Hello from India, as I just wrapped up my Turkmenistan Airlines adventure. In the previous installment, I’ve covered my flight in Turkmenistan Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER business class, as well as my odd transit experience at Ashgabat Airport (ASB).
In this post, I’d like to cover my connecting flight in Turkmenistan Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 business class, on the 3hr5min flight from Ashgabat to Delhi (DEL). Well, this was definitely the stranger of the two flights. I got called out for taking pictures (fair enough), the cabin was completely full, the plane briefly turned around mid-flight, and the entire meal service was strange. Let me share some initial thoughts, and then soon I’ll have a full trip report.
In this post:
Some Turkmenistan Airlines 737 business class observations
Turkmenistan Airlines’ 737 business class is reasonably comfortable, with recliner seats in a 2-2 configuration, perhaps a bit more spacious than you’d find in the US.
There was a limited selection of streaming entertainment, but no Wi-Fi.
I had heard that Turkmenistan Airlines and Ashgabat Airport are very strict about no photos being allowed, but I wasn’t told anything on the first flight or at the airport, and I didn’t hear any announcements or see any signs. I should also mention that I was being really careful with taking pictures to avoid being seen, and it worked.
Well, on this flight, I got “caught” almost immediately upon boarding. I got to my seat, and a moment later the lead flight attendant yelled from the front of the cabin “photos are not allowed.” Okayyy… well that complicates things.
While my previous flight was very empty, with just two other business class seats taken, this flight was the opposite — every single seat on the plane was taken. What I found so odd is that I got onboard at the start of boarding, when business class was called. However, I must’ve had the cabin to myself for 30 minutes, before the other 15 seats suddenly all filled up at once.
Were these last minute operational upgrades because economy was oversold, do premium passengers in Turkmenistan just like to board last, or what was going on? Very strange. Also, I had a slight bit of confusion when a while after takeoff we suddenly made a 180-degree turn, and headed back toward Ashgabat. 
I was worried what was going on — did some airspace close, was there a maintenance issue, or something else?
Fortunately just minutes later we turned in the other direction again, as it seems we were put in a pretty wide holding pattern. I’d be fascinated to know the reason — is the airspace around Turkmenistan and Afghanistan that busy, or…?
The views in this part of the world are just breathtaking, especially over Afghanistan. 
Turkmenistan Airlines’ business class meal service is strange
I must say, I found the meal service on this flight to be incredibly strange. There was a single flight attendant working business class, and she was quite friendly.
On most airlines, you might find that they first serve everyone a round of drinks, or bring out meals to everyone pretty quickly. That wasn’t the case here, as I ended up being served my meal 10 minutes before the descent started.
How? Well, she served front to back (which is fair), but it seems it took an incredible amount of time to prepare each meal, so there was always like a 10-minute gap between meals being brought out. I’ve never seen anything like that before. The service was so slow that she’d then end up clearing trays of others before other people served in the first place.
There were a couple of menus on the plane, and they’d be handed to the passengers who would be next to order. Below is what the menu looked like. 
Let me point out this flight departed at 6:40AM, so my assumption was “oh, they’re probably serving breakfast.”
I’m confused about the chicken breast with cheese sauce, mashed potatoes, and vegetables — is this a traditional Turkmen breakfast dish, or is the airline confused about what people in other parts of the world typically eat for breakfast? Anyway, I asked the flight attendant what kind of “meat” was being served with the pancakes, to which she replied… “we serve lunch.” Lunch on a 6:40AM flight, when the menu also lists breakfast? Okay… so I ended up going for the beef stroganoff.
As I observed the flight attendant serving meals to all the passengers in front of me, I noticed how it looked like she was just bringing out massive trays of paper and packaged things, at least from the angle I was seeing them. I was mighty curious what the meal would be like.
I was finally served my meal 50 minutes before landing, which was just 10 minutes before we started our descent. Yes, that’s how long it took for the meals to be served to other passengers. Below is how the meal was presented… wow.
I’m so confused, because there’s simply no space to actually place all of the things that are on the tray.
After I took off all the clutter, below is what the tray looked like. Talk about quite the selection of food! I was impressed by the quantity, and I thought the cherries were a cute touch. But in terms of quality, everything else was decidedly mid.
What I just couldn’t wrap my head around is where everything was actually supposed to be placed. The meal tray took up the entire tray table, and was stacked high with things. Below is just part of the other items that were on the tray (I tried to take these pictures as subtly as possible, given the previous warning from the flight attendant).
For example, it’s one thing to give someone one package of nuts and dried fruit, but three packages?! To Turkmenistan Airlines’ credit, I love the branding on everything…
Bottom line
I’m delighted I had the chance to fly Turkmenistan Airlines, as it has been on my list for a long time. While I’d love to visit the country, flying the airline fits in the “been there, done that” category. I actually think the airline offers great value given its low fares, but expect everything to be very bare bones.
As someone who loves a unique passenger experience, I must say that if anything, I was disappointed that Turkmenistan Airlines wasn’t a bit stranger. But hey, I realize that’s a uniquely “me” observation.
What’s your take on this Turkmenistan Airlines 737 business class experience?
To me this seems like a good effort to not let you leave hungry… Its that not in line with the culture of the area???
I have to agree with John… it’s somewhat ironic to be complaining about receiving too many things given what we all deal with Western carriers.
I would be extremely pleased with this meal because I have a few snacks for later, and plenty of food in case I’m starving.
What we really need to know is whether Ben's getting banned from Turkmenistan for taking a pictures that are a threat to national security :))))
Honestly, that meal plus 2x2 Business Class seating beats just about anything offered by European carriers.
Why is 2x2 so much better? I prefer Euro-business class so much more than 2x2 / American First because of the extra space between you and the passenger "next" to you.
That's assuming passengers' BMI is within healthy ranges.
Did they give each pax 27 x Biscotti in coach?
Seriously... you're told no pictures and you still take pictures. If you got in trouble you'd be pleading mercy. You were fortunate in Cairo. And you talk about the other bloggers. And how come you're not aware of the Afghan airspace? Its to slow down flights to provide space. I experienced it this past week on QF2 from London to Singapore.
Personally, I would take what comes. Why? Because in a time when other carriers (which are supposedly 'premium') are taking away 'stuff' when it comes to catering, I would not be complaining about 'generous' portions or two extra packets of nibbles and condiments or whatever 'piled' on a tray set before me. It may not be 'instagram-worthy', and the local cuisine may not appeal to the jaded tastebuds of international jetsetters, but the intention seems...
Personally, I would take what comes. Why? Because in a time when other carriers (which are supposedly 'premium') are taking away 'stuff' when it comes to catering, I would not be complaining about 'generous' portions or two extra packets of nibbles and condiments or whatever 'piled' on a tray set before me. It may not be 'instagram-worthy', and the local cuisine may not appeal to the jaded tastebuds of international jetsetters, but the intention seems to be good. Which is refreshing for an airline..
I'm surprised there is no alcohol. Other nominal Muslim countries in that region serve and drink alcohol. I'd rather have cutlery, etc. in sealed, single-use packaging. Especially in a third-world country. I don't trust the ground staff in India. I wouldn't be surprised if the food was catered for the return from India in Turkmenistan.
Third world? Wow - dating yourself a bit there, aren’t you, Mr. Radcliffe.
We suckle at the teat of the so called third world for survival yet still live under the disillusion that we’re superior. No one cares or gives a damn about us. The heydays, short lived, are well in the past.
The term ‘Third World’ actually came about during the Cold War. ‘First World’ referred to countries in the NATO bloc, whilst ‘Second World’ nations were aligned with the Soviet Bloc. The rest were lumped together as the Third World.Over time, the phrase became synonymous with developing and underdeveloped nations. However, it is highly contentious these days. Based on modern economic indicators and wealth, many so-called Third World countries are now global economic powerhouses, whereas several...
The term ‘Third World’ actually came about during the Cold War. ‘First World’ referred to countries in the NATO bloc, whilst ‘Second World’ nations were aligned with the Soviet Bloc. The rest were lumped together as the Third World.Over time, the phrase became synonymous with developing and underdeveloped nations. However, it is highly contentious these days. Based on modern economic indicators and wealth, many so-called Third World countries are now global economic powerhouses, whereas several First World nations are proper crumbling. Take the UK, for instance; despite its supposed First World status, it feels like anything but. That is down to years of increasingly right-leaning governance, slashed welfare funding, stagnant economic growth, and properly deteriorating infrastructure.Consequently, the term is completely outdated in this day and age, and using it mostly just shows a bit of ignorance.
Drink the water in India.
Because Afghan airspace is essentially uncontrolled, ATC in the surrounding countries are responsible for creating enough separation before aircraft before they cross the border. So yes high altitude holding patterns or weird zig zagging, or significant climbs or descents, are all quite common before you enter Afghanistan, just creating lots of space between you and other aircraft
At least you can take some ketchup and mayo for the road