Turkish Airlines TK1979 Review: Istanbul to London Heathrow (TK Connection Experience)

After arriving in Istanbul from Jakarta, the final leg of our journey back to the UK was on Turkish Airlines flight TK1979 from Istanbul Airport (IST) to London Heathrow (LHR) in January 2024.

Scheduled to depart Istanbul at 8:45 AM and touch down at Heathrow around 9:30 AM (local time), this short-to-medium haul connection has a scheduled duration of just over four hours, with an actual flying time of roughly three hours.

Here is our honest flight review of Turkish Airlines TK1979, covering security procedures at IST, boarding, inflight catering, and cabin service standards.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【TK1979搭乗記】イスタンブール発ロンドン・ヒースロー行き！ターキッシュエアラインズ機内食・ゲート保安検査・接客レビュー

Index

Flight Reliability & Strict UK Gate Security
1. Strict Security Checks for UK-Bound Flights
Boarding & Cabin Layout
1. Seat Configuration
Inflight Catering: Hot Breakfast Service
1. Breakfast Menu
Cabin Service Standards
Final Verdict

Flight Reliability & Strict UK Gate Security

Flight history data for TK1979 indicates that while the service is generally punctual, delays of up to two hours can occasionally occur.

Strict Security Checks for UK-Bound Flights

Travellers should note that because this flight is bound for the United Kingdom, additional security protocols are enforced at Istanbul Airport.

Beyond standard airport security, there were thorough manual body checks and personal hand-luggage inspections conducted directly at the boarding gate. It is advisable to head to your gate well in advance to accommodate these mandatory checks.

Boarding gate for TK1979 in Istanbul Airport — Boarding gate for TK1979

Boarding & Cabin Layout

Boarding commenced slightly later than the scheduled time.

Seat Configuration

The aircraft featured a standard 3-3 seating layout in the economy cabin. The seats were comfortable and perfectly adequate for a three-hour hop across Europe.

Inflight Catering: Hot Breakfast Service

Despite the relatively short flight duration, Turkish Airlines served a full hot breakfast shortly after reaching cruising altitude.

Breakfast Menu

Main Dish: Scrambled eggs served with grilled tomatoes and a savory vegetable pastry (resembling a quiche).
Sides: Sliced cheese, creamy yogurt, and warm bread.

The meal was appetizing, well seasoned, and provided a great energy boost before arriving in London.

Cabin Service Standards

One notable aspect of TK1979 was the quality of customer service.

The cabin crew were notably friendly, warm, and efficient throughout the flight. Service moved at a smooth, relaxed pace, making for a much more pleasant customer experience compared to our earlier long-haul flight from Jakarta to Istanbul.

Final Verdict

Turkish Airlines TK1979 is an efficient and comfortable way to complete a long connection from Asia back to the UK.

With generous hot breakfast catering, friendly onboard hospitality, and a convenient morning arrival at London Heathrow, it provides a smooth conclusion to a long-distance journey. Just be sure to allow extra time at the gate for the mandatory UK security screenings!