Turkish Airline is one of the largest European airlines. It is the flag carrier of the Republic of Turkey. Turkish Airlines is headquartered at Istanbul Atatürk International Airport. Turkish Airlines' route network 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 transfer points for passengers. These are the so-called hubs, which are located in the same city as the head office. As such auxiliary points, Turkish Airline uses the Istanbul Esenboga Airport, as well as the capital's harbor named after. Sabihi Gokcen.
Currently, the company's aircraft fleet includes 333 Boeing and Airbus aircraft 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 Europeanstates.
It is worth noting that it is not for nothing that Turkish Airlines receives, as a rule, only good reviews from passengers. After all, it has already been recognized as the best among European companies three times (in 2011, 2012 and 2013). In 2008, it became a full member of the world's largest Star Alliance.
What characterizes Turkish Airlines today? Reviews of those who used its services say that this is service and safety, 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 even lower.
History of Creation
Turkish Airlines was founded on May 20, 1933. It all started with the formation of the State Department for the management of air carriers, 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 these were only domestic flights between Ankara, Eskisehir and Istanbul.
In September 1937, the airline added three De Havilland D. H. 86b. Three months later, a fourth plane appeared at her disposal. All liners carried out flights on domestic routes. These were flights connecting such cities as Ankara and Istanbul, Eskisehir and Izmir, Adana and Diyarbakir, as well as Kayseri.
In June 1938 the company changed its name. It becamesound like Devlet Hava Yolları Umum Müdürlüğü - DHY for short.
Turkish Airlines entered the international market in 1947. At that time, passengers were taken from the shores of the Bosphorus to Athens. The next stage of the opening of long-haul flights took place only after forty years. Then the company began to transport passengers across the Atlantic and to 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 air carrier experienced its rapid development. At the same time, Turkish Airlines acquired for itself the most advanced liners that existed at that time. And a dozen years later, long-haul aircraft became the pride of her fleet, which made it possible to fly on distant international routes.
In December 1990, part of its shares, which is 5%, was sold. Somewhat later, the government decided to sell another 23% of the shares. This was done in December 2004. Two years later, the state parted ways with another 28.75% of the company's shares. Today he owns 49%. 51% of the shares are privately owned.
Company today
What reviews can you hear about Turkish Airlines at the moment? This company is distinguished by increased attention to the technical condition of aircraft, excellent training of maintenance and flight personnel, as well as providing first-class service to passengers.
Today, this air carrier is the third largestsize in Europe. At the same time, they perform about 1,000 flights daily to various destinations. It is worth saying that, according to experts, in the first half of 2012, this company mastered almost 4% of the entire world market. At the same time, she rose to eighth place in the list of the largest air carriers of the entire planet.
Turkish Airlines' performance remained at its best even during the financial crisis. On the contrary, by doing business in the tough recession, this carrier has managed to focus its activities and make some fresh decisions. This includes membership in the Star Alliance, and increased attention to the implementation of air travel, including concern for the he alth of flight attendants and pilots.
Characteristics of routes
Turkish Airlines (Turkey) planes land at two hundred and twenty airports in one hundred and eight countries around 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 is the largest cities of Canada and the USA, as well as a number of countries located on the territory of South America.
Turkish Airlines flights to Japan and Southeast Asia are considered a priority for the company.
Turkish Airlines' transcontinental flights are carried out using A-340, A-330 and B-777 wide-bodied aircraft. The company also operates in Russian directions. Its route network includes such cities asVoronezh and Yekaterinburg, Ufa and Kazan, Sochi and St. Petersburg. Passengers are also delivered to Moscow airports.
Classes of Service
Passengers purchasing Turkish Airlines tickets 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 with an adjustable footrest. In addition, there is nothing surprising in the fact that passengers who bought an economy class ticket from Turkish Airlines leave the most positive feedback on flight comfort.
After all, between the seats of such a salon there is an increased legroom of 78 cm. In addition, all seats can recline back.
You can also adjust the footrest and headrest. Economy class seats are equipped with sockets. According to passengers, it is very convenient. After all, sockets make it possible to use gadgets throughout the flight. In such salons there is also 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, and listen to their favorite songs. During the flight, the company provides complex meals free of charge. Its menu includes a large selection of quality drinks and dishes.
2. Business Class. Turkish Airlines provides its passengers who have chosen this category with cabins equipped withcomfortable chairs with massage modules.
In addition, the seats are equipped with a reading lamp. The business class of Turkish Airlines gives its passengers the opportunity to slide the partition, which allows them to allocate personal space. During sleep, these chairs can easily be transformed into a full bed.
At the same time, the flight attendant will give the passenger bed linen, as well as an amenity kit, which includes earplugs, an eye mask, lip balm, and socks. Everyone flying business class has an individual screen connected to the in-flight 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 an opportunity to relax by becoming a member of your favorite game. In-flight meals in such salons are 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 those passengers who prefer business class, the company offers welcome drinks at the beginning of the flight. Dinner is served on chinaware (other categories use plastic).
In addition, the advantage of purchasing a ticket for a flight in business class is the opportunity to use separate counters when checking in for a flight at the airport, as well as waiting for an invitation to board in a special hall where meals are provided. Suchpassengers are the last to board the aircraft and the very first to disembark upon landing.
3. Comfort class. Those who bought Turkish Airlines tickets can fly in the cabin, which has 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 comfortably recline up to 22 cm. Individual touch screen monitors in the comfort class salons have a diagonal of 27 cm. There is an iPad or iPod connection function. Passengers are offered a wide selection of drinks and meals.
Aircraft Fleet
A distinctive feature of the flagship of Turkish civil aviation is its constant and dynamic development. The long-term plans of this air carrier include the development of new long-distance and short-range routes, improving the quality of service, as well as regular renewal of the aircraft fleet. So, by 2020, Turkish Airlines expects to receive one hundred and seventy new aircraft. This will allow not only updating the youngest fleet in Europe, but also significantly expanding the geography of routes, covering most regions of the planet.
The Turkish Airlines fleet, as of November 2016, consisted of 333 aircraft, the average age of which was less than seven years. As noted, only two manufacturers have aircraft in the fleet of this Middle Eastern carrier. These are companies such as Boeing and Airbus. Thus, the company's air fleet consists of:
- 14 Airbus A319-100 aircraft operating flights to and from Europedomestic routes;
- 29 Airbus A320-200s operating in the same direction as the previous model;
- 66 Airbus A321-200s flying on domestic routes and in Transcaucasia;
- 28 Airbus A330-200 aircraft scheduled to fly to Europe, the Middle East, Far East, Africa and North America;
- 30 Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 aircraft landing at airports the same countries as the previous model;
- 1 Boeing 737-700 airliner, which is used on domestic flights;
- 76 Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which are used not only on domestic flights, but also on short and medium haul flights;- 32 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft delivering passengers to London and Singapore, Chicago and New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Beijing and Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and to many cities in Europe, the Middle and Far East, Africa and North America.
In addition to passenger aircraft, Turkish Airlines' fleet includes ten Airbus A300-300F and Airbus A330-200F cargo liners.
Purchasing tickets
According to customer reviews, Turkish Airlines is not in vain the title of one of the best in Europe. Purchasing tickets for its flights will not be difficult. You can do this on the official website of Turkish Airlines. However, according to passengers, this is not always possible. And then, in order to fly by this carrier, you must personally visit the representative office of Turkish Airlines. Its staffhelp in a difficult situation and solve a number of other problems that have arisen before customers. Representative offices of the company are located 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 such club cards as Classic Plus and Elite Plus. Members of the program have 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.
Clients holding a Classic card can earn miles, choose menus, self-register, etc. Anyone who has accumulated 20,000 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 such privileges as a significant 50% discount on a business class ticket for a second passenger, as well as double points for those who purchase a business class ticket.class.
The pinnacle of this reward program is the Elite Plus card. It is issued to those customers who were able to accumulate 80,000 award miles during the year. Such a card has such advantages as the issuance of an Elite card for the client's relatives and friends, as well as the right to upgrade the flight category at no additional charge, which is provided twice a year.
Additional services and service
One day before the flight, the passenger has the right to order special meals for himself. You can do this on the Turkish Airlines website, where about twenty sets of various types of food are presented. It can be a lunch for babies or children, a vegetarian menu, including Asian or Indian dishes that do not contain dairy products, as well as a lunch prepared only on a plant basis. The passenger has the right to order ethnic food for himself.
It could be Kosher, Muslim, Hindu, etc. The menu of this airline has a fairly large selection of food for those who have he alth problems. So, a passenger can order a low-purine, low-protein lunch and for diabetics. Optional in-flight lunches containing no vegetable proteins, low-fat, s alt-free and lactose-free meals are available.
For those who fly long-haul or ultra-long distances, the Chef service is offered.
Hand luggage and luggage
Before each passenger, the question "How much can youtake things with you?" The company "Turkish Airlines" baggage allowance. A certain registered weight may be carried free of charge. Moreover, the specific rate depends on the transportation tariff and the route of the liner. Information about this, as a rule, is indicated in the purchased ticket, so you can familiarize yourself with the rules before the trip. For example, to 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- Yvoire, the minimum you can bring:
- in business class up to 30 kg of luggage and take 2 pieces of hand luggage with you no more than 8 kg (each);- in comfort and economy class up to 20 kg of luggage and up to 8 kg hand luggage.
Children under two years old 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 flying from Odessa to Portugal or Greece, Germany, Italy or Spain. For those who bought tickets in 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 for those passengers who bought an economy class ticket to 50 kg for one week. Such generosity was due to the fact that at that time there was a shopping festival in Istanbul. In honor of this event, shopping centers offered 70% discount on their goods and worked around the clock.
Air crashes
For the entire history of existenceA Turkish carrier with its aircraft has had four crashes on international flights and eighteen on domestic flights.
Some of the Turkish Airlines crashes are described below. The first of these happened on February 17, 1959. The plane of the Turkish carrier crashed at London Gatwick Airport. The cause of the incident was thick fog, which prevented a normal landing. There were 16 passengers and 8 crew members on board. 10 people survived this disaster.
3.03.1974 in France, the crash of Flight 981 claimed the lives of 346 people. The crash was caused by a structural error.
2009-02-25 A Turkish Airlines plane crashed while landing at Amsterdam International Airport. The crash killed 127 passengers and 7 crew members. The cause of the tragedy was the failure of the radio altimeter.
