If you’ve ever taken a long-haul flight in coach seating, you know it can be brutal. I recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa from Washington Dulles, which takes 15-20 hours of flying time. I chose Turkish Airlines Business Class with a connection in Istanbul to break up the seriously long trip. Spoiler alert… It was a terrific experience, and I can highly recommend it. Let me tell you why.

Connections and Jet Lag

Since Istanbul is at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, it makes an excellent transit point for long-haul flights. By making a connection at Turkish Airlines’ hub in Istanbul, my total flight time was divided into roughly equal segments of 10 hours from Washington to Istanbul and 10 hours from Istanbul to Cape Town. Both were overnight flights, so my sleep patterns were not completely skewed, and my jet lag was reduced. Of course, you would get this advantage in coach class also, but the sleep part is much easier in Business Class!

Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge

Istanbul Airport itself is remarkable. Opening in 2019, it is one of the largest airports in the world, with modern facilities and extensive capacity. As nice as the airport is, the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge at Istanbul Airport is an incredibly vast and luxurious space that provides a premium experience for business class passengers. The design features a contemporary and stylish ambiance with modern furnishings, a blend of Turkish and international architectural elements, and a light and airy environment.

The lounge offers an extensive selection of dining options to cater to different preferences and culinary tastes. There are various food stations serving a range of international cuisines, including Turkish delicacies, gourmet dishes, and healthy choices. Passengers can enjoy freshly prepared meals, snacks, desserts, and a wide selection of beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Turkish Airlines Business Class passengers can work in well-equipped business facilities, relax in cozy seating areas, or enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the airport with panoramic views from above the activity. A bank of TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and ample power outlets will keep you connected. There is even a golf simulator, a flight simulator, a museum of soccer memorabilia, and a kids’ play area for those who need some entertainment during their layover.

In-Flight Experience

Turkish Airlines provides an outstanding experience for business class passengers, offering comfortable seating, exceptional service, and a delightful dining experience. Turkish Airlines Business Class cabins feature spacious and comfortable seats with ample storage for shoes and carry-ons in each ‘pod.’ The Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft I flew on had comfortable seats that converted to lie-flat beds and privacy dividers. After takeoff, flight attendants added bedding with a textured blanket, pillowcase, and a padded seat cover. The personal entertainment system at each seat features a large screen and a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games.

The dedicated cabin crew provided attentive and personalized service with professionalism and hospitality. Business class passengers enjoy priority services, including expedited check-in, dedicated boarding lanes, and priority baggage handling. The Turkish Airlines Business Class amenity kits include skincare products, socks, eyeshades, earplugs, and slippers. I must say, the slippers appear to have been made for Paul Bunyan, but the face mist and the lotion were designer quality!

Turkish Airlines Award-Winning Dining

Now, about the food… Turkish Airlines is renowned for its exceptional in-flight dining experience, and I can personally vouch for that. Honestly, their food in the clouds was better than I’ve had in many restaurants on the ground. There is a chef onboard. Yes, a real culinary chef, complete with a toque and white jacket, preparing local and seasonal meals in the galley and serving appetizers and desserts from a trolley cart! The dining service is on-demand, so you can order meals at your preferred time during the flight.

Passengers in Turkish Airlines business class enjoy a diverse and flavorful menu inspired by Turkish and international cuisines. An extensive selection of beverages, including fine wines, champagne, spirits, soft drinks, and a variety of hot beverages are available throughout the flight.

When dining, your seat tray is dressed in table linen, then the delicious food is served on modern-shaped white porcelain plates, with plenty of weighty-not-plastic flatware for the multiple courses. Linen napkins and charming flameless candles create a refined atmosphere. Dining in Turkish Airlines Business Class isn’t just eating. It’s a delightful culinary journey!

Turkish Airlines Istanbul Stopover Program

If you have a connection in Istanbul of at least 20 hours, Turkish Airlines offers complimentary hotel stays. All you need to do is request a reservation at least 72 hours before your first flight. (Note: Flights must be operated by Turkish Airlines, not a codeshare.) Coach passengers can stay one night but Business Class passengers can stay two nights free of charge in a 5-star hotel or up to three nights if originating in the U.S. Cost of any visa and transportation to the hotel are the responsibility of the passenger.

Alternatively, Turkish Airlines offers all passengers (any class of service) complimentary tours during their layover in Istanbul. These include half- and full-day sightseeing to visit famous places such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Galata Bridge, Obelisk of Theodosius, or a Bosphorus cruise. All excursions include roundtrip transportation from the airport, and a meal – Free. Of. Charge. I took the Bosphorus Cruise, and it was a lovely diversion from people-watching in the airport – even from the wonderland of the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge.  Travel Maestro tip: Ask your Covington travel advisor how to arrange this excellent amenity when flying Turkish Airlines. Tour options vary by day of the week and time of the layover.

In summary, Turkish Airlines Business Class will take the sting out of any long-haul flight. The service is superb, the food is gourmet, and with the added benefits offered in Istanbul, you might even want to fly longer just to orchestrate a layover there! When you’re ready to give it a go, contact Covington.