When you are facing a long-haul flight, it is reassuring to know you are flying business class with Turkish Airlines. Recipient of Best Airline Europe by Skytrax five years in a row and Airline of The Year 2016 by Air Transport News Awards, Turkish Airlines has one of the youngest fleets in Europe and truly spectacular lounges, recognized in the 2015 Skytrax passenger rankings as Best Business Class Lounge and Best Business Class Lounge Dining.
So if your route places you in the vicinity of Istanbul, or any airport serving Turkish Airlines, indulge yourself and fly on this award-winning airline.
On Board
Having undergone the smooth check-in and indulged in the incredible lounge at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, it’s time to explore the business class cabin and, prior to departure, enjoy a range of welcome drinks.
The cabin has an elegant, calming blue-slate colour palette and wide seats that are adjustable all the way to fully flat, making it easy for everyone to find a comfortable position. There is the added benefit of a fixed ottoman, a boon for all those looking to sit back, stretch their legs out and read in comfort. You can also store a bag underneath, making it easily accessible without having to get up.
Turkish Airlines has thought carefully about what passengers are looking for during a flight and provide a USB port by the seat, as well as a port to plug in your own headphones – if you prefer those to the free ones. In-flight entertainment is provided on wide touch-screens with a range of movies, games and music.
Super-soft Bohca sleeping sets are available, with pillows, a seat/mattress cover and a fluffy duvet or blanket, so you can pull up the slide partition for privacy from your neighbour and sleep, or just snuggle down with your Kindle or iPad and while away the time resting.
The amenity kits are designed by Crabtree & Evelyn or Porsche Design and include all the hygiene and comfort products you could need – from eye mask and ear plugs, to body lotion and lip balm, Turkish Airlines has thought of it all.
Gourmet Cuisine
All passengers are welcomed on board not only by the cabin crew, but also by the Turkish Airlines Flying Chefs, who together create that unique atmosphere of Turkish hospitality above the clouds.
These sky-chefs help the cabin crew with the preparation and presentation of the award-winning menus that are surely a treat for all gourmands. Ensuring restaurant-quality service, the presentation is premium with custom-designed porcelain dishes, appropriate glassware, nicely weighted cutlery, tablecloths and cloth serviettes. A pleasant touch for evening meals is the LED tea light, setting the mood for a truly “elevated” candlelight dinner.
Following Turkish tradition, a delightfully rich selection of hors d’oeuvres is served from a cart, followed by a soup service and a selection of Turkish and international entrées, fruit, cheese and dessert, all of which are beautifully presented and laid out for your sensory pleasure. The chefs are happy to advise and accommodate special requests.
It is clear that Turkish Airlines works hard to achieve its goal of ensuring that passengers experience well-prepared and served innovative cuisine to create pleasant memories of the flight.
The drinks menu is extensive and the full bar includes soft drinks, juices and cocktails, as well as an assortment of Turkish and international beers, wines and champagne. Turkish coffee is, of course, available, alongside a range of health-centric hot and cold teas, which all have their health benefits listed to aid your choice.
Breakfast is similarly excellent. You just check off any food and drink items listed on your customised form and it will be brought to you at breakfast time.
The Lounges
Turkish Airlines has gone above and beyond with the design and facilities of its lounges at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The food and drink are catered by Turkish Do & Co, which also looks after the in-flight service, so high quality is assured. Passengers can indulge in innumerable tasty delights, including traditional Turkish snacks, as well as a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Arriving passengers can use the 250 sq.m. arrival lounge that allows busy business people the opportunity to shower, have their clothes ironed and send and reply to e-mails after their flight. The Wi-Fi is free, printers and computers are available and if you have time to relax before you head out for your meetings, there is a library, TVs and food and drinks.
However, it is the departure lounge that is truly breath-taking. The design is magical, making the vast space that accommodates 1,000 guests a welcoming, palatial sanctuary with arches and delicate, lacy dividers separating the areas, a small tea garden and plenty of plants. The two-storey lounge has a spiral staircase that sweeps between the floors, representing the connectivity that Turkish Airlines provides to its global customer base.
With a live pianist, neck and shoulder massages, a cinema, teleconference room, golf simulator, sleep facilities, all the obligatory business connectivity and a stunning kids’ playroom that has a Scalextric race track, among a myriad of other facilities, spending time in the departure lounge is an absolute pleasure.
