Turkish Airlines Customer Service Issues

Dear Customer Service Team, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding the mishandling of my luggage on my recent flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul to LAX. My luggage was lost, and despite numerous assurances from over 6 representatives, there was a lack of communication and accountability. I have been without my belongings for three days, impacting my work commitments and personal comfort. The delivery information provided was incorrect, leading to further delays and inconvenience. I have documented all phone calls and interactions, yet there has been a failure to provide timely updates or resolution. The delay in receiving my luggage has not only caused financial strain from having to replace essential items but has also affected my professional reputation due to work materials being inaccessible. I am eager to escalate this matter and request guidance on the appropriate steps to take. I seek compensation for the time, money, and distress this situation has caused. While I have always favored Turkish Airlines for my travels, this experience has left me feeling dismissed and undervalued as a customer. I anticipate your prompt response and resolution to this matter. Sincerely, J. Jung

Subject: Complaint Regarding Turkish Airlines Flight Experience To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the recent experience my family and friends encountered on Turkish Airlines Flight TK [redacted] on June 3, [redacted]. The flight, originally scheduled to depart from Istanbul at 8:20 PM and arrive in New Delhi at 4:55 AM, faced unexplained delays. Upon our arrival in New Delhi at around 6:18 AM, we encountered further delays in retrieving our luggage, despite it being marked as Priority. Due to these issues, we missed our connecting flight to Kolkata on Vistara. This led to significant financial losses, including the additional purchase of tickets and unplanned expenses at the airport. The situation was emotionally taxing, particularly for the children and women in our group who endured a long day at the airport without adequate provisions. In light of these circumstances, we are requesting compensation of Rs [redacted] per passenger, totaling Rs [redacted], to be paid within two weeks of this complaint. Should we not receive a satisfactory response, we may seek legal assistance. Thank you, S.K. Chakrabarty Eticket no. [redacted][redacted] (Istanbul to Delhi)

My family has a reservation with Turkish Airlines for a flight to Sudan on June 23rd. The situation in Sudan is extremely unstable, and communication there is difficult. Due to the worsening security conditions, I have been unable to contact my family for the past week. I have decided to cancel the trip and kindly ask to keep my ticket on hold so I can use it for a future trip to Sudan, Egypt, or Turkey within the next year. Thank you for your assistance.

I traveled from Delhi, India to Nouakchott via Istanbul on June 2, [redacted], on flight TK717/TK595. Unfortunately, TK717 was delayed, causing me to miss the connecting flight TK595 to Nouakchott. I was rebooked on flight TK583 departing Istanbul on June 4, [redacted]. On arrival in Nouakchott, my baggage did not make it. I was assured daily that it would arrive, but on June 7, [redacted], I was told it was being sent to Delhi. After returning on June 9, [redacted], my baggage still hasn't been delivered. I kindly request prompt return of my baggage. Thank you.

Dear Customer Service, I am writing to express my recent disappointing experiences with your airline. On March 5th, [redacted], flight no. TK0879 from Tehran to Istanbul, my luggage went missing causing me significant inconvenience and expenses during a business trip and exhibition. I had to purchase about [redacted] euros worth of clothing while waiting for my luggage to be located and returned to me two days later. My most recent flight on June 2nd, [redacted], flight no. [redacted] from Istanbul to Tehran, was even more challenging. The lack of clear signage and guidance led to me missing my flight despite arriving 23 minutes before departure. I faced difficulties purchasing new tickets and encountered unhelpful staff members named Abdullah Colak and Ilknur, adding to my frustration. I have sent emails to [redacted] with supporting documents but have yet to receive a response. I kindly request your prompt attention to address these issues and provide guidance on reimbursement for the additional expenses incurred. Thank you for your assistance, E.J.

I am a US citizen and a UN diplomat named Muhammad Ziauddin Khan. Unfortunately, my flight to Sudan was canceled without notice due to the ongoing situation there. Despite Turkish Airlines' claims of regular flights from Istanbul to Khartoum, all Turkish flights have been canceled since June 3, [redacted]. I experienced difficulties when trying to rebook my flight and obtain a refund for my ticket. My booking reference is Airline Reservation Code T6RUII, and reservation code OJBTOH was for a flight from Washington DC to Istanbul-Khartoum on June 9. I am stressed and urgently request a refund. You can reach me at [redacted] Your prompt assistance is much appreciated.

I am writing to address the delays and issues I faced during my recent travel from Birmingham International Airport (BHX) to Istanbul Airport (IST) with Turkish Airlines. Upon landing in Turkey for my connection to Dubai, I encountered a series of difficulties due to only being given one boarding pass in Birmingham, resulting in a missed flight and a significant delay in reaching my destination. The lack of assistance from the airline staff further exacerbated the situation, causing unnecessary stress and inconvenience for myself and my young daughter. Subsequently, on my return flight from Dubai to Birmingham on June 26, [redacted], I was subjected to unwarranted questioning at the boarding gate, which added to my dissatisfaction with Turkish Airlines. Overall, the entire experience left me disappointed and I expect the airline to address these issues promptly and effectively.

During my recent trip from Atlanta, Georgia, to Beirut, Lebanon, with a layover in Istanbul, Turkey, I encountered an unfortunate situation with Turkish Airlines. I typically travel with my fly fishing rod, broken down into 4 pieces in a rod tube, with no issues. However, on my return from Beirut, I was unexpectedly informed that I couldn't carry the rod on board due to baggage restrictions. This left me with little time before my connecting flight to Atlanta, and I had to reluctantly dispose of the rod to keep my family together. My son was especially upset as he loved the rod. I did not face this issue during my initial layover, and I couldn't find any mention of this restriction on Turkish Airlines' website. Despite flying business class, I received no assistance from the airline's transfer desk. This experience was distressing, and I am looking to file a claim and seek compensation for my loss.

I arrived at gate F9B fifteen minutes before departure, slightly behind schedule due to a sprained ankle I acquired on the way from the business lounge. This incident occurred on 07/07/[redacted] at Istanbul airport for the TK [redacted] Business class flight to Alexandria. My boarding pass was for seat 01C under the name SALAMA BASSEM, Star Alliance GOLD member MS [redacted]. Despite the plane still being present with Alexandria signage lit, I was met with disregard by a lady who left hastily and a man who refused assistance and conversation, displaying extreme rudeness. My attempts to show my swollen ankle were dismissed abruptly. No airport announcements were made for me, and personnel at the gate were unhelpful and unresponsive to my pleas for assistance or updates to the authorities. The lack of urgency and empathy led me to purchase a new ticket for over $[redacted] for flight TK [redacted] to Cairo on the same day. I urge you to review your announcement system and CCTV footage for validation before responding. As a Star Alliance Gold member, this treatment was unacceptable and could lead to legal consequences if not addressed satisfactorily. I eagerly await your response and apology. Best regards, Prof. Dr. Bassem Salama

Hello, I need to change the return dates of my flight from Delhi to Vilnius via Istanbul to August 1st instead of the current date, which is August 21st. Despite purchasing the ticket through the Turkish Airlines website, I am unable to make the date change online. None of the contact numbers provided for assistance seem to be working, and when I try to call, I cannot communicate effectively with the automated voice on the other end of the line due to the language barrier. I have been attempting to resolve this issue for the past three days. Thank you.

My booking reference is R5KWEV. Our arrival at Sabiha Gokcen Airport with Emirate Airlines EK [redacted] is scheduled for 1.45 pm on July 13th. Due to the lack of an alliance between Turkish and Emirate Airlines, we are required to book a separate one-way flight from Istanbul to Denizli Cardak airport instead of a connecting flight. This situation means we must go through customs, collect our luggage, and check in again for our flight TK [redacted] to Denizli Cardak airport departing at 4.45 pm. We are concerned about the tight 3-hour window between our arrival and the departure of flight TK [redacted]. Are there any special arrangements that can be made to help us make our connecting flight on time? Thank you, William

I contacted Turkish Airlines a month ago to inquire about changing my ticket. The first representative informed me that since they had rescheduled my previous flight, the change would be free of charge. I proceeded with the change, expecting an email confirmation as promised. After two days without receiving the email, I followed up and was told by a second representative that there would be no fees, but I needed to visit a Turkish Airlines office to obtain the new ticket. To my surprise, I was asked to pay [redacted] euros for the change at the office, nearly double the cost of the original ticket. I explained that this contradicted what I was told over the phone. The office contacted Turkey and acknowledged the mistake, directing me to call back. Despite numerous daily calls since then, no one can confirm the change, although they acknowledge the error. My mother is due to fly back in three days, and her visa will expire. Has anyone else experienced this issue? How was it resolved?

Subject: Refund for Visa Costs - Urgent Assistance Needed Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to bring to your attention that upon our arrival in Istanbul on July 11, [redacted], arrangements were made for us to stay at the Pullman Hotel by the Transfer Desk, necessitating us to apply for a visa. We were informed by a Turkish Airlines staff member that we would be eligible for a refund if we contacted you within 2 days. The visas applied for are as follows: Andrzej Wisniewski - No. [redacted] Bozena Wisniewska - No. [redacted] Dariusz Szambelan - No. [redacted] Maria Szambelan - No. [redacted] Could you please let us know what documentation is required for the refund process? Your prompt assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, Joanna Szambelan

On July 2, [redacted], my wife, daughter, and I flew on TK 9 from Istanbul to Los Angeles. We were seated in seats 3G (John Laskey), 3J (Lorna Laskey), and 3K (Madison Laskey). As Star Alliance members on United, my wife received her mileage credit, but both my daughter and I did not. Our United numbers were provided by the agent in Istanbul during check-in, and now United Airlines requires a Boarding Certificate to verify our flight. I can supply our United Mileage Plus numbers if needed. The ticket number for John Laskey was [redacted][redacted] and for Madison Laskey was [redacted][redacted]. We had a great experience on Turkish Airlines and hope for your assistance in obtaining the proper mileage credit. Thank you, John Laskey.

I purchased a bottle of liquor from the duty-free shop in Israel. During my journey from Israel to Istanbul, and then from Istanbul to Miami, the sealed bag passed through all custom checks uneventfully. However, upon reaching the gate in Istanbul, an employee informed me that the bottle needed to be confiscated without providing a clear reason, and they did so rudely and without consideration for the value of the purchase. I am seeking reimbursement as Turkish Airlines did not warn passengers against buying liquor items at duty-free shops. I had no issues buying a bottle in Istanbul on my way to Israel previously. If carrying liquor is not allowed, passengers should be informed before purchasing, or the item could have been held and given upon arrival in Miami. Though the amount is only $10, I am looking for a full refund and for the airline to address their ground staff and gate personnel for their disrespectful behavior. In particular, employee Orbay Kosan ignored and embarrassed me needlessly. None of the other men at the counter were helpful or knowledgeable about how to assist me. This incident marred what was initially a positive experience flying with Turkish Airlines for the first time. I hope for prompt communication and resolution of this matter. My flight details are as follows: July 8th, [redacted], Flight TK [redacted] from Israel to Istanbul, and TK 77 from Istanbul to Miami. Thank you. J.F.

Hello, I am reaching out regarding a flight reservation from Tehran to Montreal for my parents. Their journey began today with a flight from Tehran to Istanbul at 2:50 am Tehran time. They were scheduled to have a connecting flight from Istanbul to Athens at 7:15 am Istanbul time on July 16th, with Turkish Airlines, followed by a flight from Athens to Montreal with Air Canada. Due to a 3-hour delay in Tehran, they are at risk of missing their connecting flights. I am concerned about the next steps in their travel arrangements. Will Turkish Airlines provide them with new tickets to Montreal, or is there a possibility for the flight number TK1845 to Athens to be delayed for them? I am apprehensive as my parents do not speak English or Turkish, making communication with the airlines challenging. Your assistance in resolving this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am facing an issue with the travel agency representative who declined to assist me in a rather impolite manner. My concern is regarding the return ticket I currently hold for a flight to Venice on September 17th. Due to the urgent need to present university documents for my scholarship, I must return before August 30th. I am seeking to reschedule my return flight to any date between August 20th and 28th to meet these requirements and safeguard my scholarship. The travel agent has quoted a fee of [redacted] euros for this date change, which I find quite steep as I am a student who has already incurred expenses for the original ticket. I am exploring alternative options like selling the existing ticket or directly changing the flight with the airline for a more affordable rate. Any guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Given Turkish Airlines' commitment to ensuring timely travels and assistance, I am hopeful for your support in preserving my academic pursuits. Thank you, IAS

I am experiencing an issue with my return flights booked on two different airlines. I have a flight from Stockholm to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines followed by a few hours layover and then a flight from Istanbul to Dubai with fly Dubai, all on the same date. Do I need to check in again for the second flight? Can I retrieve my luggage in the transit area and check in for the next airline's flight there? I have seen conflicting information online and spoken to different people about this. I refer to the information on your website which states that transfer passengers need to get their baggage from the international arrival hall, proceed to the international terminal, and check in at the respective airline's counter for the next flight. Can you clarify if this process can be done within the transit area without going through passport control, or will I need a visa for this?

Subject: Stranded Passenger at Mumbai Airport on July 2nd, [redacted] (PNR: UL7DFV) I, Mrs. Smita Manohar Vaidya, would like to bring the following details to your attention. I had booked a ticket on your airline for July 2nd, [redacted], from Mumbai to Birmingham via Istanbul on Flight No. TK-[redacted] and TK-[redacted]. Unfortunately, due to heavy rains in Mumbai, my flight was delayed. Despite completing departure formalities at 3:00 a.m., the gate remained closed with no staff present until 7:00 a.m. After speaking with a staff member arriving after 7:00 a.m., I learned the flight was rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. Breakfast was only organized around 10:15 a.m. at a distant gate, causing inconvenience to passengers, including myself, a 71-year-old diabetic senior citizen. Finally, the flight departed after midnight on July 3rd, causing fatigue and discomfort to all of us. Unfortunately, my boarding passes were lost during this chaos. I kindly request a letter confirming my travel on both flights on July 3rd, to facilitate an insurance claim for this disrupted journey.

Hello, I'm Paulina Mackiewicz. I'm unable to check in for my flight (reservation no. UISDI8) departing tomorrow from Bangkok to Istanbul with flight TK69. I received a message stating that the flight date/time has changed, requiring me to confirm a new flight through the call center. The call center is not recognizing my flight number, and my travel agency for this business trip was not informed of the change either. I have not received any notifications via email or text regarding this. I need to be in Warsaw by Wednesday, with a connecting flight LOT LO138 to Poland. I'm concerned about missing my next flight on Thursday morning. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thank you. Paulina Mackiewicz