The failed coup attempt in Turkey last Friday exposed security concerns at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, leading to a FAA ban on all direct flights from Turkey. Although the ban was threatened to last until September, Turkish authorities have...
Surprising Turkish Airlines Weather Delay Compensation
What happens when your Turkish Airlines flight is delayed due to weather and you find yourself stranded in Istanbul…for three days? A friend recently found out and the answer may surprise you. Officially, No Compensation for Weather Delay on...
Abundant Turkish Airlines Award Space on New San Francisco – Istanbul Route
Turkish Airlines is launching new non-stop service between San Francisco and Istanbul in April 2015 and the award space is abundant in both business and economy class – even on the inaugural flights! We’re not just talking about one or...
This Commercial Made Me Laugh
I’ve been on some rather unsafe planes over the years, from a rickety old TU-134 in Russia, to a poorly-maintained 727 in Bolivia, and a battered ATR-42 in Cuba, but nothing all that bad, nothing out of a horror...
Great Fares to Istanbul on Turkish, Delta and United Airlines (under $400!)
Quite frankly, I have no idea how Turkish Airlines makes any money. The carrier constantly runs fares sales to destinations around the world, including to a number of U.S. cities, at price levels that bely rationality and prevailing market...
Turkish Airlines: Not All Star Alliance Golds Are Created Equal
I really do love Turkish Airlines. Their catering is tops, longhaul aircraft new, and their world-class lounge in Istanbul is quite likely the best Star Alliance Gold Lounge on the Earth. Yet getting to that lounge at Istanbul’s Attaturk...
Free Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Status Match – Star Alliance Gold Status
Continuing in my status match series, I want to highlight today the under-publicized status match offer currently on the table from Turkish Airlines. Like the SAS status match offer, Turkish is open to matching your elite status on any...
Photo Tour: Turkish Airlines Star Gold/Business Class Lounge in Istanbul
I’ll cut to the chase: the newly-renovated Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul is amazing and easily the best business class and best Star Alliance Gold lounge I have ever been in. The last two months I have connected in...
Trading a Free Hotel Room for Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul Lounge
While not a widely published benefit, Turkish Airlines offers extended transit passengers in Istanbul the choice of a free hotel room or free tour of Istanbul during their wait. In order to take advantage of this, you must be...
The Long Way Back to Frankfurt (via YVR, HKG, IST)
After a refreshing week away from the office, I am on my way back to Frankfurt today. To spice things up a bit and to take advantage of a great deal Turkish Airlines ran earlier this year on their...
Another Foolish Mistake, Another Lesson Learned
I was supposed to be on my way to Vilnius now in order to catch an early flight to Frankfurt tomorrow. I had booked a “Lux Express” bus for the four-hour trip that featured wi-fi onboard and complimentary beverages....
Turkish Airlines Adds New Routes from Istanbul
Keep a close watch on Turkish Airlines: the carrier is growing fast and fiercely competing with its rivals. I have watched its route network grow over the last few years and am amazed that the carrier continues to add...
Turkish Airlines Award Seats Now Bookable on Continental.com
As I have blogged about before, my favorite way to check for Star Alliance award space is with Continental Airlines’ online award search tool. It quickly searches space, offers triple connections if necessary, and presents a two-month calendar so...
Kobe Bryant, the Armenian Genocide, and Turkish Airlines
I have been a big fan of Kobe Bryant since his NBA rookie year in 1996. Although I haven’t followed any sort of professional sport closely while living in Philadelphia or Frankfurt the last couple years, as a Southern California...
Turkish Airlines: Valentine’s Day Specials from Istanbul
For the second year in a row, Turkish Airlines if offering some attractive companion fares in business class during the week of Valentine’s Day. Exceptional values, in particular, are available to Southeast Asia and China. Southeast Asia and China (BKK/SGN/SIN/CGK/HKG/PVG/PEK)...
Turkish Airlines Passengers Prevent Hijacking
The details are just coming in now, but it appears passengers onboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Oslo to Istanbul overpowered a man who tried to hijack the plane: The man, identified as 40-year-old Cuma Yasar, was wearing a...
Ultimatum for Turkish Airlines FAs: Lose Weight or Lose Your Job
You read the title correctly and, no, I am not quoting a news story from the 1960s. Of course Turkish Airlines isn’t the only airline to set maximum weight and size thresholds for their flight attendants, but it always...
