Turkish Airlines

Ercan to Manchester via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. From Ercan to Istanbul the aircraft had obviously had a hard life; bits of trim had broken off the seats and had not been replaced and the seat controls only partially worked. Plane departed on time and meal served immediately as only a short flight time. Meal was okay and flight was fine, but on landing at Istanbul we did a full circuit of the airport as if the pilot was looking for an empty parking space. Eventually parked at the very edge of the airport and bussed to the terminal. On departure from Istanbul to Manchester, overcrowding at the departure gate and boarding chaotic. Plane eventually left stand 20 minutes late and then joined a queue of aircraft waiting to take off. The plane was in better condition than the previous one but, again, the seat controls did not function correctly - that's four different planes, same seat number on each plane and faulty controls. The cabin crew seemed to be falling over each other as there were so many of them and the chef is surely a gimmick, all he does is peel back the covers from the meals. Flight was a little bumpy but the worst part was that the crew did not curtain off the galley area so bright lights shining into passengers faces the whole flight and why did the crew need to slam shut, at least twice, every locker door in the galley even when they had no need to use the lockers? Very disappointing performance from Turkish Airlines.

Flew Turkish Airlines from Manchester on A330 to Istanbul, the plane was a bit grubby with seat fabric stained. Seat legrest would not remain in raised position and lumbar support would not work correctly either. Flight departed on time at 11.15 and a meal was served almost immediately. It was very well presented and although quite simple was very tasty. What is the point of the chef? Cabins lights were dimmed and blinds closed immediately afterwards. No sign of cabin crew after that point. From Istanbul we flew to Ercan on a brand new A320, very nice except that the seat controls again did work properly, and because it was so new it needed both hands to extract the tray table from its location in the armrest. The meal again was well presented and quite acceptable. No chef on this flight and his absence was not really noticed. Boarding on both flights was a bit chaotic with a free for all at Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines is really a joke. I have tried for 4 days to get information about travelling with sports equipment. The hotline is not responding, the support at the Zurich Airport is not responding and the supposed Facebook support is not helping. You always get the same links to the site where any information can be found or the hotline which I have already contacted. Either they do not read questions or understand absolutely no English. My flights are now a 100€ more expensive and I still get no assistance about sports equipment. They simply do not answer me anymore. The worst support I've ever had.

Horrible service, will never fly Turkish Airlines again. I took a flight from Lyon to Taipei with a connecting flight in Istanbul. I was informed at check-in that my flight had been delayed 4 hours, upon further check at the airline's desk, I was informed that I had a choice to stay in Istanbul for 24 hours as there were no connecting flight due to the delay. The airline would provide lodging, transport to the hotel, and I only needed to apply for an evisa online. Up to this point the service had been slow but fine. This attitude had a 360 degree turn in Istanbul. As soon as I landed in Istanbul, a few passengers who would be staying at the provided hotel, myself included, tried to look for a way out of the airport and onto the shuttle bus. We were met with inefficient and unreasonable staff, my politeness was returned with unbelievably rude attitudes. We turned from counter to counter, with the staff giving us unhelpful directions. A counter lady near passport control informed another passenger that she needed a visa to get out of passport control. Frustrated of running at 3 in the morning with minimal sleep, I told her that I had a visa in which she continually urged that I needed a visa and finally, questioned my words when she asked with condescending demeanor whether I had the right visa. I took my visa through passport control where my documents and passport were thrown on the counter without response that I could leave. Still, I was lucky as I found out the next day, a few of the passengers had to stay at the airport (for more than 16 hours) because they had not been informed to apply for a visa in Lyon and after running around the airport once again trying to apply for a visa, was met with unhelpful staff and contradictory directions. Sadly, this was not the end of my nightmare. The insulting attitudes of the staff I had to bear when I asked for a certificate of delay at the airport before my flight was appalling. Again, I was turned from counter to counter (the staff seems not to have the ability to direct one to the right counter at first request) At my last stop I requested the certificate and explained my delay. Shockingly, the staff with scorn and disdain replied that my flight was not delayed, why or how did I believe it to be delayed? If it hadn't been delayed I would have been on my flight that second, not running madly around the airport struggling with airline staffsthat seems to despise and absurdly question the intellect of their customers. The breaking point came when he asked me why my flight had been delayed. No, the staff did not have the courtesy to tell me why my flight was delayed but had the audacity to put that question upon me. I have been very disappointed with Turkish Airlines on this horrendous trip. Through my encounters with the airline staff I felt insulted and laughed at. I question the credibility of an airline without efficiency, quality, and professionalism, to call itself one of the top airlines in the world.

I flew London to Ankara via Istanbul, and it is difficult to put into words how bad Turkish Airlines is. Their customer service desk at Istanbul seems designed to annoy as many people as possible in as shortest time as possible. We missed the connection because the first flight was delayed, and then I spent three hours in a line waiting to get a new flight. Despite having a business class ticket, I was turned away from the Business lounge and had to wait in the main terminal. The attitude of every Turkish Airlines staff member I spoke to was appalling.

Delhi to Barcelona via Istanbul, return. Three flights on the A330 and IST-BCN on A321. Seat pitch was adequate, the in flight movies had a few latest blockbusters. Food adequate, well presented although the cabin crew seemed a bit offhand. On time performance on all four flights.

Istanbul to Zurich on A330 in Business class. Istanbul airport chaotic, no pre-boarding announcement for business class. Onboard, one crew member dressed in chef’s uniform, omelet, unfortunately usual airline egg slop. Business cabin very nice and spacious. Large video monitor with good choice. The seats were not pods but were comfortable. Free and fast wifi throughout flight. Service very good and the breakfast was good for an airline. The business class lounge, while very busy, offered a varied and good offering of food and drink.

I flew Turkish Airlines from Nice to Moscow via Istanbul. The plane was delayed for an hour because of this I was late for the next connecting flight to Moscow. I had to wait for the next 6 hours in Istanbul Airport which is horrible. Attitude of airport staff and airline staff was poor, spent several hours looking for where to exchange the ticket and take the ticket for food, resulting in flying the next day. Flight arrived late at night at the airport could not find my luggage. My luggage was lost, a week later was found.

Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to London Heathrow, and a new plane or very well maintained, clean and nice. Even as a short flight, the food was great, IFE system with new and great selection. The flight was delayed with 1hr, which is weakness of Turkish Airlines as its home base airport (Istanbul Ataturk) is a total mess. Overall good flight, would recommend Turkish Airlines on short flights, rather than long haul.

I have never been treated so badly by customer service, once in Pisa and again in Istanbul. The agents did not inform me all the conditions related to my ticket and were laughing at my situation. They did not complete the transaction in time and I missed their deadline to check in, requiring me to purchase another full fare ticket. This happened twice. If something happens, Turkish Airlines make it as difficult as possible to help you and it appears they are only trying to mess you up. When traveling abroad, excellent customer service is a very important aspect of a company for a traveler.