The in-flight experience was excellent, the meals served were high quality and plentiful. The cabin and seats were quite comfortable. However, the Turkish Airlines ground staff were less than accomodating. We made a group booking in November 2025, including (at that time) and unborn baby. Travelled in July 2026 - you would think TA would seat a 'group' together, but not so. On our flights to IST from SYD our family was scattered though the cabin. No bassinet for my grandchild but they said they could provide one at an additional cost. Did we want the mother to sit with the new born? Oh, that's an additional $420 one way because the bassinets only fit in the seats with extra legroom. Want the father to sit next to the mother and child? Add another $420 one way! Ridiculous!
Again poor use of old aircraft and old business class seats that show there age.
Flight was delayed. While standing at the gate, a note appeared on the sign saying the gate had changed to a gate far away. No member of the Turkish airlines team got on the microphone to instruct passengers to go to the other gate, to ignore the chiron, etc. Finally, the message disappeared. Eventually, the flight began to board. Very slowly. More slowly than I experience with other airlines. Though Istanbul may just be slow . . . In all other ways, great flight, great entertainment (top notch movies), great service, excellent food, comfortable lie-flat seat, dimmed lights, etc.
this was a short flight in business class. I had problem in the Istambul airport - the lounge for Turkish Airlines was too far and we never were able to reach it
Very punctual, the onboard staff was friendly and correct, the flight was fortunately very calm, the toilets were clean, in short, an excellent experience Thanks
In sharp contrast to the modern glitzy airport, boarding facilities were primitive. Passengers had to board buses and walk up steep stairs in bitter cold with carry-on baggages. I found no reason why aerobridge was not provided.
Flight was delayed then we had to redirect for medical emergency during which time we had no information on what is the plan. The connecting flight was also delayed.
There was a Turkish Airlines employee sitting in front of us, we noticed from her conversations we witnessed with the cabin crew and the fact that she boarded business class. She was sat in 16A. Firstly she was talking loudly the majority of the flight with two other men, one of which was leaning over the seat in front of her. This was disturbing as they were talking loudly and we were not able to sleep. The 12 hour long flight turned into a nightmare, even the noise cancellation didn’t work for their chatter. Secondly she requested extra meals from the crew for her male friends. We believe the meals came from business class. They also took their e-cigarettes out and were caught the cabin crew, but no further action was taken. Sitting in economy and seeing this is extremely disheartening. Next time I will book Emirites, I don’t think their staff would be allowed to behave like this.
We were on business class from TLV to LAX When TK canceled their TLV to IST flight nobody could help us to rebook a flight at TK
The cabin crew was excellent. They were fully staffed and very helpful. The food on the fight was quite good for surpassing my expectations of “airline food“
