TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT
Turkish Airlines Business Class, A320-200 and B787-9 Dreamliner BEIRUT – ISTANBUL – WASHINGTON, D.C.
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B A C K G R O U N D My past experiences travelling with Turkish Airlines have all been good, mainly in the economy cabin, which in my opinion, serves the best economy class food of any airline, but I was intrigued to experience the business class offering. During the pandemic, the airline received disappointing feedback from customers who were not happy with the cold boxed meals being served in both economy and business classes, especially when other international carriers were serving hot meals. Passengers also expressed their discontent with the limited premium lounge opening hours. Turkish Airlines, like many carriers, was forced to make cut backs in the earlier part of the pandemic due to market fluctuations and no government bailout, doing its best to save jobs. But in April 2021, the airline reinstated many services such as Exclusive Drive, the airline’s privileged transfer service for passengers travelling on flights to 11 destinations in the US and Canada and 20 destinations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Hot meals are also back. C H E C K - I N My journey started in Beirut, Lebanon, on an A320-200 for a two-hour flight to Istanbul. Staff at check-in were helpful and friendly. The Ahlan lounge at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri caters to Turkish Airlines flights and while the food choices were limited due to the pandemic, there were good options ranging from yogurts to fruit, plus coffees and juices. On board, the cabin crew were very friendly and the breakfast menu was limited, but included fruit salad, jam for the warm bread options, a cheese plate and a cucumber and tomato salad. The flight was so short, there was no time for a meaningful nap or to finish a film. J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
The podstyle shape of the seats is designed to cancel aircraft and cabin noise T H E L O U N G E The Turkish Airlines business class lounge at Istanbul IST airport was busy, but large enough to spread out and walk around. For convenience, there were lockers where you could keep your belongings and for comfort, seating overlooking the terminal’s retail outlets. The food offering was a mix of a buffet (safety measures included individually covered bowls) and live cooking stations with chefs making Turkish-style soups and grilled beef, chicken and vegetables. There was a Lahmacun – Turkish pizza station – plus
Turkish salad and desert sections. Juice, sparkling and still water, and soda fridges, as well as a coffee stations, were dotted throughout the lounge. Seating options included café tables, red velvet sofas and pod-style high-backed chairs. Bathroom facilities featured luxurious marble sink areas, and a selection of soaps, lotions, hand sanitiser and eau de toilette sprays. The gate section seating was comfortable too. It’s worth upgrading to business if you have a long layover – the buffet food and drink options are filling and tasty and there is plenty of space and seating.
