Turkish Airlines Business Class Review (2025)

Turkish Airlines, with its main hub in Istanbul, provides services to the largest number of destinations worldwide. Being a global carrier, it ensures meticulous hospitality and a premium travel experience. Turkish Airlines business class generally receives positive reviews worldwide for the luxury services, comfortable seats, and fine dining.

To further clarify, this blog provides a detailed Turkish Airlines business class review based on objective traveler feedback and the fleet size. It becomes especially useful for frequent fliers taking long-haul flights and members of the loyalty program as well.

Review of Turkish Airlines Business Class Fleet

Turkish Airlines business class seats can be found on most of its long-haul fleet. They include both newly upgraded aircraft and older planes, ranging from Airbus A350-900 to Boeing 777-300ER. Their seat layout and the commonly covered routes are as follows:

Booking Experience of Business Class Seats on Turkish Airlines

Making a Booking

There are different methods to reserve business class seats on Turkish Airlines. Passengers can directly use the carrier’s official site, travel agencies, or Star Alliance programs. Based on the eligibility, they can also go for upgrade or stopover options. However, the Turkish Airlines Business Class ticket price can vary with the booking method.

1. Through the Turkish Airlines Website: One of the simplest ways to book flight tickets is to use the Turkish Airlines website. On the home page, select “Flight” and fill in the required itinerary details. This method is easily accessible and has the least processing time.
2. Star Alliance Programs: Star Alliance partners of Turkish Airlines include United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Ethiopian Airlines, etc. These carriers offer miles and points that can be used to book Turkish Airlines business class seats. This method helps save costs and avoid additional charges.
3. Online Travel Agencies: Various sites like Skyscanner and Expedia enable customers to make bookings. Although this method is comparatively more expensive, it can free the passengers from the hassle of making manual reservations.

Upgrade Options

On Turkish Airlines, passengers can upgrade their fares to Business Class even if they initially booked another fare type. The C and J rows of the aircraft usually allow such changes. This can be done using either cash or miles.

• Miles Upgrades: Passengers who have sufficient miles on their loyalty account can upgrade to business class without any hassle. This can be done using the carrier’s official site.
• Cash + Miles: In case fliers fall short of the required miles for the premium fare, they can pay the difference with cash. With the cash and miles combination, they can change to business class and save costs.
• Day-of Upgrades: On the day of departure, the carrier may offer First Class Turkish Airlines seats for discounted prices, subject to their availability. These tickets can be bought at the check-in counters or the kiosks.

Seat Selection

Passengers can choose their seats at the time of reservation. Business class fliers will not have to pay additional charges for selecting seats. However, if seat selection is done after the reservation, service charges might apply.

• In case of third-party bookings, the selected travel agency will be responsible for seat selection.
• Several passengers have reported that Turkish Airlines’ business class seat selection process is fairly easy and not very time-consuming.

Stopover Program Eligibility

Turkish Airlines offers a stopover program in Istanbul for its business class passengers at of cost. However, this perk is only made available when certain eligibility criteria are met. These conditions include:

• It should be an international round-trip booked directly with the carrier.
• The layover in Istanbul must be at least 20 hours.
• These Turkish Airlines business class seats must be booked at least 72 hours in advance.
• The benefits of this program do not extend to the codeshare airlines.

Note: More detailed information about the Stopover Program has been given in the latter part of this guide.

Airport and Ground Experience for Turkish Airlines Business Class Fliers

The Turkish Airlines Business Class experience starts before even boarding the flight. Premium passengers can access dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding, and lounges to enjoy a smooth and enriching airport experience:

• Priority Check-in and Security Lanes: At all the major international airports, Business Class fliers can use the priority check-in counters and dedicated screening that will help them avoid long lines. This not only helps in saving time but also reduces the stress of the passengers.
• Lounge Access: At the Istanbul Airport, passengers can access the Business Lounge, exclusive to the premium fare. This lounge hosts several amenities like buffet stations, sleeping pods, shower suites, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and lockers. At outstation airports, partner lounges like United Polaris at New York (JFK), Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles (LAX), or Plaza Premium Lounge at Toronto (YYZ) can also be accessed.
• Boarding Process: All the Business Class passengers of Turkish Airlines at all airports enjoy quick boarding. In Istanbul, fliers can board via separate gates and jet bridges, which further reduces congestion and augments the passengers’ overall experience.

Tip: Arriving early at the airport can enable passengers to enjoy the full amenities of the lounges and complete the screening process without any delays.

Turkish Airlines Business Class Cabin and Seating

The Business Class seats on Turkish Airlines are spacious, comfortable, and relaxing. However, their exact dimensions can vary with the aircraft type and the itinerary. Below is the overview of what to expect in terms of layout and privacy to choose the best possible seat:

Note: A350 and B787 offer the maximum privacy and seat space; however, this can change based on the variation in the aircraft.

Inconsistency in Seating

One of the largest drawbacks of the Turkish Airlines Business Class is the inconsistency in seating across its fleet due to the variation in aircraft type. Due to such inconsistency, travelers might not fully know what to expect even after booking the business class. To avoid this, certain measures can be undertaken, such as:

• Search the flight on the official website using the aircraft number to know the exact layout.
• Understand the seat map and make the most suitable choice.
• Select a 2-2-2 layout if privacy is the main priority.
• Change the seating plan in the “Manage Booking” section for better options.

In-Flight Dining and Chef Experience on Turkish Airlines Business Class

Passengers with a Turkish Airlines Business Class ticket get to enjoy one of the finest mid-air culinary experiences. This carrier is widely renowned for its award-winning inflight catering, bringing together international flavours and cuisines. Passengers are also offered fine drinks and beverages as per their choice:

• On-board Chefs: This carrier hosts on-board chefs who oversee meal preparation and add a personalised touch. They ensure to maintain the quality of the food when meals are prepared before take-off.
• International Menus: Turkish Airlines offers a multi-course cuisine involving appetizers, main course, desserts, and cheese platters. Passengers can choose from the wide variety of available food options.
• Pre-Order and Dine-on-Demand: Fliers can pre-order their meals 48 hours before departure; otherwise, they can order their food while on the flight. However, demand dining only applies to breakfast and snacks.
• Alcohol and Beverages: Along with food, this airline also offers beverages ranging from Turkish wines, spirits, and champagne to hot Turkish tea and coffee. They offer non-alcoholic juices and sodas too.

Here are some of the sample menus based on the itinerary and the destination:

Note: Let the on-board staff and chefs know beforehand if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or the food items.

Turkish Airlines Business Class Amenity Kits and On-Board Extras

Turkish Airlines, being a premium carrier, ensures that its business class passengers enjoy the utmost luxury. To uphold this, the airline offers luxury amenity and utility kits to make sure that the travelers have access to basic in-flight necessities.

• Currently, fliers in the Turkish Airlines Business Class seats are provided with the Ferragamo and Versace kits.
• While Ferragamo is offered on outbound flights from Istanbul, Versace can be utilized on inbound flights.
• The usual contents of these kits include:
  • High-quality skin care products
  • Eye masks
  • Ear plugs
  • Combs
  • Luxury perfumes
  • Compression socks
  • Dental kits

In comparison to competitors like Emirates, Qatar, and Lufthansa, which use Bulgari, Diptyque, and Porsche Design kits, respectively, Turkish Airlines offers a middle ground. Though it presents with better branding than Lufthansa, it is still slightly below Emirates when it comes to quality. However, Turkish Airlines’ in-flight extras are still as luxurious as Qatar’s.

Entertainment and Connectivity on Turkish Airlines First Class

The comfort and entertainment of all Turkish Airlines Business Class passengers are prioritized. Thus, an in-flight entertainment system, onboard movies, and Wi-Fi are made available to keep the fliers engaged throughout the journey.

• In-flight Entertainment System: Touchscreens ranging from 18’’ to 21” inches can be used by the passengers. They present immaculate resolution with a smooth interface and noise-canceling headphones. Travelers can select movies and TV shows from a vast variety of genres.
• Wi-Fi Availability: Wi-Fi is available on all long-haul flights, whereas Business Class passengers get free Wi-Fi up to 1 GB. If you require additional internet, you can buy the internet package starting at USD 9. It is fast and secure.
• Power Outlets: Each Business class seat has a universal power outlet. It also has a USB-A and USB-C port, along with device holders and phone storage spaces.

Turkish Airlines Business Class Service Standards

Turkish Airlines is not just known for its luxury and dining, but it is also popular for its meticulous hospitality, professionalism, and quality service. The staff treats all the passengers, including those in Turkish Airlines Business Class flies with immense respect and attentiveness:

• The cabin crew members are trained to interact with the fliers as per the global standard and maintain a professional demeanor.
• All the cabin crew members will be able to speak English and Turkish fluently. On long-haul flights, there will be crew who can speak the language of the origin country.
• To embrace the cultural differences, Turkish Airlines offers signature welcome drinks and ethnic delights.
• At times, there can be variations in the route network and flight timings based on the availability of the crew.

Turkish Airlines Stopover Program

The Turkish Airlines Stopover Program enables passengers to enjoy free hotel stays and city tours in Istanbul during layovers. This is applicable if the layover in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours. Travelers will also be eligible for other benefits under this program:

• Turkish Airlines Business Class passengers can enjoy 2 free nights in a 5-star hotel.
• Only passengers meeting the eligibility criteria mentioned above can apply for this program.
• To apply, go to the Turkish Airlines stopover page and fill out the required details like full name, nationality, and contact details.
• Wait for the carrier to confirm your application.

Tour Istanbul Program

In case your layover is less than 20 hours but you still wish to explore the area, you can choose the TourIstanbul Program. It includes a free guided city tour for passengers whose layover is up to 6 hours. This program includes free airport pick-up and drop-off, a free Turkish meal, and visits to a few renowned landmarks.

What to Watch Out For in Turkish Airlines Business Class?

Although the First Class on Turkish Airlines bestows comfort, luxury, and safety, there are a few inconsistencies that the passengers need to look out for. Preparing for these in advance will help the fliers avoid any form of hassle:

• The older aircraft, like the A330 or the B777, have less privacy, low storage space, and limited aisle access.
• In the flights having the 2-3-2 layout, the middle seat blocks the Business class fliers, leaving no direct access to the aisle.
• This carrier has a history of last-minute aircraft changes during the peak travel season. Thus, the original booking can be swapped with a smaller aircraft.
• At times, the temperature is not properly regulated, making it too warm or too cold during the night.

Tip: Confer with the airport staff a few days before the departure to evaluate the chances of aircraft swaps.

To conclude the Turkish Airlines Business Class review, it can be said that the carrier presents a reasonable set of pros and cons. It excels in the areas of dining, lounge access, luxury, hospitality, entertainment, and layover programs. The carrier is met with limitations when it comes to seat consistency, temperature control, and privacy.

Overall, it is most suitable for long-haul fliers and businessmen as it offers a high price-to-experience ratio, especially when compared to similar premium airlines. Hence, Turkish Airlines can be recommended for transcontinental business travel.

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