The Newbie Zone: ask your questions here
Apr 22, 2019, 1:23 pm
#1996
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Can not give a definitive answer. Previous experiences stated that some passengers are forced to buy a new ticket and some reported that they have been rebooked to the next flight.
Apr 22, 2019, 1:24 pm
#1997
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
Thank you so much for such a quick reply. We definitely do want to make the flight and would not purposely miss it. I wish people would post success stories on the internet as all I am reading are the ones stating that they airport is too big, people are having to run, etc. Unfortunately, I am at the age that running is not an option....lol. . I am alo reading that luggage is not making the connection even if people are. We are coming from the US. I would have no problem waiting the few hours in VIE if our luggage came on the next flight.
Maybe I just need to stop reading......
Maybe I just need to stop reading......
If your connection time drops to 75 minutes, you can use the "short connection transfer points" at the end of each pier. It's essentially a mini transfer security and they might drive you to your next gate - see this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30996846-post22.html
Apr 22, 2019, 1:28 pm
#1998
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
In Istanbul Airport, there are no special sleeping rooms for Economy pax but some pax from undeveloped counties which are uneducated, sleep on the couches were passengers are expected to sit normally by blocking space where 4-5 people could sit. These couches are at the duty free area.
Apr 22, 2019, 1:28 pm
#1999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I understand your concern, especially since you are flying TK for the first time. But there is no need to worry, I transit through IST regularly and never had a missed connection, even on shorter transfer times.
If your connection time drops to 75 minutes, you can use the "short connection transfer points" at the end of each pier. It's essentially a mini transfer security and they might drive you to your next gate - see this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30996846-post22.html
If your connection time drops to 75 minutes, you can use the "short connection transfer points" at the end of each pier. It's essentially a mini transfer security and they might drive you to your next gate - see this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30996846-post22.html
Apr 22, 2019, 1:32 pm
#2000
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: None
Posts: 34
I am coming from BOS. I had this picture of people running through the airport like in Mission Impossible movies. I have been watching FlightAware. Departures vary from on time to 15-20 minutes late. But I also notice that they depart on time and arrive 30 minutes late.... Does this airline have a certain terminal they use more that others, like arrivals are always a C gate, etc? On the IST website, gates are always listed for departures but not arrivals.
Apr 22, 2019, 1:32 pm
#2001
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
Would be interesting to know if they drive passengers to their next gate if the connection is tight.. why else would they put these short connection points at the end of the piers if you anyway have to walk all the way to the main terminal?
Apr 22, 2019, 1:37 pm
#2003
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
That is correct. But as ISTFlyer correctly pointed out, nobody knows at this point what these short connection points really offer. If it is just a mini transfer security, then it might not be worthwhile for you to go there (since passengers from the US do not have to go through transfer security). However, the video they play before landing says that you can use the short transfer points if the connection is <75 mins - so I would imagine that there is more to it then just a mini transfer security. Depending on when you fly, I'd keep watching this forum, maybe somebody will report back about their experience at the short connection point.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:00 pm
#2005
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Like most European airports, gates are randomly assigned regardless of airline. There is no pattern.
Apr 22, 2019, 11:07 pm
#2006
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: TK E+, RJ S, AZ E
Posts: 1,869
You will not have to take your bags from Vienna. You will make your claim at VIE and they will send your bags to your new destination.
Apr 23, 2019, 12:55 am
#2007
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
In Istanbul Airport, there are no special sleeping rooms for Economy pax but some pax from undeveloped counties which are uneducated, sleep on the couches were passengers are expected to sit normally by blocking space where 4-5 people could sit. These couches are at the duty free area.
Apr 23, 2019, 4:49 am
#2008
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: None
Posts: 34
Wait, what? If our connection is missed due to long taxi to a gate, we could have to buy a new ticket?
Apr 23, 2019, 7:04 am
#2009
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Apr 24, 2019, 1:59 am
#2010
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Food choices at AM sub-par (no open fires allowed in the airport) except the nice sandwich bar. Behind that bar are decent sleeping “rooms”, although these are not rooms, similar to IST sleeping areas with curtains.