Unenthusiastic review of Turkish Airlines soft product in Nine papers

[aspro2]

Reading The Age this morning and saw an unenthusiastic review of TK IST-SYD, primarily the J soft product. Thought it was an interesting perspective, but wasn't entirely convinced by some of it -- the article reads a bit like "irritated traveller". And then at the bottom I noticed the journalist's name and was *shocked*! Chris Chamberlin. The name will be familiar to anyone reading other flying/points sites in Oz. Without wanting to focus this thread on him, I'm generally not a fan of his writing, nor his predominantly positive or anodyne reviews (in my opinion). So this review really made me wonder what was going on!

A safe route to Europe, but don’t expect much sleep in this business class

The seat feels tight, and this is a classic example of the difference between a “direct” flight and a “non-stop” flight.

www.theage.com.au

The article might be paywalled, so I'll quote a bit.

Service​

Unremarkable, and quite slow. I finish that two-hour movie before the appetiser comes. Of three premium lavatories, economy passengers monopolise two as crew leave dividing curtains open. A requested hot drink takes more than 40 minutes to arrive.

a uniformed chef delivers “the oldest bread” – not stale; sourced from Anatolia, the region home to the world’s oldest-known settlement … but bread all the same. The palate then sails to the sea for prawns and cured salmon before returning to land for lamb chops then baklava. I indulge in Turkish delight and a latte before the transit stop, and a fruit plate with yoghurt plus an omelette for breakfast. Dinner is laughably lacklustre: a paper-clad chicken wrap sits aside a vanilla slice. Did the chef sleep in? This final meal is airport takeaway fare at best.

The verdict​

On a 20-hour journey, sleep trumps all else. Until that gets easier – both with a better seat, and a non-stop service for a solid snooze – I won’t race to book Turkish Airlines again.

There's a fair bit of affection for TK on AFF, so I thought I'd post this here and see if the love should indeed be more "nuanced"

 

[Hvr]

I note that the writer 'flew at his own expense'. Always good to see that and should mean a more honest review.

 

[aspro2]

I note that the writer 'flew at his own expense'. Always good to see that and should mean a more honest review.

Yeah, I saw that too and for a cynical moment I thought "different flavour when it's not sponsored or points, eh?".

 

[RooFlyer]

I took my first TK J longhauls this month. I can't open the article, but from the extracts:

Service​

Unremarkable, and quite slow. I finish that two-hour movie before the appetiser comes. Of three premium lavatories, economy passengers monopolise two as crew leave dividing curtains open. A requested hot drink takes more than 40 minutes to arrive.

Agree re the lavatories and curtains. I commented on this in my current TR (menu given). The meal service wasn't slow on my long haul flights (SIN-IST, IST-SIN) but they were done a different way from other airlines - mix of tray and trolley. The trolly so you can see the dessert choices, for instance. Drinks service was bad, though. Def no top-ups and glass actually whisked away after first (small) pour in one case. Like the booze in the IST business lounge - its there, but you have to seek it out.

The passenger interaction, 'warmth' overall was not what we would be used to on QR or EK for instance. I thought the English language skills of many of the crew weren't up to what other airlines might possess (but still quite OK) and I think that created a bit of sense of reserve.

a uniformed chef delivers “the oldest bread” – not stale; sourced from Anatolia, the region home to the world’s oldest-known settlement … but bread all the same. The palate then sails to the sea for prawns and cured salmon before returning to land for lamb chops then baklava. I indulge in Turkish delight and a latte before the transit stop, and a fruit plate with yoghurt plus an omelette for breakfast. Dinner is laughably lacklustre: a paper-clad chicken wrap sits aside a vanilla slice. Did the chef sleep in? This final meal is airport takeaway fare at best.

Big disagree. The food is terrific, on my 2 long haul and also short hauls (ISD-MAD, MXP-IST). Also on my previous TK short-hauls.

Cold fresh squeezed orange juice on demand is fantastic.

There is theoretical dine on demand, but the way they do the main meal service at least, that's difficult to achieve.

The verdict​

On a 20-hour journey, sleep trumps all else. Until that gets easier – both with a better seat, and a non-stop service for a solid snooze – I won’t race to book Turkish Airlines again.

I sleep badly on planes, so the bed was my biggest concern - but it was quite OK. Footwell not the biggest, but far from the smallest. Both armrests collapse to the bed level, which gives more width. I have the 'fuller figure' and the seat definitely didn't feel 'tight'!

I usually fly QR, but would happily fly TK J again, although the fare would have to be a bit lower. (eg $8K vs $10K).

Any other extracts, @aspro2 ?

 

[aspro2]

I wouldn't want to get AFF in trouble by quoting too much from the article, but in the end those quotes were the most meaningful bits (the article isn't as verbose as some of his on other sites, though recycling the same clichés ). He comments on poor window visibility from some A/K seats, which is true, and very briefly on how crowded the J lounge can be (also true).

 

[kpc]

Chris Chamberlin ex Executive Traveller, ex Point Hacks is a well experienced travel writer and I do respect his opinions. There were no doubt issues on his flight in J, I stll would try TK J if I could get a seat on points.

The TK J lounge in Ist is huge and nice but does get very busy to the point where finding a seat is difficult. Slow meal service also irritates me as does seat discomfort.

Taxis in Istanbul eat tourists alive! I tried to avoid this by catching Ubers...the last one I caught to Ist airport asked for a cash payment on arrival, I said sure....got my bags out, then gave him the finger and scurried into the terminal. He then charged me double through Uber ....I then disputed the fare and Uber refunded me the difference. Istanbul is full of scammers and one needs to be really suspicious of all your new found friends in Istanbul!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

All of a sudden ‘sleep is the priority’ and going via SIN or KUL interrupts that sleep? Yet these same bloggers rave about SQ that has the exact same issue?

 

[RooFlyer]

He comments on poor window visibility from some A/K seats, which is true, and very briefly on how crowded the J lounge can be (also true).

Also agree on these. The lounge was heaving both times when I was there. Many seats are organised inefficiently, like four conjoined together in a square, resulting in many unoccupied seats where they are too close to other people with little space between groups of seats.

20-25 min wait for a shower in the lounge both times, which sounds OK with a ‘normal’ 2.5 hr transit, but given the time from arrival gate and distance to typical departure gate, and that they board very early, both times I just made it with a very quick shower.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Also agree on these. The lounge was heaving both times when I was there. Many seats are organised inefficiently, like four conjoined together in a square, resulting in many unoccupied seats where they are too close to other people with little space between groups of seats.

20-25 min wait for a shower in the lounge both times, which sounds OK with a ‘normal’ 2.5 hr transit, but given the time from arrival gate and distance to typical departure gate, and that they board very early, both times I just made it with a very quick shower.

Agree on all that… but the salad bar!!!! and the libe cooking stations!!

I know, my first time at the IST lounge.. but those salads… I wouldn’t care if I had to stand!

 

[dajop]

I did SIN-MEL in business last year on TK. The catering meal - a tray service with everything on the tray except the main (which came when the appetiser was finished) was underwhelming.

Not sure if it was down to Singapore caterer or the fact this was a continuing flight from IST - but it definitely didn’t live up to the hype of TK catering.

Crew were pleasant but not really in the cabin very much.

Most of us have been around long enough to know that other than the really bad airlines , there’s always a YMMV factor.

 

[SYD]

All of a sudden ‘sleep is the priority’ and going via SIN or KUL interrupts that sleep? Yet these same bloggers rave about SQ that has the exact same issue?

It was less about the tech stop and more about the announcements about turbulence etc.

I’ve had many flights on UA with that problem. I have a sneaking suspicion that they go out of their way to ride the jet stream where ever possible to save fuel - so they can be a bit trigger happy with the seatbelt sign.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It was less about the tech stop and more about the announcements about turbulence etc.

I’ve had many flights on UA with that problem. I have a sneaking suspicion that they go out of their way to ride the jet stream where ever possible to save fuel - so get a bit trigger happy with the seatbelt sign.

Well even then… those same bloggers rave about SQ and CX… and CX is one of the worst offenders for super loud turbulence/seatbelt announcements. And in three languages. SQ not much better since SQ321.

Unfair to review flights where you pay for some yourself, and others you ‘travel as the guest of…’

 

[dajop]

. SQ not much better since SQ321.

As always YMMV. I've spent around 100 hours on SQ this year, and been affected by turbulence and seat belts signs on for perhaps a handful (3-4) 20-30 minute stints in all of that. They seem to have returned to "normal programming".

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As always YMMV. I've spent around 100 hours on SQ this year, and been affected by turbulence and seat belts signs on for perhaps a handful (3-4) 20-30 minute stints in all of that. They seem to have returned to "normal programming".

That’s good to hear!

I have avoided SQ since early 2025 because of the excessive seat belt policy.

 

[Flywithd]

I did SIN-MEL in business last year on TK. The catering meal - a tray service with everything on the tray except the main (which came when the appetiser was finished) was underwhelming.

Not sure if it was down to Singapore caterer or the fact this was a continuing flight from IST - but it definitely didn’t live up to the hype of TK catering.

Crew were pleasant but not really in the cabin very much.

Most of us have been around long enough to know that other than the really bad airlines , there’s always a YMMV factor.

I've done this flight a few times and can say the flights were pretty cough. Basic as flights and very poor than what SQ offers.

Zero top ups or any proactive offerings of beverages. Tiny pours, cold/mixed crew. Arrival service poor which meant I had to go to Macca's for an additional snack.

 

[VPS]

I took my first TK J longhauls this month. I can't open the article, but from the extracts:



Agree re the lavatories and curtains. I commented on this in my current TR (menu given). The meal service wasn't slow on my long haul flights (SIN-IST, IST-SIN) but they were done a different way from other airlines - mix of tray and trolley. The trolly so you can see the dessert choices, for instance. Drinks service was bad, though. Def no top-ups and glass actually whisked away after first (small) pour in one case. Like the booze in the IST business lounge - its there, but you have to seek it out.

The passenger interaction, 'warmth' overall was not what we would be used to on QR or EK for instance. I thought the English language skills of many of the crew weren't up to what other airlines might possess (but still quite OK) and I think that created a bit of sense of reserve.



Big disagree. The food is terrific, on my 2 long haul and also short hauls (ISD-MAD, MXP-IST). Also on my previous TK short-hauls.

Cold fresh squeezed orange juice on demand is fantastic.

There is theoretical dine on demand, but the way they do the main meal service at least, that's difficult to achieve.



I sleep badly on planes, so the bed was my biggest concern - but it was quite OK. Footwell not the biggest, but far from the smallest. Both armrests collapse to the bed level, which gives more width. I have the 'fuller figure' and the seat definitely didn't feel 'tight'!

I usually fly QR, but would happily fly TK J again, although the fare would have to be a bit lower. (eg $8K vs $10K).

Any other extracts, @aspro2 ?

You can read the Age for free if you have a library card through BorrowBox – Your library in one app.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've done this flight a few times and can say the flights were pretty cough. Basic as flights and very poor than what SQ offers.

Zero top ups or any proactive offerings of beverages. Tiny pours, cold/mixed crew. Arrival service poor which meant I had to go to Macca's for an additional snack.

I agree the crew can be a little remote, but once you establish rapport they warm up!

The drink issue I’d read about in trip reports, so made sure to ask before they whisked away the glass And asked for ‘large’ serves!

Our flight from IST to DOH had a couple of families, lead by two pilots who were off duty. Because the family were eating at different times to accommodate the kids, the pilots were up helping… going to the galley to get the bread basket and serving, or getting drinks and desserts. It was lots of fun… but like a family gathering/party!

Couldn’t fault it for the fun atmosphere. Makes flying fun!

 

[Flywithd]

I actually had no expections first time with TK SIN-MEL but it was very very basic to what you see on their other flights.

There was no warming up as they didn't want to converse with people besides other pax who could speak their local language. I asked for more once but I could see they weren't interested in being present in the cabin and the drink came 30 minutes later.

3rd flight tried to "dine anytime" but was told that wasn't available along with the fresh fruits from their snack menu

 

[dajop]

The other thing I don't like, and this relates to the back of the bus, is the seat selection fees in economy. $107 AUD to select a standard seat from MEL-SIN even though on the longer SIN-IST sector it is only $58 AUD. $107 AUD is also what they charge MEL-IST for standard seat selection.

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree on all that… but the salad bar!!!! and the libe cooking stations!!

I know, my first time at the IST lounge.. but those salads… I wouldn’t care if I had to stand!

Agree! Tragically, because of the appetite suppressant stuff I'm taking (and the good meals on board), I had zero interest in anything in the lounge on each of my recent visits - even the sweets.

As always YMMV. I've spent around 100 hours on SQ this year, and been affected by turbulence and seat belts signs on for perhaps a handful (3-4) 20-30 minute stints in all of that. They seem to have returned to "normal programming".

My last 2 flights were 'mid-way'. A little more than you would 'expect'. On the SIN-MEL leg, they gave 15 mins warning that the SB sign would be on for maybe an hour, due to forecast turbulence. Toilets got rushed!! In the end nothing much happened and they turned off the SB sign after about 30 mins.

The drink issue I’d read about in trip reports, so made sure to ask before they whisked away the glass And asked for ‘large’ serves!

Yes, lesson learned! But its an annoying 'policy' - and seeming IS a policy, as many reports of it.

There was no warming up as they didn't want to converse with people besides other pax who could speak their local language.

I suspect its not that they don't 'want' to converse, but they think their English isn't good enough - I noted above that this came across to me as 'reserved' rather than rude. I came across the exact same situation on LATAM transpac - crew would be happily conversing with Spanish-speakers, but barely engaged with Anglos.

On my SIN-IST, I didn't see or hear from the Purser. On the return, she introduced herself and we had a good chat - her English was very good.