NellieVA

I'm booking a flight from Cairo to Dulles next March, flying via Istanbul. I the choice of going on EgyptAir on a 737-800 and having 1:45 hours to make the connection, or I can fly on a Turkish 321 and have 2:45 hours to connect. I can't find reliable EgyptAir seating info, so I can't compare, but it looks as though Turkish in Economy on the 321 is quite small. Anyone have any experience.

Plus, any thoughts on the extra hour to connect? Tnx.

IAN-UK

It's a short flight, and it's economy, so i don't think you'd find any difference between seat comfort on TK and MS. One difference between the carriers is that MS is dry; but, again, it's a two-hour flight.

1:45H isn't a generous connection time; in fact it could be rather tight given IST congestion, flight delays and the security faff around flights to the US.

The last time I took the TK flight from CAI I missed my connection at IST (admittedly just one hour ten minutes). The airline came up trumps: with a little pressure they bought me a ticket on another carrier (after offering a hotel etc for a next-day departure) AND came up with an EU-type compensation payment. So there are probably advantages in making an "online" connection, even if the M`s service is a code-share.



I'd definitely take the TK flight.


P.S. I see you've added exactly the same post to other forums. That's a no-no.

craigthemif

Can't think of a single reason to fly MS instead of practically any other airline. (except maybe for some random F mileage run)

And given the security nightmare, take the extra connection time in IST, unless you fancy an overnight layover in IST...

Obruni Boy

+1 take the TK flight mainly for the connection time. MS is bearable in Y but TK is still better. If you have an hour at IST pay 20$ or so for a paid lounge.

TPJ

For the record: aren't TK flights to/from Egypt dry, either?

http://wildabouttravel.boardingarea....ks-on-turkish/

IAN-UK

My favoured flights are 07:00-ish from IST and early morning return from Cairo. So these are waters I've never tested ......

craigthemif

A decent champagne is worthy of being sampled at any hour.

It's been too long since my last ex-CAI on TK to recall whether alcohol was on offer.

Obruni Boy

Shame but no alcohol on either TK or MS from Egypt. MS is totally dry but TK dry only to other Arab countries.

Dianne47

Choose the TK to TK connection. MUCH more reliable and if there are any problems (first flight late) you'll get better options with a same carrier connect.

N1120A

I can think of no situation where I would fly MS over TK, in any class.

Egyptair isn't dry due to government policy, but a foolish airline one.

IAN-UK

Separating government policy from that of a state-owned company is difficult: pointless in Egypt.

Just wondering - why do you believe it is a foolish policy?

Absence of alcohol on board is a USP attractive to many.

You might find it unattractive, but others care less if they miss out on an inflight drink, while many in the airline's home market and elsewhere in its network are relieved to be able to secure a place in an an alcohol-free environment.