Disclosure: My flight from Frankfurt to Sri Lanka was upgraded by Turkish Airlines for this review – thank you!
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Turkish Airlines is one of my favorite airlines. In fact, when it comes to food, it tops every other airline in my opinion. And this very favorable opinion was up until now only based on their economy class.
Lucky for me I got upgraded on my recent flight from Frankfurt to Colombo, Sri Lanka via Istanbul. With that, I am happy to share a personal Turkish Airlines business class review.
Turkish Airlines Business Class Review
Turkish AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS SEATS
As is to be expected from such an extensive fleet, the business class set-up varies depending on the plane type. I remember years ago when flying to Uganda I was passing through the business class and it was ‘just’ bigger seats than in economy.
When you have a look at the TK website you will see that some of their latest business-class interiors come with your own little pod for maximum privacy, direct aisle access, and a seat that can turn into a 193 cm bed.
When writing this Turkish Airlines Business Class review I obviously have to speak about my experiences. Alas, I was not so lucky to get my own in-air pod but on both flights, we had a 2-2-2 configuration with seats that could be turned into a bed. And yes, I even got this very generous configuration on the short flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul!
In between the seats you have a little table as well as reading lights for each passenger, some storage space, and charging points. While there was no privacy panel on all planes, I felt that these tables provided enough of a barrier that I didn’t feel uncomfortable sleeping next to a stranger.
Seats have an inbuilt massage function and while you are seated you can even just get a footrest up for more comfort. When you declare it time to sleep, the flight attendant will cover your seat with a thin liner and you get a very comfy cushion and blanket. While I have seen thicker liners that function as a mattress I didn’t mind it as the lie-flat seat was super comfortable already – no poking of the seatbelt buckle.
All in all, your chances are good to get some very decent shut-eye, the only disturbance for me was the passenger across the aisle snoring. Though I guess even that speaks to the quality of their seats!
Turkish Airlines BUSINESS CLASS FOOD
The food is always a highlight when flying with Turkish Airlines even in economy class. In business class, you may even see one of their flying chefs walking around.
What I like best about the TK food: you will always find something regional on the menu and if you love Turkish food like I do that is a big plus. And another highlight is that they serve Vishne, sour-cherry juice only available when flying Turkish Airlines.
Unfortunately, there is no champagne during take-off but you get a non-alcoholic welcome cocktail served in a proper glass and have a few choices for wine with your meal as well as cocktail options.
Since my first flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul was not a long-distance flight I was surprised to be offered a full 3-course menu with three different options for mains. Obviously, I had to go for the kofta. And let me tell you – airline food has never tasted better especially since it is served on proper plates and on a tablecloth. You even get a tiny salt and pepper shaker.
I missed my first meal on the flight from Istanbul to Sri Lanka because we departed at 3 am. I am not sure why so many airlines offer a full meal service at these times but by the time the flight attendants came around, I was already off to Lalaland. In business class you can also order food whenever, a plus for midnight cravings I guess.
Instead, I enjoyed a very delicious breakfast the next morning – Turkish spinach & cheese pastries for the win! A great option if you are like me – fussy with eggs. Obviously, there was more Vishne and some decent coffee thanks to it being served in a real cup.
Unbeknownst to me we had a quick stopover in Male, where some passengers got on and off. Afterward, we got served yet another warm meal, a welcome and very yummy surprise: a mixed mezze plate and some nice ravioli.
Let’s just say, chances are you will never go hungry on a Turkish Airlines flight, and definitely not when you are flying business class.
Also, all meals onboard a Turkish Airlines flight are halal and you can request special meals in advance such as kosher meals, gluten-free or vegan options.
Flight delayed, cancelled, or denied boarding? In many cases, you can claim compensation from the airline, in addition to a measly airport meal or a seat that you already paid for.
Read all about AirHelp and how they can help you get compensation, and check below if you have a valid claim – absolutely free, of course!
AMENITIES WHEN FLYING BUSINESS CLASS WITH Turkish AIRLINES
So, what other highlights await when you are flying with Turkish Airlines business class? Let me walk you through it.
TRAVEL KIT
Little excites me more than getting a free travel kit! No, there is nothing in there I actually need and I have quite a collection of bags already but there is something exciting about getting a free bag with goodies.
My Turkish Airlines travel kit was no exception though I wasn’t as excited as I’d usually be thanks to the late night/ early morning hour when we left Istanbul. I quickly pulled the socks out of the amenity bag, put the eyemask over my face, and went to sleep.
The next morning, I had some time to admire the rest of the contents and was quite impressed. Women get a red travel kit, men a blue one – this seems to be an international airline standard. Next time I need to ask for a blue one as I have quite a few red bags already.
Inside the bag are socks, a super comfy eye mask, earplugs, and a dental kit. In addition some high-end Salvatore Ferragamo products: face spritz, lip balm, and moisturizer. And to my utter delight a hair tie! Someone clearly asked a woman what we would actually like in a travel kit when putting them together.
In addition to your travel kit, you also get a shoe bag as well as some very comfy slippers – because in case you didn’t know: even in business class you shouldn’t use the toilets barefoot.
Turkish AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
As if Turkish Airlines’ luggage allowance isn’t already insanely good, it obviously gets even better when you fly business class.
Depending on your business class tariff and destination you can take up to 40 kg spread over multiple pieces (when flying from Europe to Asia) or 2 pieces with up to 32 kg each (for example when flying from Europe to Cape Town or New York). You can also take two carry-on bags with 8 kg as well as a small personal item.
If you are at least a “Classic Plus” Miles & Smiles member you can take even more kilos for free.
You can use their luggage calculator to see exactly how much you can check-in to various destinations in both, economy and business class. And you can even calculate how much extra kilos would cost you.
ENTERTAINMENT WHEN FLYING Turkish AIRLINES
At first, I was disappointed to notice that the LEGO safety movie onboard Turkish Airlines is no more – a highlight for me when I previously flew TK. That said, there is plenty to keep your eyes glued to the screen once you are in the air.
Screens are 18” and of course, they don’t need to be stowed away for take-off or landing so you can start your Harry Potter marathon right away. Some planes even show a few of the latest blockbusters in HD-quality. Each seat has its own touch-screen remote so you can zip through all the channels just by lifting a finger.
My favorite: noise cancelling Denon headphones that were super so comfy and had great sound quality.
Wifi in the air
No, nobody needs wifi in the air but it is so nice to have and to show off that you are flying business class while you are actually on the plane. That said, I find the prices for wifi in the air usually ridiculous. And what can you do with 10 MB anyhow?
When flying business class with Turkish Airlines things are a bit different. You get a 1 GB for free and it works! All you have to do after you have reached the cruising altitude is to connect with their network and add your name as well as your seat number. Then you are ready to surf. One GB is definitely enough to post a few Instagram stories, check your emails, or say hello to your parents who will definitely be impressed by the things modern technology can do these days.
Turkish AIRLINES at the airport
When flying with Turkish Airlines from Frankfurt you might be a bit disappointed. The check-in counters are quite limited and open exactly 3 hours before departure. That said, at least when you fly with TK you get to depart from terminal 1 and don’t have to wait for the dreaded shuttle bus.
Obviously, things look a lot different once you get to Istanbul Airport the home of Turkish Airlines. Istanbul International Airport (IST) is huge, modern, and shiny, and is in serious competition with other favorites like Dubai or Singapur.
Turkish Airlines has two lounges at the airport, and once you step foot into either one you are in danger of missing your flight – chances are you will never want to leave. You can choose between the Lounge Miles & Smiles and Lounge Business.
I love lounge access especially when my layover happens to be in the middle of the night. There is nothing better than taking a shower at the airport to board your next flight a little more refreshed.
Should you get bored you can also play some golf in the lounge, watch movies, take a nap, or eat and drink to your heart’s content. Both lounges not only have a few buffets scattered around but also cooking stations where chefs freshly prepare local favorites. And of course, there is a wine trolley in every corner – guests can just help themselves. If you prefer coffee and tea, you will find tables with various options as well as Turkish delights.
By the way: if you have a longer layover, Turkish Airlines offers free city tours for passengers – even in economy!
Read more:
HOW TO SCORE A FREE WALKING TOUR IN ISTANBUL.
ORIENT EXPRESS: A QUICK DATE WITH ISTANBUL.
How much does Turkish AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS cost?
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk business about the business class – how much is a Turkish Airlines business class ticket?
When booking a trip from Frankfurt to Colombo, Sri Lanka you can get a roundtrip ticket in November/ December 2023 for about EUR 660 – an insanely good price considering how much flight prices generally have gone up. The same flight for business class will be about EUR 1300, also an absolute steal if you ask me.
Looking at prices for my next Cape Town trip – Turkish Airlines offers round-trip economy class tickets for EUR 550 in February 2024 and business class tickets for EUR 1900.
Keep in mind that Turkish Airlines business class also has different booking tariffs depending on how flexible you need your flight to be. That said, I find it usually best – regardless if you fly business or economy – to book the lowest tariff and rather pay for a flight change. Obviously, if you are in it to collect the most miles, it might be worth it to splurge but do your mile-math before.
In general one-way flights will always be a lot pricier so I recommend booking a round-trip and paying for a change if need be. Also, keep in mind that most destinations will require you to have a return or onward travel ticket – the airline might even ask you upon check-in. I recommend getting their app. To be honest, I am usually not a fan of extra apps when booking a ticket but their app is even more user friendly than their website.
Can’t afford Turkish Airlines business class?
My Turkish Airlines business class review may have convinced you but maybe your credit card still says no. But don’t worry – the Turkish Airlines economy class is also really nice and here you can learn how to survive long flights in economy.
One comment
Your review of Turkish Airlines Business Class is fantastic! I love how you’ve detailed the entire experience, from the comfortable seating to the delicious in-flight meals. The way you’ve described the level of service and attention to detail really highlights why this is such a standout option for travelers. It’s clear you enjoyed the luxurious amenities, and your personal insights make it easy for readers to understand why Turkish Airlines’ business class is worth trying. This is a great resource for anyone considering flying with them!