Hot Rumor: USA frequency increases in S20
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
I love the whole "EU to the US is so out of the way thing" You guys do know that the EU consists of more than just the original EU 12 in Western Europe, right? Because for someone coming out of Bucharest, or Cluj, or Varna, or Kosice, or a bunch or other places that are in the "EU" and especially if flying somewhere other than NY (where there are a couple of flights from Eastern Europe) TK is often the best connection for many of these people.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,097
I love the whole "EU to the US is so out of the way thing" You guys do know that the EU consists of more than just the original EU 12 in Western Europe, right? Because for someone coming out of Bucharest, or Cluj, or Varna, or Kosice, or a bunch or other places that are in the "EU" and especially if flying somewhere other than NY (where there are a couple of flights from Eastern Europe) TK is often the best connection for many of these people.
#19
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SIN
Programs: AS MVPG75k, AA Plat
Posts: 741
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
And flying from IST to the US EK sometimes has awesome Business fares, if one wants such a diversion. KL and LH IST-PVG fares via AMS or MUC.................As does BA IST-SIN via LHR....................and...........?
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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 addition to hfly's post, I would like to mention that there are many Turkish people flying to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile with EK despite the long layover at DXB as it's much more cheaper than flying the direct TK flight or taking a European detour.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
There was a time when flying TK IST-SIN-IST in Business Class could never be had for under $4500. At that time though if one flew TK LHR-IST-SIN-IST-LHR, one could regularly get it for about 1600 GBP ($2400 or so), and if one wanted to fly IST-SIN-IST with BA via LHR, one could get the ticket for about $2400. Similarly IST-LAX-IST has consistently been since its launch perhaps the most expensive Business Class ticket you could get with TK, with often "low" pricing of $6k plus. However those flying LAX-IST-TEL/IKA/ATH, and a bunch of other places could regularly get it for under $3k. Meanwhile all major European airlines would regularly be selling IST-XXX-LAX for under $3k. That is just the way it is!
#23
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
There was a time when flying TK IST-SIN-IST in Business Class could never be had for under $4500. At that time though if one flew TK LHR-IST-SIN-IST-LHR, one could regularly get it for about 1600 GBP ($2400 or so), and if one wanted to fly IST-SIN-IST with BA via LHR, one could get the ticket for about $2400. Similarly IST-LAX-IST has consistently been since its launch perhaps the most expensive Business Class ticket you could get with TK, with often "low" pricing of $6k plus. However those flying LAX-IST-TEL/IKA/ATH, and a bunch of other places could regularly get it for under $3k. Meanwhile all major European airlines would regularly be selling IST-XXX-LAX for under $3k. That is just the way it is!
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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
These pax who will to pay these high prices are a small minority when compared to the population of Turkey but more than %50 of the pax who can afford to go to LAX would consider flying TK despite the higher prices. They just buy the ticket without any background research. This is similar to Carribean pax from the USA in holiday seasons who goes to a beach holiday in a 4* or 5* resort, where people prefer not to fly a Mexican carrier, Copa Airlines, etc... and pay UA/DL/AA or B6 $300-400pp extra to not make a connection, earning 1000ish miles and save 2 or 3 hours.
However, as you have mentioned, if you are flying LAX-IST-XXX-IST-LAX, then the prices are simply reasonable both on Economy Class and both on Business Class.
Obviously, if XXX is not another airport in Turkey.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 310
Having lived in LA and now moving to PHL, I see the same trend with JFK. Flying J JFK-IST-TXL-IST-JFK for $2200. When searching for JFK-IST-JFK it is around $4500. I never thought that as an odd thing as many of you mention, passengers are very skeptical against flights with connection, driving the demand down for certain routes more than others.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Having lived in LA and now moving to PHL, I see the same trend with JFK. Flying J JFK-IST-TXL-IST-JFK for $2200. When searching for JFK-IST-JFK it is around $4500. I never thought that as an odd thing as many of you mention, passengers are very skeptical against flights with connection, driving the demand down for certain routes more than others.
#27
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 310
I think there are just more available deals from JFK, and TK may not offer similar deals for LAX. I haven’t needed any LAX-IST-XXX routing when I was living there so I am not sure about the rates, but LAX route has always been quite full with no saver award availability ever.
now from PHL, I am really rooting for the EWR routing though, it would make my life much easier.
now from PHL, I am really rooting for the EWR routing though, it would make my life much easier.
#28
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
Having lived in LA and now moving to PHL, I see the same trend with JFK. Flying J JFK-IST-TXL-IST-JFK for $2200. When searching for JFK-IST-JFK it is around $4500. I never thought that as an odd thing as many of you mention, passengers are very skeptical against flights with connection, driving the demand down for certain routes more than others.
The main reason BKK is so cheap now is due to QR's sale and also TK is adding third daily to BKK. I really doubt fares would go down much even if second daily is added to LAX, this is one of few markets where A380s are needed for airlines with major connecting hubs.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
Or if Trump goes super heavy on Iranian sanctions, the LAX flight is the preferred method of US/Iranians to go visit Iran, and I would posit that more than 25 percent of every flight is compromised of these passengers. If they really crack down, then there will be a lot more space available on these flights, and a double daily would not be viable.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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 a dinner event last night in Washington, DC, Turkish Airlines USA Sales Manager Mr. Doğan announced that they are going to increase Washington, DC ( IAD ) flights and they are going to use newer aircraft on these flights.