What surprised me most about my Turkish Airlines 777-330ER Business Class flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul was not the great service or food onboard, but the seat.
Turkish 10
Los Angeles (LAX) – Istanbul (IST)
Monday, December 17
Depart: 6:30 PM
Arrive: 6:35 PM
Duration: 13hr, 05min
Aircraft: 777-300ER
Seat: 3K
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Seat
Business Class is 2-3-2 on the Turkish 777. Normally, we think 2-3-2 seating business class is outdated and uncompetitive. While I stipulate that the the product is dated, I would never call it uncompetitive.
I’d call it comfortable. Because compared to many business class seats on the market, you have a lot more legroom, especially in the sleep position. Instead of a contracted footwell, the seat is open with an ottoman that connects to the bed when in lie-flat mode. There is room to spread out, especially if you sleep on your side.
As an added bonus, you also have a large compartment for personal storage inside the ottoman.
Of course that doesn’t mean I’d want a middle seat if I could avoid it, but this seat (I’ve also reviewed it on LOT Polish Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways) is quite comfortable.
Seats controls include multi-way adjustments and a power outlet, USB port, and LED reading light are also available.
A privacy divider extends between each seat, controlled by hand.
Turkish Airlines has 49 seats in business class on its 777-3ooER (seven rows of seven seats, with four rows in the forward cabin and three in the rear cabin).
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Bedding
At first I thought, wow…this is really bad bedding. the blanket provided on the seat was nothing more than an economy class blanket. The pillow was “business class” quality, but still very thin.
But after the meal service, a FA offered to make my bed. From an overhead bin in the back of the cabin, she pulled out a mattress pad and much better comforter. I was relieved. Bedding is critical for sleeping well and while the bedding on Turkish is not the best (that honor still goes to United Airlines for business class), it is comfortable.
Turkish Airlines Delay
Let’s move backwards for a moment. Turkish Airlines has an excellent product onboard…one of the best. However, Turkish Airlines is not very reliable operationally. Looking back, nearly every Turkish Airlines longhaul flight I have ever been on has encountered delays of at least 30 minutes.
Tonight’s flight arrived late from Istanbul and we were initially delayed about an hour, which turned into a two hour delay. I outlined the delay here, the antics of one passenger, and how my missed connection to Frankfurt cost me a night in Istanbul (trapped in the airport).
My advice is to schedule long connections whenever you are traveling on Turkish Airlines and prepare yourself mentally for delays.
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Service / Photo Controversy
During boarding, a FA appeared offering a pre-dearpture beverage to me and the lady sitting next to me. He was so enthusiastic, introducing himself and promising to take good care of both us during the flight. I snapped a picture of the drink tray.
About five minutes later, obviously after talking to a colleague, he returned and wanted to know why I was taking pictures. I don’t like pulling the blogger card under any circumstance, so I told him that I run a travel concierge service (I do, it’s called Award Expert) and will be taking many pictures on the flight to document for my clients what the business class experience is like on Turkish. He asked me to confirm I had not photographed his name-tag in my earlier picture and asked me not to mention his name to anyone….
I found that a bit strange, but he and his colleagues provided excellent service for the duration to the flight.
After the meal service, one FA offered to make my bed without asking. That’s always a nice gesture and a sign that a FA cares.
Finally, I dropped my mobile phone into the bowels of my seat during our (rough) landing. I know better than to try to adjust the seat or fish it out myself, so I enlisted the aide of a couple FAs. They carefully fished for the phone and eventually were successfully in finding it and retrieving it…15 minutes later.
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Meal Service
After takeoff, service began with mixed nuts (including pistachios) and a choice of beverage. I had enjoyed fresh lemon/mint juice prior to takeoff and chose strawberry juice after takeoff. The fresh juices are always excellent on Turkish…well, almost always (see the next section below).
Turkish Airlines flights feature a chef in business class, or at least a FA dressed up in a chef’s outfit. Menus were distributed by the chef along with a pen to fill out the breakfast card. Like many airlines, on Turkish Airlines you specify what you want for breakfast before you go to sleep so that the final meal service goes a bit quicker.
Here’s the menu and wine list for the flight. I was impressed by the wine selection, include rosé:
Dinner
FAs carefully prepared the tray table for each business class passenger with a tablecloth, cutlery, glass, bread basket, accoutrements like olive oil and S&P, and finally a battery-operated candle that flickered like a real one. Classy.
The main meal service is primarily delivered by cart, but in a very professional way. First came a choice of appetizer along with soup. I opted for Turkish Mezze, which was only okay, but the pumpkin soup was tremendous.
I was hoping for lamb, but since it was not on the menu chose beef for the main course. Served with potatoes and vegetables, the meat was cooked medium well and quite flavorful, especially with the provided spices.
Dessert was another excellent treat…pecan pie, tiramisu, and fresh fruit. Cheese was available as well, though I passed on it.
Water bottles were provided and mood lighting was turned on.
Mid-Flight Snack
The menu indicated an on-demand mid-flight snack of sandwiches and cake. I was expected those to be laid out with beverages in the galley between the two business class cabins, but saw nothing except for a few wine bottles when I got up to use the lavatory.
Breakfast
Two hours prior to landing, the lights turned from purple mood light to fluorescent white for the pre-arrival meal breakfast.
I had ordered a California omelet with orange juice, cappuccino, smoothie, and fruit.
The first tray featured yogurt, cheese and seasonal fruit, all ripe and sweet. The croissant was warm and flaky.
Next came the omelet with was spectacular–it was filled with pico de gallo. Not exactly Turkish, but delicious nonetheless.
Coffee on Turkish is also excellent. While you cannot go wrong ordering Turkish Coffee, if that is too strong for you filter coffee and espresso-based drinks are available.
Turkish Airlines Orange Juice
We are all snobbish in our own ways and I am am admittedly an orange juice snob. By that I mean that orange juice has a lot of sugar and I will only drink it if it is freshly or recently squeezed…not from concentrate or preserved for weeks. When breakfast came, I nearly spit out the orange juice…there was no way this was fresh! I asked a FA about it and she said it was indeed fresh. I insisted it was not and she brought over the container.
It was “100% orange juice” but pasteurized…that totally ruined it. She told me to sit tight and she would see if she could find any orange juice “from Istanbul”. She did and it made all the difference.
So totally a first world problem, but if you are starting your trip in the USA, ask for orange juice from Turkey…
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Lavatory
Business Class lavatories are nicely appointed. In addition to Molton Brown amenities, look for green plants, a large washbowl, and plenty of room to move around.
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Slippers + Amenity Kit
Turkish Airlines offers slippers to every business class passengers. These are nice in appearance, but were too small for my feet and rather flimsy. I did appreciate the shoe bag to store my shoes in during the flight.
The amenity kit is Bentley branded and contains a standard mix of socks, eyeshades, ear plugs, dental kit, as well as some moisturizing cream and lip balm with the Bentley logo on it.
Turkish Airlines 777-300ER IFE +Wi-Fi
Turkish has a large IFE collection onboard, including an assortment of movies, TV shows, games, and audio that can keep you occupied for hours. I did not watch any movies on this flight, preferring to sleep instead. That’s not always so easy…
Prior to landing, gate information was displayed on each seatback monitor. With the country moving in a more theocratic direction, Islamic religious material was also available.
Turkish uses high-quality Denon noise-cancelling headphones. They worked well.
Wi-Fi internet is free for business class passengers. Your seat number and surname give you access. Wi-Fi worked fairly well during the flight: I was able to book my Air France first class ticket in the air as we neared Istanbul.
CONCLUSION
As I already mentioned, Turkish Airlines suffers from poor operational reliability. It’s also not exactly quick to fly all the way to Istanbul and connect back to Western Europe. But now that the visa issue is resolved between the United States and Turkey, I would not hesitate to fly Turkish Airlines again on a longhaul route. The onboard product is worth the inconvenience of the longer overall travel duration. On this particular flight, I was surprised by how much I liked the business class seat.
Finally, remember that not only does Turkish routinely offer reasonably-priced business class fares, but also makes a lot of award space available. When you book with Aeroplan, LifeMiles, or United MileagePlus there are no fuel surcharges.
WOW!
Major service cutbacks from when I took this flight last year. When I flew TK in Business Class they had an EXTREMELY elaborate appetizer & dessert cart. I understand they still have trolley service, however this pales in comparison to what they used to offer.
I have had great experiences in Turkish – both in Business and Economy. As you mentioned, they do a great job of making lots of award space available. I don’t know that I’d fly them to western Europe (I’m NYC based) because I have limited vacation time.
With that said, its a great option to have consistent space available on a great product that flies to the most countries in the world.
You’re a miserable douche complaining about orange juice.
I was nice about it, unlike you Dan.
The orange juice (and cherry) is seriously one of the reasons I go to Turkey. I would be upset too!
Hi Micheal,
I will be flying the Turkish business class next week. Thank you for your insight. I recently started a blog, tempted about taking pictures as well. I hope they allow me to do a review
I would ask for fresh orange juice too if I was in business class. Why do you need to be so nasty to Dan? Piss off you cunt.
Hey Dan,
People are reading this 10 months after you posted, and you’re still a troll and most likely an idiot.
I’ve always loved flying Turkish. I don’t mind at all transiting through Istanbul because it allows me time in their spectacular lounge.
Funny your mentioning the flights always leaving late. I thought I was just unlucky. It’s good to know (I guess) that it’s not just my flights that seem to be delayed every time.
To @Michael’s point.
They certainly have cut way back in appetizers and desserts. You used to have a choice of 4 or 5 mezze options that you could order from the cart. Shrimp in dill sauce, artichoke salad, grain & vegetable salad…. Dessert the same way. Maybe it’s still that way flying IST to LAX. I only take it eastbound. Too bad if this is the new standard.
Finally, I’d complain too it the menu read: “freshly squeezed juice” and I was served pasteurized. It’s not the same product at all.
Amen to this! I’ve thought for awhile that the love affair with one seat type (reverse herringbone) has gone a bit too far. Sure the direct aisle access options are pleasant, but is it really that hard to discreetly step over someone lying down? I’ve never been bothered so much. The tradeoff with this seat type is the amazing feeling of space, something that many of these new, highly worked up business class configurations don’t afford.
If you are on a paid ticket, make sure you watch to get your points posted to whatever airlines you are posting them to. I have had a problem with them on more than one occasion. I will fly OKC-ORD-IST-ESB, and my OKC-ORD and IST-ERB miles will post but not the ORD-IST which is the majority of the miles. It has taken about 3 months to eventually get them to post and way to many uploads of proof and emails..
This looks like a really solid product. I flew TK J IAH>IST on one of their Airbus planes in 2013, and the seats had absolutely zero privacy. Glad to see the next generation has that sliding divider. I’m flying SFO>TXL in a few weeks, and this review has me seriously considering flying TK instead of LH, both of which have award inventory available.
And good on you noticing the OJ wasn’t fresh squeezed! I agree, there’s absolutely no comparison. Do you think she was originally using a carton from economy? That doesn’t seem like something they’d screw up accidentally.
It is fitting that the Turkish Airlines seating includes an “ottoman”.
Do you get to keep those headphones?
No.
Do you get to keep the amenity Bentley bag?
Yes you keep them
Hi Matthew, I am flying SFO-IST next week in BIZ. Right now I have a window seat and the aisle seat is free but the plane is filling up (I have been watching, about 6 seats left) and wondering if I am better off on an aisle center section seat to avoid having to step over someone stretched out and sleeping. I have had trouble doing that in other BIZ sections, like standard United. I get up every 2-3 hours to walk a little. Is there an advantage to the window seat, other than looking outside? Thanks!
I love the window seat, but if you will be getting up every 2-3 hours I would definitely switch to an aisle. When the bed is in lie-flat mode it is very difficult to step over your seat mate. Hopefully the middle seat in the center section will remain open, though that is unlikely—-a lot of “friends” tend to get upgraded at the gate.
The business class product has been in steady decline over the years. I worked for TK as an engineer for 8 years before branching out on my own last year. My particular position with TK involved traveling frequently to repair aircraft which had broken down abroad. The business class product was in the top 3 when I started with the company. The last 3 years have seen significant cutbacks in service. Hopefully with the arrival of the 787 the product will improve.
Matt, great article and I could’t agree more on your dedication for great OJ!
I am soo looking forward to my TK flight over labor day weekend, it’s been awhile since I have flown them. Just hope that this crazy tariff situation with Turkey doesn’t disrupt something I set up almost a year ago!
BTW you’ve been missed in IG! 😉
Great review, very thorough.
Lost me a little with the orange juice.
The orange juice from Istanbul is not 100% pure squeezed neither.
Whatever it is, it is far better than ex-LAX. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the thorough review! I was looking into which business class to choose for our family trip to istanbul, and thought why not give TK a try. I was in doubt at first because they were (at least all the time I was taking them) not timely fashioned… Guess it wasn’t just me.
Keep up the great work
I have 2 major issues when flying business class:
1) the seat has to be able to be turned into a full flat bed (otherwise I might as well book an economy exit seat)
and 2) the length of the bed has to be at least 6’7″ (or 2 meters), otherwise I will cramp up completely while sleeping.
What I miss in all business class reviews is the length of the beds. For tall business travellers this is really essential.
So how long was the bed in Turkisch BC?
1.88 cm in Turkish….I haven’t seen a 2mt in business class yet.
In business class, do I need to pre-order a vegetarian meal, or are options always available?
I wouldn’t risk it. Just order a special meal.
What a great and detailed review! Im thinking of upgrading our seats to business class…. 🙂
On the 777 – 300-ER aircraft, Do you prefer the forward section of business or the second section of business and why? We are looking for the quietest seating
I’ve never sat in the rear section, but I certainly thought my seat in the middle of the forward cabin was quiet during the night.
I have flown 4 times with them and no question that the forward cabin is better. The reason I say this is for multiple reasons. First, by turning left you can settle in immediately without a steady flow of economy passengers trundling by (on those flights where economy and business share the same door; second, it seems you get faster but not necessarily of course better service; Third row for example is separated from economy by only a curtain (read noise seepage); Fourth, I have noted on a couple of flights that the main gift bags can run out and you end up with a second choice; Fifth, the enclosed space of the forward cabin is a little more homey and enclosed and quieter; Sixth, I just like turning left 🙂
I meant 7th row not 3rd row. Sorry.
Excellent! Thanks so much for the detailed review. When paying a premium price for flights, I have a choice and want the best value.
I flew from Washington Dc to Tashkent. My flight had one stop in Istanbul. First part of my travel was excellent, however it was very disappointing when before boarding to the next flight, a flight attendant made me pay $88 dollars for two bottles of cognacs, a bottle of vodka and two blocks of cigarettes that I purchased at the duty free shop in Istanbul airport. I showed him receipts, but he would not listen and told me “If I don’t pay, he would not let me in”. So, disappointing. Never will use Turkish airlines again!!!
Any problems with the cabin feeling overheated? I hear that complaint about TK-a lot! A friend of mine is their senior captain. He said they had so many complaints that there is a directive to maintain the cabin temp at a certain setting of 21-22 degrees Celsius (roughly 73f).
I can’t stand a hot cabin. If people are cold they can put on more clothes and use a blanket.
Cabin heat was not a problem for me, but I certainly have heard complaints about it in the past.
Yes, they run their cabin hot. Dress down for it. No question.
“I nearly spit out the orange juice…”
Guess what they did to your fresh squeezed orange juice..?
I don’t really care. It tasted great.