Turkish Airlines

I flew Turkish Airlines IAH - Istanbul - TLV, then TLV-Istanbul, then Istanbul- NY (forget which airport). All of my flights were great. Friendly, helpful flight attendants, GREAT food (much better than UA, AA, Delta, etc.). Everything announced first in English. Well organized boarding, clean bathrooms, etc. etc. I was highly impressed. Only down was I thought I was going to get UA miles for my flights, but the fare that I flew (I found out later) would not give me UA miles. Oh well. Highly recommend Turkish Airlines. (And FYI: It was cheaper by about $400, July 2014, to fly US - Istanbul- Tel Aviv then back to US through Istanbul, than to just fly US - Istanbul roundtrip. Go figure! I added on the Israel portion of my planned trip to Turkey when I discovered that detail!)

To add to the kudos above . . we flew them on the FRA - IST leg of our trip to Turkey. On that quite short flight, they managed to serve a meal, and it was tasty.

http://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/turkish-airlines/ I think this site draws attention from business travellers.

I would fly with them again and I recommend them (flew with them May 2015). But just like 1st poster, I could not ge tmy miles with Air Canada even though they are partners. Something to do with class of reservation or something.

Service was good, good seats, cool little package waiting for you on your seat (eye mask, socks, lip balm, tooth brush (yes, in economy class), great free drinks & food, etc. However, I did have an hour delay or so leaving from LAX (was doing LAX-IST-MUN), not a huge deal. If you are going to IST airport do allow more time for connecting flights if any. I find that it is a very, very busy airport. We had to wait for a gate and many people missed their next flights. I barely made it to mine since I was able to run to my gate very fast (and I had a 2,5 hour layover technically). My flight back from IST-LAX was on time. But once again allow a lot of time if leaving from there. Security is VERY tight.

Thank you, Southam, for the web site suggestion. I had found that web site earlier. It was because of the negative service comments that I thought I would ask this community about their experience.

We flew Turkish in the fall from Rome to Istanbul to Athens and back to Rome (via Istanbul, naturally). Keeping in mind that those were short distances, I thought the flights and service were great.

They fed us on every one of those legs. The food was fine, although we're not into what appeared to be raw salmon and it was a staple of every meal.

We flew Turkish Airline last year LA-Paris- LA,
( with a wonderful 20 hours stopover in Istanbul on our way backl ) and our experience was great! We were doubtful too, I'm Happy we chose to buy those tickets! (Great price btw)
Good service, seats, food. I felt safe and pampered the whole trip. I would fly with them again and again.

Had a great flight with them and had no problems (good food as well)...I picked them because the flights are very inexpensive relative to others

I flew twice with Turkish last year and was very satisfied overall. Lots of food and drinks on the trans-Atlantic route, good entertainment system, good service. There were problems with delayed luggage connecting in Istanbul because of a workers' dispute with the baggage handlers.

We flew from IAD transatlantic to IST a few years ago and were satisfied. Newer plane, FAs while not overly friendly were adaquate. Plenty of food and drink and Turkish delight upon departure. Plus, we even got a nice sundries bag in Coach with slippers and lotion.

I read reviews and was pretty worried but apart from a bad experience checking in the flight portion was great.

Turkish Airlines is the best airlines that I have ever been on. Tons of leg room in the economy seats and great food. Service is good as well.

+1 on recommending Turkish Airlines. I have flown them both long and short haul and had a great experience. Their staff at Atraturk Airport in Istanbul is first rate. While they have always been good, their membership in Star Alliance has only helped things.

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to answer my question! We've booked on Turkish Airlines and are looking forward to our trip to Turkey. I even have a window seat so I can sleep!

Thanks Everyone for your input.

Reporting back... The flights were great. The airline staff was helpful and efficient, the food was surprisingly good (says she who never eats airline food, but was so intrigued by the menu that she couldn't refuse). I slept 6 hours on the way over, so that flight went fast. Coming back was another story. The hours dragged - it's tough in any long-haul "coach" situation - this was no different. The flight to Turkey arrived early and the return to Boston was on time. I would definitely do the round trip - Boston to Istanbul - on Turkish Airlines again.

Thanks for the feedback, particularly since this is a recurring question. It matches my experience from October 2011, as well.

I agree, Kaeleku. And with everyone else who has commented on the food. My flight left Logan airport (Boston) on time at 11:40 PM. I was intrigued by the menu (at 12:30 am yet) and actually had the fish. Delicious! Along with the other sides.

Although I have to say the Turkish woman sitting next to me (`20 years old) didn't like the chicken. She should have had the fish?

I too look forward to eating on my next flight with them.

I too, am glad to hear such great reviews..... I have found a great price flying to Salzburg via Istanbul through Turkish airlines.... it would be an overnight layover...... and I have found good and bad concerning traveling solo, being female in Istanbul.....but I really want to see the Bazaar and the Blue Mosque.

I have heard great things about the airlines - but the reviews on the airport in Istanbul leave me leerie. I am not afraid to travel, but should I be worried about all of the problems in IST or just realize that I got a tremendous price for flying ATL - FRA and live with some hassles. the layovers are just a few hours.

thanks
Tom

about all of the problems in IST

What problems? Other than it's a busy airport...

We are also looking at this airlines for a flight NYC-Munich with the obvious layover in Istanbul. Returning Stuttgart-IST-NYC.

Is there any special sort of document we need for that layover in Istanbul? I thought I read something about a special Visa? I haven't booked yet so I'm not sure of how long the layovers in Istanbul are but I'm not expecting to leave the airport or anything unless the layovers are really long. We've never flown this airlines before but the prices are about 40-50% of UA or Delta.

Kathy - you only need a Turkish Visa if you leave the airport. Some layovers are long enough that you'd have to spend the night in Istanbul, in which case you'll need a Visa (it's around $25, depending on the exact exchange rate). If you're just transiting through, then you don't need any other document, you just go to your connecting flight.