As a travel blogger, I’m always looking for the best airlines to fly with.
I’ve heard a lot about Turkish Airlines, so I decided to review the airline to determine if it’s a good or bad airline.
Overview of Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Turkey and is based in Istanbul.
It is the largest airline in the world by a number of destinations, with over 315 destinations in 124 countries.
The airline has a fleet of over 300 aircraft, including the Airbus A321, A330, A340, A350, and Boeing 737, 747, and 787.
Pros of Flying Turkish Airlines
Excellent Onboard Service
Flying Turkish Airlines is an absolute pleasure. The onboard service is second to none.
From the moment you step onto the plane, you are welcomed with a friendly smile and a warm greeting.
The crew are attentive and helpful throughout the flight, offering a variety of complimentary snacks and drinks. The food is delicious and the drinks are plentiful.
I was particularly impressed with the selection of Turkish specialties, such as traditional Turkish coffee.
Modern and Comfortable Aircraft
The aircraft used by Turkish Airlines are modern and comfortable.
The seats are spacious and the legroom is generous. The cabin is well-maintained and the air-conditioning is effective.
The in-flight entertainment system is comprehensive and varied, with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games.
The staff are also happy to provide blankets and pillows for extra comfort.
Frequent Flights
Turkish Airlines offers frequent flights to a variety of destinations around the world.
With over 300 destinations in more than 120 countries, you’ll be sure to find a flight that suits your needs.
The airline also offers a range of flexible ticketing options, including one-way, round-trip, and multi-city tickets.
Competitive Prices
Turkish Airlines offers competitive prices for its flights.
The airline also offers a range of discounts and promotions, including discounts for students, senior citizens, and families.
The airline also offers a range of loyalty programs and rewards, which can help you save even more money on your flights.
Excellent Loyalty Program
Turkish Airlines offers an excellent loyalty program, which rewards frequent flyers with points that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
The program also offers a range of additional benefits, such as priority boarding, priority check-in, and access to exclusive lounges.
Cons of Flying Turkish Airlines
Food Options
The food options on Turkish Airlines are a little bit limited. The snacks are nice, but you don’t get a decent sized portion in terms of a meal.
FAQs
What is the cost of tickets on Turkish Airlines?
The cost of tickets on Turkish Airlines varies depending on the destination, time of year, and the type of ticket purchased.
Prices for economy class tickets typically range from $200 to $1000, while business class tickets range from $1000 to $3000.
What are the fees for checked baggage on Turkish Airlines?
Turkish Airlines charges a fee for checked baggage depending on the route and class of ticket purchased.
Economy class passengers are allowed one free piece of checked baggage up to 23kg, while business class passengers are allowed two free pieces of checked baggage up to 32kg each.
Additional pieces of checked baggage will incur a fee of $50 per piece.
Does Turkish Airlines have a loyalty program?
Yes, Turkish Airlines has a loyalty program called Miles&Smiles.
Members of the program can earn miles for every flight they take with Turkish Airlines, which can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
What is the airline’s baggage allowance?
Turkish Airlines allows passengers to bring one piece of carry-on baggage up to 8kg and one personal item such as a laptop or handbag.
Economy class passengers are allowed one free piece of checked baggage up to 23kg, while business class passengers are allowed two free pieces of checked baggage up to 32kg each.
Additional pieces of checked baggage will incur a fee of $50 per piece.
Does Turkish Airlines offer any promotions or discounts for booking flights?
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers a variety of promotions and discounts for booking flights.
For example, they offer discounts for students, seniors, and military personnel.
They also offer promotional codes for discounts on certain flights and routes.
Additionally, they offer special fares for travelers who book their flights in advance.
What is Turkish Airlines’ policy for changing or canceling flights?
Turkish Airlines’ policy for changing or canceling flights depends on the fare type purchased.
For most fares, travelers can change or cancel their flights without penalty up to 24 hours before departure.
However, for some discounted fares, travelers may be subject to a fee for changes or cancellations.
Additionally, travelers may be able to receive a refund if their flight is canceled by the airline.
How comfortable are the seats on Turkish Airlines’ planes?
The seats on Turkish Airlines’ planes are generally quite comfortable.
The airline offers a variety of seating options including economy, premium economy, business, and first class.
The seats in economy class are typically well-padded and have adjustable headrests.
The seats in the higher classes offer more space and additional amenities such as power outlets and adjustable footrests.
Does Turkish Airlines have in-flight entertainment options?
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers a variety of in-flight entertainment options for its passengers.
The airline offers a selection of movies, TV shows, and music for passengers to enjoy during their flights.
Additionally, the airline offers a selection of magazines and newspapers for passengers to read.
Some flights also offer Wi-Fi access for passengers to stay connected during their flight.
Does Turkish Airlines serve meals on its flights?
Yes, Turkish Airlines serves meals on its flights.
Depending on the flight, passengers can enjoy a variety of options including hot meals, cold snacks, and beverages.
Passengers can also pre-order special meals if they have dietary restrictions or preferences.
Does Turkish Airlines offer WiFi on its flights?
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers WiFi on its flights.
Passengers can purchase WiFi access for their flight, allowing them to stay connected and surf the web during their journey.
Does Turkish Airlines allow advance seat assignments?
Yes, Turkish Airlines allows passengers to assign their seats in advance.
Passengers can select their seats through the airline’s website or mobile app.
Does Turkish Airlines allow pets on its flights?
Yes, Turkish Airlines allows passengers to travel with their pets.
Passengers must contact the airline in advance to arrange for pet travel and must follow the airline’s pet policies.
How friendly and helpful is the airline’s staff?
Turkish Airlines staff are consistently praised for their friendly and helpful attitude.
The airline has received numerous awards for its excellent customer service, such as the Skytrax World Airline Award for Best Airline in Europe in 2019, and the Skytrax World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff Service in Europe in 2019.
The airline’s cabin crew have also been recognized for their professionalism, friendliness, and helpfulness.
Does the airline offer any special services for travelers with disabilities?
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers special services for travelers with disabilities.
The airline offers assistance for passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair assistance, assistance with boarding, and assistance with luggage.
The airline also offers special meals for passengers with dietary restrictions, as well as assistance with medical needs.
How easy is it to book a flight with this airline?
Booking a flight with Turkish Airlines is easy and convenient.
The airline offers a variety of booking options, including online, over the phone, and through a travel agent.
The airline’s website is easy to navigate and provides detailed information about flights and fares.
Additionally, the airline offers a variety of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.
What is the airline’s on-time performance record?
Turkish Airlines has an excellent on-time performance record.
According to FlightStats, the airline had an on-time performance rating of 88.3% in 2020, which is higher than the global average of 83.6%.
Additionally, the airline had a cancellation rate of only 0.7%, which is lower than the global average of 1.4%.
Does Turkish Airlines have a good safety record?
Yes, Turkish Airlines has an excellent safety record.
According to the Aviation Safety Network, Turkish Airlines has had no fatal accidents since its establishment in 1933.
The airline is also ranked 6th out of the top 20 safest airlines in the world, according to AirlineRatings.com.
Turkish Airlines is also certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is a global industry organization that sets safety standards for airlines.
What is the airline’s policy for lost or damaged luggage?
Turkish Airlines has a comprehensive policy for lost or damaged luggage.
The airline will reimburse passengers for any lost or damaged items up to a maximum of 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per passenger.
The airline also provides a tracking service for passengers to locate their lost luggage.
If the luggage is not located within 21 days, the airline will provide a replacement or a refund for the lost items.
How extensive is the airline’s route network?
Turkish Airlines has an extensive route network, with flights to over 300 destinations in more than 120 countries.
The airline operates flights to major cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as to smaller destinations in Central and South America.
The airline also operates flights to major airports in the United States, including New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Does the airline have any partnerships with other airlines or hotel chains?
Yes, Turkish Airlines has several partnerships with other airlines and hotel chains.
The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, which is one of the world’s largest airline alliances.
Through the alliance, passengers can earn and redeem miles on flights operated by other member airlines.
Turkish Airlines also has partnerships with several hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, and AccorHotels, which allow passengers to earn and redeem points on hotel stays.
Final Thoughts
My experience of flying with Turkish Airlines was great.
An alternative airline to consider is Emirates, as both airlines are based in the Middle East.
Here’s a video review.
The staff were friendly and helpful, the aircraft were modern and comfortable, and the onboard amenities were excellent.
The in-flight entertainment system was great, with plenty of options to keep me entertained throughout the flight.
The food was also delicious and the overall quality of service was top-notch.
I would definitely recommend Turkish Airlines to anyone looking for a high-quality airline experience.