The Airbus A350-900 remains my favorite aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet and I quite enjoyed flying the ex-Aeroflot (so-called “Turkoflot”) configuration of the aircraft on a longhaul flight in business class. This review covers my journey from Los Angeles to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines A350 “Turkoflot” Business Class Review
Turkish Airlines snapped up six A350-900s in 2022 that were intended to go to Aeroflot Russian Airlines, but suddenly became available when Western sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine prohibited such delivery.
This A350 subfleet features a very different business class suite than the “original” Turkish A350s, which I reviewed a couple of years ago and you can read here.
I went through quite a lot of drama to secure this ticket, but in the end, I flew from Los Angeles to Istanbul using my Turkish Miles & Smiles miles. The current price for such a one-way journey in business class is 65,000 miles. You can transfer into Turkish Miles & Smiles from Capital One and Citi.
Check-In
The Turkish Airlines ground staff is quite nice at LAX and after helping me resolve the ticketing issue (and seating issue), checked me in and directed me toward the lounge.
On the way to the lounge I passed the crew…
Lounge
TK uses the Star Alliance Lounge in the Tom Bradly International Terminal at LAX.
> Read More: Star Alliance Lounge LAX Review
We were delayed (as often seems to be the case on Turkish Airlines) and did not start boarding until our takeoff time approached.
Turkish Airlines 10
Los Angeles (LAX) – Istanbul (IST)
Tuesday, January 23
Depart: 06:40 PM
Arrive: 6:45 PM+1
Duration: 13hr, 05min
Distance: 6,851 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 version 2
Seat: 2K (Business Class)
Onboard, flight attendants were still preparing the cabin for the flight (it had arrived late from Istanbul) and appeared startled that boarding had begun.
Seat
The business class cabin includes 28 seats, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Seats are staggered in each row and the entire business class cabin is positioned between the first and second aircraft door.
These suites feature the Collins Aerospace Horizon product, which was debuted by Aeroflot and is now only used by Aeroflot and Turkish. All seats have direct aisle access and privacy doors, a personal wardrobe (barely big enough for a single garment), a vanity, and a storage cabinet. Each seat converts into a fully flat bed, 6 feet, 6 inches long. All seats also have a universal AC and USB-A socket.
Each seat has a fancy lamp that casts a nice light over the cabin when the other lights are turned off.
From what I have been told, the seats are prone to break and fixing them is difficult, with parts more readily available. I found out onboard that my seat, 2K, was broken: the buttons to adjust the seat position did not function so I remained in the upright position until it was time to sleep, at which point a flight attendant manually placed the seat into a lie-flat position.
I’m not a huge fan of the doors and found the seat somewhat uncomfortable in the upright position (more padding would have helped), but I slept for nine hours on this flight…you cannot ask for much of a better rest. It was refreshing just to sleep after days of drama surrounding this ticket. Bedding includes a set topper, duvet, and pillow.
I loved the mood lighting in the cabin, which gave the cabin a modern but soothing glow.
In short, a beautiful cabin and comfortable bed, but I prefer the B/E Super Diamond and even United’s Polaris seat in the upright position.
Food + Drink
You can expect a feast onboard Turkish Airlines when you travel on a longhaul flight in business class, even from an outstation. Knowing what a feast awaited, I did not eat in the lounge…and that proved to be a very wise choice.
Pre-departure beverages set the tone with a choice between freshly-squeezed orange juice, raspberry lemonade, or mint lemonade (or all three):
After settling in, a chef (well, a flight attendant dressed up in a chef outfit) offered me a menu. He later returned after takeoff to record my preferred main course choice).
Dinner
Dinner began with a hot towel followed by mixed nuts. I chose a rosé wine (a Turkish Kavaklidere Egeo 2022) to pair with my appetizer and fish. The nut mix included pistachios, cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts and was served warm.
This was followed by an elaborate appetizer cart, featuring soup, salad, and several warm and cold appetizers, including:
- Mediterranean prawns
- smoked trout and horseradish cream
- wild salmon tartare
- beef brochette
- avocado and tomato salad
- spiced chicken breast
- hummus
- deep-fried eggplant and green pepper with tomato sauce
- romaine salad
I tried a little of everything as well as a bowl of creamy cauliflower soup. Not only was every bit delicious but it was beautifully plated as well.
For the main course, I chose salmon over steak…I just don’t put a lot of faith on red meat on an airplane any longer. The third choice was ravioli. My salmon was served with mashed potatoes, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes…and quite delicious.
But the feast was not over. The cart returned for dessert, with decadent baklava and apple streusel with ice cream, plus cheese and fruit and raspberry chocolate cake. I was encouraged to try everything…
Not only was the quality beautiful, but the taste was as well.
Mid-Flight Snack
Turkish has offered the same midflight snack in all cabins for as long as I can remember…a mozzarella sandwich and white chocolate cake. I slept through it, but I did take note that self-serve alcohol was available in the galley behind the business class cabin.
Breakfast
Breakfast was served before landing, starting with a fruit plate and side dishes including cheese, yogurt, cold cuts (chicken breast and turkey), and a choice of breads. I had not one main course, but two: a zucchini and red pepper omelet (served with smoked turkey and cheese toast) followed by sweet curd crepes with berry compote. The crepes were SO sweet…but were quite enjoyable.
With my meal, I had a cappuccino, Turkish coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and a strawberry and banana smoothie.
IFE + Wi-Fi
A full IFE library was available, including a wide variety of Turkish and international movies, TV shows, live TV, music, games, and Islamic material.
Wi-Fi is complimentary for business class. All you need is your seat number and surname to activate the free wi-fi, which worked reasonably well throughout the flight.
But the best IFE, as far as I am concerned, was the tail camera on the aircraft and the beautiful scenery outside the window. I greatly enjoyed watching our progress both on screen and outside the window.
Unlike the 787-9 I flew from Istanbul to Atlanta where the flight attendants locked the dimmable windows in the darkest position, the A350-900 gives you full control of the window shades (and the ex-Aeroflot version has nifty shades like British Airways or Lufthansa First Class). I appreciated having full control over my window.
Noise-cancelling headphones from Denon were distributed, which I still used to cancel out noise and listen to Andrea Bocceli. Annoyingly, the headphones were collected about an hour before landing, though at least disposable ones were distributed.
Amenity Kits + Slippers
A Ferragamo-branded amenity kit included (faux blue leather bag):
- socks
- facial mist
- lip balm
- body lotion
- ear plugs
- tootbrush
- toothpaste
Slippers were also offered:
Lavatory
Business class lavatories are located in the front and back of the cabin, with black faux-marble countertops and faux-wood floors. There’s also fragrance, hand soap, and hand creme from Molton Brown.
Service
Overall, service was good, though perhaps not great.
Oddly, flight attendants made the beds directly after takeoff…before the meal service even began. It is not clear to me why Turkish conducts its turn-down service before passengers are ready for bed, but I suppose it promotes efficiency?
My bowl of nuts was never collected and just sat on my side table throughout the meal service…
Furthermore, I was never offered water or another beverage with my meal.
But the crew was pleasant…I give them credit for that.
CONCLUSION
I quite liked the “Turkoflot” A350 business class cabin, though I do think I prefer the “regular” cabin better. The food is really delicious on Turkish Airlines…that’s a huge benefit…and the flight from the West Coast to Istanbul is more than long enough for a very good rest.
I’ve reviewed Turkish flight 10 from LAX-IST several times over the years and it remains one of my favorite ways to get to Europe and beyond.
Correction, TK have 4 of these A350’s, not 6
AI have the other 2
Incorrect. TK had 6 and 2 were converted into TK interiors and the remaining 4 will stay with Aeroflot interiors for the time being.
Is this info published somwhere?
I like TK, but I don’t love TK. These seats look nice, but the fact they break so often is a real issue. Also, the fleet inconsistency is frustrating. I also think the lounges in IST are just OK. Nowhere near as good as people seem to think.
Still, at 65K miles, that’s a darn good way to get to Turkey from the West Coast.
That was quite the unkempt look you modeled in the lavatory mirror, lol. Almost like “Don’t mess with me, I just got up”!
LOL, that was before I went to sleep! 😉
Compote is fruit cooked in simple syrup. Usually is not eaten alone. Add Greek yogurt to taste. The sour in the yogurt balances the sweetness level.
But it was so delicious with the white vanilla sauce under the crepes that looked quite like something else…
Have these been permanently added to the fleet? Or are they just on temporary lease? I bet once Putin is overthrown and thrown off the roof of the former Park Hyatt that Aeroflot would love to finally get them delivered.
Permanent, I believe.
How do you approach fruit from a keto perspective? (I know you pause the diet on a plane).
I’m really not so strict. I eat berries and apples every day at home. More green vegetables than fruit, but I blend it all together and get my greens that way. I also like berries and pecans in my yogurt.
Was the lack of armrests make the set uncomfortable when in upright mode?
Didn’t bother me too much.
any compensation for your broken seat? you should get something for a major failure.
I flew IST MNL on an A359 in February 2023. I now wonder if it was a Turkoflot? Anyhow, it was a good experience!
Did the seat look like the seats above or more like this:
https://liveandletsfly.com/turkish-airlines-a350-business-class-review/
?
They serve you a lot of food, but in my mind TK is very overrated. And while the onboard service might be decent there are often other major service issues (such as your ticketing saga). Finally, IST is way too big and a pain to connect at especially since TK is often late. I do my best to avoid.
TK service is wildly overrated. I was shocked to read so many articles praising their service before. This article seems to be more representative of the reality.
The FAs are generally polite and do their job, but hardly anything incredible or polished to the extent like SQ or even Japanese carriers.
Yes – very. This is the least comfortable of the TK seats. No arms rests and narrow. Although it’s a very private product, it is – frankly – very claustrophobic. The aisles are so narrow that you wonder what an evacuation would be like. I see the novelty value of this fleet, but I wouldn’t want to fly it again.
Looks like a pleasant flight, good amenities and excellent food….the seats look great too, I would book based on this review despite the age and wear on the aircraft.
Honestly, overrated airline. I flew them last year from Doha to Washington via Istanbul in Business and the overall experience was okay but not great. I was on the 787 – their new business class product – and it was tight and uncomfortable. Service was slow and uncoordinated – so much so that they almost couldnt complete the main meal service before landing in Washington. Literally an hour between the first pass of the appetizer cart and the last, and I barely had time for my main meal. It was just sloppy and poor. Not impressive. Then the issues I’ve had with ticketing. I had purchased my ticket using Turkish Smiles miles or whatever when it was still like 47K one way from Doha to washington – not a bad price!! For business!! But then there was a schedule change or something and they rebooked me in economy, inexplicably, for Istanbul-Washington. No. So I called their 1800 number and their people on the phone were incapable of doing anything. They made me fill out some online form that was never responded to after a few months. finally somebody told me to get in touch with their Washington, DC sales office, who fixed it, but it was lots of uncertainty and nobody willing/able/ empowered to fix the problem. Recently I had to refund another award ticket and again – nobody empowered to do so on the phone, a baffling/ incomprehensible email asking me to send in my credit card and picture of my passport to provide “feedback”, and then yet another run in with the Washington sales office, who is making me receive my refund via a wire transfer rather than directly to my credit card for god knows why. Honestly, a frustrating experience on every level. Not a well run airline. Service that just isnt quite what has been talked about breathlessly. NO thanks.
Chefs are not Flight Attendants. They are literal chefs. They don’t have any responsibilities of the Flight Attendants. They are here for cheffy details for the foods and of course for show. But they do design, cook the foods when they are not flying. It is kind of a insult to cabin attendants whom you describe as dressing up as something else. We are not clowns.