r/TurkishAirlines

My wife and I want to fly together, we booked tickets seperately for regular economy tickets and was quoted over $300… that is insane. It’s my first time flying Turkish. Usually all other airlines were around $50-85 a person for international seat selection. To give you a rough idea, the ticket itself cost less than $600!

Is this normal? I regret booking Turkish now but my wife wanted to fly to Istanbul with them

Hi!

My husband and I have a long layover in Istanbul coming up, and we’re not 100% sure what to do. We arrive in Istanbul at 11pm and our flight is not until 3pm the next day.

We have lounge access through our airline, but is this sufficient enough to sleep? The other option is to book a nearby hotel, but how will that work if our flights are connecting? Just go through check-in and security a couple hours before our flight?

Also tossing up whether to do the touristanbul tour. Thoughts?

thank you!

Having problems adding extra baggage to our flight. PDX-LAX-IST-TBS.
Leaving next week.
Website saying no extra baggage allowed.
Could this be true?
Or do we try to add baggage at the gate?
Which seems risky.
Or should we change tickets to Business Class?
Appreciate the help.

​

Hi everyone,

I’m traveling from Algeria to Russia and I have a 2-hour connection in Istanbul Airport (IST).

The problem is that in Algeria I can get money through my Visa card, but I need cash for Russia because I’m expecting to need euros in cash for my trip.

My question: Is there an ATM inside the Istanbul Airport transit area where I can use my Algerian Visa card and withdraw around €800 in EUR cash?

I only have 2 hours between flights, so I cannot leave the airport.

Is this realistically enough time to find a EUR-capable ATM, withdraw the money, and get to my gate? Or is 2 hours too risky?

If anyone has recently done this at IST, I’d really appreciate knowing which ATM/bank and where it is in the terminal.

Thanks!

On my most recent trans atlantic flight, the overhead bins were full, so flight attendant took my carry on and stored it elsewhere on the plane, telling me I could pick it up after landing. When we landed in Istanbul, the bag was gone.

The purser told me ground staff would be notified and would help me at the end of the jet bridge. I got there — nobody knew anything. I asked to go back onto the plane to look for it and was refused.

Then began an absurd tour of Istanbul Airport. I was sent to an assistance desk, then the transfer desk, back toward the gate, then Lost & Found. I was literally running around one of the largest airports in the world, and not a single Turkish Airlines employee took ownership of the situation.

Eventually out of desperation, I went to the airport police. We reviewed CCTV footage together and we actually saw another passenger walk off with my suitcase. We followed his movements on the cameras for 1.5 hours: he stopped to pray, went into a restroom, and came back out with a different pink suitcase. Apparently, the bags had been switched.

Thankfully, I had an AirTag in mine. Between the AirTag location and the CCTV footage, the police figured out where my suitcase likely was. One of the officers literally ran to get it for me.

Meanwhile, I had a connecting flight. I went to the Turkish Airlines ticket desk, explained that I was currently with the police reviewing CCTV because my carry on disappeared after their own flight attendant had stored it elsewhere, and asked to be moved to the next Bodrum flight. Their response? If I didn’t board my original flight, my ticket would be forfeited.

The police ultimately recovered my suitcase and got it back to me just in time. I made the flight during final call. I also discussed pressing charges over what had happened, but doing so would have required me to remain at the airport for another couple of hours. After everything I had already been through and with my connecting flight departing, I ultimately chose not to stay and pursue it.

Absolutely unforgettable customer service — for all the wrong reasons.

I had a reservation and due to Turkish airlines time change my revised return flight is Nov28:

DAC - IST (stopover for 24 hour 35 minute) and then IST - SFO

1. Since this is 24h35m waiting can I take luggage from final destination SFO or no?

2. If i have to collect from IST and re check in, how do i do it because I dont have visa to pass immigration in IST to collect luggage?

FYI, Turkish airlines cant change flight or cancel free of charge

https://preview.redd.it/qyosd183fakh1.png?width=410&format=png&auto=webp&s=c10fdadd37a9062e571412c447cfdaad4491944e

I am an Indian Passport holder with German Residence Permit. I am planning to book this flight. However, I am unsure about the transit visa.

I tried calling Sun Express. They told me that they cannot confirm if I need transit visa or not, and that I must ask Turkish Embassy. However, they did inform me that my check-in bag would be transferred directly to Abu Dhabi.

I tried contacting the embassy in Berlin who asked me to check with the Consulate in Stuttgart. While I am awaiting the answer, just wanted to check with you guys.

Hi everyone,

I’m flying with Turkish Airlines for the first time in a few months with my 18-month-old, and I’m a little confused about the seating options for infants

When I’ve flown with Emirates in the past, I was automatically assigned bassinet seat when travelling with a baby. From what I can see, Turkish Airlines doesn’t automatically assign these and it looks like I need to purchase/select the bassinet seat ourselves. I’m happy to do this, but just wanted to check that I’ve understood correctly.

Also for anyone who has travelled with TA with an infant:

- Can I bring/use one of those inflatable kids’ travel mattresses on the plane? If I don’t book a bassinet seat (as my child may be too big for it by then), would I be allowed to use one on our normal seats?

- We’re travelling as a group of 4 adults and 1 infant. When I look at the seat selection, my child and I appear together and I can select/pay for our seats (only the basinnet and window seats) However, the other adults in our group don’t seem to have the option to select seats yet. Is this normal?

Thanks!

Hi, i purchased a 2 way ticket and I cannot cancel/ refund the return flight. I purchased a refundable ticket and on turkish airlines directly. I called the local hotline and it says it non refundable. Its frustrating. Did anyone experience the same? It says on the website contanct the feedback form.

Hey everyone!
In the next month i’ll be flying back home via turkish airlines and i have a 2 hour layover at IST airport. i’d love to hear everything about it, what are the food prices like (i’ve heard mixed reviews) as well as the wifi being limited and basically anything else about the airport
Thanks!!

Hi everyone,

I’m writing this post desperately hoping for advice or information that could help one passenger and two cats return home safely. First of all, thank you so much for clicking and reading. I apologize in advance for the long post.

[TL;DR]

1. Traveling from Morocco to South Korea with 1 passenger and 2 cats in cargo (AVIH).
2. Stuck in Morocco for nearly a month because Turkish Airlines CS keeps giving useless, conflicting answers.
3. Does anyone know Turkish Airlines' exact temperature limit for pet cargo rejection, or how to get a straight answer from them? Please help!

[Full Story]

I need to fly from Casablanca (CMN) to South Korea with my two cats. Since airlines only allow one cat per passenger in the cabin, my cats must travel in the cargo hold (AVIH).

Only two airlines serve this route: Air France and Turkish Airlines.

With Air France, I would have to clear immigration at Paris (CDG), retrieve my luggage and cats, and re-check them in. Aside from the physical toll, I was told that entering a country with pets generally requires local quarantine procedures (health certificates, EU pet passports, government approvals). So I asked Air France if I would still need to go through all local quarantine procedures even when flying on a single airline with a layover. However, Air France simply replied, "We don’t know, it’s up to the staff at the airport to decide." They couldn't even give me a clear answer on whether I need to pick up just my cats or all my checked luggage during the transit. (Checking their website again, it seems I have to retrieve my luggage as well, though I'm not entirely sure.) It was really hard to understand their attitude of "You'll just have to fly there and see what happens."

So I turned to Turkish Airlines.

Connecting to their live chat took hours of waiting (and if the session glitched, I had to restart from scratch). Once connected, I was told that my two cats could travel together in one single container.

However, I later learned that pet cargo check-in can be denied on the day of departure depending on the outdoor temperature.

I contacted CS again, but every agent said something different. One agent said there was no such rule, another said the limit was 29.5°C, and another said check-in could be denied but they couldn't disclose the temperature limit. When I called customer service again out of frustration, one representative told me that check-in could indeed be rejected, but then actually asked me back, "Where on earth did you hear about a 29.5°C limit? There is no such regulation."

Since the information was so inconsistent, I tried calling the local Morocco office directly. However, the phone number provided was just a generic customer service line. Every time I called, it would play an automated recording and then automatically disconnect without ever connecting me to a representative.

I also tried emailing the local Morocco office. After waiting through weekends and holidays, I finally got a reply, but it was completely useless:

>

...What? I was asking these questions so that I could make a booking in the first place!

From then on, the local representative kept sending completely irrelevant responses. We spoke over the phone once, and I mentioned that I would call him back later when I met my local Moroccan friend, so my friend could communicate with him in more detail in Arabic/French. (Even though it was absurd that I had to explain everything again from scratch, considering I had already sent all my details and questions via email multiple times.)

When I tried to call back using the number saved in my call log, it routed straight to the generic customer service line again. If a customer says "I'll call you back" and the representative agrees, it's common sense to provide a direct phone number if the caller ID doesn't accept direct incoming calls. Yet, he never gave me a direct line. Furthermore, whenever I tried calling that customer service line, the automated system asked me to press numbers according to my issue, but no one ever answered and the line just cut off. I don't even know why that phone line exists.

When I begged him to give me a direct contact number or clarify the temperature limit, he kept sending absurd responses like: "We cannot inform you of the in-flight temperature," or "The temperature varies by time and location." I NEVER asked about the in-flight temperature or the daily weather forecast! I can check Google for that! Why would I ask him for a weather forecast? I obviously never did.

Feeling utterly hopeless, I practically begged him: "Please, read my email properly and answer. If it's impossible, please just tell me 'No,' so I can try to find out if I can contact headquarters to get in touch with the airport ground staff directly." (Honestly, I was begging and pleading every single time I sent an email.)

Only after I pleaded like this did he reply an hour later (his fastest response yet) saying: "We cannot provide the temperature limit."

I was furious. Because of this representative, I wasted more than two weeks in Morocco. I originally wanted to leave in August, but because of all this delay, I am now forced to aim for early September. Facing a situation where the average daily high at Casablanca Airport in early September is projected to be around 29–30°C, I have been stuck in Morocco for nearly a month in total, just trying to get confirmation on whether check-in will be possible for my cats.

I then submitted inquiries through the official website feedback form:

• 1st reply: Stated that "There is no specific regulation regarding cargo/outdoor temperature that causes pet reservation cancellation or rejection." However, they completely ignored my second question about how to book 2 cats in 1 kennel online.
• 2nd reply: Confirmed that 2 cats in 1 kennel is allowed, but regarding the temperature, stated: "The final decision lies with airport authorities on the departure day, so we cannot give a direct guarantee." They STILL failed to answer how to properly book this online.

I am beyond frustrated and exhausted.

1. If check-in CAN be rejected at the airport, but no one will tell me the limit, how am I supposed to book a ticket?
2. If there is a risk, shouldn't there be a clear seasonal policy like other airlines that restricts pet travel during hotter periods?
3. Why does every single agent and representative say something completely different?

They refuse to give a clear "No," while keeping my hopes up with vague responses that drain my time, money, and mental health.

[Questions for You Guys]

1. Has anyone flown with pets in cargo (AVIH) via Turkish Airlines during summer? I'm wondering if anyone has experienced a check-in rejection at Casablanca Airport (CMN) or any other airport due to temperature issues.
2. When checking in 2 cats in 1 kennel, did you select 1 cat online and pay for the combined weight at check-in, or was there a separate registration process? I'd love to hear your experiences.
3. Does anyone know a way to get a clear, reliable confirmation from Turkish Airlines headquarters management or the airport ground staff team? Please let me know.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this long post. I truly wish you all the very best.

I bought my ticket through a travel agency (not my choice I usually book directly) so im not familiar with the policy.

They booked a flight to the destination with a layover in Istanbul. My friend is in Istanbul at the time and I would like to say hi for a few days and stay with them at their home. Maybe stay for like 3 or so days. I know that turkish airlines has the stop over thing to extend the layover so I wanted to do that but not sure since I booked 3rd party through a travel agency.

Can i call turkish Airlines for them to change the 2nd leg of the flight? Its the same price so I only need to pay for fees if there are any. Or can I do it at the airport when checking in?

My flight leaves tomorrow night so id like to see what I can do. I cant change it through the travel agency because if there are fees I cant pay them since they are in a different country and cant take my payment unless I am physically there. (I had a friend drive out to pay them).

Hi, I recently booked a flight with Turkish Airlines one part of the trip is being operated by them and the other half which is the longer flight is being operated by partner Air Transat.

I want to access my booking on Air Transat app/website to select seat and request a special meal but how will I get the booking # does anyone know and if it is even possible. Any information is much appreciated!

I thought I would share our experience because getting compensation from Turkish Airlines turned out to be much more confusing than it needed to be. Hopefully this saves someone else some time.
The situation
We had one booking:
Stavanger (Norway) → Copenhagen → Istanbul → Hanoi
Our final flight, TK164 Istanbul–Hanoi on 18 July 2026, was delayed and we arrived in Hanoi 3 hours and 28 minutes late.
There were three passengers on the booking: two adults and our son.
Turkish Airlines later confirmed in writing that the delay was due to a technical malfunction/damage.
1. Finding somewhere to actually submit the claim
This was probably the most frustrating part.
The normal website/forms kept sending me around in circles, and at one point a link from Turkish Airlines customer service simply gave me a 404 error.
I eventually contacted Turkish Airlines through WhatsApp. A customer service representative gave me a rather strange but very specific instruction:
Go to the Turkish Airlines Customer Relations / Feedback page, create new feedback and select:
Other → Sustainability → “I am writing on my own behalf”
Yes, Sustainability. It makes absolutely no sense for a flight-delay compensation claim, but this was the route a Turkish Airlines representative specifically told me to use, and it worked.
Official Customer Relations/Feedback page:
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/any-questions/customer-relations/
I submitted the flight details, booking reference, passenger names/ticket numbers and explained that TK164 had arrived approximately 3h28 late.
I then received a feedback/case reference number.
Important: Once you have a case, use “Previous feedback” when contacting them again. I accidentally created several new cases because I didn’t understand this initially.
2. First offer: Miles
Turkish Airlines investigated the flight and confirmed:
Delay: 3 hours 28 minutes
Cause: technical malfunction/damage
Their first offer was:
18,000 Miles
I did not accept the Miles.
Instead, I replied politely, thanked them for the quick investigation and said I would prefer compensation in monetary form rather than Miles.
I didn’t threaten them with lawyers, claims companies, etc. I simply asked them to reconsider and offer cash compensation.
3. Second offer was much better
They came back with four choices:
25,500 Miles
9,000 Status Miles
€360 TKPAY Wallet
€300 refund cheque in cash
Crucially, they also wrote:
“Our offers apply to each passenger included in your application for this feedback.”
So the €300 was per passenger, not €300 for the whole booking.
We chose the €300 cash/refund cheque option.
For three passengers that meant:
€300 × 3 = €900 total.
4. Don’t be scared by the words “refund cheque”
I initially assumed “refund cheque” meant an actual paper cheque.
It didn’t.
After accepting the offer, Turkish Airlines issued individual Refund Cheque Numbers.
They then provided access to their Refund Form, where we could request payment directly to a bank account.
The form asked for things such as:
Country
Bank account currency
IBAN
SWIFT/BIC
We used our normal Norwegian bank accounts.
After submitting the banking details, the confirmation said:
“Payment Request Submitted”
and stated that the request would normally be processed within 5–7 business days and the money transferred within 15 days.
5. Multiple passengers can complicate things
This was another slightly confusing part.
I originally submitted the claim for all three passengers.
Turkish Airlines processed my son together with me, but for the other adult passenger they later specifically asked us to:
“Please create new feedback with the other passenger’s name/surname and contact information.”
So we created a new feedback case using her own name and her own email address, referred to the original case, explained that Turkish Airlines had already confirmed €300 compensation per passenger, and attached her boarding pass.
They processed it quickly and issued her own €300 refund cheque.
So my advice if you have multiple adult passengers:
If Turkish Airlines asks for individual submissions, create the new claim as if that passenger is writing personally and use that passenger’s own email/contact information.
6. The money actually arrived
This is the important part:
It worked.
The payments have now arrived in our Norwegian bank accounts.
Total compensation received:
€900 for three passengers.
No AirHelp or other claims company was used, so there was no percentage/commission deducted.
What I learned
Use Turkish Airlines’ Customer Relations / Feedback system.
If you cannot find the right way into the form, the route that worked for me was Other → Sustainability, following instructions from Turkish Airlines’ own customer service.
Save every case/reference number.
For follow-ups, use Previous feedback rather than constantly creating new cases.
If they initially offer Miles and you want money, don’t immediately accept the Miles.
Politely ask for monetary compensation instead.
If offered a refund cheque, it can ultimately be paid to your bank account through the Refund Form.
If they require separate claims for adult passengers, use each passenger’s own name and email address.
Keep boarding passes, booking confirmation and ticket numbers until everything is finished.
Be patient and polite. Their system is confusing, but in our case they did eventually pay exactly what they offered.
Timeline: Flight delayed 18 July → claim submitted → first Miles offer → requested cash → €300 per passenger offered → refund cheques issued → bank details submitted → all €900 eventually received.
Hopefully this helps someone else navigate the Turkish Airlines compensation maze. 🙂

One final tip: I used ChatGPT throughout the process to help me keep track of the different case numbers, understand Turkish Airlines’ replies, and draft my responses. With multiple passengers, refund cheque numbers, different customer representatives and a rather confusing feedback system, that was genuinely useful for keeping everything straight. 😄

My routing is ATH-IST-DEN SAN. Will 2 hrs be enough in Istanbul? Flying business and I’ve been to Istanbul many times but this short layover is a first. We are flying business I understand we get a special line at security. Also I know if the ATH-IST flight is grossly late we won’t make it. It’s a mileage ticket changeable for January so I’m on the lookout for another option.

Not sure if it’s a global TA thing but Friday flight from Manchester to IST the check in agent at the business counter pulled out a tape measure and started measuring my bag and informed me of an 82 GBP charge due to oversize luggage. Mine was a large samsonite Evoa spinner which I checked in from Istanbul on my way in without a charge. The agent said it was a new policy starting this week and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Of course paid it as I had to travel but seems really bizarre that large bags are now considered oversized with TA.

Not sure if Manchester TA is trying to be holier than the Imam or the guy just had an issue with me but please watch out if this is their new policy to increase revenue

A new Hilton Istanbul Airport just opened its doors. The place is practically within walking distance from the airport, yes one has to exit the airport and go through immigration etc for this airport. But I would rather stay here than the overly expensive Yotel which has extremely small rooms as well. Perhaps this new addition will put some pressure on Yotel to reconsider their prices.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/istaphi-hilton-istanbul-airport/

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6pzAWVBrbwMmbz2X6