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 arrived at the one that serves most of the international flights, the terminal E. It has nothing special, it is a big hangar all in length without much decoration except for flags.
The Turkish Airlines counter opens at 7:45 pm, so we wait for a quarter of an hour. Time to watch a bit as 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 companies: 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 it will be quick to pass through.
The airside terminal is not much more attractive. We go to the elevator which gives access to the lounges.
I passed through this airport a while back and the Lufthansa lounge used by Star Alliance airlines left something to be desired. But since then it has been renovated and moved.
What a nice surprise! It is quite large, with 3 areas, one for relaxation, another for eating and finally one with a TV and high tables.
The buffet was very well stocked, with cold appetizers, 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 any case, the lounge has direct access to the Lufthansa boarding gate, so you can go from the lounge to the plane without having to go through the terminal again.
On the other hand, the temperature in this lounge was very low, so much so that I had to go and get a second t-shirt in my suitcase to keep me 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 was very professional and this compensated well for the somewhat austere cabin.
But I find the seat comfortable and with enough room for storage. When traveling as a couple the seats are well arranged, except perhaps the limited access for the passenger traveling on the window side.
The comfort kit is clearly not a strong point of the Turkish company either.
Turkish Airlines has flights that leave late, around 11pm, the challenge is to stay awake during the meal. The meal passes quietly, a little 2h from the aperitif to the tea.
Passage to the toilets then installation of 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.
Our disembarkation is done by bus as often in Istanbul, while waiting for the future airport which must open its doors 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:
