THIS REPORT IS A PART OF THE FLASHBACK SERIES
Hi & Welcome to this report on my FLASHBACK SERIES. In this series of flights, I would share reports from flights that I've flown before registering this website. Just a quick reminder that I am the same human being with "turkishflyer1" on flyertalk so the reports posted can be the same as posted there.
This report is the oldest flight report that I could find the photos in my inventory. This report would include a long transatlantic flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles on the Turkish Airlines 777-300ER. While I flew this flight, this route was celebrating it 2nd month. I've been upgraded on this flight from Comfort Class to Business Class by my travel companions miles so I was one of the first ones to experience the longest non-stop route of TK in Business Class.
Regular up to date reports would be continued to be shared shortly after the flight date.
Flights that I plan to share:
TK 9 Istanbul to Los Angeles ( Business ), Boeing 777-300ER / May 2012 ( you are here ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul
TK 10 Los Angeles to Istanbul ( Business ), Boeing 777-300ER / May 2012 ( arriving Dec 2019 ), Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles ( old TBIT )
TK 2312 Istanbul to Izmir ( Economy) , Airbus A340-300 / December 2012 ( click ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul Domestic
TK 2333 Izmir to Istanbul ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / December 2012 ( click ), Comfort Lounge International
LH 1305 Istanbul to Frankfurt ( Economy ), Airbus A319-100 / February 2013 ( click ), Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul
LH 456 Frankfurt to Los Angeles ( Economy ), Boeing 747-8I / February 2013 ( click ), Lufthansa Senator Lounge Z Frankfurt
LH 457 Los Angeles to Frankfurt ( Business ), Boeing 747-8I / February 2013 ( arriving Dec 2018 ), Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles ( old TBIT )
LH 1300 Frankfurt to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / February 2013 ( arriving Dec 2018 ), Lufthansa Senator Lounge B Frankfurt
XQ 9065 Istanbul-SAW to Izmir ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / August 2015 ( click )
XQ 9264 Izmir to Istanbul-SAW ( Economy ), Boeing 737-800 / August 2015 ( click ), Comfort Lounge Domestic
LH 403 Newark-EWR to Frankfurt ( Economy ), Boeing 747-8I / August 2016 ( arriving Jan 2019 ), Lufthansa Business Lounge Newark
LH 1298 Frankfurt to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / August 2016 ( arriving Jan 2019 ), Lufthansa Business Lounge B20-28
ME 266 Istanbul to Beirut ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / September 2016 ( click )
ME 267 Beirut to Istanbul ( Economy ), Airbus A320-200 / September 2016 ( click )
List subject to change due to photo availability, dates are estimated and changes can occur.
As these flights are reported you would be able to click on the sector to see the FR. Not reported flights would be written in italic.
As this is a flashback report no route&trip overview wouldn't be provided as some exceptions can occur.
ONLINE CHECK-IN
I have checked in from TK's website as in 2012, APIS information couldn't be entered by their mobile app. The interesting part is that even though passengers enter their APIS details online, they should wait for the APIS data entry line before check-in. This situation is also valid for present flights departing from IST. By the way, our seats were prebooked by the TK call center as TK didn't offer online seat reservations at that time.
ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT - IST
I have entered the airport from the E2 entrance which is the fast track lane for TK Business Class & Star Alliance Gold passengers.
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FIDS - AF used to fly to Marseille, DL used to fly to New York from Istanbul but both of these flights doesn't operate anymore.
Check-in
First APIS information was verified at the APIS data entry line. Even though we had entered our US address and visa details, the aviation security officer wanted to verify them.
Then it was time for dropping our luggages and getting our boarding passes. Mobile boarding passes can be issued for US flights but they are not accepted while boarding so we needed the paper issued version. All US, Canada, UK & Israel flights have special check-in counters.
Boarding Pass
Passport & Security Checkpoint
The TK Lounge in IST has a special checkpoint for Business Class & TK Elite Plus customers. This checkpoint was recently opened at that time so nobody knew it. Just a quick reminder that passengers holding Star Alliance Gold cards and other Star Alliance airline customers doesn't have access to this checkpoint.
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TURKISH AIRLINES LOUNGE ISTANBUL
In 2012, the lower lever wasn't opened yet so the lounge only had one floor.
Newspapers offered at that time
The piano which is now in the lower level
As a main dish meatballs were offered
Drinks
Nuts offered
FIDS from the lounge - Also LH doesn't operate their IST-MUC service anymore
BOARDING & GATE AREA
After a walk to gate 208, several document checks were made and passports were scanned, the aviation security randomly picked passengers and inspected their bags. Also, the ground security questioned passengers about their purpose of visit to the US. Unfortunately, TK does the whole process in 7 or 8 checkpoints as other carriers such as BA, LH or KL does it at online check-in and at the check-in desk/kiosk. A quick note that the "SSSS" process wasn't introduced at that time.
Priorities were respected while boarding.
TK 9 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT to LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Seat:
The seat was the regular TK 777-300ER seat which was an acceptable seat for J class in 2012.
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Blanket, mattress and pillow
Slippers
Headphones had a special box to store them
Headphones
Personal Amenity Kit by Crabtree & Evelyn
Remote control
IFE Screen - Compared to today's entertainment system, the IFE system looked old fashioned.
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Route map today
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At that time TK's slogan was "Globally Yours"
Before takeoff, the flying chef offered passengers Godiva chocolate and the cabin crew has distributed forms for US CBP.
This form could be a nostalgia for some people.
After takeoff, the Topkapı Palace, The Hagia Sophia and The Bosphorus was visible
15 July Martyrs Bridge as present, it was named as the Bosphorus Bridge at that time
Maslak area & Türk Telekom Stadium
Kemerburgaz area
Göktürk area
In addition to the headphone jack, ethernet and power plugs were available.
Shortly after takeoff menus were distributed.
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And the wine list
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When we were ordering our main dishes, the flying chef has given passengers nuts as an aperitif.
Shortly after the collection of nuts, the table was set
Bread & butter
Salt&pepper
Starter
Shrimp salad
Chicken caesar salad
Soup - The taste of the soup was delicious.
Potato Leek Soup
Main Dish - The main course was also delicious like the soup.
Lamb chops, over roasted red peppers / potato gratin
Selections from the dessert trolley. I am not a fan of the little little in the middle service for desserts but they were all delicious.
Route map after the table was cleaned
A small bottle of water was also distributed.
I have woken up somewhere over Greenland.
And a visit to the lavatory
Overhead panel
Entertainment System:
Turkish Airlines had recently introduced their Live TV & Inflight Wi-Fi but at that time, the aircraft hadn't got the system installed. The entertainment system contained recent selections and there inflight magazines were present at the seat pocket.
Safety card
Skylife Magazine
Skylife Business Magazine
Planet IFE guide
Puzzle
The Turkish Perspective magazine
Some brochures
Crew:
Most of the crew wasn't smiling but the cabin purser was amazing. I have realized that they have collected my menu overnight and I learnt that this was a regular process as they used the cover for future flights. When I have requested my menu back, the cabin purser was very helpful and handed me my menu back as that menu is now at one of my souvenir boxes.
Before landing the second meal was offered.
This time, the cheese and the dessert was served with the appetizer.
Starter
Assorted Turkish mezes, "İmambayıldı" stuffed eggplant in olive oil
Desert
Mousse rigo, bitter and white chocolate
This was the best inflight meal as I had as the mantı ( Turkish style pasta ) was very delicious.
Before landing, the route map
Even though, there wasn't live TV or Wi-Fi onboard live news and the weather in Los Angeles were appearing on the IFE system
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Some Info About the M&S Program
Last images from the route map
Then the seat-belt signs has been turned on
LAX
Downtown LA
After we have landed, this China Airlines 747 was visible
AA aircraft at Terminal 4
AA 757
Another AA 757
And again another AA 757
AA MD-80
AA 777-200
And EK 77L
Thank you for flying us,
Before leaving the cabin
We had parked to gate 105 in TBIT.
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - LAX
After a wait for immigration, we had picked our baggages from carousel 6 and this journey has came to an end.
Some photos from the old TBIT baggage claim area
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TK ads were present in the rental car area
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.
the meal looks like not well presented and unappealing to eat. for me its not a business class plating. good thing that it was delicious and you enjoy your meal.
Hi Jaytot and thanks for stopping by,
The problem of presenting the meal is related to TK's trolley select service. Passengers could choose more than one appetizer and more than one dessert and the crew puts some of each requested option to your plate in the aisle while serving. In my opinion, a selection of one plate for each would be better for a carrier like TK but TK is proud of their service so it seems that the process would continue like this. And, I would like to mention that the taste of the meals presented were pretty good compared to the return leg. In addition, I also agree to you that the presentation type could be improved as many other airline companies offer a better presentation than the one on this flight.
Thanks again for your comment and have a great weekend.