One of the many advantages of stumping up for a business class ticket is the lounge access that it provides pre-flight.
Never has this been more welcome than when I arrived at Istanbul Airport for my loooonnggg flight back to Sydney.
The largest privately-owned airport operation in the world and the busiest airport in Europe, Istanbul is enormous, with myriad shopping, dining and entertainment options. It is also quite hectic, so escaping the crowds was a blessing.
The Turkish Airways business class lounge is spacious and impressive, offering a wide range of culinary options, showers, gaming consoles and relaxation areas.
Spanning 5,600 square metres, it is open 24/7 and can cater for up to 765 passengers, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a seat, even during the busiest periods.
When flight TK174 was called, I made my way to the gate where economy passengers were being offered 600 Euros (approx. $970) to take a later flight. Clearly the back of the bus was going to be quite “cosy”.
No such dramas for those at the pointy end and as we entered the plane we were warmly greeted by Sena (left), dressed in full chef’s uniform, a signature touch of Turkish Airlines. At least the food should be good…
I deposited my carry on into the huge overhead bin and settled into seat 4G.
First impressions were that my cubicle was quite dark, with mainly black and grey furniture and fittings, except for the large TV screen, placed ideally at eye level.
A blanket, pillow and slippers were waiting along with a Lanvin accessories bag containing socks, face mask, toothbrush and paste, ear plugs, lip balm and hand cream. A complimentary bottle of water soon followed.
The gadgetry included basic seat controls on the left hand side, along with a recessed hand held remote to work the TV and gaming options. A set of light controls over my right shoulder offered a gentler option to the big overhead version and there was a little pop out hook for a coat or jacket.
I particularly liked the lockable compartment over my left shoulder, which was the perfect spot for my phone and passport. It also housed charging ports for phone or laptop and a set of excellent Denon headphones (my first pair were faulty but quickly replaced by the ever-helpful cabin staff).
I’ve always enjoyed the complimentary glass of champagne that is usually offered in business class prior to take-off. It sets the tone for the rest of the flight and makes you feel slightly special.
On Turkish, it’s water and juice…unless you ask the lovely Dilan to bring you a glass of bubbly and which she does with a smile.
As I waited for my fellow passengers to board I flicked through the entertainment options, which were vast and comprehensive. Little wonder Turkish Airlines has been voted best in Europe in this category four years in a row in the APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) Official Airline Ratings.
New releases, old classics, movie series, TV shows, games, the moving flight map and plane cameras fore and aft provided a plethora of viewing options.
A final welcome aboard from senior cabin manager Senay and we were ready for take-off, albeit some 30 minutes later than scheduled.
Once in the air and with the seatbelt sign off it was time to road test the lie-flat bed. Pleased to report that even at 1.82m my toes struggled to touch the end of the footwell once horizontal.
Sena had already delivered the menu for today’s flight and the choices were delectable. Turkish offers business class travellers a dine on demand service which allows you to choose as and when you want to eat, which is a great idea on a 20+ hour journey.
A trolley soon appeared loaded down with a delicious assortment of canapes, such as smoked salmon, buffalo mozzarella and smoked beef and celeriac parmesan salad.
I opted for the creamy pea soup followed by a medley of lamb chops and Asana kebab, although the grilled wild seabass was tempting. Then it was a difficult choice between tiramisu or the apricot crepes, with the latter winning the day.
Turkish wines were served along with selections from France, Argentina and Spain, with beer and spirits also readily available.
Suitably refreshed I decided to dive into the entertainment options and spent the next few hours watching a movie about the life of a troubled pop superstar and an absorbing mini-series set during the Second World War. These are always a godsend on long-haul flights, although I didn’t quite have the stamina for all 10 episodes.
The only time I had to pause the screening was when the cabin crew came to put the duvet cover on my seat, which gave added padding to an already comfortable chair.
Some 10 hours later and we were landing at Kuala Lumpur for a one-hour stopover, which is fine as I was again able to use one of several lounges. (Turkish has just announced they will be switching this stopover to Singapore from October 26).
Re-boarding was a bit chaotic when I arrived back at the departure gate but once settled back in the cabin, everything was again calm and relaxed.
They offered a small meal almost immediately we were in the air but I finally succumbed to tiredness and slept for a good five hours, waking just in time to enjoy a pre-landing snack.
My business class experience ended with a smooth landing into Kingsford Smith – some 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Conclusion
While maybe lacking a little of the pizazz and sparkle of its Middle East competitors, the business class offering from Turkish Airlines is elegant, comfortable and price attractive.
As the airline accelerates its commitment to the Australian market, more Aussies will be able to take delight in the Turkish difference.
Writer paid for his flight and was not hosted by the airline.
