This report has been added to the FLASHBACK SERIES as this FR doesn't include much detail as my regular reports. In this series of flights, I would share reports from flights that I've flown before registering this website. Just a quick reminder that I am the same human being with "turkishflyer1" on flyertalk so the reports posted can be the same as posted there.
Regular up to date reports would be continued to be shared shortly after the flight date.
List subject to change due to photo availability, dates are estimated and changes can occur. As these flights are reported you would be able to click on the sector to see the FR. Not reported flights would be written in italic.
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Route Overview:
There are 4 carriers who flies this route directly. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Borajet and Middle Eastern Airlines for Summer 2016. MEA was cheaper than all other carriers and they use Atatürk Airport instead of Sabiha Gökçen. AtlasGlobal ended their BEY service this year.
Online Check-in:
Online check-in served almost nothing because I had chosen my seats when booking the ticket and it didn't let you have a mobile boarding pass. MEA didn't had an online check-in desk at IST. And they ask to fill your passport information.
Entering the airport:
Entering the airport was fast and the first security checkpoint was empty so 2 minutes of waiting time.
Check-in:
People were starting to que up at 08:30 but the desks opened at 09:00. Some people tried to enter the queue from the middle or entered Sky Priority line even they were Economy. I have also seen passengers booked for the next day flight and in the line waiting to check-in. There were 2 Sky Priority and 2 Economy Class desks. When I was checking in, the ground agent checked my passport if I had an Israel stamp due to security reasons.
Spotting in the outbound flight while waiting the flight.
Boarding Pass:
Passport and Security Checkpoint:
Today's wait was 15 minutes in the regular line.
Waiting for the Flight:
Today's choice was Starbucks Coffee at the mezzazine floor. It's the same as usual Starbucks in Turkey but it was crowded and difficult to find a seat.
Gate Area:
Our aircraft from the gate area 222. Today's aircraft was OD-MRO.
Mahan Air A310 departing to IKA from the gate next to ours
An AtlasGlobal A319 ( TC-ATD ) heading to the runway for its flight to CPH
TK A320 just arrived from TLV and parked at gate 221.
Boarding:
Firstly business class passengers were invited to board and after that all remaining passengers were invited. Boarding was on time.
The Seat:
The seat was a regular economy seat for this flight. Every passenger had it's PTV for the flight. The seat had a footrest and the seat pitch was above average economy class seats.
Before Takeoff:
The in flight safety video was shown and the cabin crew checked the cabin for almost 5 times. Every time someone was told to close their mobile phones for takeoff.
So, A triple seven to Chicago
Another 777 to San Francisco
Air Astana A320 to Aytrau
Turkish A330-300 to Boston
TC-JSI to Lisbon ( A321 )
Another USA flight. TK7 to Washington.
Turkish A321s to Rome and Munich
TK1985 to LHR would be operated by a 777-300ER
TC-JSE parked at gate 207 waiting for it's departure to Zürich.
Two TK 738's both just arrived from Thessaloniki ( TC-JVV ) & Batumi ( TC-JHD ).
Last photo before takeoff; TC-JRG departing to AYT at the runway and AC 788 waiting for it's turn
Last view of IST
Takeoff:
After a short while there was a brief video about Lebanon on our PTV's.
15 July Martyrs ( Bosphorus ) Bridge & The Golden Horn
Kadıköy District from the sky
IFE:
There was PTV's at every seat but the entertainment system opened for 1 minutes after the video of Lebanon. The system was deactivated for the rest of the flight. Another point is that overhead monitors were showing the flight map but the monitor over us wasn't working.
There was two magazines. Cedar Wings magazine and the duty free catalogue. In flight duty free was avalible for this flight.
Meal Service:
Firstly the cabin crew handed us the tray that had mini sandwiches, chocolate yoghurt, an orange juice and a small water. Another fact is that no beverages were served and cabin crew was asking everyone if they wanted tea or coffee. Before landing they served a Lebanese cake with pistachios.
Crew:
The only problem was when the crew was distributing immigration cards I tried to stop her but she hadn't so I pressed the crew button to call her. After 2 minutes they have turned off the signal from the front. After that I repressed the button and it was the same thing, they had turned the sign from the system so I've got my form just before leaving the aircraft.
Another point about the crew was that one of the exit row passengers started to touch the window-door just for looking and they strictly warned the passenger not to touch the door instead of an emergency situation.
Arrival:
Arrival was on time. Immigration was quick and fast even I had to fill my form at the airport. Baggages arrived at carousel 2 after 15 minutes of waiting for them.
See more
Verdict
Middle East Airlines
7.0/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew6.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering8.0
Istanbul - ISL
6.8/10
Efficiency6.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0
Beirut - BEY
8.3/10
Efficiency9.0
Access8.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
MEA was better than I have expected. It was the cheapest option and why should'nt I fly them again if it's possible. I don't know anything about connecting flights in Beirut but it can be useful one day. Once again thanks for reading the report and sorry for some photo errors.
1 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for this FR on this airline not often reported. The service is okay, something better than a sandwich and a yoghurt could be offered and the not so friendly really harms the opinion on the flight. How was the price compared to TK ?
TK was flying 2 times expensive than MEA but it was Turkish holiday season so all TK routes from IST/SAW were very expensive for that period .By the way thanks for your comment.
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66 reviews
4 Comments
The service is okay, something better than a sandwich and a yoghurt could be offered and the not so friendly really harms the opinion on the flight.
How was the price compared to TK ?
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