After the end of my cruise vacation, onboard “Queen Victoria”, at the port of Civitavecchia, on the morning of 8th August, I took a transfer from the ship to FCO airport with a 2h30 stop at Rome, to see the highlights of the ancient city around the Vatican area. Around 15h00 the transfer arrived at Leonardo da Vinci / Fiumicino airport and, surprisingly, I found out the TK check-in counter already open. When delivering the bags I was told that, due to a recent fire on the airport, it would not possible to have lounge access.
Nevertheless, after security I tried to go inside Mosaici lounge and was successful just presenting by C class boarding pass at the reception. The lounge was a completely enclosed space, no view at all and the food choice was poor without self-service drinks. Anyway I relaxed there for about 2h00 and found out that my incoming aircraft, A321 TC-JSN, delivered to TK last March, was on time. I headed to the gate and boarding started, through an airbridge, 30 min before departure schedule time.
The flight would be completely full in Y and C class. Welcome drinks (choice between water, champagne, juices) and newspapers/magazines were offered by the “chef” on duty on the C class cabin of this A321. Doors were closed at 18h55 but the aircraft was airborne only at 19h20, due to some congestion on the departure from FCO. After take-off some views of the Italian coast, before heading east towards IST Ataturk airport with some light turbulence in between.
Shortly after take-off the crew started the service on C class cabin, offering hot towels and the menus, explaining the meal service on this 2h30 flight. Some pre meal drinks were also offered. Then it was time to set the table for the appetizers plate which consisted of Turkish meze potpourri, lakerda – salad laked tuna, yoghurt, purslane salad and beetroot humus. This came along with the cheese plate and some different kinds of bread were offered twice from a basket. The crew was very friendly and attentive.
After it was time to choose the main course, from 3 options available. My option was the traditional prawn stew “guvec” with buttered rice, which was delicious! For dessert we had a mascarpone tart with cappuccino sauce, very good!
The flight was in progress to east and captain informed that we would have to go on a big line to land at IST, as expected at that peak hour. However landing was on time and the A321 arrived the gate just 10 min after arrival schedule.
For me it was time to overnight at Holiday Inn Express hotel a new hotel next to the airport, conveniently located. Next day would have the flight IST-OPO.
