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.

 

[RooFlyer]

I calculated that boarding for my B737-900 MAX wouldn't be boarding the advertised hour prior, so I finished my shower and ambled out of the lounge - having eastern nothing and drunk only a glass of 'raspberry'. As usual, a long walk through a crowded concourse to gate A3B where most of th pax were waiting at 18:15 (flight at 18:55). We started boarding at 18:20 and all on board and ready to push back by 18:55.

The flight was MAD was blocked 18:55- 22:35 but the captain announce that we'd be at the gate by 10:00, a blessing as I was really wilting by that time. I knew I'd have to go though the EU EES registration process at Madrid, not one of my favourite airlines for timely bag retrieval.

True business class, oodles of room in my 2B and even little privacy dividers.







The privacy dividers work front and back, not just side/side.



DDBs (2 rounds); I think sparkling was also offered.





Business was ha;f full and most took the opportunity to recline, and blankets (and pillows at the seats) were provided.

This were the starters and desert for the main service. I skipped the mains.

 

[RooFlyer]

The airport was pretty deserted when we arrived and I followed the line to non-EU citizen passport registration for EES. Quite a simple process : via machine, scan passport, took photo, fingerprints of right hand then you advanced to another auto gate and then to a guy in a kiosk who checked that thing and stamped the passport.

Then had to try and find the Uber pick up point. Made more difficult than it should’ve been because some of the exit doors were closed but eventually I found the door follow the signs to Uber in one of the car parks.

Uber arrived okay and took me 10 minutes to the Melia INNSide Valdeberas hotel. It was the closest hotel to T4 I could find although I think there is an Ibis nearby as well. I joined the Melia loyalty program and got an instant 2000 points which I put towards the stay so got it for 190 euro for a standard king.

There is a shuttle to T4, half hourly which takes 10 mins.

Seemed pretty new and nice, sort of a Scandinavian vibe inside. The Uber driver said that hotels were being built here for the F1 race that will be here later this year. @JessicaTam may wish to take note.





Room is pretty basic, but the air-conditioner works well and quietly and there are half a dozen free water in juices in the fridge.





I took half a strong sleeping pill and slept pretty well. Breakfast was included and the buffet was very good.









View from my room

 

[JessicaTam]

Seemed pretty new and nice, sort of a Scandinavian vibe inside. The Uber driver said that hotels were being built here for the F1 race that will be here later this year. @JessicaTam may wish to take note.

Thanks. Tickets and hotel booked.