TRIP REPORT: Turkish Airlines, Ljubljana - Japan and back

TRIP REPORT

Written by AirMiran

Trip Report: LJU - IST - NRT / KIX - IST - LJU

Flight Numbers: TK 1062 - TK 50 / TK 87 - TK 1061

Dates: 23/6/25 - 9/7/25

We were looking to fly somewhere far this summer, and Japan stood out as an appealing option. It also seems to be quite popular in Slovenia lately, at least from what we’ve noticed, with several friends and acquaintances having visited Japan in the past couple of years. On top of that, the weak yen has made travelling there noticeably more affordable than before, which helped seal the decision.

Due to our work schedules, the end of June and start of July, despite falling within Japan’s rainy season, was really the only viable option. Traveling deeper into the summer would’ve meant even hotter and more humid conditions, while taking time off earlier wasn’t possible, as we can’t take more than a week off during the school year.

All things considered, the timing worked out well: over the 15 days we spent in Japan, we only experienced showers on three days - and even then, the rain lasted just an hour or two at most.

We booked the tickets in January, with Turkish Airlines offering return fares from Ljubljana to Japan for €995 per person. When comparing options from nearby airports (±2 day flexibility), Zagreb was around €100 more expensive both with Turkish and Qatar Airways. Venice was about €100 cheaper but would have meant the added hassle of driving and parking.

Since we live just 10 kilometres from Brnik Airport, flying out of LJU was by far the most convenient choice. It allowed us to avoid unnecessary travel time and start the trip stress-free - a big advantage when heading out on a long-haul journey.

This trip report covers the full journey - from Ljubljana to Tokyo via Istanbul, and back from Osaka - with stops in between, a few lounge visits, and aircraft changes worth noting. Apologies in advance: it’s on the longer side, but hopefully useful for those considering a similar route or just curious about how Turkish Airlines handles this long-haul pairing.

Ljubljana - Istanbul

Last view of Alps for the next two weeks.

The journey began smoothly at Ljubljana Airport, with baggage drop-off and security checks handled quickly and efficiently.

It appears the non-Schengen section of the terminal has seen some upgrades. A new food and beverage area has been added, offering more options than before.

Our ride for today was TC-JSL, a 12-year-old Airbus A321-200.

Air Tractors, which are used for firefighting, were parked right next to us on the apron.

Boarding began at 08:45 from row 18 and was completed by 09:15. We pushed back at 09:20. The load factor was around 95%, with Business Class about half full. Among the passengers were a group of tourists traveling with Palma, as well as a notable number of Russian nationals.

The infllight transfer screen showed connecting passengers heading to destinations including Moscow, Ouagadougou, Dallas, Houston, Manchester, and Birmingham. We landed at 12:20 local time and reached the gate by 12:40.

Layover

During our layover at Istanbul Airport, we visited the iGA Lounge International, accessed via Priority Pass. The lounge offered a decent selection of food and drinks, but it was quite crowded, and seating was hard to come by. While it wasn’t the most relaxing experience, it still served its purpose as convenient spot to recharge and grab a quick bite before our long-haul flight to Tokyo.

Istanbul - Tokyo Narita

Our aircraft for this long-haul leg was TC-LLY, a nearly brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, just under two years old. Before our flight, TC-LLY had arrived in Istanbul as TK206 from Detroit

Boarding began at 15:00 and was completed smoothly despite a full load. We took off on time at 16:00. The flight was fully booked in Economy Class (I didn’t get a look at Business).

Each seat came pre-equipped with a pillow, blanket, and a Lacoste-branded amenity kit. A small water bottle was also distributed prior to takeoff. The Dreamliner cabin felt fresh and modern, with mood lighting and a responsive in-flight entertainment system.

Two full meals were served during the flight, with the first meal arriving about an hour after departure. Breakfast was served approximately two hours before landing (around midnight CET). Between meals, snacks and beverages were available in the rear galley.

The flight path took us over the Caucasus and Central Asia. Once over China, we followed a noticeably zig-zagging route - a typical result of restricted air corridors and military-controlled airspace in the region, which often leads to less direct routing.

Turkish Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system offered a solid movie and TV shows selection, including four live TV channels: TRT World, CNN International, and two Sport24 channels. A surreal moment occurred mid-flight: news broke that Iran had launched missiles at U.S. bases, and shortly afterward, the brief Israel–Iran conflict came to an end. Quite something to witness live from 11,000 meters in the sky.

All Miles&Smiles members benefit from complimentary unlimited messaging during the flight, which works seamlessly with services like WhatsApp and iMessage. However, it’s worth noting that apps like Viber - widely used across the Ex-Yu region - don’t function reliably with this service

We landed on time at Tokyo Narita. The arrival process was smooth and efficient. The airport was clean, modern, and well-organized, with clear signage and friendly staff. Immigration and baggage claim were quick, and we were landside in no time - a hassle-free welcome to Japan.

Osaka Kansai - Istanbul

To reach Kansai International Airport (KIX) from central Osaka, we took the Kansai Airport Rapid Service from Namba Station. The journey takes just over 30 minutes and connects directly to Kansai-Airport Station - convenient and efficient, as expected in Japan.

At the gate, Turkish Airlines was offering last-minute upgrades to Business Class for 1.200 EUR. After passing security control and automated passport control, we had to take the Wing Shuttle, the airport’s automated people mover, to the north wing of Terminal 1.

Even after two weeks in Japan, I was still struck by how quiet such a large country can be. The terminal was calm and serene, with classical music playing softly over the PA. A surprisingly tranquil atmosphere for a major international airport.

Boarding began at 21:35 at Gate 13 and was completed by 22:00. We pushed back at 22:10 and took off at 22:28. The load factor was around 75–80%, and the Dreamliner’s cabin was quiet and comfortable - ideal for a night flight.

Dinner was served about an hour after departure The crew was attentive, and the in-flight service was consistent with Turkish Airlines’ usual long-haul standard.

The flight lasted 11 hours and 44 minutes. As with the outbound leg, our route included a zig-zag pattern over Chinese airspace.

Breakfast was served roughly two hours before landing.

We landed in Istanbul at 04:13 local time and arrived at the gate by 04:23 - slightly ahead of schedule. Interestingly, after dropping us off in Istanbul, TC-LLS a four year old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was scheduled to operate a flight to Miami just three hours later

Layover

After arriving from Osaka, we had to pass through security control before continuing with our international transfer.

Once through, we visited the iGA Lounge International. Unlike our outbound visit, the lounge was quiet and mostly empty, likely due to the early morning hour. There was plenty of available seating, and the buffet was still well stocked, making for a much more relaxing and comfortable stop before our final flight to Ljubljana.

Istanbul - Ljubljana

Boarding began at 06:25 and was completed by 06:50. We pushed back at 07:27 and took off at 07:45.

The flight was operated by a new A321neo, configured with 190 seats. According to the gate agent’s screen, there were 162 passengers onboard, including around six in Business Class - giving a load factor of approximately 85%.

The cabin was clean and quiet, and the crew was efficient and professional. As expected on this short flight, service was minimal but smooth.

We landed in Ljubljana at 08:37, slightly ahead of schedule.

It was a relatively busy morning at Ljubljana Airport. Both baggage carousels were occupied - one with arrivals from Helsinki (Finnair) and Amsterdam (Transavia), and the other handling non-Schengen flights from Belgrade (Air Serbia) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).

Final thoughts

All in all, Turkish Airlines delivered a reliable and consistent experience across all four flights. From the convenience of departing Ljubljana to the seamless connections through Istanbul, the journey felt well-coordinated from start to finish. Japan exceeded expectations - both in terms of how easy it was to travel around and how rewarding the overall experience turned out to be. With the right mix of comfort, schedule, and price, this routing proved to be an excellent choice for getting to the other side of the world without unnecessary hassle.

Flight operations were smooth, with all four legs completed without delays or major irregularities. Overall, a solid performance by Turkish Airlines - and a reminder of how well-positioned Istanbul remains as a hub for long-haul travel between Europe and Asia. We wouldn’t hesitate to choose the same setup again for a future trip east.

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