Istanbul New Airport Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Gold lounge

Well, it looks like this mid year I definitely won't be travelling long haul, if at all.

With Singapore moving its annual mid year school holidays to May, a first for me, due to the global pandemic and the stay home advisory to extend at least and hopefully until June, I will have to spend the mid year holidays indoors, instead of travelling around the world.

Fortunately, I haven't made any travel-related expenses this year, apart for my SQ long haul air tickets which I purchased last year. Hopefully, I can get a cash refund instead of travel credits.

One silver lining out of this. Less $ spent on my travels means more $ for my savings and maybe my year-end travel !

Nowadays, I spent my time indoors looking for year end cheap airfares to long haul  places, such as Europe, Africa and South America. With demand really low at the moment, hopefully prices can be reduced as well. There have been some great prices from Asia and Australia to South America which I posted recently. But I'm still hoping for even lower prices.

I have also kind of planned out my future travels, this year and beyond, limiting to just 3 long haul trips for now. Europe, Africa and South America.

Here's to hoping the situation will improve, international borders will open and travel will once again soar!😀

Continuing from my previous post, after landing at the Istanbul new airport, passport control was surprisingly queue-less, despite Istanbul being a global hub.

I could have transited within the airside for my next Turkish Airlines flight. But I had checked in my bag on my Oman Air flight, so had to go through passport control and check in again.

Istanbul airport is the hub for Turkish Airlines. At departure level, their check-in counters span across many rows. Not only that, they even have a dedicated row for Star Alliance Gold members taking Turkish Airlines flights in economy class. 

Contrast that to Changi Airport, where Singapore Airlines just have a few check-in counters for its Star Alliance Gold members.

This area is also cordoned off from the rest of the terminal, giving it a more private and high-end feel. Apart from the usual check-in counters, there are some seats and a sofa on the other side as well. Very impressive !

Though I have quite some time for my layover, I decided against exploring the city. I have already toured Istanbul some years  back, thanks to the free Turkish Airlines transit tour.

I'm more keen to check out the Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Gold lounge. With the opening of this new airport, the lounges are of course new as well. Turkish Airlines has decided to have separate lounges for its Gold members and its Business Class members.

Since I was traveling in economy class on this flight, I could only check out its Gold lounge.

The Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Gold lounge is located on the second level airside. Before taking the escalator up, there is a receptionist at the first level checking the boarding pass.

First impression. It's big. Previously it was two levels. Now, its just one level. But still big.

There are plenty of seats and a big crowd as well.

While in Turkey, I should try the Turkish coffee.

They brought over the toy racetrack from the old lounge.

The open-air lounge faces the interior of the terminal.

I managed to find an empty cushioned seat with more privacy.

After a good cup of Turkish coffee, I wanted to get a proper shower after taking many flights.

At first, I thought the lounge did not offer shower amenity as it was not indicated anywhere nor was there any direction sign in the lounge. This would be a big downgrade from its previous lounge. Upon asking the receptionist on the second level, I was directed and led to the well-appointed shower rooms.

It even comes with bathrobes!

After a refreshing shower, it's time to enjoy the good food. Instead of long rows of self-serve buffets, this lounge has many cook-to-order food stations, mostly featuring Turkish cuisine.

It was all high quality restaurant food, but I do wish they offer self-serve food with Western and Asian cuisine as well.

After spending some time in the lounge, it gets more and more crowded until there's hardly any vacant seat. So I left the lounge to the gate area. On the way, I spotted the conducive sleep zones nicely set up. Not too crowded too.

Soon after, I boarded my short, red-eye Turkish Airline flight bound for Tbilisi, Georgia for my Caucasus region tour. It is flown by a A321 aircraft. As with many other Turkish Airline narrowbody aircraft, the economy class seats come with IFE and big screens as well.

A delicious breakfast on my flight !

It has been a pleasant experience for me in Istanbul, from the Turkish Airlines dedicated check-in area for Star Alliance Gold members, its lounge and flight, even in economy class. 

I landed in Tbilisi in the early morning, ready for my Georgia and Armenia tour !

Oman Air Mumbai via Muscat to Istanbul economy class flight review

The return leg of my Kenya Airways flight brought be back to Mumbai, India. As I had visited Mumbai earlier in the trip, I had no intention to go into the city again.

Rather, I had to next position to Istanbul for my Turkish Airlines flight to Tbilisi, Georgia. I chanced upon this reasonably priced Oman Air flight quite close to embarking on this trip. The timing is well-suited for my itinerary as well.

Though I had previously experienced Oman Air economy class flight, it had been a pleasant experience and I'm keen to take the flights again. 

Transiting in Muscat airport has been a very pleasant experience. With big, tall trees flanking both sides of the moving walkways. I can't think of any other airport in the world with such setup.

The walkways are wide and spacious. Though Oman Air positions itself as a hub for transfers, it's not yet to the scale of Emirates in Dubai or Qatar Airways in Doha, so there's thankfully not too big crowds yet.

That's where I was heading on this flight ! Oman Air operates a number of narrowbody aircrafts to some international destinations. Fortunately, they come with the latest generation IFE screens installed. Complimentary earpiece was given out in a nice packaging that promotes Oman as a travel destination. Here's a review for my tour of Muscat! Makes for a great flight.

Service begins with a packaged snack and drink. Then the main meal arrived. I was even given two mini bottles of red wine to consume. I wanted to return one, but was encouraged by the flight attendant to have both haha!

Geneva Airport Dhata marbaha lounge review

After a wonderful tour of Marrakesh, Morocco, it was time to return to the airport for my Swiss return flight to Geneva, Switzerland.

Returning to Marrakesh airport by the same public bus, and walking towards the airport terminal, the design of the airport building looked impressive.

While inside the terminal, it is spacious and airy, with few passengers around.

As a Star Alliance Gold member travelling on Swiss, I had access to the priority queue at the check-in counter. And at Marrakesh airport, I noticed that it has dedicated a security and custom facility for passengers travelling on airlines premium class, including Star Alliance Gold members! 😀

So I ended up using this facility. Fortunately, there is no queue at all.

There are airports in the world with such facilities for passengers travelling in premium class, but very rarely for passengers with airline elite status but travelling in economy class.

Other than Marrakesh airport, I can only think of Cairo airport and Istanbul airport which I have experienced myself. Definitely a bonus for these members !

Unfortunately, while Star Alliance Gold members had access to this facility, it doesn't have any lounge at all. I'm not sure whether passengers travelling in Star Alliance premium lounges have lounge access, but definitely not its Gold members. Given the large number of airlines and passengers passing through Marrakesh, and with Morocco as a top travel destination, I thought Star Alliance should maintain a lounge or use a contract lounge.

My Swiss flight to Geneva was once again on the A220 plane, same as the first leg. I have already reviewed it so won't repeat the experience again. It is a really great aircraft to fly in, in my opinion.

It was in the evening when I reached Geneva. The purpose of coming to Geneva again was to position for the return leg of my Kenya Airways business class flight via Nairobi towards Mumbai, India.

I spent the night at the NH Geneva hotel, located close to the airport. The hotel provides a free airport shuttle at regular intervals, so there is no need to book in advance.

The hotel's standard rooms were well-appointed. The bed was comfortable and all basic amenities were provided. 

At the time of booking, it was having a promotion, with its advance rates lower than most other hotels and comparable to even hostels in Geneva, as the accommodation in Geneva is generally expensive for tourists. So it was definitely worth a stay.

Early next morning, I took the complimentary hotel shuttle back to the airport. The first shuttle's timing is well suited to my flight time.

After checking in, I tried to access the priority lane at Geneva airport departure since I was traveling in business class. However, for some reason, I couldn't scan my boarding pass at the automated gate. The check-in counter staff confirmed that I couldn't do so. Seems like Kenya Airways probably didn't allow its premium class passengers to access this facility.

Fortunately, in the early morning hours, the security queue wasn't too long. After that, I made a long, long walk to the Dnata Marhaba lounge. All the lounges, I think, were located before passport control, which turned out to be not ideal for me.

Getting into the lounge, it seemed I was the first customer of the day. Haha! 

This lounge was quite large, with plenty of seating, compared to Swiss lounge and most other European airport lounges. The breakfast buffet spread was limited in variety.

As with most European airport lounges, this lounge is not equipped with shower facility.

I left the lounge with sufficient time, or so I thought to clear passport control and get to the departure gate. However, there was a long, long queue. By the time I cleared, it was close to my flight departure time. I rushed to the gate area to find all passengers had boarded. Probably because it wasn't a full flight at all.

The same check-in agent was actually waiting for me at the counter. I was the last passenger to board. The staff arranged a van to pick me up and send me to the plane. Not sure whether it's on account of my business class ticket. But yup, a private ride to the plane!

Once I boarded, the aircraft door closed for departure.

The Kenya Airways B787 business class experience was great, with friendly flight attendants. I have already reviewed the Kenya Airways B787 business class experience on my way to Geneva and the Kenya Airways B737 business class experience on the first leg, so I won't repeat them again.

From my experience on both legs, it seems that the B787 European route is maybe half full while the B737 India route is quite full. However, food and beverage offerings were reasonably good and service on all 4 sectors was friendly. All in all, great flights with Kenya Airways !

Discounted Qantas/Latam Airlines return flight from Australia/New Zealand to South America

In addition to the ongoing American Airlines flight sale from my previous post, now Qantas / Latam Airlines has put up an attractive price to get to South America.

For now, it costs ~S$530 on a return flight from Auckland, New Zealand to Santiago, Chile. Normally this route would have cost upwards of S$1000.

Taken from Latam Airlines website

Needless to say, once again this offer has tempted me as the destination is now Santiago, Chile, where I would like to visit.

Other slightly higher discounted fares are also available from West Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne to Santiago, Chile or Bueno Aires, Argentina.

Only the Auckland to Santiago dates work for me. While the Australia to Santiago dates were off by a week.

For me, based in Asia, I would still need to get to New Zealand to take advantage of this offer. Flights from my region normally start from $800 with full service carriers. With AirAsia X recently exited the New Zealand market, there is now no direct budget option between Singapore and New Zealand.

I can still fly on Scoot / Jetstar / AirAsia (with a transit) to any Australian city then transfer onto another budget trans-Tasman flight. This brings the total cost to about S$600 at the lowest.

In all, it will cost me slightly above $1000 for a return trip to South America. Though it's a better than normal deal, but not exactly too tempting for me. So yup, I guess I will hold off for now.

Cheap American Airline return flights from South Korea to Ecuador

Today is Easter ! Reminds me of Easter Island that I visited some years back, though there is no relation between them. Hope that the current global pandemic will pass soon so I can resume my travels again ! 

Currently, American Airlines has a promotion from Seoul, South Korea to Quito, Ecuador at just ~S$566 for a return economy ticket. It is valid for travel in November/December 2020. Hopefully by then, the pandemic would be over.

This is the lowest price I have ever seen from Asia to South America, even lower than Aeromexico's previous promotion from Seoul to Lima, Peru.

Taken from American Airline booking website

I'm very much tempted to book this ticket, as South America is a continent that I'm hoping to visit again, having visited Easter Island back in 2017. 

This ticket allows one to add on United States cities using the multi-city tool on both legs of the trip. As many as 7 American Airlines flights can be added, turning it into both North America and South America tour.

As tempting as it sounds, after several thoughts, I have decided to pass on this one. For me, once in South America, I hope to visit other countries on the continent as well, such as Peru, Chile and Argentina. 

A check on google flights showed that flights out of Ecuador are mostly expensive, ~S$300 to Lima, considering the short duration of the flights. These costs will likely add up to my travel budget.

This year, due to the unfortunate global pandemic, I will have to reduce my travel budget. Currently I have some trips booked for this year so time for me to restrain my travel goals haha 😀.

My three days in Morocco !

Morocco is a fascinating African country. 

It is also one of the more frequented countries in Africa, due to its close proximity to Europe.


Coming off my flight from Geneva, Switzerland, and out of the arrival hall, I walked directly across the open-air carpark to board the airport public bus.

This is the only public bus that services the airport and downtown.There are dedicated spaces for luggage storage during the bus journey and sufficient seating for all passengers, even on a mid-day arrival.

Definitely the recommended budget option to get to and from the airport. The bus route is fixed and can be found online. There are numerous bus stops in the city, so I alighted at the one closest to my accommodation.

Djemaa el Fna Square, a big marketplace

Many shops, with make-shift shelter from the sun

Horse carriages are aplenty. I didn't ride in one, as I had a prior experience in Bali many years back.

 

 More horses !

Morocco is also famous for its fresh and sweet tangerines. One whole row of fruit sellers ready to turn the fruits into juices. Worth a try!

On the first day, after arriving in Marrakesh and depositing my bags in my hostel, there is some time to explore the marketplace before it turns dark. There is a KFC nearby across a street too, in case I'm not used to Moroccan cuisine. Bakeries can be found around the square too.

On the second day in Morocco, I began a tour with a camel ride, complete with a traditional Moroccan outfit 😀

Next two stops on the tour are shops, one selling souvenirs and the other selling fragrances made from herbs and flowers, comes with a garden too.

After that is a strenuous hike to see a waterfall

Using piped water to cool the bottles on sale

More hiking

Impressive surroundings

A traditional way to prepare a hot meal

Lunch at the tour guide's open-air restaurant

Quite a number of eateries around here

On my last day in Marrakesh. Having another freshly squeezed tangerine drink before boarding the airport bus.

Marrakesh is an interesting city to visit. It is safe to wander around the marketplace due to many tourists and police patrols. I'm glad I had the chance to visit this time round after missing out in the previous December.