Turkish Airlines

Flew from Odessa (Ukraine) to Istanbul followed by Istanbul-Shanghai jump. Flight departure from Odessa was delayed 1.5 hour without any PA announcement in that airport without any explanation or apologizes let alone there were no snacks or soft drinks offered. Need to underline that weather was simply nice clear sky and no wind. Finally making us connecting passengers running across Istanbul Ataturk Airport like Olympic champions. (Did not help our luggage however. All of us fellows from the same flight arrived to Shanghai "light weighted"). On entering boarding gate to Shanghai discovered my seat was changed but not in my favor (they put me in 38G of instead of my checked-in 14G). Again without explanation/apologizes. Was actually my first negative experience with TK given total amount of about 50 long-leg flights with them. Cabin crew meal entertainment - all was as usual. Up to the mark.

We flew LGW-IST-CMB on 16/4 and being a frequent flyer and Star Alliance Gold member I can easily say that this was the worst flying experience of my life. I have never met so rude uninterested and unhelpful staff on any other airline before. To start with I was denied access to a lounge at LGW. I am aware that Star Alliance do not have a lounge there but all other airlines I have used before have given me access to contracted lounges. TK did not. First flight as relatively OK on their new B737 but seats were very uncomfortable. Then we arrived in IST and the problems started. When I went to the lounge and connected my phone to the wifi I found an email from them saying "your flight to {1} is delayed please contact {2}". I went to the lounge reception and showed them the email and they told me it's nothing to worry about. When I looked on their website though I saw that the IST-CMB flight was delayed by 5 hours. From then it took us about 3 hours in order to sort out a hotel. When the flight departed the next morning there was no mention at all by anyone as to why the flight was delayed or a single apology. 10 hours on that plane and nothing. The crew were the most unprofessional and rude cabin crew. Not interested in passenger satisfaction and not interested in safety. Their English was very poor. Overall this was a very bad experience which lasted nearly 32 hours. I will never fly with them again.

First time travelling with Turkish Airlines I was very disappointed all 4 flights were late with the Doha to Istanbul being so late I missed the UK connection to Heathrow waited 7 hours for next flight no explanation was given as to why all 4 flights were delayed no apology or refreshments given. Istanbul airport is not a good place to wait for 7 hours no free wi fi toilets were dirty. Meals on the plane were good cabin crew polite and friendly.

Business class. BRU-IST-BRU. Okay Check in fast track - terrible lounge not BA anymore but SN. Planes are quite good and C cabin on short haul is very good. Food the same and boring. Crew are good and helpful. Return leg excellent check in and divine lounge in IST best in Europe to my knowledge for C class. IST boarding is even worse always a remote door even for a A330. Good lounge at Ataturk arrivals. This airport needs a new terminal!

Flew TK Istanbul (Ataturk) to Bangkok (BKK) and return. Flew Economy on the Airbus A330. Seat very narrow and little leg room for a flight of nearly 10 hours. Turkish Airlines should upgrade the aircraft used on this sector to allow more comfort to Economy passengers.

Flew to London Heathrow from Hurghada via Istanbul. Everything started off fine. Punctual and a comfortable business class seat on what appeared to be a brand new 737-800. The problems then began with the plane landing in the "wrong" Istanbul airport. One very brief announcement from the Captain about weather and that is where the information stopped. No one on board was able to give us any information about missed connecting flights whilst we waited on the tarmac. Plane was full of connecting passengers. Plane then takes off to the correct airport. On arrival there was nobody from Turkish Airlines to process or inform customers of what to do. Eventually we found the transfer desk which had a minimum of 250 people descending on only 4 very harassed and extremely impolite ticket agents. When I finally got to the front the ticket desk agent simply stood up and walked away announcing that it was the end of his shift. Got a new pass for a plane leaving 5 hours later. Still no apology. Just thrown at me as if I should be grateful. Found the business class lounge that was also stuffed to the gunnels at the entry reception and barely a seat available in the place. Summoned to the new gate at far end of the airport. It was a full Airbus 330-300. There was a double security check leading to a seated area that was the size for a small commuter jet flight. 280 or so Passengers were rammed into each other waiting for the coach. There was no Business class fast track. On board staff were the most unfriendly bunch and seemed to have a collapse in their understanding of basic English. One seemed to really struggle with the concept of "Could I have my lunch a bit later?" Suffice to say my meal was served with no menu. I was then told that it was either Chicken or Pasta. They forgot to offer me the dessert and I had to chase them for it and was told "We will see if we have anything left." Even on disembarkation at the plane of the door they pointedly refused to say goodbye. The main hub is a complete mess and deeply unpleasant experience and the staff on board are feckless and rude. I would put this Business class experience down as the worst premium flight of my life. I fly on average 100 times per year nearly always in premium cabins. so that is saying something. Only saving grace were the seats themselves. Which have to be said on both flights were comfortable.

A last minute meeting required a trip to Istanbul from Athens. The ATH-IST leg was flown on Aegean Airlines. On time morning departure from Athens clean A320 polite and professional cabin crew and plentiful breakfast. Arrival in Istanbul was the usual disorganised and rude chaos. The return flight back to ATH was with Turkish Airlines as Aegean was full. Big mistake. Delayed departure aircraft interior was dirty cabin crew were unfriendly the total opposite to Aegean food was the only positive. Shall not be recommending Turkish Airlines.

I flew LGW-IST-DAC and was rather surprised by the quality of Turkish Airlines. On my first flight I flew on a Boeing 737-800. Staff were polite and food was pretty good very happy that it was halal. Istanbul to Dhaka I flew on an Airbus A330-200 . Plane was clean standards were acceptable. They gave us all sorts of things like toothbrushes blindfolds and slippers etc for maximum comfort and gave the kids a Rubiks Cube and a blow up Turkish Airlines plane. Flight attendants were friendly some weren't. Entertainment was good a wide range of movies and music. Seats were comfortable with recline. There was a lot of legroom on the second flight. I look forward to flying on Turkish Airlines on my return trip.

Flew Economy Class from Athens to Istanbul with a Brand new Boeing 777-300. Seat was very comfortable Cabin Crew also very friendly but ignored me when I pressed the button to call them. Food was very good for Short-Haul flights. The InFlight Entertainment was very organized and I had a huge selection of Movies and Music. Although the screen once in a while would turn off and wouldn't turn back on. There was no turbulence during the flight. I would fly Turkish Airlines again.

I flew Beirut - Istanbul ground check in was ok but a little bit crowded. Food was probably the best food you can eat in an airplane. Staff were friendly but not too friendly the seats were comfortable and entertainment was nice although I would recommend less out-dated music. I found a piece of chewed chewing gum stuck on the seat in front of me which proves no professional cleaning was done. Second staff barely speak English or any other language other than Turkish but they remain friendly although it wouldn't hurt to smile more would it? Last but not least Istanbul airport is a no-go it's dirty extremely crowded and has no free wifi!