Vintage Review: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER First Class Istanbul To Bangkok

This week we are taking a walk down memory lane with a vintage first class trip report. I’m sharing photos and brief commentary from a trip I took in the final days of 2010 and first days of 2011 that included many first class flights from five Star Alliance carriers. As we enter a new decade, the goal of this trip report is to examine how airlines have changed over the last one. Although this trip report has never been published, I will not be publishing a detailed, word-heavy review as I do for current trip reports. Instead, commentary will be limited and the focus will be on photos. For the final post, I will summarize, as generally as I can, how premium products have changed over the last decade.

• Prior Segments
  • United Airlines 757-200 First Class Los Angeles to Chicago
  • Lufthansa A340-300 First Class Chicago To Munich
  • Turkish Airlines 737-700 Business Class Munich To Istanbul

Flight #4: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER First Class Istanbul To Bangkok

• This was my first time flying Turkish Airlines First Class and it turned out to be my only opportunity.
• Turkish operated several 777-300ERs with eight first class suites and a business class of herringbone-style lie-flat seats.
  • The aircraft were leased from JET Airways (there was even a JET Airways logo on the seat control monitor in the suite).
• Less than a year after my flight, Turkish eliminated first class, introducing “Comfort Class” (premium economy instead).
  • Just two years later in 2013, Comfort Class was eliminated as well, leaving Turkish with only two cabins of service, business and economy.
• After arriving in Istanbul, we headed to the Turkish Airlines First Class lounge.
  • This was before the opening of the old (massive) business class lounge.
• The lounge was small, somewhat crowded, and had a limited buffet selection.
• We were escorted to the aircraft when it was time to board, but most of the plane had already boarded.
• My first class suite was spacious and classy looking with woodgrain, gold accents, and red upholstery.
• Flight attendants presented menus, slippers, pajamas, and amenity kits prior to takeoff.
• Before takeoff, a choice of drinks and hot nuts were offered.
• Canapés were served immediately after takeoff.
• The feast began soon after – I joined my brother in his suite and we dined together.
• Caviar, appetizers, creamy mushroom soup, and green salad were all wonderful.
• I chose fish for my main course while my brother had the mixed grill (beef koobideh and filet steak).
• Fresh fruit and Turkish pastries for dessert.
• After a meal of that size and a long day behind me, I conked out for the next six hours.
• About an hour prior to landing, I was gently awakened by a flight attendant.
• Breakfast included fruit, yogurt, and an omelet.
• We landed on-time to a hot, sticky afternoon in Bangkok.
• Service was no better than business class, but I again felt the language barrier was to blame, not so much a flight crew who did not want to provide friendly and engaging service.