What is Turkish like in long-haul J?

[juddles]

Hi everyone. Whilst planning further twists whilst forced to commute around the planet, I am studying Turkish as a potential carrier.

Am only interested in their J product, and only long-haul (I know all intra-European J is cough).

Has anyone flown them? I am a difficultly tall person, so hard product is important, but am also interested in their soft product, including lounge experiences in their IST hub which i would probably go through.

Any comments at all most welcome

 

[clifford]

I flew TK IST-CMB (via MLE) on a 333 in J last week, and have flown them on this route several times previously.

I find the TK long-haul product to be generally OK, but not outstanding. The seating configuration of 2-2-2 isn't class leading in any sense, but the lie-flat seats are quite comfortable and easily accommodate my 5' 10" frame. Service tends to be OK too, but again nothing special. Same for the food. TK is not my Star Alliance airline of choice for long-haul by any means, but they're certainly not the worst.

OTOH, TK is my preferred airline for intra-Europe flights. Their business class on many of the A320/1's and 737's is excellent, with individual recliner seats in a 2-2 layout (though on some flights you do get the more usual Euro layout of 3-3 with the empty middle). I had a great flight a couple of weeks ago from IST to FCO on a 321, where the service, catering and comfort were top notch (even had a "chef" in the galley on board).

As for the lounge in Istanbul, it's huge and is fairly comfortable, with reasonable food/drink options and general facilities. The main problem I have with it is that it does get very crowded at times, where you may have to fight for a seat.

Hope that helps a bit. Would be happy to expand on any of the points.

 

[juddles]

Thanks Clifford! That is very interesting re the intra-Europe better flights. May have to study that too!

 

[Cynicor]

Thanks Clifford! That is very interesting re the intra-Europe better flights. May have to study that too!

I actually just came here to say exactly that! They fly A330s intra europe on some routes and it was better than the old QF and VA domestic J (pre suite-style). I much prefer Turkish if it's not too far out of my way.

I have heard (but not flown) that long haul is decent too.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Friend flew TK long-haul LHR-IST-PVG. 777 for the IST-PVG and said it was pretty good in terms of food. Slept well.

Intra-Europe - as clifford points out, there are many routes with a dedicated business cabin similar to USA domestic F or AU domestic business. But not all flights, and not all aircraft of the same type offer it (for example some 738s have 2+2, others are 3+3 with a spare middle)

 

[clifford]

But not all flights, and not all aircraft of the same type offer it (for example some 738s have 2+2, others are 3+3 with a spare middle)

Very true. I'm flying from IST to Vilnius (VNO) in J on a TK 738 next month, so will be interesting to see what the layout is. I imagine it may well be 3-3 as it's a fairly short flight (just over 2 hours), but who knows?