[Part 4: Chisinau (KIV) to Istanbul Ataturk (IST)
Flight TK270 – Boeing 737-800 - Seat 14A – 300 USD as part of KIV-IST-TAS
STD 10.20am - STA 11.55am (flight time 1h35m)
Time to fly again! The taxi to Chisinau airport – which isn't too far out of town – is dirt cheap at just 3 EUR. I have flown a few times before from the airport in the past (on S7 and Carpatair when it was still in existence) and it's quite a modern airport compared to the rest of the country's infrastructure.
Check-in wasn't opened yet by the time I arrived so I figured I had a walk around the airport to snap some pictures for 15 minutes until it would open. It was a minor mistake as by the time I came back the area was absolutely packed. There was a priority check-in desk but it was clearly totally not enforced who was queueing there as people just randomly stood wherever they could. A clear miss when you have in theory a well-designed and very spacious check-in area which just requires some strict enforcement..
My motto is however always “when in Rome, do like the Romans” - so I decided to join the mob in the general scramble and not to wait for my turn at the priority line (I'm pretty good at scanning lines to judge which will move faster depending on the people in it). When it was my turn at one of the normal check-in counters I got another surprise when the friendly check-in agent told me that Turkish doesn't use a lounge in Chisinau! Count me surprised. The airline website clearly states one – but weirdly I could not locate it once landside. I guess perhaps it might be in true Russian style in a whole separate building with boarding by private van from there? I would appreciate to learn more from those with more experience flying from KIV!
Lines through security and passport control were almost non-existent and within minutes I was airside. Of course, it required you to take a forced walk to the duty free store as there is where they feed you right into. I hate airports which do this.
That said, KIV is not a bad place really to kill some time. Internet is fast and there are plenty of options to get a coffee or bite at very reasonable prices (although it being an airport of course not as low as in town). There is also plenty of space to sit down and plenty of plugs to charge your devices. It's just an infinitely better experience than my home airport of Bucharest (OTP).
There are no jet bridges at this airport – just bus gates only. The entire waiting hall has a fantastic view over the tarmac which had some beauties on it such as this aeroplane from Mother Russia.
Boarding was on time. In true fashion, priority boarding was not enforced but what's the point anyway if you all have to go in the same bus. On the plus side, boarding the aeroplane by stairs always makes for an exciting moment and some cool snaps.
Today's flight would be operated by a Boeing 737-800 and I manged to snag an exit row window seat, which had a good amount of legroom.
Of course the only disadvantage about being seated right above the wings is that the views are a bit obstructed on take-off.
Despite it being a relatively short flight at 1 hours and 35 minutes, Turkish still does a full meal service and two drink rounds – one with the meal and one after for coffee or tea. As it's afternoon already somewhere in the world and I generally don't care anyway when I travel – I decided to opt for some booze. Upon hearing that I asked for wine my American seat mate in 14C jumped right in and asked for some wine as well not having realised Turkish serves it on all international flights, despite that he already had his original drink served.
The meal – a typical Turkish breakfast with some soft and hard cheese, a cold cut, tomatoes and cucumbers, olives and bread was actually tasty and very good for a meal in Y. The French white wine was very drinkable as well.
We got in a bit of a holding pattern over the Black Sea before we started the final descent into Istanbul Ataturk. I don't have to tell the frequent flyers here how overcrowded IST is – so I was not surprised that we circled for some 20 minutes around. At least it gave some good views of the Istanbul suburbs. What a massive city it really has become.
There were also some good views of the new Istanbul airport (ISL) which will be fully operational soon. I by the way hate the temporary IATA code as each time I read it my first thought is that people are talking about Islamabad Airport in Pakistan!
Final descent gave some great views – as always – of downtown Istanbul and the Bosporus with all the ships anchored waiting to get through the narrow strait.
Final arrival at IST was a bit late but as I had plenty of time until my next flight I did not care.
In short: Whether flying intra-European on Turkish in Y or in J, I can't help but think that's it one of the best – if not the best airline you can choose. Can't complain about anything of the in-flight service. If there is one thing to complain: enforce priority boarding at outstations (but I can say that about plenty of more airlines) and fix the lounge situation.
Next up: The amazing Turkish Airlines lounge at Ataturk airport.