Turkish Airlines Comfort Class (IST-YYZ-IST)

Finally, I managed to squeeze sometimes to continue some write up about TK Comfort Class.

I have read quite a few good review on TK Comfort Class hence I decided to give it a try since the price is only marginally higher than non-restricted economy and even though that I have to layover in IST for quite some times.

But before I go into the Comfort Class itself, let me write something about Istanbul (IST) airport.  The airport itself is not so big.  It is rather small but quite functional.  The connecting flight is a bit troublesome, as they asked me to queue to get a sticket before I can pass the security to go to the departure hall.  Other that that is quite ok.

The morning time seems quite busy with many flight departed to Europe.  So it is good connection from Asia flight.  Most flight from Asia will arrive IST in the early morning with good connecting to Europe.  However, most of the American bound flight, depart after noon time (13:00-15:00).  This is why I need to wait for quite some times.

These are some pictures of the departure area at that morning.  There are food courts, coffee shop, and of course duty free shops which sell Turkish delights (lokum) and Baklava.  So it is fully functional airport.

After walking around the airport, I went to Turkish Lounge.  It looks huge and grand.  you just need to scan your BP to enter.  As I was clocking my mileage into SQ and I only have Silver status, I cannot simply scan my BP.  I have to show my A3 Gold card and then , they let me in (I forget how. I think they did open the gate for me).  I found the lounge is quite beautiful and the food is quite OK. 

 The famous Turkish Delight (Lokum) which you should probably eat it with the Tuskish coffee (which I found it too bitter for me)

The lounge also has the shower are and also napping rooms.  There is a rule for you to be able to use the room.  I think you have to fly intercontinental flight with x hours of connecting flight.  the shower is ok.  The only complains is they have only few showers room.  If I am not wrong 4-5 rooms only.  so at the morning peak hours, you need to queue.  Give your name to the staff and she will call you name once the shower room is available.

So it is the time for the flight now.  The comfort class I think is only available on B777-300ER.  The seat layout is 2-3-2 which much more comfortable compare to CX 2-4-2 layout.

This is the plane that brought me to Toronto, TC-JJH (Rumeli) 

 

The Comfort Class seat which is quite similar to the Old Business Class in many airlines.  As I said earlier, the configuration is 2-3-2.  Each seat comes with blanket, pillow, headset and also comfort bag, which the contain is almost similar to economy but slightly better toothbrush and amenities.

The interesting part, as the seat next to me is empty, the FA paste a sticker to it.  May be to prevent someone from economy cabin to move into the seat.

The IFE is the one stow on the side of the chair (like old business class) and quite ok.

Time to eat.   On this flight they did not serve the Macademia nuts as someone is allergic to nuts.  That's what they announced it.   I wonder why  can't they served it to other customer other than the allergic one?   the food is served partly by the Chef who served the biz class cabin.  Again this show TK treat Comfort class as C- rather than Y+ like CX.   The food is served just like business class serving.

First meal (lunch if I am not wrong)

Second meal (refreshment I suppose) as we arrive YYZ around 6pm local time.

 The pretty mood light on the cabin

This is the plane that took me back to Istanbul from YYZ, TC-JJE (Named Dolmabahçe). This flight has WIFI on board.  On that flight the offer WIFI for free.  I guess they were still doing the trail.

The refreshment which served with Macademia nuts

Dinner

Breakfast

And finally the outside camera, just after we landed in IST.

The verdict, I think TK Comfort Class is very comfortable and worth the money.  I wish TK extend this product also on SIN-IST leg.

TK lounge in IST is very pretty.  Food may not be the best but it is quite ok.

I definitely will fly TK again in the price and timing is reasonable.

Turkish Airlines Economy Class (SIN-IST-SIN)

Last July, I need to make another trip to Toronto (YYZ).   I decided to try something else.  In April, I took Cathay Pacific (CX) to Toronto, as they have the "best" schedule ex-Singapore (SIN.  However, I found CX long haul in flight service is just so so.  I also do not like their economy seat with touch screen PTV.  Couple with recently CX has just been upgraded their system.  In April, my OLCI was cancelled and CX told me I did the cancellation which I did not and I think it was their system problem.  So with another system upgrade, I am avoiding them at all cost.

It is not so easy task to find an alternative flight to Toronto from Singapore with reasonable price around CX pricing.  There are few alternative such as LH, AY, BA, EK, EY and TK which involes long layover in their hub.  I was contemplating to fly AY, as it will be intereting to do stop over in Helsinki (HEL).  However, the "cheap" price does not earn much in CX Marco Polo Club (I think only 50% or even 0) and as MPC Silver only, I will have no lounge access in HEL.

After doing a bit of research, the choice came to Turkish Airlines (TK).  Few reaons that I decided to try TK:
- In term of transit point, Istanbul (IST) is the best transit point between SIN and YYZ.  It breaks the journey almost into 2 equal halves.  SIN-IST is about 10-11 hours and IST-YYZ is about 9-10 hours (depending on which direction)
- I never been to IST, hence this is a good chance for me to do 1 day transit in IST to explore the city
- TK offers Comfort Class, which is Premium Economy in their B777-300ER which is used between IST and YYZ and the price is quite competitive, just  extra EUR100-200 and the total price is still cheaper than CX M class.


But there is 1 draw back.  The layover in IST is quite long, 7.5 hours for SIN-YYZ leg and 9.5 hours for YYZ-SIN legs.  TK only gives free hotel is the connecting flight is within 10 hours (for Y class) and 8 horus (for C class).  Please note this is not based on your flight schedule but rather on the next scheduled flight (based on timetable).    So, if your connecting flight is 12 hours because you cannot get into the earlier flight (flight full or your own choice), no hotel will be provided.

Here is my flight schedule:

 

 

 

So on 16-JUL, I went to the airport, checkin for my flight.  I want to credit the mileages into my SQ Krisflyer, but I only a Silver status with KF.  I showed my A3 Gold, however, the agent said he cannot issue me a lounge access as it is a third party lounge,  unless I want the miles goes inton my A3.    I told him fine, I still want my miles into KF and he said no issue with Priority Tad.   I think the issue is becuase TK does not have lounge in SIN and they are using SATS lounge.  As I remember correctly  actually Star Alliance rule should allow access to the third party lounge.  Since SATS lounge is not so fantastic and I can use my Priority Pass to acess it or even other lounges, I did not bnother to make any fuss out of it.    I decided to hang around at Sky Lounge instead.

 

TK 66 route is actually CGK-SIN-IST, but TK does not have any right between CGK-SIN.   The flight was quite full as there were a big group from Jakarta going to Brazil (GRU?) attending the Youth Conference.  It also seems to me that TK may offer the "best" fare to Europe also from CGK, as I saw many people with connecting flight to Europe. 

 

Here is the A330 plane that will bring me to Istanbul, TC-JNI, name Konak. Later on, I found out the same plane is used for my return flight to SIN.  Here is the plane waiting in Changi for my Istanbul flight.

 

Here is the plane when arrive Istanbul in the morning,

The same plane is waiting in Istanbul to carry me back to Singapore.

Personally I found the TK A330 is on par with SQ A330 if not even better.  I found the seat recline further in TK rather than SQ.  Seat pitch is also decend (I am 6" tall).  The IFE is good, although selection-wise SQ may still win, but it is still good enough.

  

Here is the airshow taken somewhere above India

A peak of the Business Class seat

I like this sign board when you board the plane.  It looks very nice



 

 

TK is generous enough to give the amenities kits even on economy class.  It contains lip gloss, body lotion, comb, tooth brush, ear plug, eye mask, and socks.  On the return flight, they put it in the tin container which make it very interesting.

 

Foodwise is OK as the food selection is a bit Mediteranian taste.  Put a side the preference, I found the food quality is good.  The serve supper after take off from Singapore and breakfast just before landing to Istanbul.  What is interesting, they distribute bottle water right after the supper service.  This come very handy for long flight.  I think many other airlines should learn this.

Supper on SIN-IST.  Unfortunetly I did not take the picture of the breakfast

 

On IST-SIN, they also served dinner right after take off and breakfast just before landed, although it is too late for breakfast based on Singapore time.

 

Personally I think TK is a good airlines.  I will fly them again, as the service is good and normally their price is quite competitive.

 

 I will break here, and will continue with coverage of TK Lounge in IST and Comfort Class on the next post.  Stay tune..