Review of Turkish Airlines flight Seoul → Istanbul in Economy

Hello dear readers,
this is a third part of a report covering me and my brother´s trip to Seoul in September.

PRG - IST - http://flight-report.com/en/report-8076.html
IST - ICN - http://flight-report.com/en/report-8164.html
ICN - IST - you are here
IST - PRG - http://flight-report.com/en/report-8616.html

Firstly just some shots from the city itself where we stayed 4 great days during which we visited and discovered most of the Seoul´s must sees. Weather was perfect although on the first day it was rather misty or smoggy maybe. Even though Seoul is some kind of a really big city it´s easy to get everywhere due to great underground system which is one of the best things of the whole city. Seoul is full of contrasts with for example original palaces placed just in the middle of Downtown being surrounded with skyscrapers. I slightly doubted prior to our trip, whether Seoul is interesting enough for a few days stay, but it was absolutely perfect in the end. There are probably lots of more interesting destinations in Asia, but this was still great to get first tastes of east Asia in my life.



We were set for a midnight departure from Seoul with our A330 departing at 23:50. We were pretty tired already on the last day so we decided to leave for the airport in the afternoon to avoid walking around Seoul with our baggages in the heats typical for those days. We took an Express train from Seoul Station that goes to Incheon airport with few stops on its way. It´s a really pleasant and comfortable way to get to the airport with the price somewhere between 5-10EUR one way, if I remember well.

Arriving at the airport more than 7 hours to departure sounds crazy, but it wasn´t that bad at all. We went for something to eat, explored some shops in the terminal building and most of the time we were at the viewing point watching the apron action.

It was quite some challenge to spot something different to Korean and Asiana planes.



Viewing point at Incheon airport is placed in one of the topper floors. After having seen enough blue planes we went back down to have a dinner at airport´s Burger King and later I went to buy myself some souvenirs meanwhile brother was trying to find a place where a wifi worked fine with his smartphone. When we came back to the top floor it was dark already.



FIDS showed check-in for our TK 90 flight was about to start 3 hours to departure so 20 minutes prior to this time we decided to go to check-in. To my surprise there was already a pretty long queue ahead of us. At the check-in we were informed security was pretty busy that evening so we were advised to head to our gate straight after check-in. Reality was a bit different as the security only took us few moments. We had a look around some duty free shops and later headed for a train to take us to the Concourse.



Over 2 hours to departure we arrived in the Concourse. Immediately something strange happened when in one moment all people were guided to quickly leave all the shops nearby. Everyone was in a huge rush in that moment and a minute later all shops were closed and dark. First it felt like an evecuation, but in the end it seemed like an ordinary closing procedure for shops at this evening time. But it still surprised me even though I work at a big shopping mall.



We took a seat at our gate where our bird for Istanbul was already waiting. 2,5 years old TC-JNO with an individual name Bo'aziçi



I was a bit thirsty but it was some kind of challenge to find somewhere anything to drink with all the shops being closed. I decided to take a walk around the Concourse



KLM jumbo



Looking great in the night



Air China 737



Jeju Air 737. I have honestly never heard about this korean airline



Singapore Airlines A330 was our neighbor



Boarding was started on time and it was once again mostly Koreans heading to Istanbul that night



I was truly amazed by our aircraft´s beauty



The aircraft interior felt almost the same as on our inbound flight. Very nice inside with the whole interior feeling pretty new.



PTVs were superb once again. Seat itself was fine except of the poor legroom again



But this was absolutely the best - I loved the view of the massive wing. I realized I don´t want to sit at the window to have nice outside views but to see a wing!



Legroom a bit tight for more than 11 hours flight



Taxiing



Cabin lights were dimmed prior to take off



We performed o noisy take off. My first time taking off onboard widebody aircraft at night. It felt strange like we were not climbing even for a bit. Looking out from the window lights around seemed to be always as close to us as they were 5 minutes before. I really find our ICN departure an exciting one



Long way through Asia ahead of us



First drink and meal service started soon. Female stewards were disappointing again. TK´s reputation was only saved by one male FA who was luckily serving our seats. He was really professional although being kind a helpful.



Tonight´s flight offerings



I went for grilled chicken



.. and it was damn good again, well done Turkish



As we ordered ourseleves a bland meal (by a mistake during booking tickets), previously mentioned steward kindly allowed me to go for standard meal. My brother decided to try a bland meal and it was pretty… bland!



Within 30 minutes I asked for a wine, tea and OJ and I got them all



Months ago, somebody in his report here at FR mentioned great idea to use a blanket to cover myself at the window to have undisturbed view outside. I have to admit it works great and enjoyed really beautiful sights. Moon was reflecting on our nicely flexing wing as we were slowly moving over the cloudy China. I enjoyed that few moments being covered and having those views. Only don´t wanna know what others onboard thought of me :)

I luckily managed to fall asleep for few hours which really made the whole flight feeling shorter



We were served this bad breakfast again.



Brother was determined to avoid scrambled eggs…



… but he was terribly wrong :)



in the end we were approaching Ataturk from south as we flew around the Istanbul



Here we come. You have to love these cameras



After parking at the gate we were in no rush to leave the aircraft as we had some 3h45min for transit which was more than enough at IST



Stairs and bus again, when leaving A330 at Istanbul



After leaving the bus we found ourselves in the terminal with a goal to find a connecting flight to Prague, but that´s for another FR.
So thank you for reading up to here everyone and I look forward to seeing any of your comments.

Cheers,
Michael