Turkish Airline is one of the largest European airlines. She is the flagship carrier of the Republic of Turkey. The head office of Turkish Airlines is located at the Istanbul International Airport, named after Ataturk.
The route network of Turkish Airlines is represented by 220 destinations around the world. In addition, the company's liners fly within the country. These are forty-two different directions.
In addition to the base airport, the company uses auxiliary passenger transfer points. These are the so-called hubs that are located in the same city as the head office. As such support points, Turkish Airline uses Istanbul's Esenboga Airport, as well as the capital's fazarny harbor. Sabiha Gokcen.
Currently, the company's fleet of aircraft includes 333 Boeing and Airbus airliners of various modifications. The average age of Turkish Airlines aircraft is approximately 7 years. This indicator allows us to say that the company owns the youngest fleet of all European countries.
It is worth noting that it is not in vain that Turkish Airlines receives passenger reviews, as a rule, only good ones. Indeed, already three times she was recognized as the best of European companies (in 2011, 2012 and in 2013). In 2008, she became a full member of the largest world alliance Star Alliance.
What characterizes Turkish Airlines today? The reviews of those who used its services say that it is service and security, quality and impeccable work of each employee. At the same time, it is worth emphasizing the fact that the cost of tickets of this airline can be compared with the prices offered by domestic carriers, and sometimes they are lower.
History of creation
The date of foundation of the Turkish Airlines company is May 20, 1933. It all started with the formation of the State Department for Air Carrier Management, which began to function under the Ministry of Defense of the state. Since August 1933, the company began to provide passenger transportation services. However, at first it was only domestic flights between Ankara, Eskisehir and Istanbul.
In September 1937, the airline replenished its fleet with three De Havilland DH 86B biplanes. Three months later, the fourth plane appeared at her disposal. All liners operated flights on domestic routes. These were flights connecting cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, Eskhishehir and Izmir, Adana and Diyarbakir, as well as Kayseri.
In June 1938, the company changed its name. It began to sound like Devlet Hava Yolları Umum Müdürlüğü - for short, DHY.
Turkish Airlines entered the international market in 1947. At that time, passengers were brought from the shores of the Bosphorus to Athens. The next stage of the opening of long-haul flights took place only forty years later. Then the company began to carry passengers through the Atlantic and the Far East.
After a major reorganization on February 20, 1956, the company acquired the status of a corporation. Then she got her current name.
In the 60s - 70s of the last century, this airline experienced its rapid development. At the same time, Turkish Airlines acquired for itself the most advanced liners that existed in those days. And after a dozen years, long-haul aircraft became the pride of her fleet, which made it possible to fly along long-distance international routes.
In December 1990, part of its shares, comprising 5%, was sold. A little later, the government decided to sell another 23% of the shares. This was done in December 2004. Two years later, the state parted with another 28.75% of the company. Today he owns 49%. 51% of the shares are privately owned.
Company today
What reviews can you hear about Turkish Airlines? This company is distinguished by increased attention to the technical condition of aircraft, excellent training of maintenance and flight personnel, as well as the provision of first-class service to passengers.
Today, this air carrier is the third largest in Europe. At the same time, they daily carry out about 1000 flights to various directions. It is worth mentioning that, according to experts, in the first half of 2012, this company mastered almost 4% of the entire global market. At the same time, she climbed to eighth place in the list of the largest air carriers of the entire planet.
The activities of Turkish Airlines remained at their best even during the financial crisis. On the contrary, doing business in the harsh conditions of the recession, this airline was able to concentrate its actions and make some fresh decisions. This is a membership in the Star Alliance, and increased attention to the implementation of air transportation, which includes, among other things, concern for the health of flight attendants and pilots.
Route Feature
Airplanes of the Turkish Airlines company (Turkey) land at two hundred and twenty airports in one hundred and eight countries of the world. Most flights, the duration of which does not exceed three hours, are operated to the states of the Middle East region and Europe. But besides this, Turkish Airlines has mastered transatlantic flights, the final destination of which are the largest cities in Canada and the USA, as well as a number of countries located in South America.
Turkish Airlines flights to Japan and Southeast Asian countries are considered a priority for the company.
The Turkish Airlines transcontinental transportations are carried out using wide-body aircraft A-340, A-330 and B-777. The company operates in Russian areas. Its route network includes cities such as Voronezh and Yekaterinburg, Ufa and Kazan, Sochi and St. Petersburg. Passengers are also delivered to Moscow airports.
Service classes
Passengers purchasing tickets of the Turkish Airlines company can choose any flight comfort for themselves. In total, this carrier offers three classes of service, including:
1. Economy class. In the salons of this category, the company offers comfortable chairs in which an adjustable footrest is installed. In addition, there is nothing surprising in the fact that passengers who bought an economy ticket “Turkish Airlines”, leave the most positive feedback on flight comfort.
After all, between the seats of such a salon an increased legroom of 78 cm is provided. In addition, all seats can recline.
You can also adjust the footrest and headrest. Economy chairs are equipped with sockets. According to passenger reviews, it is very convenient. After all, sockets give the opportunity to use gadgets throughout the flight. In such salons there is an on-board entertainment system. Individual screens are connected to it. During the flight, passengers can choose from a huge list of any movie, program, game, as well as listen to their favorite songs. During the flight, the company provides comprehensive meals for free. On its menu there is a large selection of quality drinks and dishes.
2. Business class. Turkish Airlines provides its passengers who choose this category with salons equipped with comfortable armchairs with massage modules.
In addition, the seats are equipped with a reading lamp. Business class “Turkish Airlines” provides its passengers with the opportunity to push the partition, which allows you to allocate personal space. During sleep, these chairs can easily be transformed into a full bed.
In this case, the flight attendant will give the passenger bedding, as well as a travel kit, which includes earplugs, an eye mask, lip balm, and socks. Everyone who flies in business class has an individual screen connected to the on-board entertainment system. Using the touch panel, you can view various new music tracks, feature films and documentaries, the choice of which is huge. The entertainment system also provides the opportunity to relax, becoming a member of your favorite game. On-board catering in such salons is developed by the best chefs in Turkey. The menu at the same time consists of dishes of not only national but also world cuisine.
For passengers who prefer a business class, the company offers welcome drinks at the beginning of the flight. When serving dinner, porcelain dishes are used (in the other categories - plastic).
In addition, the advantage of acquiring a flight ticket in business class is the ability to use separate check-in desks when registering for a flight at the airport, as well as waiting for an invitation to board in a special room where meals are provided. These passengers are the last to board the aircraft, and the very first to board when they land.
3. Comfort class. Anyone who bought Turkish Airlines tickets can fly in the cabin with comfortable seats (there is an extended interval between them). The main feature in this case is the width of the seats. It is 49 cm. The seatbacks can conveniently recline up to 22 cm. Monitors of individual touch screens in the comfort class salons are 27 cm diagonal. There is an iPad or iPod connection function. Passengers are offered a wide selection of drinks and dishes.
Fleet
A distinctive feature of the flagship of civil aviation in Turkey is its constant and dynamic development. The long-term plans of this air carrier include the development of new long and short routes, improving the quality of service, as well as regular updating of the aircraft fleet. So, until 2020, Turkish Airlines expects to receive one hundred and seventy new airliners. This will not only allow updating the youngest fleet in Europe, but also significantly expand the geography of routes, covering most of the regions of the planet.
The Turkish Airlines fleet, according to November 2016, totaled 333 airliners, the average age of which did not reach even seven years. As noted, only two manufacturers have liners in the fleet of this Middle Eastern carrier. These are companies such as Boeing and Airbus. So, the company's air fleet includes:
- 14 Airbus A319-100 airliners operating flights to Europe and on domestic routes;
- 29 Airbus A320-200 airliners used in the same direction as the previous model;
- 66 Airbus A321-200 airliners flying on domestic routes and in the Caucasus;
- 28 Airbus A330-200 airliners, flights of which are envisaged to Europe, the Near and Far East, Africa and North America;
- 30 Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 airliners landing at airports in the same countries as the previous model;
- 1 airliner Boeing 737-700, which is used on domestic flights;
- 76 Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 airliners, which are used not only on domestic, but also on short- and medium-haul flights;
- 32 Boeing 777-300ER liners delivering passengers to London and Singapore, Chicago and New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Beijing and Los Angeles, São Paulo and to many cities in Europe, the Near and Far East, Africa and North America.
In addition to passenger aircraft, the Turkish Airlines fleet includes ten cargo liners of the Airbus A300-300F and Airbus A330-200F models.
Buying tickets
According to customer reviews, Turkish Airlines is not in vain has the title of one of the best in Europe. Purchasing tickets for her flights is not difficult. You can do this on the official website of Turkish Airlines. However, according to passenger reviews, this is not always possible. And then in order to fly this carrier, you must personally visit the representative office of Turkish Airlines. Its employees will help in a difficult situation and will solve a whole series of problems that arose for clients. The company has representative offices in many cities of Russia, Ukraine, as well as other countries that were previously part of the USSR.
Offers for regular customers
Turkish Airlines has developed a special program called Smiles. It is intended for regular passengers. Its main difference is the presence of two classes of service offered to holders of club cards such as Classic Plus and Elite Plus. Program participants are given a unique opportunity to earn miles with the help of those companies that are partners of Turkish Airlines.
Among them:
- All Star Alliance member carriers;
- some hotels;
- A number of car rental companies.
Customers holding a Classic card can accumulate miles, choose a menu, register on their own, etc. Anyone who has accumulated 20 thousand miles on their account can use the Classic Plus card. With its help, it is possible to carry additional unpaid baggage, as well as use CIP-lounges during flights on domestic flights.
Those passengers who were able to earn 40 thousand points go to the next level, called "Elite". Such a card provides privileges such as a substantial 50% discount on a business class ticket for a second passenger, as well as double points for those who purchase a business class ticket.
The pinnacle of this rewards program is the Elite Plus card. It is issued to those customers who were able to accumulate 80 thousand award miles during the year. Such a card has such advantages as the issuance of an Elite card for relatives of the client and his friends, as well as the right to upgrade the class of flight without additional payment, which is provided twice a year.
Additional services and service
A day before the flight, the passenger has the right to order special meals for himself. This can be done on the website of Turkish Airlines, where about twenty sets of various types of food are presented. This can be a lunch for infants or for children, a vegetarian menu, including Asian or Indian, whose dishes do not contain dairy products, as well as a dinner prepared only on a vegetable basis. The passenger has the right to order ethnic food for himself.
It can be a kosher, Muslim, Hindu dinner, etc. The menu of this airline has a fairly large selection of food for those who have health problems. So, a passenger can order a low purine, low protein dinner for diabetics. If desired, in flight they bring a lunch containing dishes without vegetable proteins, low in fat, as well as salt-free and lactose-free dishes.
Those who fly long-distance or ultra-long-distance routes are offered the “Chef” service.
Carry-on baggage and luggage
Before each passenger, the question “How many things can I take with me?” Arises. Turkish Airlines normalizes baggage allowance. A certain registered weight can be transported for free. Moreover, the specific rate depends on the transportation tariff and the route of the liner. Information about this is usually indicated in the purchased ticket, so you can familiarize yourself with the rules before the trip. For example, in all countries except Burkina Faso and Chad, Benin and Argentina, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Ghana, South America and Guinea, Canada and Cameroon, Nigeria and the USA, Senegal and Mali, Mauritania and Côte d- Ivoire, the minimum can be transported:
- in business class up to 30 kg of luggage and take with you 2 pieces of hand luggage no more than 8 kg (each);
- in comfort and economy class up to 20 kg of luggage and up to 8 kg of hand luggage.
Children under two years of age are also subject to baggage allowance. They do not exceed 10 kg, and hand luggage - 8 kg.
Currently, the company has changed the baggage allowance for those passengers who fly from Odessa to Portugal or Greece, Germany, Italy or Spain. For those who bought tickets to economy and comfort class, this is 30 kg, and for business class 50 kg.
An interesting fact is that in 2014 the Turkish air carrier increased the baggage allowance by one week for those passengers who bought an economy class ticket to 50 kg. Such generosity was due to the fact that at that time in Istanbul there was a shopping festival. In honor of this event, shopping centers offered a 70% discount on their goods and worked around the clock.
Air crashes
In the entire history of the existence of the Turkish carrier with its aircraft, four crashes occurred during international flights and eighteen during domestic transportation.
The following are some of the Turkish Airlines crashes. The first of them happened on 02/17/1959. A Turkish carrier plane crashed at London's Gatwick Airport. The cause of the incident was a thick fog that prevented normal landing. On board there were 16 passengers and 8 crew members. In this disaster 10 people survived.
03.03.1974 in France, the crash of flight 981 claimed the lives of 346 people. The cause of the crash was a structural error.
02/25/2009, the company Turkish Airlines crashed while landing at the international airport in Amsterdam. The crash killed 127 passengers and 7 crew members. The cause of the tragedy was the failure of the radio altimeter.