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 Frankfurt a couple weeks ago. After being stuck in the Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge overnight due to a diplomatic issue (the diplomatic problem has since been resolved), I was tired as I boarded my connection to Frankfurt. My plan was to sleep…I had just finished a wonderful breakfast in the lounge and was ready for some shuteye.
> Read More: Trapped in Istanbul Airport!
> Read More: Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge Istanbul Review
Last time I flew a Turkish A330 from Frankfurt to Istanbul the flight featured lie-flat beds. In fact, I thought all Turkish A330s had lie-flat seats. Per SeatGuru, there are four variants of A330-200, one with horizontal lie-flat beds and the other three with angled lie-flat beds (flat, but sloping downward).
So imagine my shock when I boarded my A330 to Frankfurt only to encounter this–
The horror! Standard business class seating!
I’m actually not complaining–it was still as comfortable as a domestic first class seat in the USA. Furthermore, I was able to snooze after having an omelet for breakfast #2.
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Unlike most European airlines, the aircraft also featured individual IFE with the same wide selection I enjoyed on my 777-300ER flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul.
CONCLUSION
So I guess that makes two A330s in a row on Turkish Airlines I was not expecting. First an ex-Kingfisher A330-300 and now a regionally-configured A330-200. Just another reminder to take everything you see on SeatGuru with a grain of salt. And when it comes to flying Turkish, always remember the airline seems like it has a new seating configuration every week.
> Read More: Frankfurt to Istanbul in Turkish Airlines A330 Business Class (Lie-Flat Beds)
Matthew- did you drop the flight number and date into SeatGuru? It’s usually pretty good at pointing out the right variant after that information is input.
I did not even know that was a thing. I’ll check it out.
That’s the only way I’ve ever used SeatGuru… I just couldn’t believe you’ve never used it that way!
Sue them!!
@donald – Probably a better chance than his Swiss “mistake” claim. I agree, sue them.
Just be happy you got a A330 period. I had a TK flight VIE-IST that I booked because it was an A330. At the gate though was sitting an A321 single aisle. 3 seats with the middle left open. A tight squeeze on that flight. TK is noted to swap out last minute. Thankfully my connecting long haul from IST was indeed a 777-300ER and was fantastic.
Ouch, that’s a horrible swap!
Hi Matthew, I just had a similar experience last week (DUS – IST), but did’t faint 🙂 I love the food on TK.
We survived! 🙂
I see someone let the kindergarten out early today.
I think TK airframes are subject to \equipment swaps anyway. The moral of this story is: be prepared for a recliner on any possible 330 route (not just the daytime ones).
In the past year – I’ve found seat guru’s information to be out of date more times than its accurate. They seemed to stop updating or something
TK just put the -200 on the ATL/IST route…On the GDS seat map, it shows only rows 1-3 in Biz. I’ve heard rumor there are some that now have the -300 style full flat Biz class seats. Does anyone know?
Yes, will be lie-flat.
what’s the big deal?
I fly IST-DUS, and IST-FRA and they only a 3hr flights.
It might still be the better way flying European short/middle distance. I love to burn M&M miles on TK European flights – though, the aircraft swaps make it a bid hard 😉
Especially the A320/1 with regional business class are gorgeous!
Hey Matthew,
i think its your mistake, you didnt inform yourself enough. This regional aircraft is an A330-300. TK has 7 of them (REGs: TC-LOA till TC-LOG) and whether this aircraft is how you had said, a regional aircraft and they are only using them only on european routs where there are lots of business passengers. first of all you didnt ever knew that this is a -300 and not a -200… your mistake should not be the reason to show this airline as horrible…