Hi everybody
I live in northern France, Lille; hence very easy to get to London when better fares apply from there. Having found a very low biz fare from London to Izmir, I choose TK from LGW to travel to Izmir.
A bit tired after a cold night near Embankment, I have a quick early underground ride to Victoria where, half asleep, i touch in with my Oyster card to get on Gatwick Express, hoping to sort of finish my night aboard.
But still not wide awake when I get to airport, I just don't think to start a FR, reason why my first pictures start after a few steps have been passed (successfully).
On line check in is not possible for TK flights from LGW, but having a small carry on only, and nobody on the biz line, I get my BP LGW-IST and IST-ADB in less than a minute.
Then I go across the funny upstairs downstairs system to security; some people but fluent; immigration control has been passed just before, thru an automatic control gate.
So now, let s enter the amazing mall!
More than you can imagine indeed; too much for me and I go thru very quickly, to Number 1 Lounge which is used by TK.
Nothing fantastic in this lounge where I had been before, but comfortable chairs, very good view on the tarmac,
clean toilets and bar and buffet quite adapted to breakfast.
My selection
No calls, so please watch the screen
Gate information is no more than 45 minutes before flight; and distances in LGW can be very long; it says Gate 4, I know i's not too far and I leave lounge 40 minutes before take off.
As a matter of fact it's rather a short way, a few more shops on my way, just in case I change my mind…and I get to the boarding room.
Not much used to TK procedures…
…I mention to a member of staff that I'm deaf and can't understand announcements with my ear aids, so she very kindly answers she will tell me and I'll be able to board at first call.
Indeed, 3 minutes later she comes back and invites me to board. Boarding is quick and easy
Good news, this 737-800 has a 2-2 business cabin; and this 2F seat will me most comfortable for the 4 hours to come. I thought TK 737-900 only had been refurbished with that kind of cabin.
Enough space for me (am 5'11")
I told you: it's a 737-800
This seems good quality but I won't use it.
Remote control
Screen is in there
Seat control.
Boarding goes on smoothly
FA Chef
A lovely drink, very nice flavor.
Sorry I should have taken the picture before using the hot towel; you will notice the little table.
Then comes the menu.
So it will be a second breakfast for me; I love breakfast!
Drinks
Every passenger is served individually with his/her tray
Completed with attractive bread
The hot dish, Menemen, delicious, comes next with a new offer of bread and cup refill.
Let's have a look outside; already high and away.
New refill and/or alcohol are offered.
Btw, what's on?
Screen has a fair size, am not interested in the entertainment program; but I would like flight information and maps; I'll get information but no maps; a bit of a pity.
But I've got a good book; now and then a look outside; snowy landscape from Netherlands to Bulgaria; just over an airport, Salzburg, Austria.
Some reading and a little nap later, we fly over marmara sea, with sunset light.
Ships about to enter Bosphorus
Soft landing and easy way out
Welcome to the jetway as it's freezing and snowy outside.
Not many people in the corridors.
Long but easy walk to immigration.
Priority line for biz pax; not many people, but just one immigration officer; rather quick
On the other side, lots of officers but lots of pax too.
I go quickly thru customs, and then am on my way to Domestic terminal, but the is another story…
Thanks for reading!
Great report. Turkish Airlines, as in other reports I've read, looks awesome. The food looks delicious. I'd love to fly them someday.
Thanks for sharing!
Their fares from London, especially LGW are absolutely amazing at certain dates; it also depends which airport u fly in Istanbul and the length of your connexion; but this time I paid just over £400 return LGW-Izmir with a good connexion at Istanbul Ataturk airport; when I say "good" connexion I mean not too short to be risky, or too long with overnight layover or something like that. Very good value for price if you consider that I just paid £250 more than the Y fare.
Thanks for reading and comment.
Thanks for sharing this FR with us!
I didn't know TK also served LGW, the A330 service ex-LHR would probably attract more J passengers. Either way, for a 4 hour flight, these new J cabins on TK's regional fleet are very good for daytime flights. The PTVs didn't have moving map?
I was surprised you even bothered eating in the lounge knowing that TK's catering would be top notch. The meal looks very good in terms of both the starter and the egg dish. You passed on the cheese plate?
TK's crews seem to be rated lowly, but it sounds like you were more than satisfied by the service by this crew.
Hi, thanks for reading and comment; actually I rated crew 9,5/10 which in my opinion is top rate; maybe as a former manager I consider that nobody is perfect and human being can always extend his limits...They were very good indeed.
Yes I had breakfast in the lounge because got up at 6am, I had no breakfast, and not expected to be served on board until 1100 am as take off was scheduled at 1015; honestly I could not stay that long without drinking and eating!!
Oh no I did not passed the cheese plate which also included a thin slice of cold meat and was delicious with the olives and sort of fig chutney.
Thank you very much for sharing this nice experience on TK.
It's nice that the gate agent fetched you to the plane when it was time to board. Kudos for the thoughtful gesture.
You were lucky that you got a true business class cabin instead of the ones with the middle seat blocked.
Catering did not disappoint, although I was surprised that the butter and jam were served together in a container. Also, the smoked salmon portion could have been more generous.
It's great that TK offers a proper cart service with the coffee/tea.
Thanks for reading and your comments, I've tried to answer to you many times but cor some reason it did not work. So I hope this will be the good one
Yes I did appreciate the attitude of gate agent, as well as the cabin layout and comfort
I noticed the jam and butter mix, but actually it was more like fig chutney , delicious with cheese, and I do not eat butter so it did not bother me. Yes salmon was a bot small portion, but I do not eat butter as well, so no problem with that.
I really enjoyed all I ate in this meal as well as frequent refill with a smile, which once again makes me consider my last flight in AF biz class as a pure disaster concerning service onboard.
Yes indeed I appreciated the attitude of the gate agent; on my last flight in Y I had noticed biz class had this lay out and equipment but it was a 737 900 and return on 737 800 had the usual "european" style with middle seat barred; so this time it was nice to have this comfy seat on 737 800
I noticed the apparent butter/jam mix, but actually it was more like a fig chutney, delicious with cheese, and I don't eat butter so this mix did not bother me. Yes salmon was a bit small portion, but I do not eat salmon so not an issue for me. Altogether I was satisfied by all the rest and the way it was served, especially much refill which again makes me consider my last flight on AF biz class as a pure disaster concerning service onboard.
Thanks for reading and comments.
Great to read about your experiences on TK from LGW. Their fares are indeed much lower than from LHR - my flight to Astana in June was almost £100 cheaper! A shame to miss the LHR widebody service but as a Y flyer I had to go by price. Do you know if they try and put aircraft with the newer cabins on the London routes?