Since Turkish Airlines was only offering the extended city tour, I had to cut out of the city tour a bit early. Despite my best efforts to arrive at the airport with minimal time to spare, I still had time to visit the Turkish Airlines business class/Star Alliance Gold lounge.
From the time I booked this award (in December) until departure, Aeroplan was firmly convinced that I was flying on an Airbus A320 series aircraft. A few weeks before the trip, the then Continental.com website began reporting that Turkish Airlines was operating an Airbus A340 between Istanbul and Berlin, even while Aeroplan (and Turkish Airlines!) were showing an A321 loaded on the schedule.
I didn’t get my hopes up. Once I arrived at the gate, I was informed that the inbound aircraft was late, so I found a seat for myself somewhat removed from the windows. When the gate agents began the mad boarding scramble, I looked out the windows and noticed two engines hanging off the left wing: Continental.com was right.
Turkish 1723
Istanbul (IST) to Berlin-Tegel (TXL)
Saturday, March 31st
Duration: 2 hours, 50 minutes
Aircraft: A340-311 (TC-JDJ)
Seat: 2B (Business Class)
Our flight included dinner. Normally, I stash my menu in my bag and photograph it off the plane with (hopefully) better lighting. This time, I left it under my screen and a flight attendant took it back as he was walking through the cabin.
