Turkish Airlines

Istanbul to Cairo. Check in and lounge at Ataturk Airport is very good. Boarding though never seems to be straightforward at this airport. Waited about 15 minutes in a crowded bus waiting to go out to the aircraft. Ground crew are unfriendly and unhelpful. The catering seems to have been downgraded on flights to Egypt from Turkey to cold meals that resemble Turkish Airlines domestic meals. Thankfully I ate in the lounge before the flight. For the price of the ticket, the catering needs to return to what was offered previously. Flight attendants non-existent for most of the journey.

Flew Istanbul to Almaty with Turkish Airlines. Check in process was easy, lounge very crowded with a long wait for food. Boarding process long with wait in a crowded bus to go to the aircraft. Onboard experience was good. Catering was good and inflight entertainment ok, but very slow to respond - sometimes needing to ask to reset the system. Crew didn't seem to be happy to working this shift.

Flew Turkish Airlines from Almaty to Istanbul Ataturk. Check in and boarding process at Almaty Airport was fine. There is no CIP lounge at Almaty for Turkish Airlines passengers, just a very small communal departure area. Catering was OK, although not a very large meal for breakfast. Inflight entertainment was fine. Cabin service OK - crew seemed to disappear after serving meal. Had free seats next to me so was perfect to spread out.

Edinburgh to Dalaman via Istanbul Business Class - a paid upgrade to Business Class. Nice lounge Edinburgh Airport. Proper Business Class seats on a 737-800, very comfortable. Handed a menu which they swiftly took away, they didn't have enough Business Class meals loaded so I got an Economy meal. One bathroom at front of Business but occupied so I used the rear one in Economy, only noticed there was no toilet roll. 4 Crew sat in rear talking. An 8 Hour layover in Istanbul, no lounge or accommodation provided. Dalaman to Edinburgh via Istanbul in Economy. Do not sit in Row 10 of Airbus they use A320? Elderly gentleman could not get his legs in, sat sideways, rude crew when he asked for help. Boeing 737-800 to Edinburgh comfortable in row 11. Handed a menu. At meal time no choice, they ran out from row 5 to 11. Meal, tea and coffee.. service over. Great seat back tvs. Case at Airport had been damaged and torn. Still better than BA for short haul seat back TV and music, crew indifferent.

Turkish Airlines had the most competitive rate for the route I traveled. I travel to play golf and they will carry your clubs at no extra fee, unlike other airlines which will charge hundreds of dollars/euros more. Advance registration was simple and effective. Flight attendants are friendly and helpful. They do not speak a whole lot of english but enough to get you to and from your travel points. The food was very good. Alcohol is included but they do not give it out very generously. The entertainment system is first rate and includes more than enough variety to satisfy any traveler. I travel to Europe a couple times each year and they have the cheapest rate from my departure city into any city in Europe. I am very satisfied with this airline.

Turkish Airlines prices are competitive and seats are good. Arriving on Zurich airport I went to pick up my boarding passes, since a digital version appears not to be one of the options. They could only hand over the first leg to Istanbul as they had computer problems. "Doesn't matter, you are flying Business" was their response. Arriving in Istanbul I visited the transfer desk. Rarely does one see people who put so little effort into their job, truly amazing. On other business class flights I made had staff try make you feel comfortable and welcome but not on Turkish. The worst thing is that chances are you'll pass through Istanbul airport. Absence of priority boarding, many busses and an airport probably the perfect size for 25% of the travellers it actually welcomes on a daily basis.

Non-stop flight from San Francisco to Istanbul, return. We flew their Business class and the cabin was very spacious and well laid out. The service was respectful yet also friendly. (Our steward on the flight from SFO to Istanbul remembered us on the return and brought us exactly the cocktails we ordered on the first flight, after asking us if we wanted our preferred cocktail again). Seat very comfortable, lay flat a bit narrow but a great sleep. Food on board was also of great variety and quality. The business class lounge in Istanbul is without equal. Electric candles on the table at dinner used to great effect.

Bangkok to Gatwick via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Used the EVA Air lounge in Bangkok which is of a very high standard, good choice of food and drinks. The flight was good, full flat bed, plenty of room, good food and chef on board, staff a bit slow bringing bread and drinks. Used the very busy lounge at Istanbul, poor selection of food at breakfast, quite good at other times when I have used it. I was angry that customer relations are so bad with Turkish Airlines - I had a 16hour layover and should have been put up in a hotel. They could not get me on earlier flights as they were full, but they would not get hotel for me so I booked my own at my own expense and had to purchase electronic visas for my son and myself. The flight from Istanbul to London was okay, just daytime seats and mine did not recline. Overall for the price paid, the flights were good value. I would travel with them again in spite of the hotel problem.

Flying out of Tel Aviv we had a new A320 with personal tv in each seat. Same on the longer Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Dusseldorf. Return flight from Dusseldorf same style of airplane looked a little older flight, from Istanbul to Tel Aviv a very old airplane. No more or less comfortable then any other short flight I have experienced. Food was good I will give them that. Boarding procedure could be better, and if as myself you have a gold card from Star Alliance, you would expect a preferential service even if my gold status was not issued to me by Turkish. Boarding priority was totaly not the case. The Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul airport is the best I have ever used, but lounge in Tel Aviv and Dusseldorf airport were bad. Istanbul airport is poorly organised.

We flew Turkish Airlines from Manchester to Istanbul then onto Bangkok (return). All flights on time and check-in procedures quick and efficient. Onboard the service was very good and seats comfortable. IFE was a bit limited, but enough to keep us amused. Staff were very pleasant, smiling, courteous and polite. Beds made up by the crew on request. Drinks service was good, and food, though not 'on-demand', was absolutely delicious. A good choice of wines to accompany the courses. I enjoyed the meals I chose and had no problem obtaining my first choices on any of the flights. Lounge at Manchester was pretty poor, but IST was excellent and BKK was very good.