Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus Airlines is a Turkish discount airline.  The planes appear cleaner and newer than most American carriers. 

Be aware, however, that food and drink must be bought on the plane. They do not accept American Express or Visa cards without a chip (almost impossible to get a Visa with a chip in the US).  Furthermore, we paid extra for a sandwich and drink when we booked, but the flight attendant did not bring it until we were landing. She apologized. So I think ordering food with your ticket is uncommon. 

I do not mind that the airline sells food, plasters the inside of the plane with ads and runs constant shampoo commercials on the video monitors. I do find it odd being on an international flight that won't accept American credit cards. 

Pegasus, however, often has the cheapest fares and 1 checked bag up to 20kg is included in the fare. 

Tips:  carry cash and do not book a fare with a meal included. Buy additional food on the plane. Or better, pack your own food and drink. 

Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus Airlines is a Turkish discount airline.  The planes appear cleaner and newer than most American carriers. 

Be aware, however, that food and drink must be bought on the plane. They do not accept American Express or Visa cards without a chip (almost impossible to get a Visa with a chip in the US).  Furthermore, we paid extra for a sandwich and drink when we booked, but the flight attendant did not bring it until we were landing. She apologized. So I think ordering food with your ticket is uncommon. 

I do not mind that the airline sells food, plasters the inside of the plane with ads and runs constant shampoo commercials on the video monitors. I do find it odd being on an international flight that won't accept American credit cards. 

Pegasus, however, often has the cheapest fares and 1 checked bag up to 20kg is included in the fare. 

Tips:  carry cash and do not book a fare with a meal included. Buy additional food on the plane. Or better, pack your own food and drink. 

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is Turkey's award-winning national airline.  The airline has even rapidly expanding with catchy jingles and commercials featuring basketball star Kobe Bryant. 

Nathan and I flew from Amsterdam to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines. The plane was clean, new, and had luxurious legroom by American standards. They also served a hot meal. Even flying European discount airlines is eye-opening to the crappy service, lack of space and old, dirty planes foisted onto American flyers.  

Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam's Schiphol (pronounced similar to "skip-pole") is one of the busiest in the world. It is built on a former lake and is the home airport for KLM, the world's oldest continuously operating airline. 

For Americans Schiphol is a change from the usual airport procedures.  First of all, departure screens show both a number for the ticketing area where you check in as well as your plane's gate.  Also, instead of a single security check area before entering gate areas, most individual gates at Schiphol have their own security scanners.  So, one checks in, proceeds to the gate and then goes through security.