I committed to reviewing Turkish Airlines and have now completed a multi-leg journey from Conakry’s Ahmed Sekou Toure International Airport to Washington Dulles, with my return leg from Washington Dulles to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. I opted to finish a round trip before providing my feedback on Turkish Airlines.
Let’s kick off this review by looking at safety records, especially in light of a recent plane crash at Senegal airport. Safety is a crucial aspect for many travellers these days, and Turkish Airlines can be considered a reliable choice. Established in 1933, the airline has experienced a total of 19 major accidents over its 89-year history, resulting in 938 fatalities. Turkish Airlines recently reported a record of 83.4 million passengers in 2023. Furthermore, the airline has been rated as a seven-star carrier for safety by the global rating agency airlineratings.com.
When it comes to affordability, Turkish Airlines is known as a budget-friendly option. My multi-leg(Conakry-Washington-Accra) journey cost around $1,780, while a round-trip ticket from Freetown to New York was priced at approximately $2,250.
Turkish Airlines operates twice-weekly flights between Conakry and Istanbul, with a flight time of about 8 hours and 48 minutes from Conakry to Istanbul and 11 hours from Istanbul to Washington. While Air Senegal offers a shorter route to the US by flying directly from Dakar to New York in 8 hours and 55 minutes, Turkish Airlines has its own merits. Unlike some other airlines, Turkish Airlines tends to depart on time and boasts a well-experienced and professional cabin crew. The business class section is excellent, offering ample legroom. Turkish Airlines provides a wide range of in-flight entertainment, including Hollywood movies, international films, content promoting Turkey as a tourism destination, and even live TV channels at 33,000 feet above ground. As a journalist wanting to stay informed, I appreciated being able to watch CNN live during my flight.
The airline also excels in the culinary department, with a printed menu for passengers to choose their meals. Additionally, Turkish Airlines offers a WiFi system on a subscription basis. Overall, my experience with Turkish Airlines was extremely positive, and I thoroughly enjoyed flying with them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The author serves as the Correspondent for German International Broadcaster Deutsche Welle in Sierra Leone. Additionally, he is the founder of the SaloneJamboree Arts and Entertainment newspaper, as well as the founder and Managing Director of Salone Adventures, a travel and tour operator company in Sierra Leone. He also manages EyeWitnessNews and is known for his passion for travel and adventures.
