If you’re planning on traveling internationally this year and want to avoid being locked up in the cramped seat behind the plane for more than eight hours, then there’s a global carrier with attractive, entertaining products that don’t necessarily break the bank. Turkish airlines are known not only for their extensive network of flights from the US, but also for their priced business class, as well as for their best class, which were first offered in stages and stages.
If Türkiye is not your final destination, the airline can take you from Istanbul’s huge hub to almost anywhere in the world. In fact, the carrier was recently named by the Guinness World Records as an airline flying to most countries. Popular endpoints for US travellers include Athens, Cairo, Berlin, many of Eastern Europe and Mumbai.
For years I have been asking about the good deals that consumers keep in Turkish Airlines business class. (Last year, a friend flew New York to Cairo on a $2,200 round trip, exceeding $1,000 from the driving fees of major European airlines.) This fall, I flew a round trip from John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in New York to Istanbul, experiencing this great, valuable international business class product. Here are some notes from my journey.
At the airport
Business class travelers flying from the US have access to a variety of lounges, depending on the departure airport. They can wait in their own private lounges (available in New York, Miami, and Washington, DC) or have access to their partner’s airport clubs. At JFK, flights depart from Terminal 1, which is currently in the midst of a major transformation. The temporary space in the lounge at the former Alitalia club is perfectly suited to spending pre-boarding time with comfortable seating and a light food and soup buffet, but alcohol cannot be served. The airline says that when the new terminal opens in 2026, there will be bigger and more luxurious spaces.
The real attraction for lounge enthusiasts is Turkish Airlines’ flagship facility at the vast new Istanbul Airport (IST), which opened entirely in 2019. There you can find what you’ll be billed as one of the largest airport lounges in the world. The main business class lounge can handle up to 765 people at a time, but the space is divided into small zones so you won’t be overcrowded or claustrophobic. It has a dining area and buffet, a bar offering a variety of Turkish residents and international wine and spirits, nap and work spaces, a multimedia area with TV and a business centre. For food, there are various snacks and more substantial fares depending on the Turkish specialization, such as time and stuffing. ask Breads you can see freshly made in the kitchen. Private shower suites are welcome amenities for those resting during long flights.
Another perk of the flight business is that your bags were tagged as priority and on both transatlantic flights, my bags were already in the carousel by the time I accomplished it through immigration and habits. In IST, the distance from the business class lounge to the gate can be significantly larger. For a return flight to New York, I was warned that it might take more than 20 minutes. However, the cart can take you in the lounge and arrange to speed up towards the boarding area as part of a “fast truck” meet-and-greet service that includes quick security and passport control. It is provided by the airport and you can get more information through the airline.
air
The Turks fly over 100 wide-body jets, including both Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The flight between the JFK and IST will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER plane with 49 seats in Business Class with a 2-3-2 layout. It doesn’t have access to the aisle on all business seats, but there were plenty of legroom and it was easy to get in and out of the window seats. The seats are comfortable 22 inches wide and have a 78 inch pitch that can be kept cluttered in bins and storage areas for shoes, bags and other tools. The 18-inch TV screen with noise-cancelling headphones provided ample distraction, and the travel map had a live view function via an aircraft-mounted camera. There is also an AB outlet for charging devices, and the phone is not dead upon arrival.
After boarding, fruit juice and water were provided before takeoff, and a menu of upcoming meals was presented by the chef’s white coat and attendant dressed in a toke. I’ve heard about the airline’s “flying chef” program (where the chefs come to prepare and serve meals) and the quality of the food they’re eating in flight, but I wasn’t disappointed.
On an overnight flight to Istanbul, dinner began with a selection of mezes from a trolley containing smoked trout, shrimp salad, grilled asparagus and eggplant dip. For the main course, we chose grilled seafood in caper butter sauce. The entree was moist and tasty, in contrast to the dried specimens I served on other airlines. Spinach and roasted potatoes were fried and paired well with Sarafin Sauvignon Blanc in the Saroz Wine region of Türkiye. The dessert selection then included chocolate cake, apple crumble in vanilla sauce, and traditional Turkish sweets.
One of the advantages of a 10-hour overnight flight is that you actually have a shot to get a decent night’s sleep. So when the flight attendants came and gave me the option to sleep through a cooked breakfast, it was a pleasant surprise. I got an extra shuteye and decided to wake up with coffee and pastries served near arrival times. Business flyers departing from Istanbul allow you to book menu options in advance and choose the time it will be served.
The fully reclined seat is covered in light bedding and blankets, making it closer to the actual bed than the hard one. The Lanvin branded amenity kit included not only the sleep masks and earplugs you needed, but also facial moisturizers and hand creams. I was able to sleep comfortably for at least 6 hours, but was interrupted only once when I hit a little turbulent flow, reminding the pilot to come to the intercom and give in to the belt.
The flight on the way back was pleasantly peaceful. The main difference was that it was a daytime flight that arrived in New York around 6pm local time. Again, the food was outstanding. Two meals were served. Great lamb chops and eggplant puree and plenty of appetizers and desserts, followed by a chicken salad dinner followed by curry shrimp, berries and vanilla trifle. I spent the rest of my time (most of the airline’s long-distance international flights are equipped with Wi-Fi), reading books and enjoying another guilty pleasure. Dunes: Part 2from a wide range of entertainment.
Conclusion
The flyers consistently give business-class products the Turkish high mark. In fact, in June, the career was named “Best Business Class in Europe” by SkyTrax, landing in the top 10 of the best business class in the world ahead of the stubborns such as the Emirates and the Virgin Atlantic. Not surprisingly, given the feast I’ve been hooked on during my recent trip, it also won the SkyTrax Award, which won Best Onboard Catering in Business Class around the World for several consecutive years.
And it barely stands. The Turks will soon be rolling out new business class seats and adding perks to airplane passengers. For example, the carrier recently bolstered its popular Istanbul layover program. It offers business class customers with a free US three night stay in a 5-star hotel that has previously risen from two.
Here are some ways to find and book the best business class deals with Turkish airlines.
Direct from Airlines: You can find deals by signing up for fare alerts from the airline or by checking the “Deals” page on the airline’s website. Recent offerings included a $2,193 round-trip fare from Seattle to Istanbul in late July and a $2,668 round-trip fare from New York to Athens in September.
Airfare search sites: Fare monitoring services such as Google Flight and Going.com can offer several last-minute transactions and upgrades for transatlantic flights, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 each way.
Points to Use: Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance Network, providing mutual advantages to members of the airline’s partner programme, including United Airlines. And last fall Turkey announced its branded visa cards for its own miles and smile loyalty program. You can earn a 40,000-mile bonus with your card.
Turkish Airlines Holidays: Turkish Airlines’ packaged vacation division will be launched in the US market this spring and includes itineraries in 60 countries. Book this portal and get an attractive price that combines business class air with hotel packages. We currently offer the following discounts for all bookings: Bookings over $1,500 are $150. It costs $250 for reservations over $2,500, and $400 for reservations over $4,000.
