Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Can anyone please tell me, we are flying to South Africa later this year, we are planning to fly to Istanbul from Ercan economy, then Istanbul to Cape town business class, can we book the bags straight through even though they are different class of seats?

How did you book it like that normally the flight to Istanbul makes very little difference on the total cost for a flight like that?
(Did you book it as one flight?)

Do you have enough Miles & Smiles points to use the business priority check-in?

Personally I would arrive at the airport 3 hours before the flight or earlier (as they open the check-in) and you must have a good chance of the upgrade on the first flight, failing that smile nicely and ask if they can add the priority tags on the luggage for your business flight....I would use the priority check-in anyway as they will have those priority tags!!

If the flights are booked separately then you'll probably have to collect your hold bags and re check-in at Istanbul and unlikely to get any help if flights are delayed causing you to miss your onward connection.

However, check with the airline direct as they may be able to do something for you. I call the UK number on Skype +44 20 3991 1993, have your miles &smiles number ready to input as the call is answered quicker.

If you have points maybe it's possible to upgrade the legs between Turkiye and South Africa but you should check with them.

Thanks for the replies. The cost of business class from Ercan is an extra £2000. Its never worth it, the seats are generally poor, older aircraft and generally economy seats with the middle seat empty.

Surely you lose your business baggage allowance if you go eco-bus?
But yes agreed not worth £2000

Yes we will however, we dont book business just for the extra luggage allowance, its a night flight so we get the benefit of a flat bed and better food and drink. Its 14 hours in total so for us its worth it.

I did do it once where I flew from Ercan and went through passport control collect luggage and check-in again at Istanbul but I can't remember if it was with the same carrier both flights I do remember though it was a right pain having to also purchase a visa for Turkey!

On the TA website it says :-

Our transfer passengers, coming from an international point and continuing to an international destination with Turkish Airlines, whose flight routes are not arranged with a single ticket
-Get your baggage from the international arrival hall.
-Go to the international terminal and the related airline’s counter for the check-in procedures of your upcoming flight.

I assume you are not on a single ticket but as you are flying from Ercan and all flights go through Turkey they may be able to connect those flights for you (especially as you are business customer!!) so I would also perhaps try a call to them first I have actually had good response and service on their phone line...

I have the number +90 850 333 0849

If not I would still give it a try at the airport you never know you might catch someone on a good day (lol)!!!

Thank you for that information, very much appreciated.

TK can accept your bags at ECN and check them through to CPT.

They can also do this even when you are changing airlines for your connecting flight.