Turkish Airlines

I bought tickets for my parents through eSKY agency for Turkish Airlines and they meant to fly from Europe (Vienna - Istanbul - Washington DC) 3/13/2020 - The day when US suspended all flights from europe. They should have arrived 2 hours before midnight cut off! Because they were planning on staying a week, they wouldn't be able to leave as they will be no returning flights, they would go to quarantine in europe. Not even considering, that turkish airlines in encouraging people to spread covid19 and fly during this epidemic. They tried to reschedule their flight for 2 months later bur they were advised that this is impossible. They were told they can either fly or cancel that flight with same conditions as this is regular cancellation. So no refund! Tickets were 1045 euro and they are willing to pay 116 euro! Same policies as this is just a regular cancellation! I tried to call Turkish airlines, spent 2 full days on the phone, none of their numbers worked, I cant find how to submit a complain on their website, that's why I'm using this board, because you can NOT practically talk to them! I sent email to them, 5 different email addresses I found online and no response. It's been a month now. If I wouldn't know them, I would think this company is a scam! This travel ban from Europe to the US was announced 1 day before they meant to fly! I really dont think you can apply regular policy on this kind of situation.
I am still requesting FULL REFUND for those tickets, even though they have been canceled now or give me credit or somehow let me reschedule that past flight! I can ensure you, I will not let this go.

I took a return flight originating from Thessaloniki, Greece, to LAX via Turkish Airlines (TA) Istanbul, on 26/11 Nov, 2019. I was notified that my return flight from Istanbul to Greece on 12/01/2020 had been canceled. As TA in Athens do not answer their phones, I personally went to their offices. I was given a new ticket for 13 Jan and told I would be put up in a hotel for the night and fly out the next day, the 13th with NO additional charge for anything to me. TA would be liable for all the extra costs.

Upon my return to Turkey, 12/01/2020, after 2 days of travel, I could not find anyone to direct me to the hotel desk, as I was told by TA Athens. After asking several agents, and showing the paper from TA, 40 minutes later I was told I need a Turkish visa, where I was charged 35 USD and told I would be reimbursed by TA. Once I passed through all the hurdles, I showed my paper given to me from the Athens TA office and was taken by an airport rep to the hotel desk. At that point, I was asked for my credit card. I questioned it as I was told I would be put up for the night at the expense of TA. He assured me that the charge, done under Azade Turizm ve Gida Ticaistanbul, would only be for the transport and that I would be reimbursed by TA. By now, I was so exhausted and as I had always favored and recommended TA to others, I trusted that all was OK.

It took 45 minutes to get to the hotel through winding, dark, narrow roads, in the middle of nowhere, which made for a very uncomfortable ride as I was the only passenger. I still cannot understand why if an entire flight was canceled, I was the only passenger. When we finally arrived at the Karam hotel, which seemed abandoned, other than a stray dog that welcomed me outside and another one inside. I was soon to learn why, as the hotel was not fit even for dogs. Somebody finally came out. I gave him the paper I was given from the Athens TA office. Nobody seemed to understand English, but the driver knew how to ask me for a tip! At this point I just wanted to get to the room, use the restroom, take my shoes off, take a shower and rest. I went to the restroom, lifted the seat and saw dried blood on it! There was a small plastic bottle of shampoo at the sink which I used to clean the toilet. There was no other soap. The shower was grimy and moldy, not fit for humans. The tap looked like it had not been cleaned in months. The furniture and bedspread were full of burn holes. There was no top sheet on the bed. Obviously I got no rest.

I just received my credit card bill and saw I was charged 252.86USD by the hotel desk for what was supposed to be a transport charge! Absolutely unacceptable. Even if I had booked that hotel myself, it would only be $35 for one night. I was caught in a very vulnerable state, exhausted and not knowing the exchange value, and ripped off, for lack of a better word, by the clerk at Azade Turizm ve Gida Ticainstanbul hotel desk at the airport! I contacted TA, filed a complaint exactly as I have written above, sent all the documentation and expected an investigation and full compensation. Instead, I got a reply saying that I had been notified of the cancellation in advance and there was nothing they could do, with absolutely NO mention of my actual complaint regarding the charges.

Contrary to my prior impressions and the so many negative comments here, Turkish Airlines is a company that does not take responsibility for their wrong doing and does not strive for excellent customer service or at least even take it seriously. The hotel desk at the airport, that charged me 252.86 USD for what they claimed was only for transport to the hotel and that I would get reimbursed by TA, defrauded me by charging me an outrageous amount.

COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT CUSTOMER SERVICE both by TA and the hotel desk at the airport, let alone a dog house claiming to be a hotel.

This was by far the worst experience with an airline and hotel that I've ever been subjected to, and I have traveled extensively around the world. Beware!

Date - 7th of July 2019 on the below flight
TURKISH AIRLINES TK Flight Number 1326

Departure:

BLQ BOLOGNA, ITALY
19:00

Arrival:

IST ISTANBUL AIRPORT, TURKEY
22:30

Number of this incident ;
TK2502474

The first flight i had taken to istanbul was delayed by 3 hours and the bag was lost transferring to the second flight to Hong Kong .The receipts attached are for 50 euros as promised to refund at Hong Kong airport with Turkish airlines
for clothes & personal products as i was on a business trip and had nothing for the first days meetings and i was without vital documents. I still have not yet received and i would like compensation and an apology for the inconvenience and how long its has taken ( since July 2019 ) after many emails to still not get compensation.

The experience has prevented me from using Turkish airlines in future.

Please see attached the report and also receipts.

[protected]@googlemail.com

I'm a student going for my master in Cyprus and I have all document with me admission letter, acceptance letter, school frees receipt and was not allow to check in from the turkey to Cyprus...This is the only document the school sent to me and ask me to take it along when coming don't know why I was not allow to check in pls kindly help me out don't really know what it's wrong...Have paid all the necessary bill in school and the school as been expecting my arrival so don't know why I was not allow to check in

I took an Istanbul-Ashgabat (TK0322) flight on January 10, 2020.
During the boarding process there were two boarding lines. "18 and over" and "17 and less". I was in the former. I was standing in my line and waiting for my turn to scan the boarding pass. When it was my turn to scan the boarding pass, there was a lady in front of me who had visa issues and the employee could not understand what she was saying. Since "17 and less" line was EMPTY, I switched the line and presented my boarding pass. Turkish airlines employee started being unnecessarily rude and ask which line I was from (although she clearly knew the answer). I asked what difference it made, since there were no other people in the line. The employee did not provide explanation for being rude and just said "it makes a lot of difference."
Here is what happened afterwards:
• When I tried to ask a follow up question, another Turkish Airlines employee, Mehmet Hamit Kachmaz, literally took my passport out of my hands while I was looking the other way.
• Employee first stated there was an error in the system regarding my passport. I immediately knew the employee was simply lying to me and asked what the error was. Employee asked me to move a little bit in order to have a conversation. But after I moved, the employee refused to talk to me and just held my passport in his hands.
• After I stated that there was nothing wrong or any kind of error, the employee simply said "you don't know my system."
• Two minutes later, while I was simply waiting and nothing was happening, I asked why I was waiting. The employee said "You are waiting because I want you to wait." I replied that he does not have a write to say or do those kinds of things. I asked for employees name. He showed me his badge and said "you can complain to whoever you want, I don't care." In addition, employee admitted he lied to me when he said there was an error in the system.
• During the conversation, the employee also threatened me to take me off the flight and call security because I "violated the security measures."
• In addition, the employee stated that there is no difference between Turkmen people and animals.
• The employee also made a physical contact with me and stop doing so, only when I told him not to do so.
• Finally, once everybody boarded the plane, employee told me to make another round through the line and only then gave me my passport back.

My wife and I had a flight from IAD to IST on Tuesday 10/29/2019 (Airline Reference: TF8XNK(TK)). Our pilot was very inexperienced, and we were scared during the flight with turning the airplane extremely to different ways. The worst thing was landing in Istanbul airport, you won't believe that the airplane was bouncing 3 times while landing. He did not come to the exit when passengers were getting off the plane, and I told to the crew that it was terrible landing and international flights are not for training. We had a very bad experience, and this airline gave us too much stress and hard time. I was close to get a heart attack. After we spent a long time in the new big airport to find the Turkish Airlines desk to file a complaint, their manager told us that they only sale tickets. Terrible management and customer service In addition, before the flight, we did online check in. In IAD, they told us we should stay in a long queue and did not have a separate line for the people who had already checked in online. We wanted to make a complaint to their managers. No one accepted responsibility and even try to help. Very unprofessional and terrible management

Our baby stroller got damaged on 04.08.2019 in Istanbul - Dubai flight. After 20 messages with the baggage department, they offered me 55$ allowance. The cost of the stroller is $1000.

I refused and I asked for the calculation method / company rules, they increased to $220 without answering my questions.

I refused second time and I asked for the calculation method / company rules, they increased to $220 without answering my questions.

I didn't accept, because I didn't understand the calculation method. Why it's not $250 or $200? Who makes the decision and how?

Turkish Airlines do not answer these questions and continue to send me ‘auto replies'.

Worst customer service ever. Meanwhile, I'm in Elite Plus - Star Alliance Gold status.

1. assalamualikum I am Major Imran serving in United Nations Mission in Congo.

2. I booked a ticket from kayseria to istanbul in travel date 31 october via BOOKING REFERENCE -- VFIWT3 ( I brought this ticket on line on 25 october)

3. On 27 october i make change in my ticket and make my trip antalya to istanbul
( insted of kayseria to Istanbul) for the same date same booking reference --VFIWT3.

4. After the change i paid the price of full ticket price for the new changed ticket.

5. As per the policy i am suppose to get the extra money back after cutting the penalty money for the change.

6. I was waiting for the money but sorry to say i didnt get it yet.

7. from a top class airlince survice i deserved more than this.

waiting for your reply
Major Mohammad Imran Hasan
E-mail ; [protected]@gmail.com

Hi there,

I bought two return tickets via Budgetair.nl on 28th Oct-2019. I called the Budgetair to change the date because, I had to urgently buy two tickets on 29th (for the same day flight) via Budgetair/Turkish airlines.
Budgetair had no problem changing the dates (of the first two tickets) to a few months later provided I'd pay 110 euros (and I agreed). However, they said that Turkish airlines does not change the dates. I was told to call them.

I called Turkish airlines many many times and every time they said, you brought the tickets from Budgetair and we cannot change it. So, I called Budgetair and the same story. "You have to contact Turkish airlines because they don't allow us to change the dates" Budgetair kept saying.

Turkish airlines does not even have a complaint services. Where are the regulators?.

All my eyes are now fixed on this complaint board. I hope you guys can help me.

I greatly appreciate it.

Kind regards,

Syd Mohseni

To all those South African persons that are contemplating making an airline reservation with TURKISH AIRLINES.
Please be aware of the fact that the South African office of Turkish Airlines is absolutely PATHETIC. It is impossible to get hold of them by telephone or e-mail.
So once you have booked and paid for your ticket you are ENTIRELY on your own. You cannot speak to anyone regarding your ticket or booking and the Turkish Airlines web page is NOT user friendly at all.
I have made my booking and paid for the ticket and need some assistance with regard to making changes and needless to say I am high and dry.
BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

I purchased a ticket for my sister and accidently used her maiden name instead of married name. I contacted the airline immediately and send them a copy of my sisters marriage certificate to verify the source of the mistake. The airline is refusing to change the name or issue a refund. They will no doubt be keeping my money and giving my sisters seat to someone else which is most unreasonable.

Submitted complaint number TK-2915881, Eticket number [protected]

Airline reference TJKAHC TK004 20 November 2019 New York - Istanbul with continuation to Tel Aviv ( TK0794 ).
This is in regard to the service that was provided by the chief at the check-in desk at the gate at Istanbul, who without any explanation, changed the seating in the aircraft, which was assigned to us in New York, as stated on the boarding pass. My wife and I feel we were discriminated by the fact that our original seats which were more favorable ones, we instead, were seated at the back of the plane. I don't know if this act was professional or not.
As result of this change, my wife did not receive the gluten free meal, as requested, which appeared on the flight attendant's list . Her meal was given to the passenger,
who was seated in HER original seat.
Hoping for your prompt comments.

Ruben Rudin
ruben.[protected]@gmail.com

Hi,

I sent the below mail in in oct, it has been more than a month with no response or reply,

I request an immediate compensation:

Turkish Airlines — delayed flight and delayed luggages
Add a Comment
date of incident: 12 oct 2019
flight details, ticket number: 235-[protected] [protected] [protected] [protected] Check in reference: RUK4CM TK1826 & TK44

we are 4passengers travelling together back to South Africa from Paris, our flight was delayed several hours, and further more our luggages was also delayed and only given the next day after arriving at South Africa, it has samples in the luggages to be given to my clients which caused delays in my business orders, i had to courier samples myself to clients offices instead of could hand to them on the day of arrival,

Please reply to my email: [protected]@gmail.com

Dear Sirs,
This is to inform you that I had a scheduled flight from Istanbul new airport to Venice (Marco Polo) on 15.Oct.2019 at 6.55 am. I was at the airport on time and got my flight card/seat n. and hurried toward the named gate. After passing trough so long and confusing paths, finally I received to my specified gate exactly 25 minutes before the flight time... and unbelievably, that gate was closed and despite of my tries to knock the door and ring, nobody answered me! I waited there for 15 minutes ineffective. No body was there to guide me or tell what to do, then some guys were told me I should walk another 10 minutes to Turkish airline counter to change my flight time...! (I should added I wasn't alone there and about 15-16 persons were there which had same situations at that gate as well as I observed several missed-flights persons during that day 15. Oct. 2019)
I should mention that it was my first time to travel with Turkish airline and the worst experience that I had.
hereby, I complain about this happens, because not only did I pay penalty and extra money (245 Euros) but I also missed my important business meeting that day at Italy. You are kindly requested to follow up the matter and compensate and atone of this damage for me.
Please find in the attached files related documents for your more attention and kind consideration.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information or any vague points.

Thank you in advance for your kind attention and prompt reply.

Best Regards,
Mrs Farzaneh Azimpour

Booking Ref:SE484S
Flights 14/10/19 Lyon to Kathmandu - Kathmandu to Lyon 30/10/19

Eticket A Iffland - [protected] 14 /C1
Eticket D Iffland - [protected] /C1

Our flight from Lyon to Kathmandu was a disappointment. The cabin crew were disinterested and inefficient. They took an exceedingly long time to serve drinks & food. I had pre-booked all my meals ( Vegetarian Asian) but on this flight my selection was not available. There was no explanation from the cabin crew as to why my selection was not available and neither did they show any interest in providing something similar. All meals that followed - outbound & inbound were in accordance with my selection.

Unfortunately the experience that awaited us at Istanbul International Airport is one that I never wish to repeat.

Our 13 hour transfer delay entitled us to free hotel accommodation according to Turkish Airlines customer care department. This in reality this was unattainable . We were required to stand at various desks for various amounts of time juat to find out what we needed to do to get this accommodation. On occasion it was impossible to understand what we were to do as the Turkish Airlines representative could not speak English or French well enough to be understood. We spent an 1 hour & 30 minutes trying to establish what was required and finally when it was made clear that we needed to have an evisa and the only way of getting this visa was to pay cash or have a non European debit card it became apparent that we would not be getting any accommodation from Turkish Airlines. Eventually our only option available to us was to book into the Airport Yotel Airside Hotel at a cost 151 euros for one night - or sleep on a chair in the transfer lounge! This service us utterly disappointing and is not what you suggest in your advertising or what your Customer Services department told us we were entitled too.

This unacceptable and frustrating situation cost us 151 Euros.

I look forward to receiving your comments.
Anna & David Iffland

Original Email sent on the 18th of october 2019:
I was flying from Jeddah-Istanbul-Chicago-DFW.
The Istanbul to Chicago flight TK0005 was delayed from Istanbul and therefore my next flight from Chicago to Dallas on United Airlines flight 8633 will be missed.
I had to wait 3 hours at the Care Point Turkish Airlines in Istanbul airport for them to figure out the delay and they then issued a ticket from Chicago to DFW thru American Airlines pnr:ertzag ticket number [protected] to fly from O'Hare to DFW. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived 8:15pm they took forever to taxi the plane and park at the gate and I had i get off running to get to the American Airlines office. They then refused to take my bags because they weren't checked in by Turkish Airlines like they were with United and i had to pay 160$ for that and they issued me a boarding pass with no seat number. I was told I have to be assigned a seat at the gate. On top of all this confusion and headache, the American Airlines employees at the ticket/gate counters were extremely rude. Then after getting my luggage checked in, I made my way to the transit system to get to the next terminal and found it was CLOSED and there were NO buses at all making any rounds. I looked on O'hare website and it had it in flashing on top that the transit is CLOSED 24/7 but there are buses running around the clock to provide prompt service from terminal to terminal, which in fact was NOT true, there was no buses at all. The following is pulled off Chicago O'HARe Airport's website: "The O'Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or "people mover) is closed 24/7 to finalize modernization efforts and expansion of the system.In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O'Hare's terminals and parking lots, the CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H); the Multi-Modal Facility rental cars are housed; and the Metra O'Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed. If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON'T have to take the shuttle buses, you can walk. Simply follow in-airport signage. The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to open Fall 2019.View Flyer" I was literally stranded there trying to find a way to make it to my flight which left at 10:09pm. There were alot of people waiting for the buses to take them to different terminals. Needless to say, I missed my flight due to the fact there was no way to get to the terminal on time. I then called Turkish Airlines toll-free number, which asked me to file a complaint and wait for a feedback or wait till 2 pm tomorrow to meet someone at the airport office, which makes no sense. I then called American Airlines if they had a solution or accommodation, but apparently since the ticket was issued by Turkish Airlines they were not able to do nothing for me. Called your Turkish Airlines toll-free number again, but again was in vain, they told me that if I was not able to make the flight was not their problem.
Now, I have to wait at the airport now for another 12 hours and book a one way ticket to Dallas costing me $403.30 plus taxes just to be able to get home. In conclusion, I want a full refund for having to pay to checkin my luggage for $160 and this ticket I had to book. For a 2 hour delay by Turkish Airlines in Istanbul caused me to miss my connection from Chicago to Dallas and costing me $160 for luggage check-in and a one-way ticket i had to book for $403.

On the 1st of november i had a flight from porto to jakarta (with conexion in istambul). There was a delay in the first flight and i missed the second one to jakarta. Then i had a flight from jakarta to denpasar that i also missed because of the first delay. And i missed one day in ubud and the hotel that i have already paid for. For that i would like to be refunded. Best regards Leonor Bacelar

Dear TURKISH AIRLINE
I am writing to bring to your attention a serious issue I had in your establishment and make a complaint on the gate staff in the airport of Istanbul and the Turkish airline call centre because of them We had a nightmare and difficulties to arrive Gaziantep.
I had a flight with one of my friends from Istanbul to Gaziantep, FLIGHT number: TK2230, date of flight: Monday 28 October 19:40, Booking Reference: RKTL5X.
We arrived at Istanbul airport on time, We dropped our luggage and had a boarding pass.
Our flight gate number was G10, We were waiting at the gate area in Istanbul airport, I went to the gate asking about the flight, an employee said that the gate is closed.
There was no announcement at the gate or in the sound system in the airport to refer for the last call or to remember the passenger who did the check-in already. I am a regular customer at your company but this is not a practical and unprofessionally way to handle the passenger at Istanbul airport, while other companies staff were calling for the passenger for the last call to catch the flight, they were calling flight details in the corners and the rest areas.
I called Turkish airline call centre at number 08503330849 with Arabic language option, the number I used for calling was [protected] a guy answered with slang accent "I felt weird and uncomfortable" I told him that I missed my flight and I need to arrive Gaziantep as soon as possible, He encouraged me to book a flight at 20:50, I told him that I am far away from Turkish airline desk and I can't do check-in in person, He said that I have a time to do a check-in online using the application of Turkish airline, I insist on him that is he sure I can do the check-in online! he said yes again, I paid using my friend credit card, He sent the PNR via email so I tried to check-in immediately using the application but unfortunately, a pop-up shows with a message that I cant do the check-in.
I ran with tears to Turkish airlines supervisor's desk, the result was that I cant catch the flight, I explained what happened exactly to the supervisor, they were shocked that how I could buy a ticket after 30 minutes for the flight take off.
They advised me first to go and buy another ticket, I did, after I came back they were reviewing and make sure that I was telling a true story, they said that the call centre made a huge mistake to sell a ticket at 20:16 where the take-off at 20:50 and how he insisted on me to do the check-in online while he knows very well that the check-in online close before 90 minutes of the take-off, the supervisors encouraged me to send a feedback and explain what happened exactly as we deserve a cash compensation for the financial losses we had.

CASE ID:[protected] // DDP TLLTK12131
Claim was submitted in the end of August 2019. Decision to compensate was made in the beginning of September 2019. Payment has not been made during 2 months. If you ask, you'll get the same answer over and over again: "We've forwarded your case ... They'll be in touch ... Thank you.". It does not seem that they actually will be in touch! Shame to Turkish Airlines.

To whom it may concern
Hello
Tonight I took two flights with Turkish airlines, first from Tehran to Istanbul and second from Istanbul to Toronto. When I got to Toronto I noticed the button on the handle that pushes inside out for the handle to move in and out has been broken. I had a difficult time getting home with the bus because the handle will not move and is stuck and the button totally damaged.
I will be travelling again in a few days and this is the only luggage I have so I need the luggage to work.please help me with the problem.
I am asking for a compensation
Enclosed are the pictures
My flight info is TK0017 Y
29 Oct 15:30
I appreciate your consideration
Regards
Marzieh
Email Azad.[protected]@gmail.com
Tel number [protected]