You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
21 Nov 15	TK 70	4D	777-300ER
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Business Class	89685	English ,Spanish	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

I have always wanted to take a long haul trip with TK in J and this wish was finally accomplished through this segment in Nov. 2015. The ticket was booked back in March as a one way from CPH-HKG for USD 1,200 or EUR 1.090 in J - a very reasonable fare.

Upon arrival into IST I followed the signs for connections and breezed through security. My next stop was the TK CIP lounge which in my opinion is one of the best business class lounges (if not the best) in the world.

The size of this lounge is impressive - 6000 square meters (approx. 64583 square feet) that serves an average of 4000 guests per day. It has 2 floors with 4 relaxation rooms with beds in each floor making for a total of 8 units. Unfortunately I couldn't use these rooms because my layover was almost 9 hrs. For some strange reason TK requires you to have a 4-7 hrs layover and connecting to/from a long haul TK flight (8+ hrs) in order to qualify.

Manti station.

Garbanzo soup.

Mezze station.

Grilled meats station.

Dessert station.

My snacks.

The Tea Garden. This was my favorite corner in the lounge.

Thomas - do you feel like having one?

WC in the lower floor.

Shower.

TK is the only airline that provides a robe in a J lounge.

After leaving the lounge I checked the flight information screens and noticed that all the Asian flights were delayed by one hour.

Eventually I made my way to the gate and it was full of people. We were going to take a bus and as soon as the gate agent made an announcement for J passengers to board it seemed that everybody stood up and lined up at the front. I boarded the crowded bus and we were dropped off next to the plane.

Two FA's greeted people at the door and then I turned left.

There were three or four empty seats in the cabin and luckily I did not have a neighbor next to me in the middle row. I wanted to switch to a pair of empty seats in the bulkhead but someone took it right after the door closed.

Pre-dept. drink service.

Distribution of reading materials and amenity kits.

Amenity kit taken at a later time.

Doors were closed and we taxied to the runway for take off. When we leveled off FA's started the meal service. I must say that even though this flight departed past midnight and most airlines would not have bothered with an elaborate meal service TK still provided a full blown meal. The only difference between dinner and supper on TK is that the during the supper service the à la carte appetizer trolley with all the options displayed is omitted and a shortened pre-plated version is offered.

Menu.

The FA went around the cabin strapping a liner on the seats. I had to get up so that he could prepare my seat.

Cherry juice to start the meal.

Amuse bouche.

This was followed by the dinner set up. Two FA's rolled down the cart and placed on each passenger's table a linen candlelight glass of water and condiments.

Appetizer carts with soup.

Soup.

Appetizers.

The main dish was delivered individually and I chose the stuffed eggplant. It reminded me of a dish called Imam Bayildi (which does not contain meat and is served cold). The stuffed eggplant was scrumptious with the tender cubes of lamb that accompanied the buttered rice brilliantly.

After my plate was taken it was time for dessert and this was quite a delectable show with the choices neatly presented from the cart. You could choose whatever you wanted and I opted for a modest selection of Turkish semolina cake chocolate mousse custard and brioche with vanilla sauce. Just delicious!

WC.

There is no window just a creative illusion.

Hot towel before breakfast.

Breakfast.

Cheese gözleme or omelette. Of course I had the gözleme

========== Ataturk Arpt (IST) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

========== Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge International ==========

Staff Service: 9/10

Entertainment: 9/10

Business Center: 9/10

Food: 10/10

Lounge Design: 10/10

Spa and Bathroom: 10/10

Wifi: 10/10

========== THY - Turkish Airlines - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 9/10

Crew: 9/10

Entertainment: 9/10

On-time performance: 7/10

Appetizer: 10/10

Starter: 10/10

Main Meal: 10/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 10/10

Desserts: 10/10

Alcohols: 9/10

Mid-flight snack: 9/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 10/10

========== Hong Kong Intl (HKG) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 10/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

Summary:

I was glad that I finally was able to experience a long haul flight in Business on Turkish. The carrier truly excels in its catering and it's always a pleasure to dine onboard with them. As for cabin comfort and seat, the lack of privacy might be an issue.

I had a very comfortable flight and the empty seat next to me was a big bonus. However, I wonder how soon will the present J seating arrangement of 2-3-2 in their 777's fleet will become obsolete when most of its competitors are giving more privacy in their J cabins by installing the Cirrus Zodiac seats. UA and TK might be falling behind the pack when it comes to cabin comfort.

As I mentioned earlier, TK crew is a mixed bag and consistency is not its strength. At times language can be an issue and on rare occasions the English spoken can be unintelligible.

There is no doubt that TK is a force to contend with and its rapid network expansion is a proof of that. One can hope that deficiencies will be properly addressed and its strong qualities will not start to slip.

10 Comments

Thomas — Jun 08,2019

Thanks Adan for the TR.
Unfortunately I couldn't use these rooms because my layover was almost 9 hrs. For some strange reason TK requires you to have a 4-7 hrs layover and connecting to/from a long haul TK flight (8+ hrs) in order to qualify = That's bothering, the could/should bend the rule if it's empty.
The catering is truly amaizing.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 10,2019

Hi Thomas,

It's an annoying rule and I believe it still applies at the new lounge. Fortunately there are also recliners there so for those who don't qualify there is still a change to rest (if you are lucky to grab one).

Catering is the pride and joy of TK as we all know.

Thanks.
Casper — Jun 08,2019

A great flight Adan. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the report as always.
Casper.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 10,2019

Hi Casper

Thanks for your visit. See you.
Emile — Jun 08,2019

Hard to find any faults. The lounge is near perfection and the catering top-notch. Thanks for sharing with us.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 10,2019

Hi Emile,

It was a joy to take this trip. Thanks.
Flyera — Jun 08,2019

This lounge is a masterpiece. Excellent review. Thanks Adan.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 10,2019

Hi AAFlyer,

I really miss this lounge and it was very special.

Thanks.
Capoune — Jun 10,2019

Hello Adan!
Thank you for this really nice report!
The lounge is just waowwww!!! I agree with you that il’s probably the best business class lounge in the world.
Onboard the catering is just amazing!
Once again thank you for sharing with us.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 10,2019

Hi Seb,

Now the lounge is a memory and I don't think that it will be surpassed by the new one. Let's see when I have a chance to visit it.

Hopefully TK will maintain that level of catering and doesn't let it slip.

Thanks.

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