Silverswimmer
Oct 8, 09, 2:16 am
Trip review BHX/IST/BHX in economy (could not justify paying Business for sub 4 hour flights)
Checked in on line and chose seats on each leg although only allowed to print boarding passes for inward leg. This did mean we could use Business /online desk for speedy check in.
As Priority Pass holders we used the Servisair lounge which excellent as the Emirates PAX had not yet arrived and we had it to ourselves, but we could have used the smaller 4deck AF/KLM lounge if the former had been busy.
Boarding was 40 mins late due to delayed inbound and we boarded the new(ish) 737/800 via the new, very smart, pier. All PAX lined up for full sniffer dog search-much interest shown in wife’s standby ham sandwich (never having flown TH before)
Decent legroom in economy (31 inch, but seemed more) with only 3 in the Business section outward and 6 on the return, economy seemed 80% full on both legs with mix of tourists, expats and transit to/from Northern Cyprus and Middle East.
Newspapers handed out with the day’s menu-and this is economy!
Cabin service was excellent with a full drinks service as soon as seatbelt sign was off, proper G&T and decent International wines with more offered with the meal.
Outward meal was a Salad with virgin olive oil dressing, choice of Grilled Chicken medallions or Cheese Tortellini followed by Plum cake and coffee.
Return was similar salad and then choice of poached Salmon or Chicken breast followed by Chocolate whip and coffee.
All washed down with a decent Yakut or a French Vdp.
Arrivals/Visa at IST was a bit of a scrum (3 big flights arriving) with PAX in wrong line not realising that it is Visa line first, then passports.
Took us 40 minutes to get through, and that was using the right queue but at least luggage was on the carousel.
Our return was also a bit of a scrum – what with the IMF Istanbul meeting and the terminal full of pilgrims returning from Mecca.
All luggage has to go through Security on entering the terminal, before check in but the THY desk was very efficient and we moved quickly to the Lounge and we chose PrimeClass over Advantage as the former was smaller and more comfortable.
The only cock-up was a change of gate after we had queued for 20 minutes at the original one (315) and a mad rush back to 214!
Then it all kicked off.
Adjacent to our gate security was the line for gate 215 which were pilgrims in transit from Mecca to Casablanca and who were having all their 2 litre containers of holy water confiscated and creating a tremendous fuss, so much so that the police arrived to quell the “riot” and our Security gate was suspended whilst this was all going on.
One had to be sympathetic with many of them - some of them village people whose first flight was to Mecca and had promised presents and water to their family and had been allowed to carry it on board in Mecca with no warnings from the Airline that it should be in their hold luggage.
Eventually our line was allowed through to board but the row behind us intensified as each group moved forward to confront Security.
Not sure how it ended but I doubt their aircraft left on time.
Thirty minutes delay due to ATC restrictions because of IMF traffic but quick and smooth return flight and we managed to get to remote stand and into the terminal before the floodgates opened with the arrival of the midday EH flight from Dubai.
Big advantage of BHX, besides being near home, is that you seldom stack but what you gain you can lose because luggage is always slow- I have even waited 45 mins at T2 and we were the only aircraft in.
They had an excuse this time-the luggage door was jammed so a delay of 40 mins. at a bust time was acceptable.
Turkish Airlines-delighted with them and if their connection times to the Middle and Far East from BHX get better then I shall consider using them against EK for those routes, not just Istanbul.
Ps. A long weekend from BHX to Istanbul with full service flights from £188 is a must.
Checked in on line and chose seats on each leg although only allowed to print boarding passes for inward leg. This did mean we could use Business /online desk for speedy check in.
As Priority Pass holders we used the Servisair lounge which excellent as the Emirates PAX had not yet arrived and we had it to ourselves, but we could have used the smaller 4deck AF/KLM lounge if the former had been busy.
Boarding was 40 mins late due to delayed inbound and we boarded the new(ish) 737/800 via the new, very smart, pier. All PAX lined up for full sniffer dog search-much interest shown in wife’s standby ham sandwich (never having flown TH before)
Decent legroom in economy (31 inch, but seemed more) with only 3 in the Business section outward and 6 on the return, economy seemed 80% full on both legs with mix of tourists, expats and transit to/from Northern Cyprus and Middle East.
Newspapers handed out with the day’s menu-and this is economy!
Cabin service was excellent with a full drinks service as soon as seatbelt sign was off, proper G&T and decent International wines with more offered with the meal.
Outward meal was a Salad with virgin olive oil dressing, choice of Grilled Chicken medallions or Cheese Tortellini followed by Plum cake and coffee.
Return was similar salad and then choice of poached Salmon or Chicken breast followed by Chocolate whip and coffee.
All washed down with a decent Yakut or a French Vdp.
Arrivals/Visa at IST was a bit of a scrum (3 big flights arriving) with PAX in wrong line not realising that it is Visa line first, then passports.
Took us 40 minutes to get through, and that was using the right queue but at least luggage was on the carousel.
Our return was also a bit of a scrum – what with the IMF Istanbul meeting and the terminal full of pilgrims returning from Mecca.
All luggage has to go through Security on entering the terminal, before check in but the THY desk was very efficient and we moved quickly to the Lounge and we chose PrimeClass over Advantage as the former was smaller and more comfortable.
The only cock-up was a change of gate after we had queued for 20 minutes at the original one (315) and a mad rush back to 214!
Then it all kicked off.
Adjacent to our gate security was the line for gate 215 which were pilgrims in transit from Mecca to Casablanca and who were having all their 2 litre containers of holy water confiscated and creating a tremendous fuss, so much so that the police arrived to quell the “riot” and our Security gate was suspended whilst this was all going on.
One had to be sympathetic with many of them - some of them village people whose first flight was to Mecca and had promised presents and water to their family and had been allowed to carry it on board in Mecca with no warnings from the Airline that it should be in their hold luggage.
Eventually our line was allowed through to board but the row behind us intensified as each group moved forward to confront Security.
Not sure how it ended but I doubt their aircraft left on time.
Thirty minutes delay due to ATC restrictions because of IMF traffic but quick and smooth return flight and we managed to get to remote stand and into the terminal before the floodgates opened with the arrival of the midday EH flight from Dubai.
Big advantage of BHX, besides being near home, is that you seldom stack but what you gain you can lose because luggage is always slow- I have even waited 45 mins at T2 and we were the only aircraft in.
They had an excuse this time-the luggage door was jammed so a delay of 40 mins. at a bust time was acceptable.
Turkish Airlines-delighted with them and if their connection times to the Middle and Far East from BHX get better then I shall consider using them against EK for those routes, not just Istanbul.
Ps. A long weekend from BHX to Istanbul with full service flights from £188 is a must.