Flying with low-cost carriers can often feel like a bit of a gamble, but our recent journey with Corendon Airlines turned out to be a genuinely pleasant surprise from start to finish. In the UK, Corendon Airlines serves London Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle. It offers direct flights to popular destinations, including Antalya in Türkiye and Crete in Greece, flying between April and the end of October. We recently flew return from London Gatwick to Antalya with the low-cost Turkish carrier for a stay at Corendon Hydros Club Kemer.
Corendon Airlines review
Corendon Airlines snapshot
Airline: Corendon Airlines
Founded: 2004
Headquarters: Antalya, Türkiye
Parent company: Corendon Tourism Group
Fleet: Primarily Boeing 737 aircraft
Destinations: Europe, Türkiye, North Africa, and Mediterranean leisure destinations
Cabin classes: Economy Class
Baggage allowance: Generous checked baggage options available depending on fare type and route
Onboard dining: Buy-on-board menu with Turkish and international snacks, drinks, and pre-order meal options
Entertainment: No seatback entertainment or onboard Wi-Fi on most routes
Best for: Affordable leisure travel with warm service and reliable operations
At the airport
From the moment we arrived at the airport, things felt refreshingly calm and well organised. Check-in queues moved quickly thanks to a well-staffed desk area, and when we reached the front, the friendly team member helping us immediately set a cheerful tone for the trip. Between jokes about our comically tiny suitcase despite a generous 30kg baggage allowance each, and genuinely warm service, it was the sort of interaction that instantly puts travellers at ease.
Boarding
That welcoming atmosphere continued throughout the experience. Boarding was equally efficient, avoiding the chaotic queues that often plague budget airlines (I really don’t understand the Speedy Boarding concept!) And we were greeted on board with big smiles from the cabin crew, a small touch that I think makes a surprisingly big difference.
Onboard the plane
We were in seats 1A and 1B, the window and middle seats
Seated at the very front of the plane in 1A and 1B, we appreciated the extra legroom and had no trouble finding overhead space for our bags despite the flight being completely full. Better still, the aircraft pushed back exactly on time at 11:40 am, something travellers will always appreciate.
Corendon Airlines keeps things simple onboard, with no built-in entertainment systems, magazines, or games. But that pared-back approach is clearly part of how the airline maintains affordable fares, and for a four-and-a-half-hour flight, it hardly felt like a sacrifice. Armed with downloaded podcasts, audiobooks, and a lack of sleep from the night before, the journey passed quickly.
You can order hot meals in advance when purchasing tickets online
Announcements and safety demonstrations were delivered in both Turkish and English, while the onboard menu offered a nice mix of familiar snacks and Turkish favourites, including doner wraps and refreshing ayran alongside pizza, sandwiches, crisps, and alcoholic drinks.
A range of snacks and drinks can be bought onboard
The aircraft itself was clean and well-maintained, including the lavatories throughout the flight, and the crew remained friendly and attentive from take-off to landing. We had pre-ordered meals for the journey, which added another layer of convenience to an experience that consistently exceeded expectations. While I wasn’t hungry enough to eat my vegetarian lunch of rice and vegetables, my partner was very impressed with his lamb kofte.
Arrival
We managed to land ahead of schedule by 20 minutes and were disembarked very quickly. Antalya Airport had plenty of Immigration Police working, so we were through surprisingly quickly, and even our transfer Driver to Corendon Hydros Club Kemer was shocked at our speediness!
The return flight
Exterior of our Corendon Airlines aircraft
Our return flight was equally as good. Despite running a little late to depart, we made up time in the air and arrived at the expected time.
Frequently asked questions: Corendon Airlines
Yes, Corendon Airlines is a low-cost leisure carrier based in Türkiye, focusing primarily on holiday routes between Europe and popular Mediterranean destinations.
Baggage allowances vary depending on the fare and route booked, though many packages include generous checked baggage allowances compared to other budget airlines.
No, most Corendon Airlines flights do not include seatback entertainment systems, Wi-Fi, or onboard magazines. Travellers are best advised to download movies, podcasts, or books before flying.
Yes, passengers can pre-order meals ahead of their flight, while additional snacks and drinks are available to purchase onboard.
The onboard menu includes a mixture of Turkish favourites and international snacks, including wraps, sandwiches, pizza, crisps, soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits.
During our experience, the flight departed exactly on schedule. Corendon Airlines has built a reputation as a reliable leisure carrier on many of its European holiday routes.
One of the standout parts of the experience was the consistently warm and welcoming service from both ground staff and cabin crew, which helped create a relaxed atmosphere throughout the journey.
No, Corendon Airlines operates an all-economy cabin configuration, although passengers can pay extra for seats with additional legroom.
While the airline follows a low-cost model, the aircraft were clean, boarding was efficient, and extra-legroom seating provided a noticeably more comfortable experience.
Corendon Airlines operates routes between Türkiye and a wide range of European cities, alongside flights to popular beach and holiday destinations across the Mediterranean region.
Yes, the relaxed onboard atmosphere, straightforward boarding process, and leisure-focused routes make Corendon Airlines a convenient option for families travelling on holiday.
Corendon Airlines combines affordable fares with genuinely friendly service, efficient airport operations, and a noticeably more relaxed travel experience than many competing low-cost carriers.
Final thoughts
We were really impressed with our flights on Corendon Airlines
For travellers looking for affordable flights without sacrificing warmth or efficiency, Corendon Airlines offers a surprisingly polished experience. It may not come with the bells and whistles of full-service carriers, but what it does provide, friendly staff, efficient operations, generous baggage allowances, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere, it does very well indeed.
Learn more about Corendon Airlines
But wait, there’s more…
- Read our review of FTA Comfort Lounge at Antalya Airport
- We are big fans of My Lounge Gatwick South Lounge
- And these are the best boutique hotels in London, England
