TRIP REPORT: Turkish Airlines, Belgrade - Sydney

TRIP REPORT

Written by Marko Matić

Flight date: 21.4.2025.

Flight time: 1h 55min. BEG-IST, 10h 15min. IST-KUL, 8h 10min. KUL-SYD.

Total flight duration (BEG-SYD): 25h 40min. including 3h 35min. transfer at IST and 1h 45min. stopover in KUL.

Flight numbers: TK1082 (BEG-IST) and TK174 (IST-SYD).

Aircraft: Airbus A321 and Airbus A350.

Luggage: 1x30kg checked luggage, 1x8kg cabin luggage and one small bag that could fit under the seat.

Quick note*

In my last trip report, where I flew from Belgrade to Tokyo on Lufthansa, some people asked me to include my name in future reports - so here it is. I didn’t pay anything for these flights, so I can’t tell you the exact price. However, I checked the airline’s website, and the fares were between €1000 and €1100, which I think is a pretty good deal. Anyway, enough of that - let’s get into the trip report.

The flight was scheduled to depart from BEG at 9:20 AM, so we had to be at the airport by 6:30 AM. They told us this was because we were flying intercontinental. However, for some unknown reason, check-in didn’t actually start until around 7:10-7:20 AM.

Even though the line at the check-in counter was long, the process went smoothly. They told us that our luggage would be sent directly to Sydney. As for carry-on bags that were too large for the cabin, they allowed them to be checked for free, which we appreciated.

After checking in, we went through passport control and security, which were a breeze. We then entered the duty-free area, where I noticed some good progress since February 2024—but you’d think the construction would be finished by now. In my opinion, it’s taking a bit too long. I didn’t spend much time there since I’m generally not interested in buying anything at duty-free shops (except maybe water when I’m thirsty), so I headed straight to the gate.

After waiting at the gate for a while, some of my friends and I decided to go to Hleb & Kifle to grab a bite since it was pretty much the only place open at the airport. In the end, only one friend actually bought something to eat, while the rest of us decided not to when we saw the prices.

I mean 80g of apricot croissant for 350rsd, it is too much

Boarding began a few minutes after we returned from the bakery. Turkish Airlines serves real food on this short flight, unlike most airlines that offer just candies or cookies, so skipping the overpriced pastry wasn’t a big deal. Business class passengers boarded first, followed by the rest of us in groups based on seat numbers—passengers in rows 4 to 15 boarded first, then everyone else. The whole process went smoothly despite starting a bit late. After pushback and taxiing, we were in the air just six minutes behind the scheduled departure time.

The legroom was good for someone who is around 180cm tall

Breakfast service started quickly, some 15-20 minutes after takeoff, and it was accompanied with the drink of your choice. After that the flight was uneventful, and we touched down after exactly one hour and seventeen minutes in the air.

After disembarking the plane, we went straight to the international transfers area at IST. It took about 5–10 minutes to get there and another 20-25 minutes to get through. So, we were in the duty-free zone 30-40 minutes after exiting the plane. Considering the size of the airport and the length of the queue, I think that’s a great result.

My first impression of the airport was how spacious it felt—that’s exactly how I imagine a proper international transit hub should be, unlike FRA, which felt small and cramped. After walking around, I found the food court near the A–B piers and discovered a Popeyes restaurant. I didn’t even know they had locations outside the US, let alone in Turkey. So I thought, why not try it while I’m here? I must say, it tasted pretty good.

This is what I ordered, and it cost about €20–25, which I thought was a reasonable price. Later, one of my friends told me she paid almost the same amount for just a coffee. Two thoughts crossed my mind when she said that. First: Wow, I really didn’t pay much for my meal. Second: Why is this airport so expensive? I don’t remember FRA having prices this high.

After a proper meal, it was time to explore the airport and do some plane spotting.

For some reason this Aeroflot Boeing 737 was refreshing to see

I couldn’t help but notice that the airport wasn’t as clean as I expected a newly constructed airport to be. The windows were dirty and had some strange black stains - kind of like when rain washes off a bit of paint from the window frame. There were also stains and crumbs on the seats and carpet.

After some plane spotting and exploring the airport, it was time to head to my gate and board. Boarding started around 15:40, which was 10 minutes before our scheduled departure. The process went quickly, with passengers again boarding in groups based on seat numbers. However, the plane didn’t move for another hour—I can’t quite remember the reason for the delay, sorry. Pushback finally began at 17:16, and after about 15 minutes of taxiing, we took off.

I found the legroom on the A350 to be really good, but the spaciousness of the Boeing 747 is on another level - I’m a bit sad that this jumbo is being phased out. However, I did notice that the A350 was quieter, and the air inside wasn’t as dry compared to the 747. Each seat had headphones, a pillow, and a blanket. To my surprise, the headphone sound quality was pretty decent—much better than Lufthansa’s earphones, which didn’t even work.

IST from above

About twenty minutes after takeoff, the crew handed out menu cards, bottles of water, and Lacoste-branded amenity kits that included slippers, socks, an eyemask, earplugs, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Around 45 minutes later, the food was served along with beverages.

I chose the pasta which tasted very good

The crew was quick to clear away food waste from every passenger, and once the meal service was complete, they turned off the cabin lights. After trying to fall asleep for a while (unsuccessfully), I asked the crew for some snacks. They brought me two bags of pretzels and a cup of water. Later, when I went to the toilet, I noticed that pretzels were the only mid-flight snack offered on this flight. That was a bit odd (I thought they’ll offer more variety), but I did appreciate the cup of water they gave me.

After another three and a half hours of unsuccessfully trying to sleep, the crew gradually turned on the cabin lights. About twenty minutes later, the second hot meal was served along with the beverage of your choice. This all happened roughly two hours before landing, just as the sun began to rise. The meal tasted good, although this type of dish isn’t really my personal favorite.

We landed in Malaysia after nine and a half hours in the air, and the first thing I noticed after exiting the plane was how humid the air was. Initially, we weren’t supposed to leave the aircraft, but we had to so the crew could prepare it for the next flight to Australia. At KUL, security checks are done at the gate, but the toilets are outside the area. They allowed us 15 minutes to go out to the restroom (which wasn’t quite enough time, so we ended up outside the waiting area longer, but they didn’t mind). After the stopover, it was time for our third and final flight to Sydney. Pushback started an hour and a half after we landed, and taxiing took another 30 minutes. Although that was a bit long, there were some interesting things to see at the airport. The place felt somewhat abandoned - so big, yet deserted - with many old and often dismantled aircraft around.

About ten to fifteen minutes after takeoff, the crew handed out incoming passenger cards, bottles of water, amenity kits (which included the same essentials but without the Lacoste branding), and menu cards. I also forgot to mention that before departure, the crew performed disinfection.

About 50 minutes after they handed out the amenities, the food and drinks were served. I chose scrambled eggs - and I don’t know why, but this was the second time I’ve had scrambled eggs on a plane, and the second time they tasted runny and undercooked. After the meal service, I tried to get some sleep, which, of course, didn’t happen. Even though the flight from Malaysia to Australia was only half full and many of us had two or three seats to ourselves, I still couldn’t fall asleep.

One and a half hours before landing, we were served a second meal - more of a hot snack - along with a beverage and a muffin. I chose the vegetarian option, which was an Emmental cheese and ratatouille bun. It was okay, not bad by any means, I just didn’t personally like it.

After that, I went to the toilet, which looked fine, neither extra clean nor extremely dirty. Not long after I returned to my seat, we began our descent into Sydney. As the captain had warned earlier, there was some moderate turbulence during the approach. More than 24 hours after starting our journey, we finally landed in Sydney.

It may not look that dirty in a picture, but it was in real life

I had a scenic approach where I saw the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge

Conclusion: Turkish Airlines did a great job on this long journey. The service was excellent, the food mostly tasty, and the amenity kits were a nice bonus. There were a few small downsides, like the toilets could’ve been cleaner, and limited snack options during the overnight flight, but I feel like those complaints would be pesky. The transfer in Istanbul was smooth and the airport felt spacious, which made the wait more pleasant. Overall, it was a comfortable and well organised trip, and I’d definitely consider flying with them again.

Thank you for taking your time to read this trip report, I hope you have enjoyed it. :)

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