Hi, dear passengers and avgeeks!
This short series of 2 FRs covers 2 short flights from Bucharest (OTP) to Tel Aviv (TLV) via Istanbul (IST) on Turkish Airlines widebodies back in late July 2023. This FR covers OTP-TLV leg on a rare PW-powered A332.
Flights between IST and OTP are one of the shortest TK flights, and at the same time they're served almost exclusively by the whole spectrum of TK widebodies: B77Ws, A359s (including "Turkoflots"!), B789s, A333s (with all the spectrum of the cabins) and A332s with rather unpredictable assignment of the types. The reason is that these short IST-OTP-IST rotations fit well between long- and mid-haul flights of TK's widebodies.
My flight was initially meant to be operated by a "Skymark" A333 (with "mid-haul" cabins, featuring Recaro CL4420 recliners in business and subpar Recaro CL3710 seats in economy), but was swapped to a "Brazilian" PW-powered A332 at the last minute.
Ex-Brazilian A332s In TK Fleet
In 2014-2016, due to the recession in Brazil and fleet renewal, its flag carrier TAM (JJ) - which later in 2016 became the part of LATAM Group - had to restructure and dump a part of its widebody fleet, namely A332s, which had quite rare PW engines and 3-class layouts with first class (one can see in the first part of this video, how these oldschool F cabins looked like and what was the level of the service; and on this video one can see all the 3 classes in JJ configuration). In turn, instead of phased-out A332s, JJ got a number of (mostly 2012-2013 late-builds) B763s from LA (during the pandemic JJ sold all these B763 for freighter conversions).
In 2014-2015 TK took 8 of these PW-powered A332 and reconfigured them with C24_Y255 layout. As of July 2026, only 4 of them are still in service: 2007-built TC-JIO and TC-JIP, 2008-built TC-JIT and 2011-built TC-LOH.
Needless to say that TK in the past also had 2 PW-powered A332 (TC-LNA/B) from long-defunct Kingfisher, which now belong to HiFly Malta.
Also worth noting that TK also has in its fleet 5 2005-2006-built GE-powered A332s in long-haul C18_Y232 layout (I flew on 2 of them ISL-BOG-PTY and BOG-PTY-ISL back in 2018; though, TK A359s and B789s pushed these A332 away from flights longer that 8+ hours since) and 1 2013-built RR-powered A332 (from AV) in C30_Y222 layout. This makes TK the only A330ceo operator in the world with all the 3 types of engines (GE, RR, PW) in the fleet (TK's A333s have RR and GE engines).
In the Appendix one can see the comprehensive list of the remaining operators of PW-powered A330s.
Though, as most of TK's current A332s are aging, their fate is sealed: they'll be gradually pushed away by TK A333s, which, in turn, will be pushed away from their respective routes by TK's newer A359s and B789s.
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
OTP is the main airport of Romania and its capital and is located north of Bucharest city and has railway connection with Gara de Nord (Northern railway station) and bus connection with Gara de Nord and the city centre. Also a new subway line to OTP is planned. It's interesting that Bucharest also has the 2nd airport - small Baneasa (BBU), which is also located north from city centre halfway to OTP. Though, despite its close location to OTP, BBU has very few flight and doesn't interfere.
OTP has 2 runways - 08L/26R and 08R/26L of 3500 m. lenght - and one terminal. Back in 2023, when Romania still was not in Schengen area, the terminal had international airside and separate domestic airside. Since 31 March 2024, when Romania became a Schengen member, most of the former international airside was reorganized to intra-schengen gates, leaving only a small number of gates for international flights.
OTP train station (located in a short walking distance from the terminal) and the train on the line.
The walkway from the train station to the terminal.
The main ATC tower.
The terminal from the outside. On the "minus 1" level is the bus stop for those who want to go directly to the city centre.
OTP: Landside
An art exhibition, which was near the entrance back then.
The corridor, leading to the check-in hall.
A photo of CEC Palace, located in the old city.
A photo of the (in)famous Parliament - the former Ciausescu's palace - and the FID of domestic (intra-Romanian) flights. One can notice that most RO flights were codeshared with TK, KL and AZ (which was in Skyteam back then).
A misterious duty-free shop for crews.
View of the then-domestic check-in hall. The photo is made 15 April 2023, during my first visit in Romania (I was flying on boring Wizzair flights back then). Further I'll add some photos of the terminal made on that date for completeness.
Under the ceiling one can see the aircraft of Aurel Vlaicu - the pioneer of Romanian aviation.
FID of then-international flights - since 31 March 2024 most of them are "domestic". One can see the domination of LCCs here, especially of Wizzair.
The self-checkin machines demonstrates the most part of the list of legacies in OTP.
The then-international (now mostly "domestic") check-in hall - definitely the most spacious part of the terminal.
The counters of H4 - the carrier, who flew me here directly from TLV (on A21N - the FR will follow soon). Though, for the return way I chose much more interesting variant with TK.
The TK counters.
My BPs for the both legs.
OTP: Airside
After the main check-in hall one passes security and then to the left are the gates for intra-Romanian flights and to the right back then was immigration (which since 31 March 2024 was moved much further) and international gates (most of them were turned to intra-Schengen ones since).
General view of the then-international pier after security.
A nice collage with an aerial view of the terminal.
An advertisement of Dole bananas, which makes me a bit nostalgic.
Direction to the gates, which all were international back then until 31 March 2024.
A couple of shops with some national colorite.
Here begins the most obscure and cramped part of the airside.
Some shops and eateries in this area.
The gates in this part of the pier are very obscure-looking. Obviously, this is the older part of the pier.
Though, here one could find a nice touch with these cat-style suitcases.
The central part of the pier with the stair down to the bus gates (overhead is the tubular arrival gallery of the farthest gates).
In the central part of the pier one can find the lounge…
… and a number of shops (some with nice aestetics).
Downstairs, in the bus gates area, there's not that much to see…
… but one can find there some vending machines (there are some upstair as well).
Passing the central part of the pier, one finds oneself in the much nicer newer part. The map of the pier back in 2023.
Toilets and vending machines.
"Art Safari" exhibition. On the 3rd photo is Aurel Vlaicu - the Romanian aviation pioneer - with his aircraft.
FID for tonight's flights. One can notice how popular Romania was with Israelis. Out of these displayed flights only LHR, IST and TLV are truly international ones since 31 March 2024. Needless to say that OTP still has a number of another international flights - mostly to different UK cities, Dublin and Middle East, but also to New York (HiSky on their sole A332) and Yerevan. Starting from September 2026, Air China will fly PEK-OTP-ZAG on A332s with 5th freedom rights on OTP-ZAG leg. So, CA will be just 3rd carrier (along with TK and H4), operating widebody flights to/from OTP.
Moving forward, one passes then-inactive immigration cabines (I believe since 31 March 2024 border officers were moved exactly here)…
… and finds oneself in the farthest and the most spacious part of the pier - gates 5-10 with their tubular arrival gallery.
One can find some more shops and eateries here.
Gate 9, from where TK often (but not always) departs here.
Planespotting in OTP
Compared to the busy European hubs, OTP, being rather small airport in not very wealthy country, doesn't have intense traffic, though, planespotting here is not that boring as one could think.
A320SL (YR-BEE) of HiSky Europe (H4), bound for TLV. H4 is a small airline, operating just 7 aircrafts: 1 A332 (a RR-powered one from Sichuan Airlines), 2 A21Ns (Sichuan ntu) and 4 A320s. In this trip on my way from TLV to OTP I flew one of H4's A21N - YR-WIN - which was then stored for 1.5 years from January 2025 until July 2026 due to PW GTF engines issues and only recently returned into service.
Ryanair / Malta Air B7M8-200 (9H-VUZ) - a B7M8 with B7M9's doorset, enabling almost 200-seat capacity.
A21N (9H-WBU) - one of numerous Wizzair Malta neos. It's one of the earlier (2020-built) A21Ns without a "mask" on the cockpit windows.
2009-built RO AT76 (YR-ATI), which was then stored since June 2025. On the backdrop one can see some military aircrafts, as NATO uses OTP for its purposes.
2 more RO AT76s - 2019-2020-built YR-ATJ and -ATK.
A3 A320 (SX-DGD) in the old livery, arriving from ATH.
RO A318 (YR-ASA), named "Aurel Vlaicu" - after the pioneer of Romanian aviation. It was the last (of 4) A318 leaving RO fleet, as it was phased out in November 2024 and then scrapped in 2025. Since November 2024 the world's last A318 operator is AF, still operating its 4 last frames, until more deliveries of the newest A223s.
Another RO A318 (YR-ASB), named "Traian Vuia". It was phased out even earlier - in November 2023 - and then scrapped for parts in 2024.
An ultra-rare 1985-built cargo (converted from passenger) SAAB Fairchild 340AF (ES-LSC) of small Estonian cargo airline Airest, having 7 such SAABs plus 1 AT75. On the backdrop is one of Wizzair A321SL arriving.
A320SL (HA-LYM) of Wizzair Hungary. In November 2023 it was transferred to Vueling, as Wizzair actively gets rid of A321ceos and A320ceos in favor of the newest A21Ns.
RO B738 (YR-BGJ), named "Nadia Comaneci". 2 of 4 RO B738, including this one, have Y189 layout, 2 others have C16_Y144 layout with proper narrowbody business class with recliners.
RO B737 (YR-BGG) in the retro livery. It was phased out in March 2026. Currently RO has just one B737 in the fleet, which will be retired when the new B7M8s arrive.
The Aircraft
And here comes the aircraft, operating my flight from Bucharest to Istanbul - 2007-built TC-JIO, the oldest of TK's PW-powered A332s. When it was in JJ fleet until 2014, it had 3-class F4_C36_Y183 layout with first class. TK reconfigured it into 2-class C24_Y255 layout as well as its siblings, received from JJ. One can notice that PW4168 engines, powering A330ceos, can easily be distinguished by the shape of its exhaust cone, which is truncated, whereas much more popular GE CF6 engines have sharp exhaust cone. Worth noting that it's not applicable to the large PW4090 engines, powering first-gen B777s, as they have sharp exhaust cones.
Boarding
Boarding was from the centralmost gate of this part of the pier - 7.
A view of the aircraft from the jetbridge.
The jetbridge was attached to 1L door, which seems to be the rule for widebodies in OTP. One can see how "tired" is the painting, as the rivets are clearly visible through it.
The Business Class Cabin
The business class cabin is located between 1L/R and 2L/R doors and consists of 24 very obsolete cradle-type Sicma Majesty seats (also known as Weber 7800) in 2-2-2 layout. As of July 2026, besides TK with these ex-JJ A332s, there are only 4 more airlines, operating these seats - China Airlines (CI) in some A333s (2-2-2), Azerbaijan Airlines (J2) in B763s (2-1-2), Uzbekistan Airways (HY) in B763s (2-1-2) and MIAT (OM) in B763 (2-1-2). On the 2nd photo one can notice that the lateral bulkhead seat blocks 1AB/JK have different tray tables compared to the other seatblocks.
The Economy Class
The economy class in these A332s is essentially one big cabin, consisting of 255 Weber 5751 seats, and spanning from 2L/R to 4L/R doors with just a partial separation by lateral lavatories near 3L/R doors.
A bulkhead row and a general view of the "front" sub-cabin (between 2L/R and 3L/R doors).
Some views of the "rear" sub-cabin (between 3L/R and 4L/R doors). Note that the bulkhead row has underseat universal power socket and USB port, which is (sadly) not the case for the regular rows. On the last photo is the right-side duo block of the last row, which can be used as a crew rest area (note the curtain behind) as these A332s don't have proper crew rest bunks. Though, nowadays TK doesn't operate any of its A332s (including the former "long-haul" GE-powered ones with proper crew rest bunks) on flights exceeding 8+ hours.
A quick visit into one of 2 rear lavatories, which are standard for A330ceo and clean.
The Economy Seat: Weber 5751
My seat was 36K in the rear part of the economy cabin in the zone of fuselage tapering. The seat model is Weber 5751 of early production years (one can notice the oldschool form of the armrests). The seat has a lot of padding and is super comfortable. The seat has fabric upholstery, adjustable headrest, oldschool Panasonic eX2 IFE with rather small (and slow) screen, bi-fold tray table with cup holder, lower soft seatpocket and legrest. The IFE is powered by an underseat box, which is thankfully rather slim and not bothersome. Sadly, no USB ports or power socket is provided for regular economy rows. The row pitch is very good. Waiting on the seat were pillow and simple headphones.
Moreover, despite the beefy armrests and the location in the cabin tapering zone, the seatwidth is proper 18.0", which is very nice! For comparison, in TK's own A333s with the same (but newer) Weber 5751 seats, the seatwidth drops from generous 18.1" to humble 17.3" in the rear tapering zone, making it the space to avoid, and it's generally applicable to the most A330s. So, TK's "Brazilian" A332s are the lucky exception from this rule!
The seatback and the seatpocket content: safety card and waste bag.
The overhead panel has no airvents. One can notice the rails for the curtain, which can turn these rearmost seat duos into a crew rest area.
The main menu of IFE. One can notice that the IFE even has a cardreader, which is funny.
The Flight
The cabin moodlighting (TK installed it into these A332s) is turned to the departure mode.
A rare Luxair B737 is departing for LUX.
Pushback begins and safety video is played.
Taking off to the skies, lit by the full moon.
Leaving Bucharest behind.
As the flight time is very short (just 1 hour), the crew immediately starts service when the aircraft reaches (for a short while) the cruise FL. For such a short flight a turkey sandwich plus cheese-vegs salad plus cake is very generous compared to what EU airlines offer (almost nothing) on their flights of similar length. For the drinking I chose airan and cherry juice.
After the meal it's time to dive into IFE, advertising the nature and sighseeings of Turkiye. One can easily learn the geography of the country by these screenshots.
The flight map is of the oldest version without any interactivity. I guess that TK still hasn't updated this map considering that these A332s are bound to leave the fleet in the foreseeble future.
And now we're already descending to IST.
The cabin lighting is turned into the landing mode.
IFE displays connecting gates for the flights with short connections.
Some beautiful moonlight views of the IST neighbourhoods during descent and landing.
TK B77W (TC-LJJ) in "UEFA Champions League" (March 2023 - October 2024) near D-pier.
An ultra-rare 1992-built A310 (EP-MDK) of Iran Airtour near D-pier. This aircraft is still in service!
The Economy Class After The Flight
A couple of views of the "rear" economy sub-cabin upon disembarkment.
A general view of the "front" sub-cabin (and essentially of the entire economy). One can notice a very unusual middle bulkhead seatblock (5DEF), which is a triplet (not quadruple) with widened seatbacks! Supposedly it was made to widen the aisles in the very beginning of the cabin to give the crews more space to handle the service carts. Though, the widened seatbacks seem like an odd solution. As a consequence, the following quadruple block (6DEFG) has tray tables in the (fixed-type) armrests, and also 6G seat has folding IFE screen in the armrests. The IFE screens for 6DEF seats (supposedly located in the seatbacks of 5DEF) are not aligned with the seats. I apologize for the blurry photo, as the crew were hurrying me to leave the aircraft (the crew were far from the friendliest on this flight). For comparison, LH A346s, LH A343s, LH A333s and SA A343s also have these odd triples in the very first row of economy (in LH's case these triplets are located right after 2-3-2 premium economy).
The Business Class Cabin After The Flight
A last glance on the obsolete business cabin upon disembarkment.
The Aircraft After The Flight
A view of the nose of our A332 after the flight. One can see TK B789 (TC-LLH) at the adjacent gate. We arrived to D-pier of IST, which turned to be super convenient, as my next flight to TLV was departing from the same pier (7 hours later). Moreover, as this OTP-IST flight arrived from EU, there was no security screening, and I was in the airside within minutes!
Bonus: Planespotting In OTP In April 2023
To make this FR more interesting, I'd like to add the photos from planespotting in OTP made earlier in 2023 - on 15 April, when I was flying OTP-TLV on a boring Wizzar flight. Though, the variety of the planes and liveries I saw before that flight, was far from boring!
1997-built RO AT45 (YR-ATA), which was stored in OTP in March 2020 - March 2024. In early 2026 it joined interCaribbean Airways (Turks and Caicos islands).
1993-built RO B733 (YR-BGA). It was stored in OTP from March 2020 until August 2023 and then in February 2026 joined Cobra Aviation in South Africa.
4 tails of stored RO aircrafts in a row: 3 B733s (YR-BGA, -BGE, -BGB) and A319 (YR-ASA). The latter was stored temporarily, and, as was said earlier, was flying in RO fleet until November 2024.
Another RO AT45 (YR-ATE, 1998-built), which also joined interCaribbean Airways in 2024, but is stored since February 2026.
B733 (YR-BAP) of defunct Romanian carrier Blue Air (ceased operations in October 2022).
1994-built RO B733 (YR-BGE). It was stored in OTP from November 2021 until May 2023 and then joined Cobra Aviation in South Africa, but is stored since November 2025.
1993-built RO B733 (YR-BGB), which was stored since February 2020 and then was scrapped in October 2023.
RO A318 (YR-ASA), named "Aurel Vlaicu", which was temporarily stored back then.
A Wizzair A321SL, boarding on a remote stand. As of July 2026, Wizzair Holdings has 35 A321ceos compared to whopping 202 A21Ns.
LO E195 (SP-LNH), departing for WAW.
A320SL (9H-WDA) of Wizzair Malta. As of July 2026, Wizzair Holdings has just 22 A320ceos.
A320SL (HA-LWS) of Wizzair Hungary. In June 2025 it was transferred to Mexican ULCC Viva (former Viva Aerobus).
An ultra-rare 1989-built passenger SAAB 340B (ES-NSL), which back then was operating for NyxAir (Estonia). Since April 2025 NyxAir operates it for SolaAir (Sweden).
RO AT76 (YR-ATK) and ES-NSL.
KL B737 (PH-BGI), departing for AMS. On the backdrop one can see some military aircrafts.
An ultra-rare 1984-built cargo (converted from passenger) SAAB Fairchild 340AF (ES-LSG) of small Estonian cargo airline Airest.
A321SL (HA-LXH) of Wizzair Hungary and ES-LSG.
A320 (YR-AGB) of Animawings and ES-LSG. Animawings is rather small Romanian airline, currently operating 2 A320s and 6 brand-new A223s.
A private Pilatus PC-12 (SP-NUT) and military aircrafts on the backdrop.
A20N (9H-WBA) of Wizzair Malta - the rarest type (just 6 frames) of Wizzair Holdings.
A320 (HA-LPK) of Wizzair Hungary and SAAB 340B (ES-NSL). In October 2024 HA-LPK was transferred to Mexican ULCC Viva Aerobus (now Viva).
A320SL (HA-LYP) in the old pink livery - it operated my OTP-TLV flight on 15 April 2023. In late 2025 it was repainted into the standard livery.
Private Bombardier Challenger 350 (OE-HIL).
Private Piper PA-46-350P (D-EVPA).
A321SL (HA-LXQ) of Wizzair Hungary. In late July 2026 this aircraft joined FLYONE Romania fleet.
And as addition - some ground services of OTP.
The secondary ATC tower and the parking of ground services.
A heavy tug for widebodies and a stair.
A firefighting machine.
An oldschool Mercedes, serving as an apron bus.
Thank you for your attention and see you in the next FRs!
Appendix: Remaining Operators Of PW-Powered A330s.
Among the 3 engine options for A330ceos (A332s and A333s), PW was by far the rarest one. Except the small TK's PW-powered A332 subfleet, PW-powered A330s in noticeable number can be found only in 4 countries: PRC, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the US. It would be useful to list here all the few operators of these rare A330s.
1) Asiana Airlines: 14 2005-2014-built PW-A333s.
2) Delta Air Lines: 21 2003-2007-built PW-A333s (former NW frames) plus 11 2004-2006-built PW-A332s (former NW frames).
3) China Southern: 16 2013-2017-built PW-A333s (including the last-built PW-A330).
4) Korean Air: 6 2014-2015-built PW-A333s + 11 1999-2003-built PW-A333s.
5) Malaysia Airlines: 13 2011-2014-built PW-A333s plus 3 2007-2010-built PW-A332s (2 of them are former JJ frames) plus 3 2011-2012-built PW-A332Fs (the only PW-powered cargo A330s ever built). Passenger A332s will be replaced by A339s.
6) Turkish Airlines: 4 2007-2011-built PW-A332s (former JJ frames).
7) T'Way Air: 6 2010-2013-built PW-A332s (former KE frames). Supposedly will be replaced by A339s.
It's interesting to note that MH is the only airline that have all 3 A330ceo modifications (A333, A332, A332F) with PW engines, and that TK is the only airline that has all the 3 engine options (GE, RR, PW) for A332s in its fleet and also have all 3 A330ceo modifications with RR engines.
