Turkish Airlines
reviews and complaints

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]

Turkish Airlines Flight TK1976 Thursday 10 October 10 55, Dublin - Istanbul
Transfer to Flight No: TK790 10 October 20 50 hrs to Tel Aviv.
On arriving in Tel Aviv I reclaimed my luggage, only to find my suitcase seriously damaged during one of the above flights/ transfer.
The handle was jammed beyond use or repair and this caused considerable inconvenience as I could not wheel my case along smoothly.
It was not possible to submit the complaint at that time due to the late arrival, the fact that I was one of a large group and the fact that we had a bus journey to undertake to Nazareth.
I can assure you the case was in perfect condition when I checked it in at Dublin Airport.

Although i was flying from Istanbul ti Tehran and it was a direct fly,
They forgot to bring our luggages and i had some serious staff which i needed for today and tomorrow early morning, flight number TK 870 dated 26 October 2019 from istanbul to Tehran.
It was worst experience i have ever had,
Especially iran air handling was responsible for registering the luggages and it took us 3 hours after the arrival to submit our information,
These things will influence turkish airline images.

My name is Triantafyllos Sosoglou.I am from Thessaloniki, Greece.i book a ticket from internet with turkish airlines to Bangkok.The route is Thessaloniki-Constantinopole(istabul)-Bangkok and back.my flight is at night from Thessaloniki(21.40), i arrive Constantinopole(istanbul)at midnight(00.05), wait almost 2 hours and 01.50 leaving to Bangkok.
Yesterday i receive an email from them informs me that the time has change to the part Thessaloniki-Constantinopole(istabul)and i have to travel morning, not night..
that means that i have to wait 14 hours!for my flight to Bangkok...i repeat that i was leaving 21.40 at night from Thessaloniki to Constantinopole(istabul) and wait 2 hours and flight to Bangkok...now i leaving 9.50 in the morning, arrive 12.00 on day-time and i have to wait until 02.00(the next day) to flight Bangkok...that means 14 hours wait!
i am very mad!never again this company!

On this web page you can submit your complaint to a company about a specific product or service you have an issue with, simply share a negative experience with the company, or complain about a certain individual that has wronged you for whatever reason. The page consists of 4 mandatory fields: Company Name, Product/Subject of a complaint, Details and Category. Address of the company where incident took place is optional, but highly recommended to be filled as well.
Upon submitting a complaint, if it's against a specific company, we will notify it via e-mail and hopefully you'll get your answer soon.
On this web page you can submit your complaint to a company about a specific product or service you have an issue with, simply share a negative experience with the company, or complain about a certain individual that has wronged you for whatever reason. The page consists of 4 mandatory fields: Company Name, Product/Subject of a complaint, Details and Category. Address of the company where incident took place is optional, but highly recommended to be filled as well.
Upon submitting a complaint, if it's against a specific company, we will notify it via e-mail and hopefully you'll get your answer soon.

We were a family of 7 people and had a round flight tickets, from Kabul international airport to San Francisco on 30/September/2019, I had two Turkish rugs which their weight was 28 kilo each of the rugs, we were not able to reduce the weight of the rugs and make it 23 kilo, turkish airline employee told me that I need to pay $160 because you have 12 kilo overweight, I told the employee I have other bags which its weight is less than 23 you can add those 12 kilo weight with my other bags, he did not listen me and said no if you dont pay $160 you will miss your flight, he forced me and I paid $160.
The following are my family tickets information
Thanks.
RESEVATION CODE:UM567F
RESEVATION CODE:TTD8KR
RESERVATION CODE:SIHIS5
RESERVATION CODE:UCST65

Dear TURKISH AIRLINE
my name is [name removed] I'm European citizen yesterday i was have a flight routing the following borg el arab - Athens TRANSIT Istanbul i face the worst customer service at all with your all of your cabin crew from borg el arab - Istanbul When i was on board and before your airline take off i found that i lost my mobile in the toilet front of your gate i asked your cabin crew to letting me going to get it immediately the distance from your airline door and the toilet is less than 30 seconds i told politely to your crew many times that i have to get my mobile i have all my business in it i said would you please getting me a permission from the pilot to get it but unfortunately all your crew spoke to me by unacceptable way front of all the passengers they even refused to listen to me they treat me with a rudeness way

They let me feels with more Psychological harm they said If you want to leave the airline we will drop you out with no return so i called the airport operation hopefully they find any support for my case and they actually helped me immediately they brought my mobile in no time before your airline gates off i took it over your aircraft stairs but i found that all of your cabin crew insisting of not to helping me at all and they insisting of not to allowing me getting into the airline again The treatment from your crew toward me was so rudeness with no respect this is the first time to using your airline but unfortunately you treat me very bad you even didn't show me your help even alot of kinds or even any respect & appreciation for my mental state i traveled before with many airlines before and i faced that problem before and all them show me kinds of helping they call the airport lost and found department . and they supported me well thats what is calling customer satisfaction but unfortunately i didn't find it in turkish airline i only find rudeness way i losing my business i losing my tickets i feels so sad because your cabin crew insult me in front of all the passengers Your cabin crew was so aggressive with me
After i get my mobile they was waiting for 30 min. and during that time i was asking them to enter on board they was so rude with me they told me get out the aircraft with loud sound and i found someone from the passenger who really helped me he was trying to support me like many other people on board and they treat him with very bad and they also insult him then they also didn't let him to enter on board they was so rude with him he lost his ticket too and his business in turkey if you didn't support me i will sent my complaint to the ICAO & the Star Alliance Just to see how your crew is treating me .
I was happy to trying your airline for the first time in my life but actually i have been shocked from what i find My Mobile : [removed]

I bought a flight from Antalya to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines (thy) 's webpage for my 3 years old baby and my wife. When I tried to check-in, ı saw that Turkish Airlines has automatically defined the seats. But the system has given a seat on the right side of the plane to my wife and an other seat on the left side of the plane for my 3 years old baby! I called the customer services, explained the situation and asked them to solve This [censored]. the person I talked told me that I have to pay to fix This issue! If I pay them, they gonna change/sell two seats beside each other. and to do that, ı had to pay for two seats! As you will guess, a 3 year old girl can not sit far away from her mom or dad. So Their system is completely [censored]. they just should include an algorithm to Their system which will locate/give beside seats to for examplem children below 6 years old and Their parent (s). Because system has all the informatin: Their names, surnames, ages etc. But they don't do that to get much payment! If you have a plant to fly via Turkish Airlines with your baby or 2/3/4 years old child/baby, be careful! Hands up. This is a modern robbery...

I am really surprised that i faced such an issue with airways like Turkish airlines, i was flying from Cairo to Milan business class with layover in istanbul on my way back i had a layover for 6 hours and when i received my bag at cairo airport i found that someone opened my bag as my stuff was not as i have ordered them and some of the items lost or in another words someone stole them, i am a gold member in star alliance member and tried a lot of airways and this was the first time on Turkish airways the worst experience ever, i will report this to my company to avoid booking on it not only for me for the whole company

My name is nwogu bright from kiev ukraine, I made a flight reservation (round trip) for mbaigbo gift nonye on the 26th of september 2019 in your office at kiev (saksahanskoho st, 83), the total amount I paid was 27196uah (about 1133usd), and this ticket (return) is refundable as I was told by the lady (your staff here) who process the ticket, I got to this same office few days ago for the refund of the return ticket but only to be told by the same lady that made the reservation that my ticket is not refundable.
So I am making this complaint so that the management of this company will look into this case and process my refund according, because I will not be happy and will not take it easy if my refund is not made.
The details are below,

Ticket no: [protected]
Depart date from abuja: 03/10/2019
Return date from kiev: 27/11/2019

Thanks, as I look forward to your urgent reply.
Nwogu bright.
[protected]@gmail.com
+[protected].