• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Trip Reports » Vintage Review: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER First Class Istanbul To Bangkok
Flight ReviewsTurkish Airlines

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

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 10, 2020November 14, 2023 8 Comments

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.

a room with white furniture and a chandelier

people sitting in a room with white furniture

a display of pastries and pastries

a black pot with silver lid and silverware on a black counter

a bathroom with a shower and toilet

a door in an airplane

a tv on the wall

a screen shot of a sign

a tablet and a bowl of cereal on a table

a glass of water and a bowl of nuts

a black case with a logo on it

a bag and bags on a seat

a ceiling with stars on it

a plate of food on a table

a table with food on it

a three tiered plated food stand

a plate of food on a table

a bowl of soup on a plate

a salad in a bowl

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

a table with food on it

a plate of fruit on a table

a plate of desserts

a close-up of a door

a door in a room

a sign with a button and a button on it

a plate of fruit and a bowl of jam on a table

a table with food and drinks

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

a room with doors and windows

a map of the world

a highway with a city in the background

a close up of a door knob

a red chair in a cabin

a seat with a seat belt on it

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article Delta Unveils Impressive Tech Innovations, Including “Parallel Reality”
Next Article EL AL 777-200 From Newark Makes Emergency Landing In Halifax

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • flight attendant smuggler via Sri Lanka police

    Flight Attendant Faces 25 Years, Allegedly Smuggled “Human Bone” Drug

    June 1, 2025
  • bangkok earthquake

    Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake Devastation, Heartbreaking Video

    March 30, 2025
  • a room with chairs and tables

    Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge London (LHR)

    March 22, 2025

8 Comments

  1. Howard Reply
    January 10, 2020 at 11:52 am

    That’s an impressive presentation for the caviar

  2. hbilbao Reply
    January 10, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    Awesome pics. I had no idea TK used to offer a first class.

  3. Aaron Reply
    January 10, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    RIP, Turkish Airlines First Class and Jet Airways…

  4. Mick Reply
    January 10, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    That seat actually pretty nice. Reminds me of jal but better

  5. Lucas Reply
    January 11, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    I knew TK used to offer First class, but I’ve never seen a report or photos from it. Thanks! That said, I was lucky enough to fly in those seats on TK to BKK, but in business class (after they eliminated first, before they returned the planes).

    • Matthew Reply
      January 11, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks Lucas! Glad you got the nice seat upgrade. Frankly, TK’s business class is good enough for me.

      • Arthur Reply
        January 12, 2020 at 6:15 am

        Awww. Memories. I flew this a few times when Thai Airways leased these . Great product.

    • Aaron Reply
      January 12, 2020 at 12:19 am

      OMAAT has one as well, you have to search for it though.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines sourdough chili
    Beef Chili In A Sourdough Bowl: United Airlines Business Class (+ A Funny Story) June 13, 2025
  • Cockroach Lady Milan Airport
    “Cockroach Lady” Melts Down at Milan Airport Over Carry-On Bag Size June 13, 2025
  • a row of seats in an airplane
    Flight Attendant Defends Removal of Blogger From American Airlines Flight, But Blogger Pushes Back June 13, 2025
  • airplanes at an airport
    Delta And United Flights To Israel Turn Back Mid-Air After Israeli Strike On Iran June 13, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Qatar Airways Economy Class Breakfast
    Economy Class Breakfast On Qatar Airways June 7, 2025
  • Aegean Airlines Feast
    A Feast Fit For A King On Aegean Airlines May 23, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List June 6, 2025
  • a group of people in blue uniforms
    United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter May 28, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.