Turkish Airlines excels in business class, but what about economy class? My verdict: a solid flight, but nothing truly special. You’ll be impressed by many of the amenities, but economy class is economy class. Still, a positive verdict overall....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 23, 2017
Another week, another onboard airline altercation gone viral. I’ve spent most of the day offline today. My goal is to take one day off per week–not always possible, but my wife puts up with a lot during the week so...
Photo Guide: How Turkish Airlines Protects Your Banned Electronics
Ever wonder how the in-flight electronics ban works in practice? Last week I flew from Istanbul to Los Angeles on Turkish Airlines, in part to experience the new in-flight electronics ban. How did Turkish deliver? See my step-by-step guide below....
What Kind of Food Does Turkish Airlines Serve in Longhaul Economy?
With the United passenger ejection story dominating headlines this week, I did not get a chance to put up the weekly Meal of the Week segment on Wednesday. This week, I’ll share pictures of the two meals and one...
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...
I’m on a 13hr45min Flight Without My Laptop!
Hello from 38,000 feet above Central Europe! I’m on a Turkish Airlines flight back to Los Angeles…a 13hr45min flight…without my laptop…in economy class. Why would I do that to myself? Because I love Istanbul, saw a very cheap fare...
In Solidarity, I’m Flying Turkish Airlines to the USA
It’s a small sign of solidarity with Turkish Airlines against a questionable electronics ban, but I will be flying on the carrier next month from Istanbul to Los Angeles even though it means I will be separated from my...
Electronics Ban Workarounds on Emirates, Qatar, and Turkish
While the in-flight electronics ban has the potential to cripple business travelers, three carriers have done their best to mitigate lost productivity and potential theft. In a speech at Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, IATA Chief Alexandre de Juniac condemned the...
Turkish and Air Namibia Join Forces
Turkish Airlines and Air Namibia have announced a codeshare agreement (effective 01 March 2017) on a limited number of routes with hopes of further collaboration. Air Namibia has only one longhaul international route — to its former colonial overlord in...
The Other Secret Special VIP Lounge at Washington Dulles
Recently, View from the Wing wrote about a “Secret Special VIP Lounge at Washington Dulles” that gives foreign dignitaries special courtesies at US airports (.pdf). When I saw his headline, though, my mind was on another “secret special VIP lounge” that...
Two Great New Priority Pass Lounges, Including London Restaurant/Bar
Priority Pass adds and subtracts members from its 1000+ network of lounges each month. This month two notable additions are worth your attention: the Turkish Airlines lounge at Washington Dulles and the Grain Store Cafe & Bar inside London Gatwick Airport....
Turkish Airlines Super Bowl Ad with Morgan Freeman
Turkish Airlines is in trouble: there is no question about it. In the last year, Turkey has been rocked by multiple terrorist attacks and a failed coup attempt. Many don’t feel safe even connecting in Istanbul. I’ve still made the case...
Everything You Need to Know About Turkish Airlines’ Free Transit Hotel
Turkish Airlines wants you to connect through Istanbul. To encourage this, Turkish provides free hotel rooms for transit passengers with long layovers. But be careful: the rules for who can and cannot receive a hotel room are confusing. Criteria...
Review: Istanbul to Hamburg in Turkish Airlines A320 Business Class
This is the final flight installment of the Tanzania trip report and it will be brief. The story of Turkish is this: a consistently high-quality experience and a superior airline within Europe. After a hearty breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Ataköy and...
Turkish Airlines Elitism at IST
Flying Turkish Airlines business class out of Istanbul has many advantages, but one benefit stands out even more so than the acclaimed lounge. Airlines understandably treat their own passengers and elite members better than others. That goes without saying. Some airlines...
Review: Turkish Airlines Arrivals Lounge Istanbul
Everyone raves about the wonderful Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge in Istanbul, but that is not the only lounge in Istanbul worth visiting. For arriving international business class passengers on Turkish Airlines, an Arrivals Lounge offers a mini-version of the acclaimed...
Turkish Airlines 737 Dar Es Salaam to Istanbul Business Class
Turkish Airlines check-in opens three hours before the flight, which was about 12:30a. If you are connecting from another flight, be sure to read this Transit in Dar Es Salaam post first. Check-in desks on the far left side...
Review: Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge Istanbul
I last reviewed the Turkish Airlines Istanbul CIP lounge in 2011 and called it the best business class lounge in the world. Since then, it has doubled in size…and is still the best business class lounge in the world. Spanning...
Lufthansa vs. Turkish Within Europe
Although Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa are Star Alliance partners, the two carriers are fierce competitors. Competing head-to-head for both long haul and short haul traffic, the “frenemies” each have a distinctive advantage. Which one is the better option for...
Imagine a Meal Like This on a 90min Flight in the USA
My flight from Beirut to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines was under 2hrs and departed at 3:05a. Most passengers just slept for the brief flight, but not me. I was actually hungry. Thankfully, Turkish did not disappoint. Turkish Airlines’ middle-of-the-night flights offer...
