TA
Turkish Airlines
Unclaimed Business
TA
Turkish Airlines
Unclaimed Business
12 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Turkish Airlines receives overwhelmingly negative feedback from South African travellers. Recurring complaints centre on visa and document misinformation at OR Tambo and King Shaka airports, with staff described as rude, dismissive and unprofessional. Multiple customers report being denied boarding despite having valid documentation. Refund and compensation processes are criticized as unresponsive, relying on generic automated replies. Seat comfort, broken seat pouches and cramped legroom are also frequently mentioned. While one reviewer praised friendly cabin crew and good meals, most customers express deep frustration with ground staff conduct and poor complaint resolution.
Performance(last 12 months):
TrustIndex
0
Score
Ranking
#9
in Travel & Vacation
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Review Distribution
1.3|12 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(0%)
4(0%)
3(9.1%)
2(18.2%)
1(72.7%)
5(0%)
4(0%)
3(9.1%)
2(18.2%)
1(72.7%)
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkish Airlines
Based on recent customer reviews, this business delivers a consistently strong customer experience anchored by outstanding agent quality and rapid communication. Customers frequently name individual consultants and praise their friendliness, patience, and professionalism. Recurring praise is given to claims and roadside assistance, though a vocal minority report frustrating delays, rejected claims, and poor transparency around premium increases.
Hellopeter's TrustIndex is a 0–10 score based on review star ratings, reply speed, and recent activity over the last 12 months. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (12)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceDE
Doruk E
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
10 Mar 2026, 13:18
Uygulama üzerinden check-in sorunu
Türk Hava Yolları ile sık uçuyorum, genel olarak hizmetten memnunum ama son uçuşumda mobil uygulama üzerinden check-in yaparken sürekli hata aldım. Müşteri hizmetlerini aradım, yardımcı oldular ama havaalanında vakit kaybetmeme neden oldu. Ayrıca uçaktaki yemek seçenekleri eskisine göre biraz azalmış gibi geldi. Yine de personelin nezaketi için teşekkürler, ama teknik aksaklıklar can sıkıcı olabiliyor.
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Doruk E
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
10 Mar 2026, 13:18
Uygulama üzerinden check-in sorunu
Türk Hava Yolları ile sık uçuyorum, genel olarak hizmetten memnunum ama son uçuşumda mobil uygulama üzerinden check-in yaparken sürekli hata aldım. Müşteri hizmetlerini aradım, yardımcı oldular ama havaalanında vakit kaybetmeme neden oldu. Ayrıca uçaktaki yemek seçenekleri eskisine göre biraz azalmış gibi geldi. Yine de personelin nezaketi için teşekkürler, ama teknik aksaklıklar can sıkıcı olabiliyor.
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Carmel L
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Mar 2026, 11:12
Turkish Airlines never against
On the 8 of February 2026 I had a flight from Istanbul to DBN.Ispoke to a cabin crew lady and told her my seat was broken.I was uncomfortable for over 10 hours on that fligjt.When I explained to her she said I must complain on the site and I will be compensated.When we arrived in JHB a guy came to fix the seat.Now I submitted my complaint on the site and they dismiss my complaint and say I shouldve told a cabin crew member which I did.I even spoke to a guy at theTK kiosk at King Shaka about this,He said he would follow up and get bank to me which he never did. I want to be compensated for this. I will not use Turkish airlines again.t
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Carmel L
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Mar 2026, 11:12
Turkish Airlines never against
On the 8 of February 2026 I had a flight from Istanbul to DBN.Ispoke to a cabin crew lady and told her my seat was broken.I was uncomfortable for over 10 hours on that fligjt.When I explained to her she said I must complain on the site and I will be compensated.When we arrived in JHB a guy came to fix the seat.Now I submitted my complaint on the site and they dismiss my complaint and say I shouldve told a cabin crew member which I did.I even spoke to a guy at theTK kiosk at King Shaka about this,He said he would follow up and get bank to me which he never did. I want to be compensated for this. I will not use Turkish airlines again.t
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Dave P
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Dec 2025, 09:50
Istanbul Hotel - "Early Check-In Fee"
With a layover in Istanbul more than 24 hrs a complimentary hotel booking was made on the Turkish Airlines stay-over program. Flight arrival at Istanbul was 17h05. The hotel required Euro 50 as an "early check-in fee" for checking in prior to 22h05. How can FIVE hours after the flight landed be considered an early check-in. The fee was exorbitant - I refused to pay it. Response from the Turkish Airways "Help" desk has been woefully inadequate - generic cut & paste ignoring the 2 concerns.
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Dave P
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Dec 2025, 09:50
Istanbul Hotel - "Early Check-In Fee"
With a layover in Istanbul more than 24 hrs a complimentary hotel booking was made on the Turkish Airlines stay-over program. Flight arrival at Istanbul was 17h05. The hotel required Euro 50 as an "early check-in fee" for checking in prior to 22h05. How can FIVE hours after the flight landed be considered an early check-in. The fee was exorbitant - I refused to pay it. Response from the Turkish Airways "Help" desk has been woefully inadequate - generic cut & paste ignoring the 2 concerns.
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Mishka C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Oct 2025, 09:41
Over charged
I gave a two star rating instead of one because when you submit feedback, the customer representives online respond very quickly. Also, the flights were decent and the air hostesses/hosts were very friendly and kind. However, I had missed a connecting flight because I read the board wrong. That was fully my fault and when I ran to reach the boarding gate on time I got there two minutes later. I pleaded with the people checking everyone in but they couldn't do anything about it. I understand that but they were also very cold, started ignoring me and walked away just telling me I must find a help desk (the airport is huge). When i went to get a new flight, they charged me 480 euros (R9000) for the 10am flight . Just before then, my mom told me there was a flight at 10 which would only cost me R3000. They didn't allow me to get another ticket because they said they'd have the right to cancel my return flights with them. After speaking to people who work at airlines, they were very shocked because I ended up paying triple the price for that ticket. I understand it was my fault missing my flight, but it was my first time flying alone and I felt I was taken advantage of. I've been fighting for atleast half a refund on my ticket but I've just been met with the same response over and over again - that I missed my flight. That is not my point, my point is that the amount I was charged was exploitive. I wouldn't recommend flying with Turkish Airlines. My friends who fly with emirates had a completely different experience.
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Mishka C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Oct 2025, 09:41
Over charged
I gave a two star rating instead of one because when you submit feedback, the customer representives online respond very quickly. Also, the flights were decent and the air hostesses/hosts were very friendly and kind. However, I had missed a connecting flight because I read the board wrong. That was fully my fault and when I ran to reach the boarding gate on time I got there two minutes later. I pleaded with the people checking everyone in but they couldn't do anything about it. I understand that but they were also very cold, started ignoring me and walked away just telling me I must find a help desk (the airport is huge). When i went to get a new flight, they charged me 480 euros (R9000) for the 10am flight . Just before then, my mom told me there was a flight at 10 which would only cost me R3000. They didn't allow me to get another ticket because they said they'd have the right to cancel my return flights with them. After speaking to people who work at airlines, they were very shocked because I ended up paying triple the price for that ticket. I understand it was my fault missing my flight, but it was my first time flying alone and I felt I was taken advantage of. I've been fighting for atleast half a refund on my ticket but I've just been met with the same response over and over again - that I missed my flight. That is not my point, my point is that the amount I was charged was exploitive. I wouldn't recommend flying with Turkish Airlines. My friends who fly with emirates had a completely different experience.
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Kairunnissa
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
22 Sept 2025, 18:11
booked a flight in August where my family and I were deliberately prevented from boarding despite presenting all required documents
booked a flight in August where my family and I were deliberately prevented from boarding despite presenting all required documents. Staff at King Shaka International Airport acted unprofessionally, placing and then removing tags from our luggage and even suggesting we abandon our bags to board. Supervisor Mr. Huseyin Cepni and staff member Ms. Rowena Sooklal misled us, promising to fix our tickets after their error caused us to miss our flight, yet nothing was resolved. When we rebooked with Emirates, Ms. Sooklal again interfered, telling Emirates staff we lacked documents, despite prior clearance and confirmation from their own manager. This caused unnecessary delays until Emirates corrected the issue and allowed us to fly. As a frequent international traveler, I have never encountered such unprofessional, disruptive, and disrespectful behavior from airline staff. This treatment was unacceptable and demands accountability.
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Kairunnissa
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
22 Sept 2025, 18:11
booked a flight in August where my family and I were deliberately prevented from boarding despite presenting all required documents
booked a flight in August where my family and I were deliberately prevented from boarding despite presenting all required documents. Staff at King Shaka International Airport acted unprofessionally, placing and then removing tags from our luggage and even suggesting we abandon our bags to board. Supervisor Mr. Huseyin Cepni and staff member Ms. Rowena Sooklal misled us, promising to fix our tickets after their error caused us to miss our flight, yet nothing was resolved. When we rebooked with Emirates, Ms. Sooklal again interfered, telling Emirates staff we lacked documents, despite prior clearance and confirmation from their own manager. This caused unnecessary delays until Emirates corrected the issue and allowed us to fly. As a frequent international traveler, I have never encountered such unprofessional, disruptive, and disrespectful behavior from airline staff. This treatment was unacceptable and demands accountability.
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Dylan L
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Sept 2025, 16:35
Very disappointing flights and experience
I had a very disappointing flight with Turkish Airlines. My flight from Cape Town to Istanbul I was allocated a seat which didn't have a front pouch on the seat in front of me to store my things. My luck my flight on the way back from Istanbul to Cape Town the seat that I was allocated once again did not have a pouch to store things. Both flights there were no other seats to move me to on the plane. My flight from Istanbul to Cape Town the seats were so tiny that my legs were squished right up to the seat in front of me it was a super uncomfortable 11 hours. Turkish Airlines definitely did not live up to what I was expecting. Very disappointing to say the least. The meals are tiny and you can't even get a whisky on the flight.
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Dylan L
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Sept 2025, 16:35
Very disappointing flights and experience
I had a very disappointing flight with Turkish Airlines. My flight from Cape Town to Istanbul I was allocated a seat which didn't have a front pouch on the seat in front of me to store my things. My luck my flight on the way back from Istanbul to Cape Town the seat that I was allocated once again did not have a pouch to store things. Both flights there were no other seats to move me to on the plane. My flight from Istanbul to Cape Town the seats were so tiny that my legs were squished right up to the seat in front of me it was a super uncomfortable 11 hours. Turkish Airlines definitely did not live up to what I was expecting. Very disappointing to say the least. The meals are tiny and you can't even get a whisky on the flight.
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Candice B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Sept 2025, 07:25
Never consider this Airline
To say that I am APPALLED by this whole experience would be an understatement. 1. We booked through a travel agent who assured us that there would not be an issue with my passport expiring on the 3rd of January, as it must be valid for 90 Days from date of entry. 2. I called the Turkish Embassy to confirm this once I was issued my e-Visa, and they confirmed 90 days from entry was correct. 3. We arrived at the airport and were stopped by a security official named Anita. She looked at my passport, and said “YOU WILL NOT BE FLYING TODAY” Rude and revolting attitude. 4. I then asked to speak to the Supervisor of the Turkish Airline stationed at the check-in counter, and he couldn’t understand why there was an issue with me boarding. 5. He went to Anita and enquired as to what the issue was, and she said I need 150 days on the passport from date of entry, and again reiterating that I would not be flying anywhere, as Anita has the final say… I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you allocated a portion of your marketing budget to educating staff at the check-in counter, Turkish Embassy Consular Call Centre Agents, and Travel Agencies across South Africa on the requirements when travelling to Turkey, so this does not happen to anyone else! Below are the costs that we have been charged to date: People carrier transfer: R610.00 Obelisk Hotel & Suites: R12 877.00 Cappadocia Pegasus Cave Hotel: R6 182.00 Ibis Kayseri: R1 312.00 Costa Bitezhan Hotel: R26 484.00 Flight cancellation penalty fees: R5 504.00 Internal flights cancellation penalty fees: R1 152.00 I sent the above to the Management of Turkish Airlines and they haven't bothered to respond
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Candice B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3 Sept 2025, 07:25
Never consider this Airline
To say that I am APPALLED by this whole experience would be an understatement. 1. We booked through a travel agent who assured us that there would not be an issue with my passport expiring on the 3rd of January, as it must be valid for 90 Days from date of entry. 2. I called the Turkish Embassy to confirm this once I was issued my e-Visa, and they confirmed 90 days from entry was correct. 3. We arrived at the airport and were stopped by a security official named Anita. She looked at my passport, and said “YOU WILL NOT BE FLYING TODAY” Rude and revolting attitude. 4. I then asked to speak to the Supervisor of the Turkish Airline stationed at the check-in counter, and he couldn’t understand why there was an issue with me boarding. 5. He went to Anita and enquired as to what the issue was, and she said I need 150 days on the passport from date of entry, and again reiterating that I would not be flying anywhere, as Anita has the final say… I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you allocated a portion of your marketing budget to educating staff at the check-in counter, Turkish Embassy Consular Call Centre Agents, and Travel Agencies across South Africa on the requirements when travelling to Turkey, so this does not happen to anyone else! Below are the costs that we have been charged to date: People carrier transfer: R610.00 Obelisk Hotel & Suites: R12 877.00 Cappadocia Pegasus Cave Hotel: R6 182.00 Ibis Kayseri: R1 312.00 Costa Bitezhan Hotel: R26 484.00 Flight cancellation penalty fees: R5 504.00 Internal flights cancellation penalty fees: R1 152.00 I sent the above to the Management of Turkish Airlines and they haven't bothered to respond
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Ray C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
6 Aug 2025, 09:02
Turkish airlines won’t even take you for a ride
We are a group of South African citizens and professional artists who were invited to participate in an international arts festival in Pristina, Kosovo. In preparation for our trip, we carefully reviewed the visa requirements for South African passport holders entering Kosovo. All available online sources, including the official website of the Republic of Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly indicate that South African citizens do not require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days). It is also important to note that Kosovo is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area, making the requirement for a Schengen visa both illogical and inconsistent with publicly available policy. Despite this, when we attempted to board our Turkish Airlines flight at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, we were denied boarding. Several Turkish Airlines staff members, who were dismissive and rude throughout the interaction, incorrectly insisted that we needed a Schengen visa to travel to Kosovo—a country that is neither in the EU nor within the Schengen visa zone. The core issue lies in Turkish Airlines’ failure to provide accurate and transparent visa requirement information on their website and booking platforms, particularly for travelers from countries with complex or less common travel scenarios. At no point during our booking process or pre-flight communications were we warned of this supposed requirement. When we attempted to escalate the matter, Turkish Airlines’ customer service deflected responsibility, referring us to a Kosovo embassy—which does not exist in South Africa—leaving us with no avenue to resolve the issue. This lack of clarity, accountability, and customer support highlights a critical failure on the part of Turkish Airlines, which directly resulted in our being unable to fulfill our professional commitments at an international event. Furthermore, it reveals a dangerous gap in the airline’s responsibility to provide travelers with reliable visa and travel documentation information, particularly when the country in question offers visa-free access to our nationality. Given the financial, professional, and reputational damage we have suffered due to this avoidable incident, we believe Turkish Airlines must be held accountable for: Misinformation and/or lack of information regarding visa requirements; Poor and disrespectful treatment by staff at OR Tambo; Failure to provide proper channels for resolution or escalation of visa-related disputes; Obstruction of travel despite compliance with official government regulations of Kosovo. We urge Turkish Airlines to investigate this incident and to provide a formal response, compensation, and policy review to ensure that future travelers do not face similar barriers due to negligence or misinformation.
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Ray C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
6 Aug 2025, 09:02
Turkish airlines won’t even take you for a ride
We are a group of South African citizens and professional artists who were invited to participate in an international arts festival in Pristina, Kosovo. In preparation for our trip, we carefully reviewed the visa requirements for South African passport holders entering Kosovo. All available online sources, including the official website of the Republic of Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly indicate that South African citizens do not require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days). It is also important to note that Kosovo is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area, making the requirement for a Schengen visa both illogical and inconsistent with publicly available policy. Despite this, when we attempted to board our Turkish Airlines flight at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, we were denied boarding. Several Turkish Airlines staff members, who were dismissive and rude throughout the interaction, incorrectly insisted that we needed a Schengen visa to travel to Kosovo—a country that is neither in the EU nor within the Schengen visa zone. The core issue lies in Turkish Airlines’ failure to provide accurate and transparent visa requirement information on their website and booking platforms, particularly for travelers from countries with complex or less common travel scenarios. At no point during our booking process or pre-flight communications were we warned of this supposed requirement. When we attempted to escalate the matter, Turkish Airlines’ customer service deflected responsibility, referring us to a Kosovo embassy—which does not exist in South Africa—leaving us with no avenue to resolve the issue. This lack of clarity, accountability, and customer support highlights a critical failure on the part of Turkish Airlines, which directly resulted in our being unable to fulfill our professional commitments at an international event. Furthermore, it reveals a dangerous gap in the airline’s responsibility to provide travelers with reliable visa and travel documentation information, particularly when the country in question offers visa-free access to our nationality. Given the financial, professional, and reputational damage we have suffered due to this avoidable incident, we believe Turkish Airlines must be held accountable for: Misinformation and/or lack of information regarding visa requirements; Poor and disrespectful treatment by staff at OR Tambo; Failure to provide proper channels for resolution or escalation of visa-related disputes; Obstruction of travel despite compliance with official government regulations of Kosovo. We urge Turkish Airlines to investigate this incident and to provide a formal response, compensation, and policy review to ensure that future travelers do not face similar barriers due to negligence or misinformation.
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