The choice was either JAT, BEG-DXB economy direct on an old 733 or a much longer routing via IST with TK on new shiny a/c business class.
So here I am in sat in the TKY IST business lounge[:D] and although the routing may be longer at least so far I am enjoying the trip, especially as I have just broken the seal on a new bottle of Ballantines at the self service bar[:p]
Departing from your place of work is not so enjoyable as you find yourself in the office till the boarding message flashes up so no real adventure before hand although I did manage to sneak a beer in the biz lounge in the course of quality control monitoring.
Boarding was delayed by 30 minutes so I need not have choked on the beer half way through after all.
This was my first time flying with TK and although I have a good friend as the station manager in PRN I never really new what to expect. The crew always seemed to be friendly especially when buying in the shops. Always the highest spending crews by far[y]
Once on board the first thing that gets you is the cabin decor. A sort of mix of pink/lilac and aquamarine[V] GJ need to do some serious coordination advice here. Crew however had that lovely Turkish demour about them and the female crew were nice also[:I]
Once seated a choice of champagne (real) /OJ or water was offered. No prizes for what I selected. The seat had a 35in pitch which I suppose is fairly norm for an A320.
A smooth departure from BEG and we were soon heading south east towards Sophia. Now this flight was only 1hr 15 mns so I did not really expect any sort of meal however the CC came around with a menu card which had the following:-
Traditional yoghurt cucumber salad with fresh mint
Turkish mezze platter with Stuffed eggplant/dried beef/herbed chicken/humus
Selection of cheese
DO&CO mousse au chocolate
Ovenfresh bread selection
Coffee & Tea
Drinks [:D]
Champagne
Whisky Blended & Malts / Gin tanq 10
Vodka & raki
Selected Turkish & Int wines
Beers
Liquers & Cognacs
Fresh juices and soft drinks
I tried my best honestly but failed miserably
All I can say was that the cucumber yoghurt could have done with some Chicken pakora and I would have been in heaven.
For a short haul flight, SUPERB
The IFE was limited to the drop down screens with one of these clocks that you see advertised in the Sunday supplements. You know the ones that hang on the board room wall etc. The route map was a fancy 3D selection showing the route from all angles including a reality trip [:)] It was not Google earth ala VX but it was bloody good never the less.
CC were very good and every couple of minutes checked the cabin.
Now TK joined *All as from the 1st of April so I am equally delighted to get another 4 D class sectors under my belt.
The last time I was in IST was for my 40th birthday with some friends and to be honest cannot remember too much about the airport, but if IST is an option for a transit flight, give it a go. You will not be disappointed.
Not sure if I will remember much about the next leg.
All the best
Iain
