Turkish Airlines has been named Europe’s top carrier and has been on the fast track to regional domination from its hub in Istanbul. Check in with the award-winning airline you’ve never thought to fly with.

Background

Turkish Airlines continues to expand its regional and international network and currently flies to 304 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, making it the largest carrier in the world by number of passenger destinations. A member of the Star Alliance, the airline’s main hub is Istanbul Airport.

On Board

One of the things I like about the 777-300ER is the space; the luggage bins are ample, the ceiling high, the bathrooms abundant, the leg space heavenly. I was quickly seated with a glass of champagne in the second row of the airline’s unique 2-3-2 business class configuration, a layout that looks crowded until you sit down.

Although there is almost nothing in the way of privacy between passengers, and little that helps you designate your space from someone else’s, seats are wide and comfortable and a soft bench beneath the large monitor becomes an extension when you’re moving into sleep mode. The seat comes with an extended tray table, plenty of storage space and an in-seat laptop power, which is a little tricky to access. The airline‘s amenity kit, boating Hermes products, is a nice touch.

Service

Although the airline has introduced a chef on board to take orders and serve meals in business class, the cabin crew, in general, seemed disorganised, robotic and rather stand-offish. Attendant lights took a long time to be answered, and it seemed only a few experienced crew were handling the bulk of service, despite the cabin being full. After the meal the attendants all but disappeared into the gallery until breakfast was served eight hours into the flight.

Dining

Although it took the crew almost two hours to begin service, meals on TK are worth the wait; packed with innovative dishes made from fresh ingredients, the dinner menu included a choice of a Mediterranean Meze platter of white eggplant, grilled chicken and cherry tomatoes; or a salmon carpaccio with marinated prawns and arugula. This was followed by the option of stuffed zucchini, eggplant and wine leaf in olive oil; or a potato and leek soup, although I noticed many travellers throw in the towel after the appetizer so that they could get some sleep.

For mains, business passengers had the option of grilled sea bream with a tomato and black olive salsa; lamb chops with potato gratin; or mushroom ravioli. The well-presented meal was served by an on-board chef from Do & Co catering company and was followed by a range of Turkish desserts, cognacs and liqueurs. Meals are matched with drops from an extensive onboard wine list which includes the likes of a Bodegas Beronia Crianza 2007 and Chablis Premier Cru Les Beauroys 2007. A simplistic breakfast can be pre-ordered, although, like the food available in the lounge, it was a little too regional for my liking.

Summary

Overall a great business class experience; the entertainment system was comprehensive and user-friendly, the seat a pleasure to sleep in, the connection time well thought out. If someone can muster some better service ethos and a smile or two out of the cabin crew, then Turkish Airlines just might be a force to be reckoned with.

Turkish Airlines business class, Hong Kong-Instanbul return from US$3,500 per person. www.turkishairlines.com

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