Hello. I will be flying Turkish Air next month for the first time and it’s been several years since I’ve flown internationally. I’m wondering about the inflight entertainment. On the website it mentions downloading the app. I will do so, but wondering how that works. Does everyone just use their phones these days? How do you recharge? Please help an old lady figure this out. Thanks.

I can only answer one part of your question. In recent years, every overseas flight I've taken is on a plane equipped with plugs at the seats, even in economy. So recharging is easy.

Thank you! That’s good news!

Neither the app nor your phone are necessary to enjoy the TK inflight entertainment. You can use their Companion Entertainment app (before your flight) to create music playlists and, I think, select movies or TV programs to watch and maybe choose games. You can also use it to make your mobile be the controller. You can also use the app to have the entertainment delivered to your phone to watch/listen.

But, you can just use the entertainment system without a phone. There will be a screen on the seatback in front of you (IDK what they provide if you are in a bulkhead seat). In business class the screen might be deployed, fold out, from a compartment in the armrest.

There will be a wired controller, likely stowed under the screen. Very likely the screen will be a touchscreen and you can use it to make selections, control brightness and volume. You would need to use their hand controller for games.

There will be headphones, almost certainly wired. The electricity would use a universal socket and there will likely be a USB port that you could use to recharge your mobile phone. I expect that there will be a holder for your phone, like I have seen on US domestic airline seatbacks.

I would not use my phone for the entertainment, only for wifi. I could see how the app/phone would useful. Instead of using their wired headphones and controller you could use your unwired phone and earbuds or wireless headphones.

This is all based on google, the airlines' and other websites, and my experience on other international airlines. Amused to see Turkish Airlines (TK) referred to as THY on one website. The Turkish name Türk Hava Yolları. I think THY was used in olden days while TK is used currently.

Hope you get some time in Istanbul/Turkey. That country is cok guzel.

You can see what your experoence would be like on youtube. Probably could find a video that shows your class of service and even on your route. There are short ones but also comprehensive ones from airport arrival to deplaning.

turkish airlines economy class jfk to istanbul - YouTube
turkish airlines economy class lax to istanbul - YouTube

This one shows the screen with controller below. The USB port is next to the screen along with what might be an audio port.

Thank you very much !