Turkish Airlines

Recent traveler reviews for Turkish Airlines reflect a mixed, but generally positive, sentiment, particularly regarding its in-flight services, though operational aspects at its main hub can draw criticism.

What Travelers Love:

• Excellent Catering: Passengers frequently praise the quality and presentation of the food, often highlighting the world-class cuisine and in-flight chefs, which are considered superior to many other airlines.
• Attentive Cabin Crew: The cabin staff are often described as kind, amicable, professional, and providing friendly hospitality, even when managing challenging situations.
• Extensive Network and Connectivity: Travelers appreciate Turkish Airlines' vast global network, which allows connections to more countries than any other airline from its Istanbul hub.
• Business Class Comfort and Amenities: Business Class is highly rated for its lie-flat seats, spacious legroom, and additional comforts like in-chair massage and complimentary Wi-Fi, making long-haul flights enjoyable.

Common Complaints:

• Istanbul Airport (IST) Experience: A significant number of travelers report negative experiences at Istanbul Airport, citing overcrowding, a confusing layout, poor service culture from ground staff, and frequent delays, which can be particularly stressful for connecting flights.
• Customer Service Issues: Passengers have reported difficulties with Turkish Airlines' customer service department, including challenges in contacting the airline, unhelpful staff, and issues with flight changes or cancellations without adequate notice.
• Inconsistent In-Flight Entertainment (IFE): While generally good, some travelers have encountered unreliable or older in-flight entertainment systems with defective screens or cumbersome interfaces on certain aircraft.
• Restrictive Economy Seating: On some flights, particularly in economy class, the seat pitch and legroom can be restrictive, leading to limited personal space.

Overall, traveler sentiment suggests that Turkish Airlines excels in its core in-flight product, particularly with its catering and cabin service, which often provides a premium experience. However, the airport experience at its main hub and aspects of ground customer service are areas that frequently lead to passenger frustration and can detract from the overall journey.