Any experience with Turkish Airlines long haul (vs Emirates)
Discussion
Looking to fly from Zurich to Mauritius (staying at the Maritim - seems very well regarded on here). Initially we'd planned to fly with Emirates (never flown with them before, but have flown economy long haul with Qatar and Etihad). For a similar price we can fly with Turkish at more favourable times and shorter total duration, although the legs are uneven length, whereas with Emirates they are about the same. They are also part of star alliance, so good for my miles balance!
I know nothing about Turkish Airlines. Anyone have any experience/opinions. In case it matters the long haul section is on an A330.
I know nothing about Turkish Airlines. Anyone have any experience/opinions. In case it matters the long haul section is on an A330.
I flew Emirates long haul some 30 times last year and they are by far and away my favourite carrier. However, I also took a Turkish to Baghdad via Istanbul and was pretty impressed. Turkish are currently on a growth drive and are trying to position themselves alongside the ME3 (Emirates / Etihad / Qatar), so have stepped up their service quite considerably.
Istanbul airport is OK for a transfer, although it's pretty massive. However, the Turkish lounge there is one of the best lounges I've ever visited.
For me, of Turkish was cheaper than Emirates and offered shorter flight times, I'd book them in a heartbeat. They are also part of Star Alliance and have one of the easier programmes to reach SA Gold, as there's no 4 sector minimum with them
Istanbul airport is OK for a transfer, although it's pretty massive. However, the Turkish lounge there is one of the best lounges I've ever visited.
For me, of Turkish was cheaper than Emirates and offered shorter flight times, I'd book them in a heartbeat. They are also part of Star Alliance and have one of the easier programmes to reach SA Gold, as there's no 4 sector minimum with them
Quote of the trip when flying out to Iran from a lady at the transfer desk when we missed our connection at Istanbul was "There is no customer service at this airport" which was spot on Imo. Plus if you do miss your transfer you are stuck in Istanbul. Not a nice place to be at the moment.
On Turkish, the UK-Istanbul route was on shorthaul planes so no entertainment system nor comfy seats in business. I imagine Zurich will be the same. Nice enough food though, even in economy. And most of the airframes are relatively new. On their longhaul, the entertainment system isn't great. On all flights, the cabin crew vanish once they've done the meal service.
Whereas Emirates will almost certainly be A380s on both legs, and the onboard service in any class is superb. Beaten only by Etihad in my experience.
Whereas Emirates will almost certainly be A380s on both legs, and the onboard service in any class is superb. Beaten only by Etihad in my experience.
Whoozit said:
On Turkish, the UK-Istanbul route was on shorthaul planes so no entertainment system nor comfy seats in business. I imagine Zurich will be the same. Nice enough food though, even in economy. And most of the airframes are relatively new. On their longhaul, the entertainment system isn't great. On all flights, the cabin crew vanish once they've done the meal service.
Whereas Emirates will almost certainly be A380s on both legs, and the onboard service in any class is superb. Beaten only by Etihad in my experience.
We had full entertainment system LHR to Istanbul. FWhereas Emirates will almost certainly be A380s on both legs, and the onboard service in any class is superb. Beaten only by Etihad in my experience.
GT03ROB said:
I did this route on a 737-400 (I think) in business. There was a full entertainment system & the seats were good, comfy & spacious, 4 abreast in business.
My mistake. There's one flight a day on a bigger plane, IIRC around 11am. OP, check th e exact planes for the times you want to fly. Whoozit said:
GT03ROB said:
I did this route on a 737-400 (I think) in business. There was a full entertainment system & the seats were good, comfy & spacious, 4 abreast in business.
My mistake. There's one flight a day on a bigger plane, IIRC around 11am. OP, check th e exact planes for the times you want to fly. I seem to be the only person unimpressed with Emirates. I've taken four flights with them, including staying in Dubai and changing planes in Dubai.
They are the only airline that I have ever bothered to write to to complain, poor service, rude crew member (just one, not all), meals where the drink service arrived long after the food was on the table so the choice was cold meal or no drink with it. This happened on three out of four flights although I did overhear the crew moaning about the 'new system' that had been imposed not working...so perhaps teething troubles.
The longest wait that I have had for luggage is Dubai airport, when flying with Emirates.
I could well have been unlucky, but four unimpressive flights is not as easy to overlook as one. I'm not a huge flyer, maybe 10-15 flights a year, but Emirates wouldn't make my top 3 of airlines when all aspects are taken into consideration.
I've heard very good things about Turkish, but I'd be just a touch wary about Istanbul airport at the moment. Although, Emirates managed to break a plane at Dubai recently although at least got everyone off safely.
They are the only airline that I have ever bothered to write to to complain, poor service, rude crew member (just one, not all), meals where the drink service arrived long after the food was on the table so the choice was cold meal or no drink with it. This happened on three out of four flights although I did overhear the crew moaning about the 'new system' that had been imposed not working...so perhaps teething troubles.
The longest wait that I have had for luggage is Dubai airport, when flying with Emirates.
I could well have been unlucky, but four unimpressive flights is not as easy to overlook as one. I'm not a huge flyer, maybe 10-15 flights a year, but Emirates wouldn't make my top 3 of airlines when all aspects are taken into consideration.
I've heard very good things about Turkish, but I'd be just a touch wary about Istanbul airport at the moment. Although, Emirates managed to break a plane at Dubai recently although at least got everyone off safely.
Equilibrium25 said:
I seem to be the only person unimpressed with Emirates. I've taken four flights with them, including staying in Dubai and changing planes in Dubai.
They are the only airline that I have ever bothered to write to to complain, poor service, rude crew member (just one, not all), meals where the drink service arrived long after the food was on the table so the choice was cold meal or no drink with it. This happened on three out of four flights although I did overhear the crew moaning about the 'new system' that had been imposed not working...so perhaps teething troubles.
The longest wait that I have had for luggage is Dubai airport, when flying with Emirates.
I could well have been unlucky, but four unimpressive flights is not as easy to overlook as one. I'm not a huge flyer, maybe 10-15 flights a year, but Emirates wouldn't make my top 3 of airlines when all aspects are taken into consideration.
I've heard very good things about Turkish, but I'd be just a touch wary about Istanbul airport at the moment. Although, Emirates managed to break a plane at Dubai recently although at least got everyone off safely.
Emirates are totally average, however they have a large route network and excellent connections. They also fly lots of A380s which is the most comfortable aircraft if you're flying economy. They also have free wifi on all of these.They are the only airline that I have ever bothered to write to to complain, poor service, rude crew member (just one, not all), meals where the drink service arrived long after the food was on the table so the choice was cold meal or no drink with it. This happened on three out of four flights although I did overhear the crew moaning about the 'new system' that had been imposed not working...so perhaps teething troubles.
The longest wait that I have had for luggage is Dubai airport, when flying with Emirates.
I could well have been unlucky, but four unimpressive flights is not as easy to overlook as one. I'm not a huge flyer, maybe 10-15 flights a year, but Emirates wouldn't make my top 3 of airlines when all aspects are taken into consideration.
I've heard very good things about Turkish, but I'd be just a touch wary about Istanbul airport at the moment. Although, Emirates managed to break a plane at Dubai recently although at least got everyone off safely.
They also don't have any of this strike nonsense, and their hub can't be closed due to bad weather or somesuch.
Turkish is about the same as Emirates, I'd choose emirates any day to avoid the horror show that is ataturk airport.
Edited by jamoor on Monday 16th January 16:40
jamoor said:
Emirates are totally average, however they have a large route network and excellent connections. They also fly lots of A380s which is the most comfortable aircraft if you're flying economy. They also have free wifi on all of these.
They also don't have any of this strike nonsense, and their hub can't be closed due to bad weather or somesuch.
Turkish is about the same as Emirates, I'd choose emirates any day to avoid the horror show that is ataturk airport.
Agreed, the A380 is an excellent aircraft - flown with both Singapore and Emirates and it is a step forward in economy.They also don't have any of this strike nonsense, and their hub can't be closed due to bad weather or somesuch.
Turkish is about the same as Emirates, I'd choose emirates any day to avoid the horror show that is ataturk airport.
Edited by jamoor on Monday 16th January 16:40
jamoor said:
their hub can't be closed due to bad weather or somesuch.
Ohh yes it can!Spent nearly two hours circling above Dubai inbound from India waiting for fog to clear - missing connecting flight onwards to LHR.
Have to say though, the efficiency with reallocation of seats on alternative flight once on the ground was exemplary!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff