Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smithington]

I'm looking at flights to North American in August. The best deals seem to be with Turkish Airlines. They fly to Istanbul then you transfer to your North America flight. Has anyone done this route? What's your opinion of the airline? Will I arrive alive?

Thanks in advance.

Smith

[wishfullthinkng]

i've taken them. my layover was in istanbul en route to estonia and it was a fine airline with fine service.

[Beeyee]

Good airline, especially in business class.

[Lazio]

Nothing fancy but decent airline. Food was good as far as plane food goes.
Both of our luggage got lost on the way and it took 3 days until we finally got them but it’s on the ground handling staff at Istanbul I suppose.

Apparently, starting from today they no longer fly between Incheon and Istanbul with their A343s (some of them are 20 years old) but a much younger fleet of A330s and 777s. Although the former ones were completely reconditioned with newish interior, seats and personal screens on economy.

However I only went to Europe. Flying 9 hours to Istanbul and another 10+ hours from there to North America thus jumping 14-15 time zones sounds terrible.

[waynehead]

I flew them direct to Istanbul a few years back. As others have said, a decent enough airline, I don't recall any problems, but then I don't recall anything spectacularly good, either.

One thing I remember from that trip, tho, was the smoking lounge in the Istanbul airport. Anyone ever been in there? It's the size of a broom closet and lit like a coffin, I felt like I was in some sort of peripheral circle of hell. Never have I realized I needed to quit smoking more. Course, it hasn't taken yet ...

[Deja]

I did not fly BA cross continent, but I did fly most other European airlines. I find TA to be better than Lufthansa, if that means anything to you, which I think is the second best of the EU ones.
But have enough time between flights! They will NOT wait for you, even though Ataturk is their airport.

Nothing bad, nothing exceptional either. Well, you do get an OK (in-flight) meal compared to what I saw cross continent any time. And you do get slippers, eye mask and ear plugs.

If you want a smoking place, go with Aeroflot. There is a 10sq.ft. space designated for smoking at the airport - and you smoke anywhere EXCEPT in those 10 ft. Literally - the entire bloody airport is a smoke room.

[bucheon bum]

I flew them R/T from DC to Istanbul. I had a row to myself both ways (trip was in October). Some of the best airline food I've had. Friendly service. Beer options suck though (just Efes, the Budweiser of Turkey).

Clean planes, decent in-flight entertainment system.

It was voted best European Airline 1-2 years ago I believe. I'd take it any day over any North American carrier.

Attaturk airport is ok. Big, reasonably clean, functional.

They're also a member of the Star Alliance, so if you are a United, Asiana, or Singapore airlines frequent flyer member, you can get miles too.