My nasty experience flying Turkish Airline

 I had seen the glorious adverts on television and decided to try them for my trip to Malaga Spain, then do a stop in Istanbul on the way back from Spain. A glorified bus experience is what I had!

On the 26th of June I was outward-bound on Turkish Airline from Lagos to Istanbul with a business class ticket. Entertainment was limited and once staff served lunch, they vanished. When I got to Istanbul it was obvious where all their money went: trying to make the airport look GRAND!

I was in the Istanbul lounge for two hours and missed my flight connection to Marbella Spain. As a business class traveller no one thought to call the missing passenger, and checked my luggage through to Malaga without me. I thought that was unheard of. After walking about 2 miles, I was able to secure another flight to Spain at an additional cost of $405.00, after paying for a full business class fare from Lagos!

Getting back to Turkey from Spain on the 2nd of July, my luggage was checked through to Lagos instead of Istanbul. I was at the airport for another two hours plus while they had to locate my luggage and bring it for me, because a mistake had been made on my ticket!

At the Turkish airline counter, the supervisor insisted that my luggage allowance was 23kg, not 32kg. When I explained that I was told 32kg from Lagos, he was unhelpful and rude!

Coming back on the 10th of July from Istanbul to Lagos, I got to the airport and confirmed that my luggage was indeed 32kg each and since I had pre-packed six pieces at 23kg each, I lost about 25kg in luggage allowance. I was livid! We entered a plane that was very old, and found out that none of the screens for in-flight entertainment worked!

The message read: “Loading 20.0, get seat ratings from server!” No in-flight entertainment for a seven-hour flight! I was told by the stewardess that the plane was rented for the Nigerian flight. Because they don’t have enough planes, but they wanted to take over the world and compete with Emirates Airline? Are there no criteria for being a Star Alliance Member?

Even in their office in VI which only had two counters open, staff shout over your head and only have minimal information about everything!

Next time I think I will fly on Emirates through Dubai. At least I know what I’m getting in advance! We Nigerians should stop accepting substandard services from so-called international airlines.

Istanbul was a charming city, by the way, but Turkish Airline was a MESS!

NIKKI ODU-KHIRAN