Turkish Airways & General Air Question

I posted a couple questions on this, but screwed up and ended posting it to an existing thread rather than starting a new one. I've gotten one partial reply on that other thread, but would like more information:

 

How is Turkish Airlines on long haul flights (for example, from Greece to the U.S.) in terms of seats, ontime record, safety, and cabin maintenance and comfort? Is that airline comparable to major carriers like Lufthansa, United, etc.? Someone wants to fly from the DC area to Athens in the spring, and finding prices that seem pretty high to him (and to me). He says Turkish Airlines is reasonable, but isn't sure he wants to take them.

 

Also, is there an optimal time to book flights from the U.S. to Europe? For U.S. flights, it seems the earlier you book, the cheaper, but I think I read that booking early for Europe is not a good thing to do. Is that true, or doesn't it matter when you book?

Turkish Air doesn't fly from Greece to the US. You probably are flying Athens to Istanbul to your US destination.

 

Pretty much, coach is coach is coach, internationally. There isn't a lot of difference. Now if you are talking Business class (I don't think Turkish has First), that is another topic.

 

As to when it is "best" to buy, a little reading would reveal this is discussed almost daily. There is no "best" time. There is no magic time. If there was, the airlines would figure out why everyone was buying then, and raise the prices. You just have to monitor the prices, and buy when they seem low and comfortable. Then don't look back.

We flew Turkish Airlines last August. We were in business class, so I cannot comment on the comfort of their economy class, however I can tell you of the 3 business classes we flew last year (the others being LOT and Swiss), TK was definitely our favourite. And not just because of their stunning biz lounge at IST.:D

 

TK is definitely a quality airline, on par with any other major carrier. I wouldn't hesitate to fly TK again, even in economy.

 

Dang - now I'm craving mint lemonade... *le sign*

Edited August 8, 2015 by Twickenham

Economy class trip report - http://wildabouttravel.boardingarea.com/2012/11/turkish-delight-the-best-meal-ever-on-board/

 

Business class - http://www.loungebuddy.com/turkish-airlines-business-class-experience/

 

No first class.

Dang - now I'm craving mint lemonade...

We have flown TK several times in long haul business and it's a fave carrier for us. And I agree about the mint lemonade. It's totally irresistible aboard TK (chef served!) as well as in their fab IST lounge. Better than champagne!

Also investigate a stopover in IST. Often TK will give a free stopover (more than 24 hours). There are also free tour and free overnight hotel programs.

... safety ...

As I posted in the other thread, the less said about this the better.

As I posted in the other thread, the less said about this the better.

 

But, saying that is not very helpful.

 

OP - here's some information for you:

 

http://en.europenews.dk/-Pilots-Do-not-fly-Turkish-Airlines-78219.html

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/obama-pilot-unsafe-airlines-won-fly-article-1.2215362

 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2013/05/turkish-airlines

 

http://www.jacdec.de/airline-safety-ranking-2015/

Edited August 8, 2015 by 6rugrats

We flew Turkish to Cairo at the end of 2012-a little after the economy review someone posted above. We paid about $800 each with a 2 day stopover in Istanbul which is why many were flying Turkish at that time. It was a great way to get acclimatized before we went on our grand Egypt tour. Istanbul is great at any time of year and worth the stopover if possible.

 

We had economy aisle seats that were comfortable enough. The dinner and breakfast were good (I am not sure I would go with best ever but good). I really enjoyed those sandwiches and the marble cake while wandering around between movies. We were also fed a good breakfast on the two hour flight to Cairo a couple days later. The flight from Cairo back to Istanbul was also very good. Check-in and boarding in Istanbul was a zoo but the flight back to Dulles was okay. It was more crowded than when we flew over because it was closer to Christmas. Many people use Turkish to travel from points in Africa to the US. I would absolutely fly Turkish again in economy even at today's prices.

TK has a very solid product (even for economy). They do have a wide array of airplane types, so specially on the routes within Europe you can end up on an old plane with no PTV's but for the same route you can very well end up on a 777 with your own entertainment system. They are very inconsistent in their ground service as well and lose a lot of bags. I work for a company that handles flights for TK and quite some of their supervisors are very inexperienced.

This happened because they grew (too?) fast and had a lack of proper trained people.

This leads to disorganised leadership of their own supervisors and things can be a mess if something goes wrong.

 

But again, their core product is very good and their business class lounge in IST is top notch. As FlyerTalker said, take a look at the chance to visit Istanbul for a short while as they have good deals. If you're looking for an above average inflight thing for a competitive rate (even catering is quite good), then TK is a good pick. If you're looking for a more service minded airline, then you might want to take a look somewhere else.

But all in all, I'd pick Turkish over most of the European airlines, specially on a flight to/from IST.

 

Just a little side note (sorry, couldn't help it): it's Turkish Airlines, not airways ;)

 

As for when to book, nobody knows. There's a ton of 'how-to-get-the-cheapest-fare' guides, but basically, that's a lot of theory put together and it's mostly hit or miss. I've bought flights to the US at a cheap rate 3 weeks before departure and sometimes I get the best price 8 months out... If you're happy with a price, go for it.

Edited August 9, 2015 by headhunterke

Thank you all for the replies. I'm not sure I want to take Turkish Airlines now, because safety is a bit of a concern. Flying is still safer than driving a car, but I'd rather not take any chances just to save a little bit of money. I'm glad my trip next month is on Lufthansa. It's a pretty good airline in my book, and Frankfurt isn't a bad airport for connections.

TK is as safe as any major airline flying around. There's a lot of cowboy stories out there regarding safety. Airlines are under strict regulations. Airlines not respecting these rules will be blacklisted.

 

If you're refering to personal safety regarding the problems at the Turkish border with Syria: these things can, might and will happen anywhere, even in central and western Europe.

TK is as safe as any major airline flying around.

No, it isn't.

No, it isn't.

 

A few facts would be helpful. Without that, it's a worthless statement.

A few facts would be helpful. Without that, it's a worthless statement.

 

Check out the links on post #8.

Those are articles based on wild stories. As I said, ANY airline, specially in Europe, not following safety & security protocols will no longer be allowed to travel over Europe's airspace. That list of airlines is pretty extensive. Jet Airways (as well as Air India), for example wasn't allowed to have any direct flights to the USA for quite some time because of "safety" restrictions by the FAA. Their rating was improved and they can resume direct flights. They have many routes to and from Europe, some of which serve as a hub for flights to the US to avoid the earlier ban on direct flights from India to the US.

It is easy to twist and turn and interpret facts when some things aren't told or only partialy told. Would I have taken Jet Airways in the beginning days when things where shabby? Not a chance. But now? One of the best airlines I've flown with. How things were 10, 20 and 30 years ago has nothing to do with how an airline works today.

 

The link you give to the JACDEC reports is a good example. It takes data into account up to 30 years back. That tells you absolutely nothing about modern days.

I know many places that 30 years ago were a total no-go zone and nowadays are thriving spots. However when you take into account ALL criminal activities from the last 30 years, the raw data will still say it is a criminal hot spot. Totally out of proportion.

 

Media & "specialist" websites like this kind of data, but they don't look any further as to where all of this data & stories come from.

Edited August 11, 2015 by headhunterke

A few facts would be helpful.

That is true, but that is pretty much all I'm prepared to say here. There are some big issues. CCers can take that or leave that as they prefer.

Those are articles based on wild stories.

 

...

 

Media & "specialist" websites like this kind of data ...

Those are not my sources.

 

The one thing that I would add is that anyone who wants to read any more might want to look at some of TK's recent big accidents. Any airline can have accidents if they're unlucky, and some have been. But read about what happened in TK's accidents, and ask yourself why they happened. Then ask yourself what they say about the airline's safety - note: not its safety record, but its safety.

 

As for being banned, do you know just how bad you have to be to get banned by the EU?

I personally would not fly on Turkish. I'm not really fond of AF either. That's just me; everyone is free to fly any carrier they please.

Edited August 11, 2015 by 6rugrats

But, saying that is not very helpful.

 

OP - here's some information for you:

 

http://en.europenews.dk/-Pilots-Do-not-fly-Turkish-Airlines-78219.html

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/obama-pilot-unsafe-airlines-won-fly-article-1.2215362

 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2013/05/turkish-airlines

 

http://www.jacdec.de/airline-safety-ranking-2015/

 

Please, please tell me this is better. Those articles scare the crap out of me. I REALLY wish I would have seen this thread before I booked. :(

How many fatalities have there been on Turkish Airlines in the last twelve months? How many fatalities have there been on US highways? Given that comparison, which is the safer mode of transport?

How many fatalities have there been on Turkish Airlines in the last twelve months? How many fatalities have there been on US highways? Given that comparison, which is the safer mode of transport?

 

I understand your point, & it's well taken. BUT when I read how relaxed the standards are for European air travel, it does give me a cause for pause!! If a drive from Texas to Sweden was possible, trust me......I may consider it after many of the things I have read about the laxed standards in hiring pilots for this airline. I trust my driving immensely (if you were to look at my personal driving record DAILY in Houston rush hour traffic morning and night compared to Turkish Airlines in the past twenty years, I win!!!) and have NO CLUE who will be held responsible for my family's safety on the day we board the plane. I am not saying we won't go, because I am not that much of an alarmist BUT it does concern me, that's all!

Not sure what you mean about 'relaxed' standards. How many people were killed in the US by relaxed gun control last year?

Not sure what you mean about 'relaxed' standards. How many people were killed in the US by relaxed gun control last year?

 

I certainly do not want to debate gun control on a forum where I read about and plan my vacation. I have enough of that in my day to day life from the media. I apologize if I offended you in some way.

Please, please tell me this is better.

No, it isn't.

 

Here's TK's latest failure to reach the runway: http://avherald.com/h?article=4930e532&opt=0

BUT when I read how relaxed the standards are for European air travel ...

What's "relaxed" about standards for European air travel? What gives you that idea?

There's no such thing as "relaxed" rules here in Europe. I'm not sure where you got that, but that info is bullocks. Take a look at how many US planes have skid of the runway or have missed their approaches last year as well. Without the background story of the flight, there's no way to know the root cause.

 

If you have no deeper knowledge about aviation, don't go down that road either.

I will not go into detail about every single article that has been linked, but without any deeper knowledge, quoting websites is a very easy thing to do.