As a father who recently flew from Istanbul to Phuket with my 7-year-old son, one of the first questions I had was: How long is this flight going to be, and how are we going to keep our little one entertained for that long? Luckily, Turkish Airlines made the experience much smoother than we anticipated. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in terms of flight time and, just as importantly, how to keep both kids and adults entertained along the way.
How Long Does the Flight from Istanbul to Phuket Take?
The direct flight from Istanbul to Phuket typically takes around 9 to 10 hours. The actual flight time can vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the time of year, but generally, you’re looking at just under 10 hours of air travel.
Our flight left Istanbul in the evening, which was ideal for our son, as it synced up with his bedtime. This gave us hope that he might sleep through a chunk of the journey. That said, it’s still a long time to be in the air, especially with a small child in tow, so preparation was key.
In-Flight Entertainment with Turkish Airlines
Thankfully, Turkish Airlines offers one of the best in-flight entertainment systems we’ve experienced, which made the long journey much more bearable—especially for our son.
Seat-Back Entertainment
Each seat is equipped with a high-quality seat-back screen, which is packed with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games. For adults, there’s a great range of Hollywood blockbusters, international films, documentaries, and even some classic cinema. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety, and it kept me entertained throughout the flight.
For my son, however, it was the kid-friendly options that saved the day. Turkish Airlines offers a good selection of animated films, from Disney favorites to newer releases. The best part? The content is available in multiple languages, so if your child has a favorite show or movie, chances are it’s on the list. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I spotted Frozen II in the line-up—it bought us at least two hours of calm.
Games and Interactive Features
Aside from movies, the entertainment system also offers games, which was another big hit with our son. The games are simple, but for a 7-year-old, they’re just the right mix of fun and distraction. There are puzzle games, racing games, and even educational ones.
The touchscreen interface is responsive and easy to use, which meant our son could navigate through the system by himself after a quick tutorial. This independence gave us, his parents, a bit of time to relax and enjoy our own in-flight entertainment.
Activity Kits for Kids
In addition to the electronic entertainment, Turkish Airlines provides an activity kit for young travelers. Our son was delighted to receive his own little bag filled with coloring books, puzzles, and a small toy. This tactile, offline entertainment was a nice break from screen time and kept him busy during the quieter moments of the flight.
Wi-Fi on Board
For those who need to stay connected, Turkish Airlines also offers in-flight Wi-Fi on many of its long-haul flights, including the one from Istanbul to Phuket. While we didn’t rely on it much (it’s nice to disconnect sometimes!), the option to use Wi-Fi is great if you need to catch up on work, send messages, or keep up with emails during the flight.
Stretching the Journey
With a flight this long, it’s important to take advantage of the moments when you can stretch your legs. Every couple of hours, we made it a point to take a little walk up and down the aisle. The movement helps everyone stay comfortable, and it’s especially important for kids who might start getting restless after sitting for so long.
The cabin crew was very accommodating and understanding, and they even helped distract our son during one of those “I’m bored” moments by chatting with him about the flight.
Final Thoughts
The 9 to 10 hours it takes to fly from Istanbul to Phuket can seem daunting at first, but with Turkish Airlines’ excellent in-flight entertainment, the journey feels much shorter than expected. Between the wide range of movies, TV shows, games, and activity kits for kids, there’s plenty to keep everyone—parents and children alike—engaged for the duration of the flight.
As long as you prepare a bit in advance, bring some additional snacks, and keep your little one entertained with both on-screen and off-screen activities, the long-haul journey can be surprisingly enjoyable. Before we knew it, we were touching down in Phuket, refreshed and ready for the adventure that awaited!