Information on Turkish Airlines Flights

Operating out of Istanbul, national flag carrier and Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines serves more non-stop destinations from a single airport than any other airline in the world. It also boasts the world’s largest international flight network, serving almost 350 destinations across 130 countries.

I’ve flown with them several times from the UK to Thailand and the US. I associate the airline with generous service, friendly cabin crew and competitive rates. Turkish Airlines is well respected within the aviation industry, too, winning a slew of awards including the Skytrax Best Airline in Europe accolade.

Flying Economy with Turkish Airlines

Economy passengers are entitled to one piece of cabin baggage and one personal item, while checked luggage allowances vary depending on your route and whether the piece or weight concept is used. For example, I was allowed one checked bag of up to 66 pounds from London to Bangkok, but two bags of up to 50.7 pounds each on a flight to the US.

Seats are comfortable with an adjustable headrest and around 30 inches of legroom. I like that each seat is equipped with a power unit and USB charge point – a perk of flying with one of the most modern fleets in Europe. I also appreciate that Turkish Airlines offer a travel set with a sleep mask, ear plugs, socks and toiletries for Economy passengers on international flights longer than five hours.

If you’re flying domestically, there are three types of Economy ticket to choose from. EcoFly is the most affordable and includes free seat assignment and a 15-kilogram checked bag. ExtraFly gives you a 20-kilogram luggage allowance, free standard seat selection and an additional 250 Miles; while PrimeFly includes a 33-pound checked bag, a free refund or reissue as required, and an extra 500 Miles.

A privileged experience in Business Class

Flying Business Class offers an upgraded experience from the start, with dedicated Business Class check-in counters and a greater luggage allowance of two cabin bags and one personal item. Checked luggage allowance again depends on your route, but where Economy bags are limited to 23 kilograms the limit is usually 32 kilograms for Business passengers. Other perks include priority luggage delivery and additional Miles&Smiles points.

Business Class passengers also receive complimentary access to 18 Turkish Airlines lounges, including 12 in Turkey and six internationally. The Business Class section of the lounge at Istanbul Airport is an impressive facility complete with a cinema, golf simulator, children’s playroom and massage services.

On most aircraft, all Business Class seats afford direct access to the aisle. Screens can be deployed for maximum privacy and seats recline fully into a bed complete with pillow and blankets. Travel sets are designed by Ferragamo and include an eye mask, ear plugs, lip balm and socks with the addition of slippers and a shoe bag for international passengers. Denon active noise-canceling headphones are provided for transoceanic flights.

Dining on Turkish Airlines flights

For me, food is a highlight of flying with Turkish Airlines, whose award-winning dishes reflect both Turkish and international flavors. In Economy, domestic passengers are served a hot sandwich with a vegetarian option always available. On international flights, menus vary according to duration and departure time, but breakfast includes both hot and cold options while the main meal consists of a hot main with cold sides and a dessert.

In Business Class, passengers are greeted with a welcome drink and menu. On domestic flights you can expect a selection of small plates with a choice of gourmet bread; while international flights include three choices of main course with a focus on healthy, seasonal ingredients. Dishes are served on porcelain tableware with linen napkins and on overnight intercontinental flights, you can choose when you want your meal to be served.

Special meals are available for all passengers on intercontinental flights and can be reserved up to 24 hours before departure. There are seven types to choose from including diabetic, gluten-free, kosher and strict vegan. There’s no halal option and that’s because all food on Turkish Airlines is produced according to Islamic customs. As a vegetarian with a taste for spice, I always choose Asian vegetarian when flying Turkish.

In-flight entertainment

Turkish Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system, Planet, offers a diverse selection of movies, music, games and news channels. There’s also a dedicated section for children. Wi-Fi is available on an increasing number of domestic and international flights and if you fly regularly with Turkish, I recommend joining the Miles&Smiles loyalty program for access to unlimited messaging – a great perk if you’re trying to arrange onward travel plans from the air.

On domestic flights, complimentary messaging is available for Business Class passengers too. On international flights, Business Class passengers additionally receive 1GB of data for browsing and streaming; while the amount of data awarded to Miles&Smiles members increases with each tier of membership. Paid messaging and data passes are also available for non-members or those who have exceeded their complimentary quota.

Miles&Smiles membership

Of course, there’s more to the airline’s loyalty program than in-flight internet access. Miles&Smiles members earn miles on all flights with Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet and other Star Alliance airlines. You can also earn miles on purchases with program partners (including hotel and car rental companies), while Miles&Smiles credit cards allow you to earn on everyday spending.

Miles then convert to points which can be spent on award tickets, in-flight services, cabin upgrades and extra baggage; on discounted services and products from program partners; or at the Shop&Miles online store.

Members also earn Status Miles which determine your membership tier: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite or Elite Plus. Each one unlocks additional benefits from priority check-in to lounge access, increased complimentary Wi-Fi and extra baggage. When you reach Classic Plus status you’ll automatically receive Star Alliance Silver membership, while Elite members hold Star Alliance Gold status.

Traveling with kids

There are some things I love about flying Turkish with small kids, including the dedicated check-in desk for families with children under 8 and the Family First security checkpoint at Istanbul Airport. Both of these reduce the likelihood of being stuck in a queue with a screaming toddler, while the fact that priority boarding is automatically granted to families with kids under 12 makes getting on the plane easier too.

Flights with a meal service offer puréed food in glass jars for babies and a children’s option featuring healthy, easily identifiable ingredients for kids aged 2 to 12. Both of these need to be ordered at least 24 hours before departure. On intercontinental routes, kids receive a special travel set including slippers, socks, a sleep mask, over-the-ear headphones and a toy – something that kept mine entertained at least until take-off.

The downside for parents is that the Turkish Airlines policy is less generous than the norm when it comes to the paraphernalia required for small children. Where many airlines allow you to bring a stroller and a car seat free of charge, Turkish limit this to a foldable stroller only. This means you’ll need to hire a car seat for onward travel or pay to bring your own with you.

Turkish Airlines lounges

Turkish Airlines operates lounges in 12 airports across Turkey, including separate lounges for international and domestic passengers in Istanbul and Antalya. The airline also has six international lounges at airports in Nairobi, Moscow, Miami, Washington D.C., New York and Bangkok. Facilities vary, but all offer complimentary food and drink and comfortable areas in which to rest or work.

Access is reserved for Business Class passengers and those with certain Miles&Smiles status (Classic Plus or higher for domestic flights, Elite or higher for international flights). Elite and Elite Plus members are entitled to bring their direct family members or one non-related guest into the lounge with them.

Special layover services

Turkish Airlines offers three unique services for passengers with a layover flight that meets specific criteria. The first is the Hotel Service, whereby Economy passengers with a connection time of 12 hours or longer – or Business passengers with a connection of 9 hours or longer – may be eligible for a free hotel stay.

Second is Touristanbul, whereby passengers with an international transfer flight through Istanbul and a layover of between six and 24 hours can join one of six free city tours. Finally, passengers with a connection time of at least 20 hours may be eligible for the Stopover in Istanbul program, which includes one night in a 4-star hotel for Economy passengers and two nights in a 5-star hotel for Business passengers.

Strict terms and conditions apply to each of these programs and you’ll need to follow instructions on the Turkish Airlines website regarding the application process. But if you have an extended layover in Istanbul it’s well worth looking into the possibility of maximizing your time in Turkey by exploring its fascinating capital, known for its Ottoman culture and unique location at the meeting point of Europe and Asia.