For this week’s Meal of the Week, I share a delicious little snack I enjoyed on a Turkish Airlines flight from Ercan (ECN) in occupied Northern Cyprus to Istanbul (IST) in 2011. The snack has a deeper political meaning as well…
I mention “occupied Northern Cyprus” because it plays into the meal served. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a self-declared state. In 1974, Greece attempted to annex Cyprus. In response to the perceived threat of the island’s Turkish population, Turkey invaded and has since occupied the northern part of the island. Greeks were expelled from the North and Turks expelled from the South.
Turkey is the only nation that recognizes the “sovereignty” of Northern Cyprus, but simultaneously maintains a heavy military presence. Most nations view Turkey as an occupying power. Turkish flags fly alongside the flag of Northern Cyprus throughout the divided capital of Nicosia. But all diplomatic overtures toward a re-unified Cyprus have failed.
I bring that up, because Turkish Airlines offers “picnic baskets” on flights from Northern Cyprus to Turkey. This is what it Turkish Airlines serves only on domestic flights. Thus, the meal service represents a political statement, i.e. that Turkish Airlines considers Northern Cyprus part of its domestic network.
I connected from Istanbul to Beirut and though the flight time is nearly identical, a much more substantial meal service was offered.
The picnic basket itself was delicious, as is most food on Turkish Airlines. It included a cheese sandwich, green beans in olive oil, and “homemade” chocolate cake. And it was served in a puesdo-picnic basket.
CONCLUSION
Turkish Airlines offers excellent onboard food, even on domestic flights…or flights it would like to think are domestic…
Can u clarify how this is political. I don’t follow
Turkish Airlines treating Northern Cyprus like it is part of its domestic network.
If you travel in Business Class on the IST-ECN route the meal service is not the same as on Turkish domestic routes.
Picture Russia having domestic air service to Ukraine.
Interesting observation. I don’t doubt that Turkish Airlines isn’t being political in this situation, but I’ve also been served domestic meals on flights to Israel. It probably has to do with the length of the route and time of day even though they claim all international flights get a full meal.
Lack of world recognition doesn’t make Turkey wrong.
No, but it is a good indication that something may be amiss.
They are indeed very “political” in the sense of representing the voice of Turkish government. I remember flying them ARN-IST-LAX a month after the coup d’état last year, and they already had like two onboard publications talking about the “truth” of it. Not to mention the unifying, anti-coup slogan that was prevalent throughout their checkin counters and lounges. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, as that was probably part of the obligation for every single “flag” carrier to stand alongside with the regime…
And of course the naming of their IST lounge…
Anyone flow TK long haul-business Class recently? WOW…..what has happened to this airline? What a sad state of affairs. They’ve gutted the entire product.
There is nothing political about this. Flights to Nothern Cyprus are domestic flights for Turkey and vice-versa. What’s your problem with this?
It’s an occupied territory…
Not a good idea to get political if you want to fly TK much and not get detained and imprisoned at the airport…..
I’ll take my chances.
They actually serve the picnic basket or just a sandwich on many of their short flights.
For example, if you fly from Istanbul to Batum in Georgia, you only get a toasted sandwich (unless in Business Class, in which case you get a tasty three course meal which lasts the full duration of the flight).
So I don’t think it’s anything to do with politics, but purely the practicalities of providing a meal on a short flight.
Not the picnic basket. The picnic basket is reserved for domestic flights. Sandwiches? Yes.
Yep; actually that was the Turks occupied Cyprus and tortured locals take their diamonds by having route throu. Too shame Turkey… Too shame.. How bad we are.. Fuck the picnic basket!!!