An unexpected change in travel plans led to a firsthand experience with Turkish Airlines. Originally booked with Air France from Berlin to N’Djamena via Paris, a last-minute flight cancellation resulted in a rebooking with Turkish Airlines. The new route from Berlin to Istanbul to N’Djamena- came with pleasant surprises and minor setbacks.
Berlin to Istanbul: Good Food & Old Entertainment
The first flight was on an Airbus A330. The seats reclined but weren’t true business class. The food was surprisingly great for a short flight, and the young crew was very friendly. However, the in-flight entertainment was outdated and limited.
Istanbul to N’Djamena: Better Screens But Limited Comfort
The second flight was on a Boeing 737 Max 8 with a 2-2 seat layout. The seats were new but only lightly reclined, which wasn’t ideal for a six-hour flight. The entertainment system was much better than the first flight. The crew was friendly but seemed less experienced. Food was again impressive, but there was no alcohol due to a catering mistake.
Istanbul Lounge: Great Food & Relaxing Atmosphere
During the layover, the Istanbul lounge offered plenty of food and drinks. It was a comfortable and well-stocked place to wait for the next flight.
Key Highlights from the Review
- Quality Food Service: Delicious meals provided on both flights.
- Limited Seat Recline: Seats lacked full recline, making long flights less comfortable.
- Entertainment Experience: Outdated system on the first flight, but a modern IFE on the second.
- Friendly but Inexperienced Crew: Warm service, though some lacked experience.
- No Alcohol Service: Unavailable on the second flight due to a catering issue.
- Comfortable Lounge Experience: Istanbul Lounge had a variety of food and drinks in a relaxing setting.
Final Thoughts
The traveler’s switch to Turkish Airlines turned out to be a decent alternative. The food was a major highlight, though seat comfort and entertainment varied. It will be interesting to see how the return journey compares.
