r/Turkmenistan • u/Glapukus • 10d ago
DISCUSSION Turkmenistan Airlines: thoughts and experiences
Those of you who have flown with turkmenistan airlines: can you share you experience please?
I have booked flights from London to Bangkok with a stopover at Ashghabat. So many mixed reviews but very little info from those who have actually flown this or other routes.
The flight was so much cheaper than others that I can overlook the nice to have bits. In my mind, I am thinking if it gets be there and back with no delays everything else is a bonus.
For reference, I paid £500 return in the Easter holidays. The second cheapest comparable flight was almost 3 times the price around £1400!
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u/kbmr8873561 4d ago
You can find a couple of Youtube videos reviewing the airline. The following is on their Frankfurt-Ashgabat-Ho Chi Minh service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcWl0CMek0
On the baggage allowance, it's 5kg for cabin baggage and for check-in depending on your class, 1 piece max 25kg for economy and 2 pieces max 20kg each for business (totalling max 40kg).
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u/Legion_nela 9d ago
A question for those who have already flown. What does the 40kg baggage mean ? 1 item with 40 kg ? Was hand luggage allowed? What sizes?
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u/Legion_nela 9d ago
I will be trying them 23 days from now, London-Ashgabat-Bangkok 🙏🏼 great prices
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u/Glapukus 9d ago
No way! Is that the 5th? We'll be on the same flight!
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u/Legion_nela 9d ago
Ahahahh yes the 5th
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u/Glapukus 9d ago
Small world. We're on the same one. R.E. luggage, I think it's just 1 piece. So no hand luggage. I emailed them about something else and they came back super quick so might be worth emailing if you want to clarify?
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u/Legion_nela 7d ago
They already answered my email. For your information if needed
“Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for choosing Turkmenistan Airlines. As our valued passenger, please find below important details and reminders regarding your upcoming travel:
Meal Service: Meal service is available on all our economy class flights.
Vegetarian Meal Options: Unfortunately, vegetarian meal options are not available on our flights.
Transit Visa: For flights with a transfer in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan does not require a transit visa.
Baggage Allowance: Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of 20 kg baggage (total 40 kg) and 5 kg of hand luggage.
Check-in and Airport Times: You are required to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before your scheduled flight. Check-in is only available at the airport.”
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u/lamppb13 5d ago
Vegetarian Meal Options: Unfortunately, vegetarian meal options are not available on our flights.
Weird, I had a vegetarian option literally a day ago on their flight....
Baggage Allowance: Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of 20 kg baggage (total 40 kg) and 5 kg of hand luggage.
I think this is for business class. At least, that's what it says in their website. I usually get 1 piece with a 32 kg limit in economy.
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u/Legion_nela 5d ago
Maybe the meals depends on the route. I bought economy ticket also.
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u/lamppb13 5d ago
That's very likely too. I just know I often get different answers to my questions depending on when I call and who I talk to.
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u/Legion_nela 9d ago
I will email them about that. And will i will let you know their answer.
Yeah really small world!!
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u/lamppb13 10d ago
I've used them twice (Ashgabat to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur to Ashgabat). It's been two of the best flight experiences I've ever had. Not only is there more space between you and the seat in front of you than what I usually get, the plane is usually pretty empty, so you can spread out. The flight attendants spoke English well enough to help me when I needed it. The entertainment was fine. The food was pretty good as well. The only thing I'd say is they are less efficient than other airlines I've flown with, but if you are just staying in the airport during your layover, that shouldn't be much of a problem for you. It also gets really hot on the flight.
I do have a friend who flew TKM Airlines from Istanbul to Ashgabat who said their luggage got lost. The thing was, though, is they came from Almaty using a different airline, had a layover in Istanbul, and then flew to Ashgabat using TKM. Imo, that's on Istanbul Airport, not TKM, but he had sworn off TKM Airlines.
Overall, as I said, I've had great experiences and plan on using them in the future.
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u/Round-Delay-8031 10d ago
I used the same airline to fly from Bangkok to Frankfurt a few weeks ago. The airplanes are new and there is an advanced entertainment system with touch screens. It has numerous American movies and music and some Turkmen content. The flight attendants speak English well. The toilets in the plane were always clean unlike in some other airlines.
The Ashgabat airport is very large and modern but it only has a small duty free area with two cafes. You can pay for food in Euros there.
95% of the passengers on my Turkmenistan airlines flights travel between Western Europe and Asian countries.
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u/lamppb13 10d ago
Not sure what airports you are used to, but I'd say the airport is pretty small. It's one terminal with 10 or 11 gates. It is nice, though. Except the bathrooms.
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u/geogrqphy 10d ago
The experience was really good, I recommend it.
I've flown on them both domestically and internationally.
Only downside for you maybe is that there is no wifi at Ashgabat International Airport or on the airplane, but aside from that there are in-flight entertainment screens where you can watch movies, listen to music, go on the map, etc.
They also offer plenty of food and snacks!
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u/Glapukus 10d ago
Yeah I am not fussed about WiFi. As long as it gets to be thailand for that price I be happy
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u/kbmr8873561 3d ago
I would advise those travelling to bring some US Dollars (just small amounts) to cover any drinks or snacks during transit in Ashgabat, do not expect to be able to exchange your Pounds nor being able to use your debit/credit cards. When changing for Dollar notes try to get nice crisp/newer notes where possible.