Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - IST-> ORD Change of aircraft- better?

Hi first time poster but love this site! My wife and I are taking TK5- IST-ORD non stop direct and it was the Airbus 330- I just checked and see the aircraft is now A340-300. Does anyone know if Business Class is the same in both airlines? I thought the A330 was nicer/newer? Perhaps this is due to the Air France Tragedy?

Also I am *A Gold - but cant seem to confirm my seats- does anyone know when TUrkish Airlines let you confirm seats- I am on a *A Award Ticket (via United). Thanks so much for your help!

I have not recently taken TK 5 to Chicago but yday flew TK 21 from Beijing to Istanbul on an A340-300. Planes are exactly the same and C class has total 34 seats in 2+2+2 config. The A 330 has total 22 seats C class seats in same config. Since you are flying C class suggest you call TK call center and they will reserve your seats. The number is 90 212 444 0849. Should be no problem to reserve C class anytime Enjoy the flight!

I have not recently taken TK 5 to Chicago but yday flew TK 21 from Beijing to Istanbul on an A340-300. Planes are exactly the same and C class has total 34 seats in 2+2+2 config. The A 330 has total 22 seats C class seats in same config. Since you are flying C class suggest you call TK call center and they will reserve your seats. The number is 90 212 444 0849. Should be no problem to reserve C class anytime Enjoy the flight!

Hi Globetrotter- thanks for your information! I tried calling TK and they said I cant reserve seats. I called 2 or 3 times and each time am told something different (call 1 day, week or month before flight). I purchased these tickets via a *A award ticket via United- but i would think since I am *Gold and in C class I could confirm my seats for my wife and I but no luck- am I missing something? Thanks so much!

Not sure of your travel date, but seat reservations on TK only opens, IIRC, 90 days prior, even for F class.

gogate99 I do not think you are missing anything as sorry to misinform you as my reservations are usually less than 90 days before departure. Keep trying at times less than 90 days before your travel. Guessing that since you are on award travel that TK dragging their feet to assign your seats as no other reason would make any sense. I do think you will find the flight and IFE enjoyable. Seat is also comfortable.

I'm flying Turkish Air, Business Class from Chicago to Cape Town with stops in Istanbul & JoBurg in January, 2010 on Airbus A330. This is my first time flying Turkish; how is their Business Class? Also, I'm spending 3 days in Istanbul on the way back home. Has anyone stayed at the Hilton or Conrad there?

Thanks,

I'm flying Turkish Air, Business Class from Chicago to Cape Town with stops in Istanbul & JoBurg in January, 2010 on Airbus A330. This is my first time flying Turkish; how is their Business Class? Also, I'm spending 3 days in Istanbul on the way back home. Has anyone stayed at the Hilton or Conrad there?

Thanks,

Hi there- I have been told that the Hilton has better views and is closer to what most of the tourist want to see but the Conrad is more modern and closer to the business districts- so I guess it depends what you are looking for. Also- there are two hilton's (plus the conrad) in Istanbul. The better Hilton is the one: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ISTHITW-Hilton-Istanbul/index.do;jsessionid=A168E7020C4265E1A7CEB1CCF9A16C 24.etc56?brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=442434355,ATLSY20FFIYKACSGBIU2VCQ

Also for planning in Istanbul Ihave found this website amazing!

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/itin/1to5Days/index.html

Perhaps you should look at the multiyear multipage Hilton vs. Conrad post on the Hilton forum. Oh, you have and asked the same question without reading anything in it. The upshot? The Conrad bites.

Perhaps you should look at the multiyear multipage Hilton vs. Conrad post on the Hilton forum. Oh, you have and asked the same question without reading anything in it. The upshot? The Conrad bites.

I did, but there was nothing current. Have you stayed at the Conrad in Istanbul?

Had you read the thread as you claimed, you would know better than to ask me that question.

Going back to trying to get seating assignments, I have also been told various time frames by Turkish Air, though the website says 90 days. It is virtually impossible to get a helpful person even if you are Star Gold, business, first or anything. I fly TK a lot and NEVER am able to preassign seats and no special treatment is given to Star Gold members.

It is virtually impossible to get a helpful person even if you are Star Gold, business, first or anything. I fly TK a lot and NEVER am able to preassign seats and no special treatment is given to Star Gold members.

I haven't flown TK too often, but in making changes to a long-haul trip coming up in November, the UK reservation/call-centre staff have been extremely helpful. Flights, with seats previously assigned, were shifted with no trouble at all, and new seating assignments made. OK, we'll see what happens in November....