I’ve written about the global pilot shortage before, but Turkish Airlines offers a prime example of the great need around the world for qualified pilots. As Turkey opens its beautiful new airport in Istanbul, Turkish Airlines continues its renaissance....
How Turkish Airlines Serves As A Political Sword
As Istanbul’s beautiful new airport opens for business, it serves as a reminder of how state-backed airlines serve to advance the power of the regimes that fuel them. The Financial Times shares a fascinating account of the history of Turkish...
New Flight To Newark On Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is returning to Newark more than two decades after abandoning service to Liberty International Airport. The carrier will launch daily service starting in August 2019, utilizing an Airbus A330-300: TK29 Istanbul (IST) – Newark (EWR) / 13:15-17:20...
Stunning New Turkish Airlines Uniforms + Business Class Suite
Turkish Airlines has unveiled classy new uniforms plus hinted at a new business class suite. The new uniforms will debut later this year and “hark back to a golden age of couture fashion from the 1950’s.” Inspired by many...
Turkish Airlines Is A Pawn In The USA-Turkey Chess Game
Turkey and the USA are in the midst of a severe diplomatic spat and Turkish Airlines finds itself as a pawn of the Turkish state. As the carrier cuts ads in the USA, are flights next on the chopping...
Turkish Airlines Super Bowl Commercial with Dr. Oz
I did not watch the Super Bowl yesterday, but I was monitoring for airline or hotel commercials. Once again, Turkish Airlines provided a memorable one. Last year, Morgan Freeman did a superb job in emphasizing that Turkish Airlines serves...
Disappearing Act…How I Nearly Lost My iPhone X on a Recent Flight
I mentioned in passing in my recent Turkish Airlines 777-300ER trip report that my phone flew out of my lap and into the bowels of the seat during our rough landing in Istanbul. Finding it turned out to be...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: January 28, 2018
I’m back in California after a whirlwind trip around the world that included stops in Asia, the Middle East, and seven countries in Europe. I’ll be on the ground for awhile…at least that is the plan. This coming week...
Review: Turkish Airlines A330-200 Business Class Istanbul to Frankfurt
Turkish Airlines offers a consistent, above-average product in its European business class. This flight demonstrated, once again, why I enjoy Turkish Airlines so much. It wasn’t the A330 I thought it would be…I already addressed that in my initial...
Review: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Los Angeles to Istanbul
What surprised me most about my Turkish Airlines 777-330ER Business Class flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul was not the great service or food onboard, but the seat. Turkish 10 Los Angeles (LAX) – Istanbul (IST) Monday, December 17 Depart: 6:30 PM...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: January 7, 2018
A very happy Sunday evening to you from Los Angeles. It’s been a horrible weekend in one respect. I’ll explain tomorrow. For now, I’ll just leave you with the top stories of the week and a link to each...
Not the Turkish Airlines A330 I was Expecting…
Be very careful when booking a Turkish Airlines A330-200…there are many different configurations of the aircraft. I’ve been so caught up with the SWISS First Class saga that I neglected to write about my connecting flight from Istanbul to...
Business Class Upgrades on Turkish Airlines at the Airport
If unsold seats remain, Turkish Airlines will sell you an upgrade at the airport. While checking in for my Los Angeles to Istanbul flight last week, I noticed a small sign in the Star Alliance Gold check-in line: The...
Awakened by a Barking Dog Halfway Over the Atlantic
I’ve flown with a lot of dogs over the years, but recently experienced a loud one for the first time. This was once again my Turkish Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul last week. I did not mention...
Bye, Bye Mr. Turkish Guy, Drinking Rakı and Rye
Forgive my pun playing on Don McLean’s famous American Pie in my title…I could not resist. Nor could a Turkish man resist his own bottle of Rye Whiskey at LAX last week. If you recall, my Turkish Airlines flight from...
First Impressions of Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class
You already know what happened after the flight…but here are my first impressions of the flight itself, a 13-hour journey from Los Angeles to Istanbul in the comfort of Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class. The business class seats were...
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...
Next Stop: Istanbul in Turkish Airlines Business Class
I’ve flown Turkish Airlines many, many times over the years, but now I finally get the chance to fly the 777-300 in business class. Yesterday evening was a beautiful winter day in Los Angeles. It was brisk outside…like 52ºF....
50% Off Turkish Airlines Awards to Eastern Europe and Balkans
Turkish Airlines is discounting awards by 50% from its Istanbul hub to destinations in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Through May 31, 2018 all tickets to the following destinations are 50% off in economy or business class. Bookings must...
A Turkey Dinner from 37,000 Feet Over Iraq
I realized something while searching through my massive archive of airline meal photos today. I’ve had steak, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, lobster, crab, octopus, and even reindeer as a main course on an airplane. But never have I had...