Turkish Airlines Denied Boarding Despite Check-in
On July 3, 2024, I purchased Istanbul-Rize flight tickets for my wife and daughter through the Turkish Airlines website for a July 22, 2024 flight. We completed check-in 24 hours before the flight and paid for two seat selections. We arrived at the airport on July 22, 2024, at 10:26 AM and checked in our luggage early, even paying ₺420 in cash for excess baggage.
The boarding pass indicated a gate time of 11:15 AM. Due to security congestion, my wife and daughter reached gate G2A at 11:26 AM. Despite being just one minute late and the aircraft still connected to the jet bridge, the staff refused to let them board. According to regulations, checked-in passengers must be allowed to board, and announcements should be made. No announcements were made. Assuming the gate opened at 11:15 AM, it's impossible for all passengers to board within 10 minutes.
Time was lost due to incorrect guidance from staff. The plane entered the taxi area, and we missed the flight. Here's the critical point: our luggage was already on the plane. Instead of allowing my wife and daughter to board, they returned our luggage. How can luggage be removed from a flight ready for takeoff?
As a result of this incident, my 4-year-old daughter missed her doctor's appointment. I've filed necessary complaints with the Consumer Arbitration Committee and will do everything in my power to seek compensation for our damages.
