Family Friendly Airline Review- Turkish Airlines
Real Experience – by Jennifer Boniface from London Gatwick to Johannesburg January 2016 with a 5 year old and 11 month old.
Turkish Airlines Economy Class
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The overwhelming impression of Turkish Airlines is that they are out to impress – and to a large extent out to impress kids.
Getting on and off, particularly at the transit, was well managed, with a particularly attractive feature being the ‘buggy bag: a full plastic sheath for your buggy (with all those precious toys, blankets etc. which just could not be squashed into hand luggage) safe inside. The buggy was delivered to the link door, so very convenient. Transit was really lovely as Istanbul Airport is absolutely NOT what it used to be (in a good way). I must admit, the last time I flew through Turkey, the airport was more like a bus shelter – I mention this, as it was a big worry for me in choosing Turkish airlines, knowing we had a substantial waiting time between flights. The airport is a beautiful glass box, with good café access to the gates and they sell bananas. What a joy! But the other lovely thing – they have large areas of dimmed lighting for those who want a nap or have sleepy kids.
Facilities for Kids on Turkish Airlines
If you are into freebies for kids, the sheer extent of paraphernalia supplied was
fairly phenomenal. My son was given a Rubik Cube, colouring book, a proper little travel bag (not just a plastic envelope) full of all sorts of things (slippers, tooth brush, headphones and a really nice little snap on watch). The headphones were a really good idea as the small ones supplied for adults aren’t comfortable in small ears.
They haven’t clocked babies yet though. Having returned on Emirates, and received their baby pack (awesomely useful: tiny pack of wipes, a bib, cute blanket) – my baby was awkwardly offered all the same kit as my older son, and both the steward and I were a bit confused as to the usefulness of it.
They also seemed to have a good selection of kid’s movies and games on their online system.
Food on Turkish Airlines
A good touch was the supply of a chocolate milk with cute character as a breakfast thing for the children, as I generally find hot breakfasts don’t work for my children. Breakfast for kids: Does no one know – all children need is Philidelphia or cheese rolls, fruit, and yoghurt? The simpler the better.
I forgot to order a kids’ meal – but what I do remember which did not fill me with joy was all of us being served at once. I think there should be a parent’s dinner slot!! I know kids’ meals usually come first to make this work. When struggling with a baby and a small child, if one parent could eat first, it would be such a tremendous help, but they seemed stymied by this.
The food overall was good. I loved the real Turkish delight (not the vile western stuff) they served. I think they could go a bit more ethnic on that, as real Turkish food is sheer delight.
Turkish Airlines Bassinet
We weren’t offered a bassinet position, but my youngest was over the weight limit of 8kg. Instead we had a row of 3 seats and the flight was also very full. (For more pictures of airline bassinets head over to my Facebook page Flying With A Baby.). and have a look at the photo album ‘Bassinets’
Turkish Airlines Seat
Turkish Airlines economy has seats that recline up to 18.5 cm, with adjustable head and foot supports. There is a power socket, USB and ethernet socket. The seats come with a pillow and blanket on long haul. On select flights , an amenity kit is provided. It contains a sleep mask, earplugs, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and lip balm.

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Roz
Sunday 26th of June 2022
I will never travel with turkish airlines again 20 hr in transit and rude staff at the departure gate telling me I can't use the lounges to witch I was entitled to and lost luggage with my medicals In
Carrie Bradley
Monday 27th of June 2022
Oh no!
Bill
Sunday 27th of October 2019
Similarly, Turkish won't let me and my wife (each carrying an infant) sit next to each other except for one spot on the plane next to all 7 of the plane's bathrooms. for some reason their seat booking software blocks two infants from sitting together anywhere on the plane except for very specific locations or if I buy the bassinet seats... crazy. my option is to sit next to loud bathrooms that wake my daughters when they flush or to sit separately.
Gul
Saturday 4th of May 2019
Would never ever fly with Turkish airline again.. okay so extra 150 dollars on top of 188 dollars for bassinet seat.. thanks but not again with this shitty airline
Petri Ilmonen
Tuesday 29th of January 2019
It's a policy of Turkish airlines Carrie, the comfort of mom's with a babies is not a importance. We have to roam between Finland and Philippines also in the future so my beloved air carrier before, more than ten return flights to Philippines by Turkish airlines has lost three potential customers to Qatar or Emirates.
Petri Ilmonen
Sunday 20th of January 2019
My girlfriend and baby had a 2 stop over flights back to Philippines from Helsinki.. I was assisting their check in in Helsinki Vantaa international Airport and we were reguesting baby basket seat 10,5 hour flight Istanbul to Manila Check in a counter said no availability and better reask it again Istanbul gate to Manila. No sympathy no on-board comfort to mom's flying with a infants . Baby basket seats were occupied by young male passengers and mom's with a babies were mostly set to sit in the middle of the seat raw in B777 without any privacy or time to rest their hands.. The worst , I never received any reply complaints made to turkish airlines customer service. No good!
CarrieB
Monday 21st of January 2019
That's sad to hear. It's always frustrating when able bodied adults get the only bassinet position. :-(