Hi, Everyone! We're trying to book a flight from Athens to Istanbul and would love to hear your thoughts on these two airlines. We've read good and bad things about both, and understand opinions are based on personal experiences. We hear Olympic has improved recently, but still unsure about which one to go with. We were just curious if anyone has flown this leg and can recommend one airline over the other? Is there a safer bet in terms of luggage, possible strikes or cancellations, etc.? Also, any idea what the Turkish Airlines fee would be if we ended up needing a refund on an "economy restricted" fare? We can't seem to find that anywhere. Thanks so much for your help!
Turkish Airlines vs Olympic Air?
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Olympic Air is a completely different company from the old Olympic Airlines, which is no longer in business, but used to get some bad reviews. I haven't heard any bad comments about Olympic Air. In reading comments on Skytrax there seems to be some confusion between Olympic Air (the current company), Olympic Airlines (the one that no longer exists), and Olympic Holidays (a UK package tour company that uses charter airlines for their flights, and has nothing to do with Olympic Air).
I have no experience with Turkish Airlines, but you can see reviews for both airlines at http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/seats.htm. Among the Olympic Air reviews was one from a passenger who flew out of Birmingham Airport, but the airline doesn't even have flights from Birmingham.
Olympic VS Turkish not really two company to compare.
Turkish Airlines 226 Planes on fleet, strong and solid company which also makes good profit every year. Awarded year after as Best Airline in Europe. I do not know new Olympic but the ones I was on board were weared out planes not giving you great feeling. But again they fly and they arrive to the destination. In Greece Aegean is way better company. They also fly Athens - Istanbul.
Good luck with the choice,
Murat
propertravel
Olympic Air has n o t h i n g in common with the old Olympic Airways, Heimdall already explained that very well.
Olympic Air has new planes and is a completely new company.
If Turkish Airlines make a good profit or not is not of importance.... ( If passengers would take that into consideration they should stop flying with most well know airline companies)
I have tried both companies between Athens and Istanbul..
My criterium was the departure time, as i wanted to be as early as possible in istanbul, and fly back to Athens as late as possible. I found both airlines to be very good.
hope this may help you
Economy restricted-Rebooking and rerouting is permitted with a change fee and refundable with a cancellation fee.
Economy flexible-Rebooking/Rerouting is permitted without any charge and refundable.