Some island cruising - The Canaries and Sicily, then Milan

[RooFlyer]

Interesting. Wifi continues over India.

 

[SYD]

Oh yes… TK has super early boarding times! Like an hour before! Yet crew may turn up some time after that

Especially at IST there have been plenty of reports of denied boarding to pax turning up inside the hour… - allegedly - due to overbooked flights. If you’re not there one hour before, you don’t get on.

Boarding is always chaotic, too. But once on board it’s all good.

The boarding times were my only complaint about TK, I was gonna write in to them but then read all the stories of denied boarding and so decided I was just lucky to get on

Oh, yeah… they don’t do top ups! Blink and your glass will be gone

I’m not a huge drinker so not so muc( a problem for me, but a friend who flew them enjoys a couple of glasses… they are happy to provide it, just they don’t seem to understand a large pour, or a second glass!

Not selling it to me so far!

 

[RooFlyer]

A loo at the front, and 2 either side at the gallery between J and Y. These are used by both, by design or allowance. But it’s a nice big loo!

Plot thickens. Here is the layout



So it’s Economy back there, not PE. After the meal service, cabin darkened, snacks and soft drinks put out in the galley between J and Y; curtains left open. Crew at the front.

Guess what? Y pax come up & scoop up the snacks and container of Pepsi and head back aft!

Maybe it’s designed as a shared space?

 

[RooFlyer]

As the flight continued over Pakistan and Afghanistan, I took an interest in our route. I'd been following it on FR24 over the past few days so I knew it would take a zig-zag





Afghanistan









A few hours out of Istanbul, the refreshment course was served - breakfast. I'd love the hear the logic of serving 'breakfast at 2pm local. I just had the first part, not the omelette. It was enough!



Choccies to finish.

 

[RooFlyer]

We landed roughly on time.

So, what of my first TK long haul? 7-8/10. The food was excellent, as was the presentation. The bedding was good (although no PJs) and the bed reasonably comfortable. The crew was pretty good; not much engagement , but OK. The on-board chef is a bit of a gimmick, but seems to work.

Drinks service definitely not up to par. You have to be very proactive and point to the wine list.

Not sure about that 'shared' loo. The FAs certainly didn't care. When they were in that galley towards the end, it was very obvious that the Y pax were coming through and queuing with the Js.

I had 2 hours at IST before my final flight to Madrid. Arrival security which seemed a bit amateurish, then a beeline for the lounge for a shower.

I think most know about this lounge - its very large with numerous cooking stations. Took a few pics anyway.

Entry via scan of BP - no dragons.













Booze is available on several discrete carts



Amazing number of flights leaving same time as, or within 5 mins of my 18:55 MAD flight



A 40 min wait for a shower - there must be at least 20 of them.