with Cyrprus Turkish in September 2008, flights on time. Only sat on the ground in Turkey for 30 minutes both ways. Staff were fine, but frankly it's just a few hours both ways and we go prepared for the worst. I chatted to the staff and found them to be friendly enough. This route to Northern Cyprus via Turkey is the most convenient of the other ways I've tried so I am glad the service operates.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 5 March 2009 : by K Wells

Customer Rating : 1/5

Our flight from Stansted to Ercan was initially due to take off at 13.30. 24 hours before we were notified it had been delayed to 23.30. On arrival at Stansted the flight was now delayed a further hour. The food during the flight was of poor quality, as was the service. On our return flight we took off on time, but we were delayed when we touched down at Gaziantep, Turkey. We were told to get off the plane without any explanation and told to wait in an airport lounge. We then realised that all the luggage on the plane had been taken off and left on the runway, again no explanation. After another hours wait we boarded the aircraft for our flight home. We shall never fly with CTA again.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 27 February 2009 : by Reg Bryan

Customer Rating : 4/5

Getting much better. Staff seemed kind, and new aircraft was comfortable. Food was very good compared to many other airliners, and the service was what I wanted. A little more effort and it could become a 3 star!

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 9 February 2009 : by G Misioch

Customer Rating : 3/5

Ercan to Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. Staff are generally friendly and the service is ok. Check-in at Ercan is always a bit chaotic. The food on board is standard, seating likewise. All in all a mid-range airline with a service on par with the standard in the Eastern Mediterranean region

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 8 January 2009 : by Bob French

Customer Rating : 4/5

CTA from Ercan to London Heathrow via Izmir in December and return. Flights on time, cabin crew polite and meal from Izmir to Heathrow was as good as any inflight food I have had.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 4 October 2008 : by Pauline Robson

Customer Rating : 1/5

Cyprus Turkish Airlines to Dalaman in September. We would not recommend this airline. Our outward flight was delayed for half an hour whilst the aircrew tried to shuffle 20 passengers from the front to the back of the plane to balance the load. We also experienced double booking of our seats which were cramped and uncomfortable. Our return flight from Dalaman was a nightmare. This flight starts in Northern Cyprus, lands in Dalaman to take on passengers. The passengers getting on the flight at Dalaman are not issued with seat numbers and therefore it is a free for all as far as seats are concerned.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 29 September 2008 : by C Chadwick

Customer Rating : 3/5

Birmingham to Ercan. There was an 8 hour delay at Birmingham and we did get vouchers but no apology or explanation on plane which was annoying. Boeing we flew out on was comfortable with plenty of leg room and food was ok. Only annoyance was the drinks service. Only one drink on the UK-Turkey leg and they took their time about it! Never seen so much messing about with a drinks trolley without actually serving any drinks. We came to the conclusion that they do it just to taunt you! Return leg was on an A320 which was far more cramped but on time at least! Same palaver with the drinks trolley on the way back. All in all an ok experience but wouldn’t be in a hurry to fly with them again, next time will look at using another airline and fly into the South as the wait at Dalaman on a full, cramped plane was not pleasant!

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 25 September 2008 : by C Azim

Customer Rating : 4/5

London Stansted to Ercan. The flight was on time, cabin crew could do with trying a little harder with their customer service. Food and drinks given, no IFE as usual. Flight was full, only a 40 minute stop at Dalaman as only 5 people got off and 1 on! Overall an uneventful flight, which is what we all like!

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 18 September 2008 : by Gerry Cocks

Customer Rating : 1/5

We have just returned from Ercan (Northern Cyprus) using this carrier, and I can only concur that all that has been previously reported is absolutely true. I could go on and on about their failings, but will add only one thing to their already dreadful KTHY record. My wife returned from using the toilets stating that there was a strong smell of cigarette smoke, I suggested that she must be a mistaken, as smoking is prohibited. When I visited the same toilet some 15 minutes later, one of the cabin staff exited the toilet with a plume of smoke in her trail which left me in no doubt that the crew where using this toilet (directly behind the cockpit door) as a smoking room!

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 3 July 2008 : by Alan Keen

Customer Rating : 1/5

LHR to ECN June 2008. Quite the worst run airline it has been our misfortune to travel with. The only thing that was efficient was check in, although finding the desk at Heathrow was a test in itself. Flight late, disorganised, uncomfortable with broken seats and surly cabin staff bordering on rude. In future we will fly to Larnaca with another airline

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 3 June 2008 : by J Thackery

Customer Rating : 4/5

We fly regularly with Cyprus Turkish Airlines Stansted-Ercan and have tried the alternative to Larnaca. What you gain in not sitting an hour in Turkey you lose on the road from Larnaca to the North, and on balance we prefer Ercan airport - cleaner, calmer. We have not experienced the poor service complained of by others. Yes, planes are older, but therefore have more legroom! Food is acceptable. It is a long journey door to door, but North Cyprus and its people are worth it.

CYPRUS TURKISH AIRLINES review : 30 May 2008 : by Martin Bruton

Customer Rating : 3/5

We have flown CTA several times to Ercan over the last 3 years for convenience. The last time from Stansted. Usually fly from Gatwick or Heathrow depending on the time of year. Check in is usually straightforward (we get there 3 hours before flight) although baggage weight limits including hand luggage strictly adhered to. Aircraft are tired, seats poor and very cramped. Quite why so many seats squeezed in when the planes are rarely if ever full is disappointing. Woe betide if the person in front wants to have seat reclined. Legroom poor. Crew are ok if not exactly BA standards. Do what they have to, then disappear. Not keen on passengers using toilet at front of plane. No inflight entertainment. Food poor with litlle or no choice. Flights have taken off and landed on time however. Ercan airport pleasant enough and efficient. When flying out have coffee etc before you go through security where food and drink becomes exhorbitant.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by David Oliver

14 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

London-Ercan return. We have flown on CTA before and thought we would give them another go and wish we had not. The crew do not care about the passengers at all. We had been in the air for about an hour and a half before they came round with a drink - when I asked for another drink I was told no we will be landing in an hour. My partner is a diabetic and they had nothing on board for such people. On the aircraft you have all the equipment to show movies and music but they don't use it! The cost of a flight on CTA is expensive - it is in fact a lot cheaper to fly on BA to Larnaca and go to Northern Cyprus by ground transport.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by M Gill

9 October 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Second time we have used CTA - last year not too bad, except cabin crew very miserable and very few comments from pilot. This year flight out was awful, plane could have been much cleaner and again the cabin crew very sullen, everything seems to be too much trouble for them even when dishing out drinks/food hardly a smile or an acknowledgement. Flight home was better, ie more leg room but the queue for tickets at Ercan was appalling, only two check ins open, also cabin crew were better some actually smiled. As an aside food not good, they only seem to serve chicken or pasta. Can do without the touch down in Turkey, wouldn't be so bad it you were offered a cold drinkg as it can get hot and uncomfortable sitting down in the heat. Why are the crew generally so miserable, the Turkish Cypriot people are amongst the nicest people on earth. Northern Cyprus is beautiful and long may it stay that way.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by David Randall

27 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Stansted to Antalya. Plenty of leg room. Return flight no leg room - everything seemed very cramped. 3 star rating only because of outward flight.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Sarah Bishop

27 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Stansted to Ercan via Izmir. The check-in at Stansted was ok, but our flight was delayed by 45 mins. The aircraft was clean and staff did try to smile as we boarded. The food was ok. The return flight was from Ercan via Antalya to Stansted. The staff were a little less friendly. We landed at Antalya and had to wait for about 45 mins in approx 90 degree heat. Obviously they could not put on the air conditioning but it was very uncomfortable. We were not offered any water and I would suggest anyone in the same position to bring their own on board. Our passports were also checked whilst we were waiting on the plane. Once we took off though the air con was good. Food back was ok. Plane was quite dirty going back including what seemed like loads of chewing gum in the front pocket. However legroom is excellent on these plane and the return flight was not fully booked so we could stretch out and sleep. Inflight magazine is good. Not sure if I would use airline again as I could do without the touch down in Turkey. Hope this useful to any other users in the future.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by S Rayner

25 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Flew from Manchester 24 May 2007 returning on 2 June. This airline is your worst nightmare come true. The cabin crew surly, with a couldn't care less attitude. Couldn't wait to get the meal out, cleared it away and disappeared for the duration. No extra drinks. Nothing. Then the seats - the most uncomfortable 6 hours of my life. The only saving grace with this airline is that (on this occasion) it was on time. Never again.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Brian Maze

3 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

My wife and I flew with Cyprus Turkish Airways from Stansted last year. Overall we did not find the service bad at all, but sitting on the tarmac in Turkey for 1 hour was not fun, especially when people are getting on and off and you have to move for them. We found North Cyprus a beautiful place and are returning again, but flying direct with a company called Direct Traveller.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Pauline Binesh

20 April 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Found cabin crew very rude and unhelpful. Any questions were greeted with a shrug of the shoulders and one member of the crew argued with me, due to my daughter needing another drink when she had already had one glass of juice. Not very impressed and would not recommend.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Maureen Lister

26 March 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

We have flown with CTA for a number of years and had no problems. Check in from Manchester is quick and efficient. The service on board is ok too. Free drinks - if another drink is needed they are obliging (this one is to be paid for). Vegetarian meals excellent and another snack as you depart from your stopover, plus a soft drink. Ercan airport is great, small, efficient. Yes immigration can be stern faced but you want to see the officials at Manchester! The only gripe is the uncomfortable seats at Ercan airport, you need a well padded bottom. Just a note for CTA, please release your evening flights from Manchester.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by David Pigden

5 November 2006   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Flew to North Cyprus (Ercan) from Stansted via Izmir October 06. Apart from a 1 hour delay at Stansted the flight was pretty good. Boeing 737 was well used but OK (no radio or TV) and the food was as good as I've had on a plane. Adequate leg room and good service from cabin crew. The flight back was not so good. No delays but my seat squab was excruitiatingly painful as the cushion had worn thin. The temperature also rose to an uncomfortable level and was causing complaints and distress. Food still good but service was disorganised (not a massive issue really).

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Michael Sims
27 October 2006

Stansted to Ercan. Outbound aircraft was delayed by 1hr 40mins and we were absorbed in with the departing passengers also delayed for 24hrs from the night before due to another aircraft breaking down. Boarding was met with very stern faced cabin staff who acted as if you were the enemy boarding their plane. The only smiles from them was when they chatted to each other then they disappeared as soon as they had to talk to a passenger. I think the Turkish speaking passengers faired a little better than non -speaking. As per previous comments; cabin staff disappeared for about an hour after take-off behind the magic curtain and then appeared with the drinks trolley. As new passengers with this airline we thought we would be offered a drink and perhaps a wine with the meal-wrong! They offered a drink, so many of us took a spirit and then from nowhere, produced your lunch on a tray. If you had not asked for wine as a main drink, you didn't get any with your meal, only what you had ordered. Gin and Tonic with chicken is not that nice! I have noted several other comments regarding safety practices-there aren't any! We noticed several passengers drinking heavily from their opened duty-free bottles and the cabin staff did nothing to stop them. One chap polished off almost three quarters of a bottle of whisky and was sitting by the emergency over-wing exit. Several children were allowed to run in the aisles but I think the worst part was having to stay on the plane whilst it is being refuelled. Landings were frightening both inbound and outbound with very heavy braking that caused many passengers to scream out. I would not want to fly with this airline again, especially, with cabin staff who are clearly not geared to any form of customer care or service and treat passengers with disdain and abruptness. Forget it being a different culture-it is rudeness at its best.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Paul Turner
27 October 2006

Check in was the easiest we have had for many years, the leg room was generous, and although we were dreading the food, we found it up to good standard airline fare, including free drinks and very pleasant service. The take off and arrival both ways was on time and in fact on return early.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by John Phillips
12 October 2006

We have been travelling to TRNC with CTA for the last three years at least two and three times a year. The aircraft are a bit shabby but the hospitality of the cabin crew is good . Yes they do smile and try to make you as comfortable as possible bearing in mind that the flight from Heathrow to Ercan is almost 6 hours in duration including the 1 hour stop over at Ismir or Istanbul. What a shame that we cant get direct flights to the TRNC from the UK. It would be helpful to have some inflight entertainment as the newspaper and reading material (including your own books) get a bit stale after 3 hours. The wc accommodation is also poor bearing in mind circa 180 passengers - 1 toilet at the front and 2 at the rear particularly 10 minutes after lunch is finished with aisle queues 10 and 20 deep respectively. But lastly the seats. Good leg room generally but if like me you end up sitting in a well used base cushion it is uncomfortable.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Graham Morgan
30 September 2006

My wife and I flew with Cyprus Turkish Airways from Stansted. I had read the reviews prior to flying and thought that it could not be as bad as some people made out. However, I must add that this was the worst airline that I have ever flown with. The planes were in need of a drastic overhaul and the stewardesses obviously did not enjoy their work. After serving the drinks and food they were conspicuous by their absence for the remainder of the flight. This was the same on both the outward and inward flights. This was the first time I had visited North Cyprus after visiting the south on a number of occasions. We do want to return to the north again next year but hopefully will find an alternative airline. We are also considering flying to Larnaca and having a taxi to the north. I would add that this is the very first time that I have felt a need to write a review and hope that the airline take note of the comments made by the travellers and try to improve their standard of service.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Kevin Thompson
8 September 2006

August 2006 return flights to Dalaman, no delays, comfortable as could be expected on small plane, would fly again as found none of problems mentioned. No entertainment but then neither is this provided on many charter flights, usual airline food and freed drinks. Dalaman airport excellent, no queues and very modern.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Sarah Lever
26 August 2006

Just back from another return trip Stansted/ Antalya on Cyprus Turkish Air. Things seemed fairly organised apart from a member of staff who seemed determined not to let passengers use the front toilet on the outward flight but was finally told off by another crew member. We agree about the lack of hand luggage space though this will probably change now, at least at the Stansted end. It is also not helped if you are at the front by the fact that the crew use the overheads here for their equipment. Our major problem is getting tickets with them in the first place. Apparently most passengers book in advance, but don't pay and then don't turn up. Travel companies also use this as a way to ensure they have enough seats for themselves and then if they don't need them sell them cheap near the flight date. This is no help to those of us who like to organise our holidays in advance. We will continue to use them as generally we have found the flights good and we love Turkey so much.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Stephen Collings
23 August 2006

CTA to Ercan return. Both flights on time. Food etc fine. Only grit in the oyster was the number of misbehaving children on the return leg. I don't know on what basis some parents seem to think its acceptable for their offspring to run up and down the aisle screaming and generally being obnoxious. Apart from that I would fly with CTA again no problem but would avoid day time flights in the school holidays.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines review by Jeff Alpe
12 August 2006

I found the experience positive. The food was good and you got free alcoholic drinks offered once, and water available. The crew always made announcements in Turkish first before English but the attendants spoke good English. No in-flight movies, no radio and no duty free on board ! Ercan has also improved from the last comment in that ALL announcments were in Turkish and then English. The staff at Ercan are a bit laid back especially in the check-in luggage and loading department (slow but honest) . The duty frees are many but small and all appear to sell the same stuff at the same price. The cafe is good and reasonable priced with good quality beverages and food.