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.
We checked in roughly 90 minutes prior to the flight. At Istanbul Ataturk, you proceed through an initial security checkpoint upon entering the terminal. We used a special line for Star Alliance Gold and business class flyers, but these security checks move quickly. Baggage is screened, but electronic devices and liquids can remain inside.
We approached the check-in desk in a special area for USA-bound flights. You can read about how Turkish Airlines handles the in-flgiht electronics ban here.
After quickly being checked in, we proceeded to the lounge. Since we were not flying in business class, we were unable to use the fast-track security/immigration that proceeds directly into the lounge.
We skipped breakfast at the Hyatt Centric Levent Istanbul in favor of lunch in the Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge. As usual the food was wonderful and I enjoyed a delicious early lunch of kabobs, pide, and salad.
> Review: Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge Istanbul
Our flight departed on time out of Gate 228, the gate I have always departed on when flying Turkish to Los Angeles. After checking in our larger electronic devices, we boarded the flight.
Turkish 009
Istanbul (IST) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Depart: 1:00 PM
Arrive: 4:45 PM
Duration: 13hr, 45min
Aircraft: 777-300ER
Seat: 45H (Economy Class)
FAs were smiled and greeted us, directing us through the galley and all the way back to rear economy class cabin.
An interlude: we flew economy class because my brother was booked in economy class by his company. My ticket, purchased just days prior, was only $435 one-way. Although business class went out only half full (economy class was close to 80% full), Turkish Airlines is not great about releasing last minute award space.
Midday congestion out of Istanbul led to a 75-minute delay, making an already long flight push to 15hrs long.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Seat
Turkish maintains 49 seats in business class in a 2-3-2 configuration and 300 seats in economy class in a 3-3-3 configuration on its 777-300ERs. The economy class seats were relatively comfortable, but it would still be a long flight with 32″ of legroom (felt even tighter). Thankfully, the middle seat next to me remained open.
At each seat is a USB port (plus ethernet and S-video), passenger control unit, touchscreen IFE screen, bi-fold tray table, and coat hook.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Service and Amenity Kit
Turkish does make extra effort to help make its economy class passengers more comfortable. After takeoff, a hot towel is offered. This towel is not just a paper towel, but the same towel used by American Airlines in premium cabins…
The blanket and pillow are nothing special, but the slipcase on the pillow is not the throw-away cover many airlines use.
Turkish also provides an amenity kit to its economy class passengers. Contents include socks, slippers, lip balm, ear plugs, eye shade, and toothbrush. Admittedly, I was impressed by how the nice was, even if the slippers were too small for my feet.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Food
Service did not begin until over an hour after takeoff, starting with a beverage service. Turkish offers a delicious mint lemonade with fresh mint and lemons. This runs out quickly so I do recommend you ask for a glass during the initial meal service.
The following menu was distributed–
I ordered chicken satay for the first meal, which was edible but nothing great. Turkish wine is available. I wrote more about the meal here.
> Read More: What Kind of Food Does Turkish Airlines Serve in Longhaul Economy?
After the meal, hot tea or coffee was offered followed by water bottles:
The most surprising thing — I found myself starving between meals.
In the galley were two large plastic containers. One contained a cheese sandwich, the other cherry cake. The sandwich was a big letdown, as the bread tasted (and no doubt was) quite processed and full of preservatives. The cherry cake was nice.
A full three hours prior to landing the second meal service began. No choice: everyone who did not order a special dietary meal received pasta.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class IFE + Wi-Fi
Flimsy headset are available in your seat, so bring your own.
IFE selection was good, with many Hollywood movies plus a good assortment of movies and TV programming from around the world including several live TV channels. Music and games as well plus a camera–
Upon checking my laptop prior to boarding, a wi-fi card was provided with a special code to receive complimentary access onboard. Internet is not expensive anyway, but this was a nice touch.
I almost had a panic attack, though, because I could not connect to the internet for the first six hours of the flight. In fact, the crew stated that the internet would not work on today’s flight. Thankfully it kicked on and functioned slowly but adequately for the second half of the flight.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Lavatory
Lavatories were kept clean and even featured flowers. You don’t see that every day in economy class!
Landing and Electronics Pick-Up at LAX
We enjoyed beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles we landed, about an hour late.
In the baggage claim area, Turkish reps were waiting for the electronics suitcases to arrive. Once they did, they efficiently returned devices by matching your claim ticket with the tag on the device. You also had to sign for the device.
CONCLUSION
This is a long journey in economy class, but I made it just fine. Although I miss Comfort Class (premium economy) on Turkish (removed from its planes) and would prefer to have flown United for the extra legroom in EconomyPlus, Turkish makes a real effort to care for its passengers. Hot towels, amenity kits with slippers, menus, and free wi-fi are nice features when flying economy class. I would not hesitate to fly Turkish longhaul again.
confused… “Although I miss Comfort Class (premium economy) on Turkish (removed from its planes) and would prefer to have flown United for the extra legroom in EconomyPlus,” why the dissatisfaction with LH’s PE? Obviously not against the idea of it? Why are you so harsh with their LH’s PE product? Surely its better UA’s EP product?
Let me put it this way, I would have obviously loved to fly Lufthansa Premium Economy over Turkish regular economy and United Economy Plus.
I did fly Turkish Comfort Class four previous times and thought the seat was far more comfortable than Lufthansa’s Premium Economy.
Flying Miami-Istanbul-Miami in June. How likely or expensive do you think it would be to upgrade to business class? Any suggestions. Thanks
Luis u got upisgrades?
Great article. Traveling to Istanbul from Miami in June. What in your experience would be the probability of upgrading to business class and is there something I can do to increase that likelihood. Thanks
I flew TK out of ORD-IST-ATH and back the same way on a 767 I prefer the 2-4-2 seating definitely, and more space since it is an older plane. I did like the economy seating even though it did seem a bit cramped.
I can’t help thinking TK made a big mistake removing PE before the trend had even taken hold — particularly because as you point out their PE seat was much plusher than LH or AC’s. I heard that TK believed it was cannibalizing business class purchases. Still think they’ll end up regretting it.
Turkish airlines does not have the 767 in it`s fleet. 2-4-2 seating sounds like an airbus a330.
Yeah, the food looked kinda sad, which is a bummer when considering the recent past where the airline claimed, and some trade publications reported, that the meals even in economy class were a cut above many others’ for long-haul flights.
But to me the most important thing in your trip report got short shrift: the POSITIVELY GORGEOUS nine (9) abreast 3-3-3 seating configuration!!! Check out those, big, wide, aisles!!! Yeaaaahhhh, baby!!! And just nine, yes, just NINE (9) full-sized 777 economy seats — the way God and the engineers (instead of the jackh–e, sadistic bean counters) at Boeing intended/designed a 777 to be!!! Wow!!!
Sad and lame food be damned! One can always buy something they like at the airport before boarding that’s much better anyway (as long as it’s not super messy to eat or emits an intensely pungent smell 😉 hehehe).
A 777 with a nine (9) abreast, 3-3-3 seating configuration in economy is REASON ENOUGH alone for people to choose Turkish Airlines for any long-haul trip for those (like the vast majority of us) whose companies’ (like your brother’s) corporate travel policies do NOT allow for premium cabin seats, and those who do not have enough disposable income to pay for the “privilege” of being treated with a modicum of basic human decency and respect when flying in “steerage” class.
So I’ll sing it loud, and shout it from the rooftops — or “wake the neighbors and phone the dog” as David Letterman used to say:
N-I-N-E…yes, Virginia, just NINE…9 beautiful, comparatively spacious (it’s still economy, of course!) seats, arranged in a gorgeous 3-3-3 configuration, complete with an aisle that is as wide for a 777 as a six-lane highway is versus a teeny-tiny, dingy bike lane is in most U.S. cities (if they have one at all, of course) as is the equivalent in a manner of speaking as those found on the sadistic, and inhumane, “densified” ten-abreast, sardine can 3-4-3 seating configurations that airline CEO’s (and jerks like them) sit in for two-mins at a trade expo before buying, who then claim they’ve sat in those seats and they’re perfectly fine (yeah, yeah, keep telling yourselves that myth while sipping champagne and being cosseted in the pointy end of the plane…Doug, Oscar, Alex, et al)
That’s right, NINE SEATS, 3-3-3 in economy for the rest of us who don’t have our heads in the clouds…or is it deep up the charlatans’ bums who continue to peddle these fibs that packing ever more teeny-tiny ten abreast seats, with aisles so small anyone with a waist larger than Kate Moss in her “heroin-chic” waif days can fit through without banging into passengers in the aisle seats (imagine that, the heartless “geniuses” who came up these inhumane and sadistic 3-4-3 “densified” [a perfect example of a corporate euphemism if ever there was one] economy cabin configurations even perfected a method to add a touch of misery to aisle seats with the exceptionally narrow aisles found on those flying abominations!!! These folks might want to consider seeing a dominatrix instead to work out their “issues” …hehehe).
So, for that alone…NINE ABREAST ECONOMY SEATING ON A 777 — with decent IFE to boot!!! — everyone should keep Turkish Airlines in mind whenever their itinerary includes a destination that this airline serves.
Vote with your feet, bums, and wallets!!! Say “YES!” to nine seats per row on a 777 by flying this airline whenever you’re faced with a choice between this airline and the others who “hate-sell” you with ten seats per row while they pick your hard-earned cash out of your wallets and pockets!!!
Excellent presentation but not the experience of the flight
We are thinking of flying TA and have a 1.5 hour connection time on a Bucharest-Istanbul-SFO leg. Is that enough connection time?
Don, that should be more than enough.
Hey Matthew,
Great write up. I have not flown Turkish yet and your article gave a good idea on what to expect!
I plan to fly TA from India to Houston via Istanbul in December this year. However, was concerned with the safety issues being raised owing to the fragile situation in Turkey as a whole, coups and blasts. Is is safe to fly TA or via Istanbul airport?
Also, TA has been rated C amongst all the airlines in Europe due to multiple safety issues. Did you notice something off from safety standpoint as well?
Hi Kunal, Turkish is safe–
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/21/is-it-safe-to-fly-turkish-airlines/
I purchased flight from Atlanta to Kiev and there was a one night layover in istanbul and return is from istanbul to Atlanta for $820 . I have a girlfriend in Kiev . We were planning to travel in Europe . I had a chronic stomach problem just a week before the flight , it got worse. I couldn’t make the Kiev to flight . I had to have endoscopy and all that in istanbul then I meet her after a week in Prague .
When I come back for return flight to istanbul airport . They told me that I had to pay a fee ( $486 yes it’s $486) in order to get the return flight because I didn’t finish fly to Kiev . I open a dispute for the card payment . I never seen such a thing ever . You pay the flight you have to free to fly or not fly . They should be able to cancel your flight . Stay away from this airline!
While they were not required to let you skip segments (per ticketing rules), I am sorry they were not more lenient under the circumstances.
I plan to Fly With turkish airlines in 2018, I have a connection flight however and there will be 2.45h amount of time to get to the second flight. I would like to ask if thats enought and do i need to pick up second boarding pass in the midpoint airport or can i just print it at home like usual tickets.
More than enough time and you’ll receive both boarding passes when you check-in.
I would fly for the first time with TA from Chicago to Istanbul, then have a connection flight to KBL, Afghanistan. On my return I only have 1:40 min layover when I get back to Istanbul, is it enough time to catch my next flight?
Aziz, that should be more than enough time. Enjoy your trip on Turkish Airlines.
Thank you for the fast reply. I would try this Airline for the first time. 🙂
Hi Matthew,
This is awesome! I’m planning to fly from Singapore to Switzerland. I’ve seen the flight thru TA.
Wondering if the service is good? And is it that safe fly with them? I heard thru the grapevine that TA are not really doing their service well.
Turkish Airlines is safe and service is great.
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/07/21/is-it-safe-to-fly-turkish-airlines/
I didn’t get my food, they ran out just before they got to me.
Ran out of your choice or all food options? For the main meal service?
hey i have been reading reviews about turkish airlines economy class and most of them are very bad just this one and one other were positive i have already booked flights with them and I’m worried i have 13hours layover will my luggage make it to my destination and is there any hope of getting a room for those 13hours
I think you will be fine. Let us know here if your luggage does not make it.
Hi! I’ll fly to IAH from BUD via TK airlines the first time. How about on-time performance record for the airline? Any special safety requirement needed in that route?
Turkish is often late. A longer layover is recommended.
Glad I came across this article. I have a flight scheduled this month on Turkish Air w/overnight layover in Istanbul. Any advice or recommendations for a single woman traveling solo, regarding safety and finding safe low cost transpiration & hotel?
Hello, I am travelling from SFO to Istabul and then IST to Mumbai. Can you please tell me following:
1. Whether I have to re-check in my bags at IST to mumbai ?
2. I heard SFO to IST flights are often delayed, does it impact my connecting flight from IST to Mumbai ?
3. Once I have landed to IST, what is the exact procedure I have to do in order to board my next Turkish airline flight from IST to Mumbai ?
4. Will I have sufficient time to board IST to Mumbai flight once I landed from SFO to IST flight? Do I need to clear security checks again or can directly go to gates to IST-mumbai ?
Please advise since my trip is in march 2018.
Thanks in advance
You will not have to recheck your bags in Istanbul and will not even have to re-clear security. Depending upon where your connecting gate is, you may have a 5-20 minute walk.
How tall are you?
6’1″
Nice explanation Matthew, few months back I travelled Frankfurt that time I booked Turkish Airlines and flight services is good.
The best thing flying With THY is foods. I flew many airlines but THY is always number one.
I wanted to ask, how did u get that wifi promitional card? Do we have to ask for it?
It was only available during the electronics ban. Don’t think it is still available.
Hi! Does the food already included on the fees that you paid for economy class?
Yes, all good and drinks are complimentary.
I’m planning to try Turkish Airlines to Asia with layover in Istanbul. There is an 8-9 hours layover. Any recommended things to do with that layover time? I have smaller children with me during the trip.
Hi, I and my wife am booked on Turkish Airlines flight from Mumbai to San Francisco via Istanbul. As there are 2 of us travelling, I have selected the last rows in which there are only 2 seats. While I have avoided the last row, for the sector between Istanbul to San Francisco, I am able to select only the last row. Would you be able to help me with the information regarding the seat. Does the seat recline similar to other seats in the economy seating?
The very last row has restricted recline and is close to lavatories. I would avoid it.
I am flying Turkish Airlines from LA to Entebbe Uganda via Istanbul in two weeks. I am a 5’10” woman who is all legs. Do I need to attempt to get a seat with extra legroom? I have heard mixed reviews about the amount of leg room. I am currently in a regular seat. I usually fly Emirates, but I was able to save over $400 on Turkish Airlines. After reading numerous reviews, I am becoming nervous about the seating situation. What is your recommendation? Thank you!
Seat pitch is tight. Try to get the emergency exit row. I would pay a little extra if they offer to let you reserve it prior to check-in.
Hi my parents are traveling to Pakistan through Turkish SFO to Istanbul layover 3 hr and then Karachi. They will have iPads would they have to check them in and get at the final destination. I was a little confused by what you said there about checking in large devices.
Dear Matthew,
I am flying Turkish Airlines 777-300 Economy Class from Istanbul to Los Angeles. We are now able to choose the seats (we have to pay extra): I see on the seat map in green the ‘Exit Row’ seats in the middle 23 DEG and the ‘bulkhead’ seats in the middle 42 DEG. Which ones would you recommend choosing? https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Turkish_Airlines/Turkish_Airlines_Boeing_777-300_V3.php?flightno=9&date=
Do these seats have individual TV screens? Thank you.
All seats have individual screens. I would take row 23.
SFO to Istanbul, spouse 6’2”. Are exit row seats comfortable, convenient and allow access for personal items?
Hi Matthew!
I’m 6-2. My wife tried to get those exit seats IAD-IST-TLV, TLV-IST-IAD, they’re sold out. (Everyone followed your advice!) Should I call TA Dulles now? Please give us your honest opinion, please?
When is your flight?
Hello Matthew, flying to Istanbul from London on a 777(specifically choose the flight with 777 plane, I’m a nervous flyer so like the space) . Although it’s considered as short haul flight, will food, amenities, wifi/entertainment on board be same as long haul flights?
Yes. You’ll be served a nice meal onboard and enjoy the other amenities. Have a great flight!
Hi matthew! i am flying jfk to istanbul anfnrhen off to tanzania BUT the back of the plane is so empty. What are your thoughts on choosing towards the back with over 50 open seats. i am small and cal lay down and sleep! but i feel i am maybe missing something seems too good to be true !! hahaha. please let me know bc the flight is in 2 days!! thank u