Israel has sent out an urgent warning to its citizens in Istanbul: take shelter and lock yourselves up, for a terrorist attack is imminent. Israel Issues Terror Warning For Israelis In Istanbul All week we’ve been hearing rumblings about...
The Nefarious Plan By Russian Airlines To Skirt Sanctions By Relocating To Turkey
Some Russian airlines are weighing relocation to Turkey as a way to lease new aircraft and access repair facilities while avoiding the crippling western sanctions that followed Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. This nefarious plan should merit international scorn....
Turkish Airlines Will Add 1.5 Million Seats To Russian Routes
Turkey will create a new charter airline with a $300 million backing from the Turkish government specifically aimed offering flights between Russia and Turkey. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus plan to offer millions of more seats between Russia and...
Visa On Arrival In Turkey Beats Pricier E-Visa
The price for an e-visa to Turkey for American citizens recently more than doubled in price. If you’re on a tight budget, it now pays to avoid the Turkish e-visa and obtain a visa on arrival at Istanbul Airport...
How To Obtain A Visa On Arrival In Istanbul
Despite its new e-visa regime, it is still possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Istanbul. Where To Obtain A Visa On Arrival In Istanbul (IST) When Turkey transitioned to an e-visa system in 2013, numerous reports suggested...
Istanbul’s Most Popular Tourist Attraction Converts To A Mosque – Will Hagia Sophia Still Be Open To Tourists?
Turkey has confirmed that the Hagia Sophia, originally a church, then a mosque, now a museum for nearly the last century, will revert to a mosque later this month. Will Istanbul’s most famous landmark now be off-limits to non-Muslims...
Museum Or Mosque? The Battle Over Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia has stood for over 1,500 years, first as a cathedral, then as a mosque, and now as a museum. But a recent battle to return the Hagia Sophia to mosque status threatens to upend decades compromise...
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul (IST)
Spoiler alert: the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge in Istanbul is one of the best business class lounges in the world. While you’ve got to visit this lounge to truly appreciate its size and scope, I hope you’ll get a...
Great Coffee In Istanbul
I was in Istanbul recently and as I always do now, sought out great coffee. I found two great places that I want to share with you. #1: Espresso Lab Şahkulu Mahallesi İstiklal Caddesi Tünel 233 34421 Beyoğlu, İstanbul...
737 Skids Off Runway, Dangles on Cliff
A scary moment for passengers onboard a Pegasus Airlines 737-800 that skidded off the runway, down a muddy embankment, and nearly into the sea. Check out this startling video–it honestly makes my palms sweat just watching it: The Boeing...
How I Tried (and Failed) to Enter Turkey
Despite a good rest on the flight over, I had no desire to spend last night sitting up in the Turkish CIP Lounge. Here’s how I tried (but ultimately failed) to obtain a visa on arrival and enter Turkey....
Trapped in Istanbul Airport!
I had a very pleasant flight to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, but I’m not pleased with them now… My flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul was delayed by over two hours (mechanical), causing me to miss my connection to...
Aeroplan Change Fee: Unethical or Fair?
Aeroplan charged me a change fee that I believe was unconscionable. I am heading to Germany for Christmas this year with my family. We booked tickets via Aeroplan on Turkish Airlines months before the diplomatic spat that has effectively...
Retaliation: Turkey Eliminates U.S. Tourist Visas, Barring Entry for Most U.S. Citizens
Apparently the old adage, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face” is not taught in Turkey. Today, Turkey suspended the issuance of visas to U.S. citizens, effectively killing all U.S. tourism. I love Turkey, but the nation...
Amazing: Pilot Lands Plane “Blind” After Hail Destroys Windshield and Nose
A pilot is being heralded as a hero after landing a badly-damaged Airbus A320 in Istanbul. Imagine this. A plane takes off in Istanbul just as a hailstorm begins. The aircraft climbs to about 4,000 feet and then is...
Review: Hyatt Centric Levent Istanbul (Suite)
Located in the vibrant Levent neighborhood of Istanbul, Hyatt’s newest property in Turkey is worth a visit, though I iid encounter a couple issues during my stay. I arrived from Rome at around 2pm and took the Metro from Ataturk airport to...
Yes, ISIS Could Have Brought My Plane Down
Now I’m even more convinced electronics ban is worthless. Yesterday I flew from Istanbul to Los Angeles on Turkish Airlines. Turkey is one of the eight nations impacted by the in-flight electronics ban. First, I felt very safe flying...
Hotel Levent in Istanbul Now a Hyatt Centric Property
The mysterious Hotel Levent in Istanbul is now a Hyatt Centric Property. The property made headlines earlier this year when it debuted as a Category 7 property yet had room rates of under $100/night. It did not take long for...
Istanbul to Kiev on Ukraine International Airlines 737 Business Class
Ukraine International Airlines uses new Boeing 737-800 for many of its shorthaul routes in Europe. Unfortunately, it looks west rather than east for guidance on how to configure its business class on short-haul flights. While Aeroflot and Turkish have...
Review: Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy
I checked in thinking this would be a convenient hotel near the airport for our early flight the following morning, but checked out having enjoyed one of the best Hyatt Regency I have ever stayed at. Located about ten minutes from...
