After two days spent in Boston, first step of our stay in Istanbul and Beirut, we take our flight to the Turkish capital.
We had a room at the Westin Copley Place, not far from Fenway Stadium where we attended a Red Sox game. The hotel is very well located to visit the city and to attend a baseball game.
The Logan Express shuttle service reaches several locations in and around Boston, including the plaza below our hotel. Convenient and cheap (7.5 US dollars) for a 20 minute ride.
After passing through the other terminals, we arrive at the one that serves most international flights, Terminal E. There’s nothing special about it: it’s a big, long hangar with little decoration apart from flags.
The Turkish Airlines counter opens at 7:45 pm, so we wait for a quarter of an hour. Time to watch passengers check in on other flights, including one with Primera, which is opening a route between Montreal and Paris in October 2018.
We see quite a few other low-cost airlines: Level, Primera, Norwegian and WOW Air.
Our check-in takes a few minutes, it was not possible to do it online but we had already selected our seats so it was more of a formality.
The security checkpoint has a queue cutter for Business class passengers, so you’ll be through quickly here too.
The airside terminal is not much more attractive. We head for the elevator that leads to the lounges.
I passed through this airport some time ago and the lounge Lufthansa used by Star Alliance airlines left much to be desired. But since then it has been renovated and moved.
What a nice surprise! It’s quite large, with 3 areas, one for relaxation, another for dining and finally one with a TV and high tables.
The buffet was very well stocked, with cold starters, hot dishes and desserts available.
On the drink side, a bar with beers, wines and some cocktails on demand.
The lounge has an area reserved for First Class passengers. There seems to be an à la carte service. However the space seems a bit small but I doubt it will be used much. In all cases, the lounge has direct access to the Lufthansa boarding gate, so you can go from the lounge to the plane without having to go back into the terminal.
On the other hand, the temperature at lounge was very low, so much so that I had to get a second t-shirt from my suitcase to keep warm.
The boarding of our flight begins. I find a cabin that I know well. This is our fifth flight with Turkish Airlines. The staff were very professional, which made up for the somewhat austere feel of the cabin.
But I find the seat comfortable and with enough room for storage. When travelling as a couple, the seats are well arranged, except perhaps for the limited access for the passenger travelling on the port side.
The comfort kit is clearly not a strong point of the Turkish company either.
Turkish Airlines has flights that leave late, around 11pm, so the challenge is to stay awake during the meal. The meal passes quietly, a short 2 hours from aperitif to tea.
A trip to the toilet and then the seat for the night.
A first for me, the flight was equipped with Wifi and free Internet access for passengers in business class.
After a few hours of sleep I wake up for the first time after crossing the Atlantic, then after a period of half-sleep it’s time to have breakfast. I haven’t tested the entertainment system except for the travel information but it is very easy to use and it has exterior cameras, what more can the “avgeek” in me ask for?
The cabin wakes up slowly.
We disembark by bus, as is often the case in Istanbul, while we wait for the new airport, which is due to open in October 2018, but which will be much further from the city.
Another very good flight with Turkish Airlines which deserves its good reputation. Perhaps all it would take is an improved cabin and comfort kit to become nearly perfect.
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
