ZRH-IST-TBS: Is it worth paying $250 extra for C (A321)
Apr 4, 2022, 4:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,162
ZRH-IST-TBS: Is it worth paying $250 extra for C (A321)
Trying to book ZRH-IST-TBS, business is $250 more than Y. Trying to understand if it's worth it. All flights are listed as A321. Do I understand correctly that some of them gave proper C seats and some of them are just Y with blocks middles?
Apr 4, 2022, 5:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,745
If 250 USD is the total for all four segments, then I would say it is worth it. That's 62.50 USD per segment, and you'll get a comfortable seat (think US domestic F seat, but with a lot more legroom) as well as a good three-course meal with a choice of mains. You'll be among the first pax off the plane, which will give you more time to transit at IST. At IST, you can access the Business lounge, which is equivalent to the M&S lounge, but a lot less crowded. And probably you will have shorter lines at immigration at TBS. I would pay.
Apr 4, 2022, 6:38 pm
#3
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
ZRH and TBS flights are likely to have recliner J seats.
Euro-J configured A321's are mostly used on domestic and TRNC flights.
In addition, the OP would have more baggage allowance, would not need to pay for advance seat selection ( unless he has TK Elite/Elite Plus status ), if he prefers to fly J.
Also as TK passengers are usually not familiar with online check-in and usually travel with a checked bag, Economy check-in lines would be longer at outstations compared to the Business Class check-in lines. Be aware that TK doesn't use any online software to verify vaccination or COVID tests, thus if Georgia or Switzerland requires proof of vaccination, passenger locator form or a COVID test by the time the OP travels, he would need to wait at the check-in line.
Euro-J configured A321's are mostly used on domestic and TRNC flights.
In addition, the OP would have more baggage allowance, would not need to pay for advance seat selection ( unless he has TK Elite/Elite Plus status ), if he prefers to fly J.
Also as TK passengers are usually not familiar with online check-in and usually travel with a checked bag, Economy check-in lines would be longer at outstations compared to the Business Class check-in lines. Be aware that TK doesn't use any online software to verify vaccination or COVID tests, thus if Georgia or Switzerland requires proof of vaccination, passenger locator form or a COVID test by the time the OP travels, he would need to wait at the check-in line.
Apr 5, 2022, 9:46 am
#4
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,661
If 250 USD is the total for all four segments, then I would say it is worth it. That's 62.50 USD per segment, and you'll get a comfortable seat (think US domestic F seat, but with a lot more legroom) as well as a good three-course meal with a choice of mains. You'll be among the first pax off the plane, which will give you more time to transit at IST. At IST, you can access the Business lounge, which is equivalent to the M&S lounge, but a lot less crowded. And probably you will have shorter lines at immigration at TBS. I would pay.
ZRH and TBS flights are likely to have recliner J seats.
Euro-J configured A321's are mostly used on domestic and TRNC flights.
In addition, the OP would have more baggage allowance, would not need to pay for advance seat selection ( unless he has TK Elite/Elite Plus status ), if he prefers to fly J.
Also as TK passengers are usually not familiar with online check-in and usually travel with a checked bag, Economy check-in lines would be longer at outstations compared to the Business Class check-in lines. Be aware that TK doesn't use any online software to verify vaccination or COVID tests, thus if Georgia or Switzerland requires proof of vaccination, passenger locator form or a COVID test by the time the OP travels, he would need to wait at the check-in line.
Euro-J configured A321's are mostly used on domestic and TRNC flights.
In addition, the OP would have more baggage allowance, would not need to pay for advance seat selection ( unless he has TK Elite/Elite Plus status ), if he prefers to fly J.
Also as TK passengers are usually not familiar with online check-in and usually travel with a checked bag, Economy check-in lines would be longer at outstations compared to the Business Class check-in lines. Be aware that TK doesn't use any online software to verify vaccination or COVID tests, thus if Georgia or Switzerland requires proof of vaccination, passenger locator form or a COVID test by the time the OP travels, he would need to wait at the check-in line.
Apr 5, 2022, 5:30 pm
#5
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 5, 2022, 11:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 145
I’ve just flown LHR-IST-TBS and paid considerably more than $250 extra to fly Business than Economy. I would say for $250 it is definitely worth it.
The LHR-IST leg was on a 787, but the IST-TBS leg was on an A321 with the latest regional Business Class seats. The seats were comfortable, wide and had a lot of legroom, a big TV, menu and great food and onboard service. I was on the flight that arrives at TBS at 00:30 and there was no queue at immigration as I was one of the first to get there.
The LHR-IST leg was on a 787, but the IST-TBS leg was on an A321 with the latest regional Business Class seats. The seats were comfortable, wide and had a lot of legroom, a big TV, menu and great food and onboard service. I was on the flight that arrives at TBS at 00:30 and there was no queue at immigration as I was one of the first to get there.
Apr 6, 2022, 9:26 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 145
Rather disappointing, although at least you get reasonable legroom (they only seat 159 vs 180 in the standard euro/ LCC configuration) and a tablet for entertainment.
Also annoying that since they are often used on domestic flights they arrive at a gate at the domestic terminal and then you have to get a bus to international arrivals.
Apr 6, 2022, 9:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 145
Rather disappointing, although at least you get reasonable legroom (they only seat 159 vs 180 in the standard euro/ LCC configuration) and a tablet for entertainment.
Also annoying that since they are often used on domestic flights they arrive at a gate at the domestic terminal and then you have to get a bus to international arrivals.
