FAQ About US Flights
1. Can I purchase my tickets without coming to a ticket office or travel agency?
Turkish Airlines can now issue ‘e-tickets’ by email or send ticket to you by mail. Requirements are outlined below.
- The minimum time needed for ‘e-tickets’ is 48 hours prior departure and for ticketing by mail is 6 days prior departure.
- Payment by credit card is required. VISA, Master Card, American Express, Diner's Club or Discover card are acceptable if issued in the U.S.A.
- Tickets can only be mailed within the U.S.A.
- Ticketing deadlines are determined by the applicable fare rule, but please remember that all fares are subject to change until ticketed. To guarantee your fare, simply order ticketing when you make your reservation.
- A Credit Card / Debit Card Authorization Form will be faxed to the credit card holder, when it is completed and returned to us, ticketing can take place.
- Your ticket(s) will be sent free of charge via FedEx (with signature required) once the Turkish Airlines Credit Card Authorization form has been returned by fax to our ticketing department and card approval has been verified.
- For reservations and ticket by mail, call 1-800-874-8875
2. Can I make reservations online?
Online Booking is featured on our website’s homepage. You can make reservations, have a rate quoted and if the rate is acceptable; request ticketing either at a Turkish Airlines ticket office, or by email or mail. You will be lead through the easy steps of this process. Our Internet Sales Service Center telephone number for the USA is 1-800-874-8875.
3. What should I do if I lose my ticket?
If it is convenient to come to a Turkish Airlines ticket office (which are located in New York or Chicago) please bring a copy of the ticket (which your travel agent can provide), a copy of your Passport and cash or a Money Order for $100.00 into our ticket office where you will be asked to fill out a Lost Ticket Report. Processing will then take at least 2-3 working days. If it is not convenient to come to our office, you may obtain a Lost Ticket Report by emailing us at info@tknyc.com or calling our Reservations department at 800-874-8875. Fill out the report and mail back to us along with the copies and amount mentioned above. Processing will again take a minimum of 2-3 working days, plus mailing time. If your travel date is too soon to be able to complete these procedures, we ask that you purchase a new ticket for your travel, and follow the above procedures. Please don't forget to provide the passenger receipt of your ticket, together with the documents and payment listed above. Your replacement ticket will be refunded.
4. Can I request a seat?
On our long-haul flights (for example New York to Istanbul or Istanbul to Tokyo) you can request a seat at the time of booking for both Business and Economy class, up to 100 days prior departure. On shorter flights (for example Istanbul to London or Jeddah to Istanbul) you can request a seat at the time of booking for Business class, up to 100 days prior departure, and for Economy class within 7 days prior departure. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.
5. What is the check in time for my flight?
For New York and Chicago departures, ticket counters open for check-in 3 hours prior and close 45 minutes prior departure. For all other international departures ticket counters open 2 hours prior and close 45 minutes prior departure. Passengers are requested to check-in 3 hours prior to departure. Due to increased security procedures we regret that lines may be long and move slowly. For domestic departures in Turkey, ticket counters open 2 hours prior and close 20 minutes prior departure.
6. Can I get upgraded?
Upgrades to Business are normally only earned by members of Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles program. Otherwise, occasionally, circumstances require that we do upgrade some passengers, usually because of an aircraft substitution or an overbooking situation that would leave people stranded. If upgrades are required, preference is given first to our Miles & Smiles members.
7. Can I request a special meal?
Special meals are available for children or those with religious or dietary requirements. It is required that you order your special meal at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time of departure through our Reservations Department.
8. Can children travel alone on Turkish Airlines?
Children between 5-12 years may travel alone on our flights; please contact local Turkish Airlines office for complete information.
Children between 3 months and 5 years may travel only with an escort Hostess.
Reservations for unaccompanied children must be made at least 1 day before departure.
9. Does Turkish Airlines overbook?
Like other airlines, we do overbook our flights because often passengers fail to check in. Though it has negative connotations, overbooking is helpful because it allows us to accommodate customers who otherwise would have been refused a reservation on a full flight. At times we ask for volunteers to transfer to another flight if it appears that we might not be able to accommodate all reserved passengers. We offer suitable compensation to those who accept.
10. How many pieces of baggage can I carry on board with me?
For your comfort and safety, and for that of other passengers, carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per passenger, not to exceed 8x16x24 inches in size and 18 pounds in weight. Please label all bags, inside and out. For important carry-on restrictions see www.flyturkish.com Homepage.
11. May I carry and use PC's or CD players on board?
Electronic devices of any kind may be carried onboard (if they are within carry-on baggage size requirements) however their use may be restricted at times (usually during take-off and landing) at the discretion of the Captain.
12. What are baggage allowances, and what are excess baggage charges?
For flights between the USA and Turkey, 2 pieces are permitted; each piece may be as much as 70 pounds. By dimension (add all 3 sides): Economy: Both pieces added together – 108 inches. Business class: Each piece 62 inches Excess baggage is charged at USD 85.00 per piece, between Istanbul and New York/Chicago; USD110.00 per piece, between Istanbul and other USA cities. To/from other points in Turkey; at no additional cost if connecting flight, if stopovers are taken at any point, then each domestic Turkish sector is charged at USD10.00.
For charges to/from other destinations or more information, please contact Turkish Airlines.
13. Can I travel when pregnant?
A medical report is required for pregnant passengers over 7 months. The report must be dated no earlier than 7 days prior flight date.
14. Are there any special amenities for infants?
Turkish Airlines provides bassinets for infants weighing up to 22 pounds. In addition there are baby meals available. An infant is permitted 1 checked bag weighing up to 22 pounds, 1 stroller and 1 small (example: diaper bag) carry-on bag. For further information, and to reserve bassinet please contact Turkish Airlines at least 24 hours before flight time.
15. Can I take my pet with me?
If you would like to take your pet (domestic animals only – dog/cat/etc.but sorry, no birds) with you on a Turkish Airlines flight please make such a request at the time of reservation. You will be advised of regulations and restrictions regarding pets. The cost is USD170.00 one-way from the U.S.A. to Istanbul, and the size and weight of the animal and carrier determine whether it can be carried in the cargo hold or in the cabin (there are also limitations on the number of pets in each cabin.) If carried in the cabin the weight limit is 14 pounds including animal and carrier and maximum carrier size is 10x14x18 inches.
16. Do I need to reconfirm?
Please reconfirm continuing or return reservations at least 72 hours before flight time, with the local Turkish Airlines office.
17. What if I need to change my travel plans?
Please contact the nearest Turkish Airlines reservations office. Changes may be made within the restrictions of the fare on which you are traveling, and also based on seat availability. Certain fares may require payment of a penalty for these changes.
18. How do I get a refund ?
If your ticket was purchased from a travel agent then you must request a refund through the agent, but if purchased directly from Turkish Airlines, then contact us at the location where the ticket was purchased to see whether, or in what amount, a refund applies. Our Refund Department handles refund requests for tickets issued by Turkish Airlines in the United States only. We remind you that only original documents are accepted (photocopies or faxes are not ) and suggest that you retain photocopies for your records.19. What should I do if my baggage is mishandled?
Passengers should contact airport staff at baggage claim area of arrival airport to fill out report for lost or damaged baggage. You will be given a file number for follow-up. Subsequently the status of your claim may be checked by calling 718-751 2604 or online at (be sure to have your file number handy)
What to do when damage is noticed upon arrival:
Passenger must report damage of bag(s) to a Turkish Airlines representative upon arrival at the airport. A damage report file will be created and a copy will be given to the passenger. Passenger will receive a Release Form to compensate for the damage.
What to do when damage is not noticed upon arrival:
Damage information must be submitted in writing with the following information within 7 days of arrival of the bags, to Turkish Airlines, JFK Int’l Airport Terminal 1 Jamaica, NY 11430
- copy of boarding pass or copy of ticket
- Baggage claim tag
- Type, color, brand, size of the bag
- Nature of damage to the bag/what/where/extent of damage.
20. What if my flight is delayed?
Because there are so many factors involved, flight schedules cannot be guaranteed. Disruptions caused by weather, Air Traffic Control (ATC), or industrial disputes (strikes) are considered circumstances beyond our control for which we have no liability. We will make every effort to reimburse out of pocket expenses, such as taxi fares, telephone calls and meal charges that you may incur as a result of a flight disruption for which we are liable. In addition, under certain circumstances, hotel accommodations are provided.
21. How can I become a Miles&Smiles member?
Email us at info@TKNYC.com and include Name, Complete Address with Zip Code, Telephone number, Fax number and email address, and we will send a paper application by return mail, or apply online here.
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