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How bout that? Another way to Europe. Wonder how Emirates is doing with it’s Taipei to Europe via the MID East route?
I wonder if 吳鳳 (Rifat Karlova) had any influence in this? 
more competition - great …
I hope this will affect KLM still high pricing …
However, I heard that transiting in IST could be an horrific experience.
Time will tell …
Can’t be worse than transiting in Manila.
Well you wouldn’t be from TPE to/from Europe as I believe the flight begins at MNL , transits TPE then on to AMS ?
Funny they don’t have rights to carry passengers just flying from TPE to/from MNL.
BA had the ability to just carry people from TPE to/from HKG , on its way to LON.
I took that flight a few times. Was nice.
Seems pretty good, flights are pretty full and I think that’s competitive prices
[quote=“MoTi”]more competition - great …
I hope this will affect KLM still high pricing …
However, I heard that transiting in IST could be an horrific experience.
Time will tell …[/quote]
My partner woke up early this morning as usual, and did the usual Internet trawling, and when I awoke the first words were “Turkish Airlines starts flying to Taipei from 31 March”.
Several hours later, partners long held wish to travel to Bulgaria (not my cup of tea, but we have different travel ideas and often go our own ways) has resulted in TWD 28K being spent on a ticket for travel in May (frightened the Bank security too, they rang within 2 minutes to confirm).
Apparently transit in IST is ok, nothing special, but no great drama.
They have “Promotion Fares” to several EU places from TWD27K upwards - no refund, no changes.
As for me, Turkish will be using the A-343-300 - which reports say has an IFE box taking half the space under MOST economy seats, along with the silly idea that when you recline the bottom also slides forward, thus reducing the space to the seat in front. I have enough problem getting my legs comfortable at the best of times, and that kind of seat, coupled with the lack of under seat space caused by the IFE box is a deal breaker for me - no way am I being jammed up like that for 12 hours.
HOW IS TURKISH AND EMIRATES DOING THESE DAYS TO/FROM TAIWAN?
oh sorry stuck on caps
What do you mean? They still fly. Emirates is far better but Turkish is affordable and still has acceptable service. Also, I think Istanbul’s much hyped new airport is operational now.
I took this flight from Istanbul to Taipei in December 2015, twice actually (Taipei-Istanbul and the return 3 weeks later). Turkish Airlines is very decent indeed, even good I thought. It was chosen as Europe’s Best Airline for several years.
Has anyone done Taipei-Istanbul-Europe (Amsterdam Schiphol or other airport) recently?
I like their departure times and would like to fly with them next June/July.
If I decide to stay a day in Istanbul, any recommendations on what to do there?
I flew Turkish Airlines to Europe in July. I wasn’t as impressed by the airline this particular time as I was the last time I took it (about ten years ago). But I would take it again over transiting through China. YMMV.
Turkish Airlines offers a good (and free!) stopover package in Istanbul, if you book directly through the airline. I recommend it. As for what to do, that depends on what interests you; Istanbul is a big place with a lot on offer. Me, if it were my first time there and had only 24 hours or so, I’d probably go with the Hagia Sophia (if its switch a few years back to an active mosque hasn’t messed with it too much), the Topkapi Palace, and maybe the Basilica Cistern if I still had time. And perhaps a walk down İstiklal Street to look at the old embassy buildings.
And FWIW, Istanbul’s airport has some astonishingly high prices. Get into the city if you want to eat or buy something.
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If I travel alone, I probably will stay a day in Istanbul. Maybe just walk around the streets and take some street photos and some of the main sights. Definitely trying to catch a ferry. I love cities by the water. Will certainly look into that stopover program.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/stopover/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21008854006&gbraid=0AAAAADpYxIh8quANYTk1poVYHnr9w7tqm&gclid=Cj0KCQiArOvIBhDLARIsAPwJXOb1VQRgVV4NH2eIPl6umv0Z0iTwRy4RneaZNgqLG4mYNOYrmpFT2DgaArTrEALw_wcB
Or maybe I change my plans and do Chengdu in China first. 
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Bosphorus cruises can be done inexpensively by public ferry. Worthwhile if the weather’s good that day.
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I like to see a city from above, so Çamlıca Tower here I come?
Their business class is first rate. Cook on board, etc.
And peasant me will never experience that.
Ferry is nice
The Airport is far from the city, use the Metro to save € (if your not in super rush). No need change money use €. Food is good but well tourist places are much more expensive.
The lounge at the airport is nice, it’s huge airport and some walks to the aeroplane bays. Airline is ok, service is fine, though on two of five flights to Asia it was very late.
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Turkish Airlines ticket prices have increased the last few years. Thats why I didnt use them, but before was acceptable price, service and travel duration.
Airport is fine too.
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