Stephen787 - 08/08/2011 09:25 GMT
TXL to IST
Berlin's Tegel airport is from around the 1960's and it is showing it's age, but the efficient Berliners have kept it clean and in working order. Due to the lack of space in this compact terminal once you enter through passport control you are forced to wait in a small waiting area at the gate with only a drink vending machine and a tiny last minute duty free shop to break the boredom. Luckily there are floor to ceiling windows giving waiting passengers a view of the tarmac and runway.
Once on board the A321 this aircraft starts to show it's age with seating of aqua and tan leather that has seen better days. Probably the worst combination of colours you could put together. However the seats in economy were remarkably comfortable for the 2hr 45min flight. Given that the flight only about 20% full most passengers had a row to themselves. Business seats were of similar pitch but with the middle seat folding down to make a table space, arm rest between the window and aisle as well as a fold down foot rest on the seat in front.
After takeoff headsets were handed out along with a packet of Turkish hazelnuts and menus for lunch. About 20 mins later a tasty hot lunch was served with for Do&Co catering who handle all of Turkish airlines catering now. No second drink round was offered.
Entertainment included a movie viewed from drop-down screens from under the overhead lockers as well as various Turkish pop music and classical channels on the armrest control.
A pity the crew didn't smile or go out of their way to be friendly. They were robotic in nature and once the lunch service was distributed they sat down the back and chatted for the rest of the flight. Overall a quality product in this age of budget airlines and cutbacks. The only aspect to spoil this great flight was the surly crew. As I later discovered almost all Turkish crew and ground staff seemed to be this way, such a pity for an airline trying to improve.
