frb98mf

Wonder if anyone has some pointers on how to tell which version of the Turkish Airlines 737-800 is likely to be operated on the LGW-IST route.

We're willing to spend the extra money to go biz class, provided it's the version with the "Sky Interior" ie 2-2 config, not the 3-3 one with the convertible middle seat.

I can see the 737-900 definitely has the new 2-2 seats, as do the mid-haul A321s. But there seems to be no way of distinguishing between old and new 737-800s.

I've been trawling thy.com, Google and FT with only a modicum of success... I can see on planespotters.net the list of aircraft, with the configuration marked C16/20Y135 for the 2-2 and CY165 for the 3-3 converter. Then I have to cross-reference with flightstats or similar to see if the particular flights tend to be served by one of these planes. Of course, no guarantee they won't switch it out.

But surely there's an easier way. Any clues?

MichaelBaku

I don't think you can actually be 'guaranteed' any configuration. In my experience, LGWIST has always been the 3-3 set up but you might get aircraft substitutions on the day of departure.

airoli

On multiple routes (IST-BUD, IST-ARN, IST-MLA) I've had the CY configuration sometimes, and the "proper Biz" configuration at other times.

I think it's simply a day-of-departure operational gamble, and I would not spend any extra money in the hopes of getting one or the other config. In any case, you'd have zero recourse in case of finding yourself in the CY cabin.

Ferhat777

my experience ist that in 75% of the flights out of lgw you have euro business.
what is your flight no

Ferhat777

All of the 3 daily flights to LGW from the last 8 days had the latest product.

So I would go for J if I were you.

UA1K_no_more

Is you flight within the next 100 days? In that case, someone can look up the flight info on ExpertFlyer if you provide the flight number and date.

Dover2Golf

Look at the seat map when you book, 2x2 is usually AB EF whereas 3x3 is AC DF.