When I was booking a flight to Tivat, Montenegro, only two airlines came up: Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways required two stops, making the decision to choose Turkish Airlines easy, as it only had a layover at Istanbul Airport. Here’s a review of my trip, highlighting the service and comfort offered by Turkish Airlines in Economy Class.
Booking the multi-leg trip with Turkish Airlines was straightforward through their website. At Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the check-in process was somewhat disappointing as the airport personnel struggled to manage the lines properly. However, the check-in itself was smooth, with the counters accommodating guests quickly. The staff, friendly and helpful, ensured that my baggage was correctly tagged for transfer in Istanbul, reminding me that I would claim my baggage at my final destination.
LEG 1: MANILA TO ISTANBUL
Boarding and First Impressions
Boarding was efficient, with passengers called in groups exactly 45 minutes before the estimated departure. The Economy Class cabin appeared modern and clean, with comfortable seats and ample legroom. The friendly crew welcomed passengers warmly, setting a positive tone for the flight. The plane was an Airbus 350-900 with a 3-3-3 seating configuration.
In-Flight Comfort and Entertainment
Turkish Airlines’ Economy Class offers a commendable level of comfort. Upon arriving at your seat, you are greeted with a travel pouch containing socks, toothpaste, a toothbrush, an eye cover, in addition is a headset, a blanket, and pillows. The seats had adjustable headrests, and the entertainment system featured a wide array of movies, TV shows, music, and games. The personal screens were responsive and of high quality. Each seat also had a USB port and power outlet, which was convenient for charging devices during the flight.
Dining at Altitude
Once the plane stabilized after take-off, the flight crew announced the first meal service. Meal service started with drinks, followed by a choice of two main courses: Filipino-style chicken adobo sa gata or penne with marinara sauce. I chose the adobo, served with green beans and saffron rice, accompanied by salad and bread. For dessert, we had caramel cake. An hour before landing, the crew served us fruits, assorted cheeses, scrambled eggs with sautéed spinach and potatoes, and bread. The food was not spectacular, but overall, it was a good meal for a long-haul flight.
Service and Arrival in Istanbul
As we approached Istanbul, the captain provided regular updates about the landing time and weather conditions. The landing was smooth, and the transit process at Istanbul Airport was efficient, aided by clear signage and helpful airport staff. I had a 2-hour layover in Istanbul, and moving from the arrival gate to the main hall, and then to my departure gate for the next leg, was seamless.
LEG 2: ISTANBUL TO TIVAT
Layover in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul Airport is a modern and expansive hub, offering various amenities to keep travelers entertained during layovers. The Wi-Fi is free for only an hour and requires a voucher obtained with your passport. While not ideal, the 2-hour layover made it manageable. For longer stays, Turkish Airlines passengers can access the airline’s Wi-Fi in some parts of the airport.
Regarding boarding, I used my multiple-entry Japan Visa to enter Montenegro. The airline staff were initially unaware of the visa policy, causing a brief delay, but I was eventually allowed to board after they confirmed the policy.
Boarding, In-Flight Experience, and Arrival
Boarding for the short-haul flight to Tivat was prompt and organized. The Economy Class cabin on this flight was just as comfortable as on the long-haul segment. The seats were well-cushioned, and the flight attendants provided exceptional service. Despite being a shorter flight, passengers were pleasantly surprised to receive a light snack and beverages.
The landing in Tivat was smooth, and disembarkation was quick and efficient. Getting through immigration was seamless, and I received my arrival stamp as soon as the officer saw my Japan visa. Since I came from a connecting flight, my luggage was among the first to appear on the conveyor belt.
RETURN FLIGHT: TIVAT TO MANILA
Tivat to Istanbul
Due to bad weather, the aircraft scheduled for our return flight to Istanbul landed in Belgrade instead of Tivat Airport. Turkish Airlines staff gave us only a bottle of water during the four-hour delay at Tivat Airport. The departure hall at Tivat Airport has limited food options, so most passengers relied on vending machines for light snacks.
Istanbul Layover and Final Leg
After a few hours, we finally boarded, and the airline served a similar meal set for the short flight to Istanbul. The flight disruption in Montenegro reduced my 14-hour layover in Istanbul to ten hours. Istanbul Airport has food courts filled with fast food chains, making it an affordable option for meals during the layover. Thanks to Turkish Airlines Wi-Fi, I was able to skip the one-hour free Wi-Fi offered by the airport.
Although the lines were somewhat disorganized, Turkish Airlines boarded passengers on time. The flight attendants on the Istanbul to Manila leg were friendlier than those on the Manila to Istanbul flight. They were more accommodating and responded politely to passengers’ requests. Meal options included beef loaf or rigatoni, served with eggplant tomato salad, fresh seasonal salad, and delicious dried fig and nougat mousse. Before landing, Turkish Airlines served us scrambled eggs with spinach, strawberry yogurt, a selection of cheese, and bread.
Final Thoughts: Turkish Airlines
My journey from Manila to Tivat via Istanbul, and back, with Turkish Airlines was a delightful experience. From seamless booking and check-in to in-flight comfort and efficient transit in Istanbul, Turkish Airlines ensured an enjoyable trip. The 13-hour flight from Manila to Istanbul was stress-free, thanks to comfortable in-flight amenities that allowed me to sleep well.
Turkish Airlines continues to impress with its excellent service, comfortable seating, and high-quality in-flight dining, even in Economy Class. Turkish Airlines’ commitment to service and passenger comfort is evident on both long-haul flights and short regional hops.
I also flew on 16 May 2024 TK 0265 Manila-Istanbul flight, what happened at the Manila airport before the flight was not pleasant, although the TK plane I was going to fly landed in Manila on time, the officials made us run from one exit gate to another several times for two hours and we were able to take off with a delay of two hours, this was embarrassing, this incident was not related to TK but to the poor organization of the Manila airport, I bring this to your attention and warn TK, passengers may think that the incident is related to TK!unfortunately ????TK plane was told that they gave priority to another airline to land later where it was supposed to park????finally we boarded and the flight was great ???? ????Thank you Turkish Airlines ❤️
I also flew on 16 May 2024 TK 0265 Manila-Istanbul flight, what happened at the Manila airport before the flight was not pleasant, although the TK plane I was going to fly landed in Manila on time, the officials made us run from one exit gate to another several times for two hours and we were able to take off with a delay of two hours, this was embarrassing, this incident was not related to TK but to the poor organization of the Manila airport, I bring this to your attention and warn TK, passengers may think that the incident is related to TK!unfortunately ????TK plane was told that they gave priority to another airline to land later where it was supposed to park????finally we boarded and the flight was great ???? ????Thank you Turkish Airlines ❤️