flying or not flying with turkish airlines that is the question

stingrayno1


Joined: 03/02/2009
Posts: 58

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 07:18

without prejudice !!! for the second time in 3 months we have had family over flying from stansted to ercan with turkish airlines,on both occasions the flight from istanbul to ercan was cancelled leaving them stranded.we are not happy and i know they are not.

they did put them in a hotel but this was late at night,both times they had to get up early,both times they were absolutely knackered ,not a good start to your holiday.

we have not had a problem with pegasus and cta.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 11:35

I have flown with Turkish airlines and found the service, food & entertainment etc very good, but hate getting off at Istanbul to change planes in a panic and a rush and problems like the above can arise, I have now flown twice with CTA to London as you do not have to change planes, although the service, food and lack of entertainment (no fims or music) is annoying, still better than having to get off the plane, navigate through Istanbul airport and on again..you can't have everything can you?! ;0)

japeal



Joined: 12/09/2008
Posts: 1052

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 11:51

Have flown with Pegasus on numerous occasions. My first ever Pegasus flight required change at istanbul, learned lesson since then have always booked flights that do not require changes at Istanbul, never arrived late flights always been excellent.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 12:09

It is horses for courses.



We use all three and they all have different benefits.



The change over (if needed i.e. Turkish from Birmingham) is a pain but the overall flight quality is good.



Of all the airlines in all the world everyone will have a favorite and a "all time worst". Flying is a very hard way to travel, it is not cheap, we expect a lot of it and we are always in a rush.



My following thought applies to passengers and staff.



Patience being timely and having a smile always helps. The people you see did not set (check in) or read the rules (passengers) so be nice to each other lfe is too short and we are all in the long tin can for a short time.



Tom

http://www.flightholiday.co.uk

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 12:33

I have flown with Turkish Airline many times, and found them fine.

Got a return from Istanbul/Ercan last Apl/May and it was on time

and suited connection to Stansted. I found food good, staff pleasant

and helpful.

rod28


Joined: 02/02/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 12:40

I fly a lot with them. Not the best but not the worst. I have to agree that for transfers Ataturk airport it is very bad with a small desk for all flights. Second only to CDG/air france.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 12:47

Turkish Airlines is better than CTA or Pegasus, in my opinion.

bogeyman


Joined: 04/06/2009
Posts: 175

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 14:14

turkish airlines all the time never had a problem

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 14:53

CTA - Benefits ... NOT having to get offf plane



Disavantages.. you might wish you COULD as staff are lazy/ not interested in tidying up after meals and I always get the impression passengers are a pain...





THY - Turkish - ( They hate you ?!)



Benefits - flight staff seem more professional - planes normally cleaner.



Disadvantages - flights to "TRNC" - the change - flight to CY at the last / furthest gates and ( esp late evening flight) seems to "enjoy" cancellation / delay and changes of gates / lack of information



Can't speak for other companies..



*I* like flying to CY on CY Airways - esp with kids on the LHR / LCA flight as the A330 has inflight entertainment screens - with many channels in each seat... and staff great with kids and not tight with an extra bottle of wine ;)



BA.. often used elderly 767/757 with NO in flight entertainment in cattle class and 4.5 hours of boredom ..



My kids prefer CY.. but I understand some don't WANT to use GC airline.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 14:58

Speaking as I find. Returned yesterday Ercan - Antalya - Stansted with CTA. No problems at all. Flight left on time, arrived on time and staff were helpful and friendly. I wouldn't say they were 'effusive' but certainly polite and meals cleared away promptly.



Flying in September with Pegasus for first time.



J

xvickyx2009


Joined: 25/06/2009
Posts: 46

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 15:36

Im flying with Turkish airlines for the first time in October.. going from stansted to instanbul then on to ercan airport. I have been told that i dont need to swop over to another plane.. apparntly we land in Instanbul stay on the same plane then off to ercan. To be honest i dont really believe it im pretty sure we would have to change planes but who knows.



Hopefully il have a smooth journey without any delays but that is hoping.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 15:44

I look at it , as a means to an end

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 15:45

I've never had to get off a Turkish Airlines flight from London to Ercan!

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 15:48

I look at it , as a means to an end and this applies to all airlines , don't expect too much and you don't get disappointed . Have never had any major problems though

Simbas

finchy


Joined: 08/04/2008
Posts: 86

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 15:58

Iv'e booked my daughter on a flight from Stanstead to Ercan via Istanbul on the 11th August, due to arrive in Ercan at 11.35pm.



I only booked this because, CTA times make it difficult for her to get to the airport and Pagasus appeared rather expensive. I have since been worried about any problems if the flight from Stanstead is delayed and it arrives in Istanbul after the flight to Ercan has taken off, as there is only 1 hour between flights.



I'm now just as concerned that it will be difficult for her to locate the gate for the flight to Ercan. Is it really so bad?



Any advice to give her would be appreciated.



At least she will only have hand luggage.



finchy

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 16:05

finchy - I understand your concern about the changeover at Istanbul. In my experience, the time between flights is rather short and Istanbul is a big airport. Also, I did not find the gate clearly marked. I would say to follow those on the Stansted-Istanbul flight, after making sure they were going on to Ercan. This is what we did the first time. Only consolation is that once you've done it once, it's easy. Try not to worry - I'm sure your daughter will be fine.



I'm sure someone else will give you much more detailed advice.



J

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 16:34

Xvickyx2009 and Finchy.



I have flown with Turkish Airlines, CTA, and Pegasus, and have never yet got off plane in Turkey.

Stanstead to Ercan.

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 17:25

We are flying to Ercan from Manchester with TA for the first time in September. Expecting to transfer/change planes at Ataturk/Istanbul airport before flying onto Ercan. Any advice/guidance re negotiating our way from plane to check in/out desk/gate would be gratefully recieved....does our luggage get tranferred between flights automatically, or do we have to claim luggage oursleves. Might sound daft questions to those who have used this airline/route before. Have an hour between flights so not long. Always used CTA until last flight.....and never had to get off plane. Booked flights on internet so have eticket no info apart from flight numbers etc

Many thanks

jfoggy

Dawnie1


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 22:41

Your luggage does get sorted for you so dont need to worry about that, I have flown with them twice & both times we had to change planes. Once I missed the connection & had to wait around for several hours for the next plane & those that had managed to get on the flight had to wait at Ercan as no luggage was with them, it was on our flight.

You go into the transit lounge but it is all well signposted.



Its great as the planes are better but for me not worth the aggro of changing planes and the melee that that causes.



Have been flying with CTA for the last 7 years and they are a lot better than they used to be!!!



Flying with Pegasus on Saturday so we will see what they are like.

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:30

Hi Dawnie1

Thanks for your response-glad about the luggage being sorted for us, just hope it arrives when we do! Will let you know how we get on! We too have flown CTA for a good number of years. To be fair, all OK until last flight home a few weeks ago. So cramped, rows of seats seemed to be squashed up more than usual, and we're not big people, I'm only 5' so goodness knows how others coped. One large built lady spent most of the flight standing in the aisle at the side of my husband , leaning into her seat area, which left her rather ample backside swaying from side to side, only a couple of inches away from his face....I appreciate she had problems fitting into her seat and was obviously uncomfortable, so needed to keep moving. After that experience we, or rather I decided we needed a change, so giving TA a go, also got the tickets a lot cheaper than CTA were quoting. Anyway we'll see how it goes! Hope you have a good flight on Sat with Pagasus. Regards

jfoggy

judgejolly


Joined: 05/07/2008
Posts: 25

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 01:48

You will have to change planes at Istanbul. We did the trip in May. Everything worked out well, but next time we will be flying into Larnaca without a doubt. We would rather have a 75 min drive from the the south than have the time taken up with a change of aircraft in Turkey. Done it both ways and the flight into Larnaca would always be our choice. Would fly Monarch.

mikea11


Joined: 15/06/2008
Posts: 254

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 09:07

Just come back from UK using Turkish airlines and we could not fault them, ok you have to change planes in Istanbul but the flights go from the same terminal and it gives you a chance to stretch your legs. Good legroom, decent food, free drink and films. This was the first time we had flown with them and they were cheaper than the others, maybe we were just lucky on that point and in fairness a lot of the time it comes down to price either north or south of the island. Have to admit though if there was a delay it could be a problem.

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 09:15

Last year with Turkish Airlines no change of aircraft was required. They've given up on that this year, and now you must change.



I've flown Pegasus many times, and have not had to change aircraft. All flights have been on time and reasonably priced.

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 11:21

judgejolly



I would be reluctant to give any business to gc's considering they are trying to make things so awkward for Brits in TRNC

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 11:48

StingrayNo1



Please can you tell me what flights were cancelled, times, which day etc. Thanks

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 12:12

Judge Msg 21



Why not try CTA or Pegasus both of whom fly "direct" into & out of Ercan from the UK? Turkish are better but their hub is Istanbul so although inconvenient you can understand the change.



Tom

http://www.flightholiday.co.uk

davedee



Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 479

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 12:20

Not done turkish but many times CTA and Pegasus and i always think the aircraft and flights are good just by thinking back to Onur Air days Phew !!

Dawnie1


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 17:56

jfoggy



Thanks, lets hope so.



davedee.



OMG I had forgotten about Onur Air, now that was dodgy airline!!!!! CTA these days are a dream compared to Onur and the delays, oh well those were the days.....not!!!!!

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 18:15

Dawnie1



Don't you remember Bosphorus Airlines or Istanbul Airways? Near their demise both had the bad Onur planes or even worse.



Tom

IAH Ltd

PS In those days CTA were not half as good as they are now.

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 19:44

Hi Flightholiday.



I dont remember Bosphorus Airlines but I do remember Istanbul Airways, my god talk about tempting your fate.

Who was the airline that the original President Holidays were tied up with?, they went bust.

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 20:05

The one occasion I used President Holidays they used a firm called 'Transjet', Swedish I believe.

The caterers at Stansted refused to supply them, as their previous payment had bounced.

There was then a long delay and we passengers rebelled, telling the aircrew to just get airborne and to heck with food and drink.

We eventually left and arrived in TRNC for the first-ever time.

The return flight was different, President were going bust, but give them their due they got us back to Stansted via CTA, Excel Airways and bus from Gatwick to Stansted. From leaving the Dome hotel 1 day early with about 20 minutes notice to arriving at Stansted took 16.5 hours!

Dawnie1


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 22:20

Tom



Yep I remember Istanbul Airways, god how lucky we are now compared to those days.



When you next out there?

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 22:47

Either CNN or BBC World or maybe both expel the virtues through advertising the virtues of flying Turkish Airlines. Report them to the UK advertising regulators for misrepresentation and write a letter in person to TA that if they do not offer you free tickets for your next venture to TRNC you will issue a small claims injunction against them. Will cost you £25 but what the hell, ensure you contact one of the Daily Newspapers, they love all this kind of stuff.



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 23:54

Chick Msg. 30 - it was Istanbul Airlines and they had an aircraft sitting on the tarmac in Ercan for at least 12/18 months after they went down.



tom

http://www.iah-holidays.co.uk

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
02/07/2009

Dawn Msg 32,



Many of the bb members don't appreciate the changes. They do not know what has gone on in the past with problems on the bb's etc either.



Was out in May hope for late September or early October but more likely December.



How's u and the family?



Tom

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 00:12

Anyone lucky enough to fly "Akdeniz"

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 00:15

Brinslay R Msg 33.



I reckon you deserve a wooden spoon for stirring it - you might be right but how much would it help.



What would your small claims injuction cite or prove for your £25.00 they would employ many lawyers at huge fees thus lowering service levels for other passengers to pay for your "frivolous" complaint. But I do like the concept of thousands of small claims from lots of people.



A valid major complaint worth fighting over would be safety infringements. Maybe allowing passengers to get up too early?



When did you last get up before the plane stopped? Most of us do it and if the plane comes to a poor halt we might hurt another passenger by falling on them or worse the contents of the overhead locker you have opened falling and cracking their skull (have you seen what a 10Kg solid weight can do dropping 1/2 a metre).



My point - Positive complaints get more and better reactions than negative ones.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 08:09

It is also a risk when changing planes & connecting flights that your luggage will be at your final destination, apparently they can change over the luggage in 45 minutes but if they are delays etc it can be worrying, I prefer to not have to change planes now and fly with CTA although as previously noted, the food, service & entertainment (or lack of) doesn't make it as comfortable, my advice? If flying with CTA bring your own food, drinks, snacks and books or whatever you need to make it a more interesting flight as only an in flight magazine is provided & both times I flew the food was not fresh and I had an upset stomach upon arrival!

Natx

westender


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 328

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 22:26

Remember some years ago CTA served up a fish meal, the stench hit you as soon as you were walking to the plane. Luckily, I don't eat fish but my husband spent all night on the toilet!

Dawnie1


Joined: 27/09/2008
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 22:37

Can you remember when the starter was always grated carrot, nothing else just grated carrot, & noone ate it, but did they question it, not for years.



These days the food on CTA is gourmet compared to how it used to be.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 23:21

There is a problem taking food through in hand luggage at LHR. A definite no no.



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 23:52

Dawn Msg 40 Slight exageration but the food would have made Gordon close Hells Kitchen in the past - now it would not.



Brinsley Msg 41 Spot on and that applies to most UK airports.



Tom

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 00:05

Hi stingrayno1



More problems....



http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/18299.asp



Navek

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 11:06

I take a book, and buy food and drinks once through the customs area.....the flights for me are a means to an end......

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 13:32

Brinsley..No problem taking food through at Manchester for our flights.I have been asked many times what it is,and when I say "Bacon and egg baps" been asked on more than one occasion, had I any spare ones....

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 13:37

Coachie - you may be lucky but I would not assume that anyone can get through.



The security have the right to dispute and the responsibility to take no possible risk. They could ask you to eat your baps of course.



Tom

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 23:38

Tom ..have taken food through on my last six holidays i.e Cyprus ,Crete,And Egypt,as I said as long as it is not fresh meat etc no problem.Sandwiches ,filled rolls, cake, chocolate, biscuits, no drinks till we got inside the airport.This all in the last 18months.Perhaps they take pity on this under fed refugee from Stoke-on- trent...

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 23:58

Went through Bodrum airport last week with food and big bottles of water no questions asked - no problem. Manchester I have taken food through in hand luggage but no fluids allowed.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 15:50

47 / 48 I am glad you got the food through - I do on my way from home to home Ercan to UK.



As a Tour Op. I have to advise caution. So as a rule you should avoid taking anything that might be considered paste or fluid through security.



You also must take into account that the authorities and security have always got the right to stop & search you for many reasons (for example see the previous threads re money from the EU) and if they do detain you for a few minutes it could prejudice your flights.



Tom

IAH Ltd

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 16:05

Msg 49,



The food I'm talking about is to eat on the flight - as you all know you are resticted about what foods you can import to the UK.