TK away to London & Helsinki

[andye]

I'm off on my annual trip to the European Stroke Conference. After a few years mostly flying Oneworld, I decided to give Turkish a go.
I like trying out different airlines, which means status isn't a guarantee especially as I'm not that much of a frequent flyer.
TK particularly caught my eye as they were offering a free 5* (for J) 24h stopover in Istanbul and I still had a few sights to see from a previous trip.
Unfortunately, the staff travel office responded to my proposed itinerary with, "You can't take 3 days to get to Europe Dr andye" so that was blown out of the water (even though it was a little cheaper)

 

[andye]

Finished work (I'm technically supposed to be on leave on the day of travel but cancelling clinics when I am available doesn't generally help me in the long run) ,took taxi to SYD (have made the mistake of going by Uber once before but they can't use the bus lanes) and checked in very quickly.
I had hoped to go HLO but, as often the case, was presented with multiple large gifts for the UK rellies. SYD was having a good day with minimal queues at security so was heading to the *A end of the terminal.
Passed The House and figured I hadn't visited for a few years, so dropped in.
Much the same though. I've previously been in in the morning, so hadn't had the opportunity to try out the kind of pretty bar. Ordered a G&T which was a decent strength but came in the teensiest-weensiest glass.

Did find a quiet spot to call mstrandye1 (who is currently living in London) and wish him a happy birthday

 

[andye]

My usual preferred SYD *A lounge is the SQ one (for real champagne) but it was closed due to last flight having gone. The NZ lounge is still pretty decent with a pretty bar, well-presented food and free-pour spirits (in larger glasses than The House)

 

[andye]

Departure gate was pretty close to lounge. Boarding seemed slightly chaotic though eventually the priority lanes were established. TK175 is an A350 to Istanbul with a technical stop in Kuala Lumpur

 

[andye]

J Seats are in a 1-2-1 formation. Not angled and a decent footwell. Not as private as QR/JL but I liked it overall. The middle seats probably feel a bit separated if travelling as a couple

Amenity kit

Loos have nice-smelling diffuser. They also get checked for cleanliness by crew after each visit*

 

[andye]

*So if you sprinkle, when you tinkle, the TK crew will know it's you

 

[andye]

Fully lie-flat and crew offer a mattress topper. Entertainment is mid-range (not as good as EK but on a par with QF/BA/CX)
Pdb was a choice if lemonade, strawberry drink, lemonade or water

But where TK prides itself is on its food
Menus below

One of the crew is a designated chef dressed in white with floppy hat

 

[andye]

Wines are mostly Turkish and better than I expected. This is probably as my previous experience of Turkish wine is from package holidays with yound children 20 years ago when my wine selection criterion was "what's cheap and effective?"