Essential Tips for Booking Your Turkish Airlines Flight Based on Customer Insights

The first thing you’ll hear from past Turkish Airlines passengers is about the food. We’ve never seen so many rave reviews about airline food — apparently, the best-spiced food in the skies is on board Turkish Airlines. Therefore, while you’re waiting in the Turkish Airlines check-in line, take comfort in the fact that your in-flight meal may be significantly better than you were expecting.

Although it may not be as well known as Emirates, the airline reaches more international destinations (250, to be exact) than any other airline in the world. Moreover, the food isn’t the only exceptional amenity that comes with a ticket from Turkish Airlines.

2. Amenities at Istanbul Airport

Turkish Airlines’ home base is Istanbul Airport, where the airline has an impressive lounge for business class travelers. According to Jon Nickel-D’Andrea at NerdWallet, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a large children’s play area, complimentary food including Turkish cuisine, and private suites to relax.

Additionally, you can freshen up in one of the shower suites or explore the 1,400-square-foot museum, created in collaboration with Istanbul Modern, located right inside the lounge.

Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time took advantage of the Turkish Airlines Lounge’s showers during his layover, although he regretted not getting the full experience due to time constraints.

Similar to Icelandair’s stopover in Reykjavik, Turkish Airlines offers a stopover in Istanbul. If you have a business class ticket, you can qualify for two nights free at a five-star hotel. If you hold an economy class ticket, you can enjoy one night at a four-star hotel. You just need to email the corresponding address at least 72 hours before your flight.

3. Business Class Overview

The layout of your plane will depend on whether you’re taking a short or long-haul flight and what type of aircraft you get. For instance, Schlappig at One Mile At a Time experienced a short flight in a 737 MAX’s business class, which featured 16 seats in a 2-2 configuration. However, if you’re flying on a Turkish Airlines Boeing 777, the business class cabin is laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration.

If you’re on a Transatlantic flight, you will receive a lie-flat seat, regardless of the layout. As noted by Nickel-D’Andrea in NerdWallet, all planes offer a lie-flat experience in the airliner’s business class, complete with individual power ports, noise-canceling headphones, and even massages on select aircraft. Some of Turkish Airlines’ newer planes, such as the 787 Dreamliner, provide aisle access from every seat.

Even on shorter flights, business-class travelers benefit from a vast entertainment selection and 1GB of free Wi-Fi data. Travelers may indulge in the airline’s acclaimed in-flight dining options, which include pre-departure drinks and a meal consisting of a salad with grilled chicken, hummus, cheese, baked rice pudding, bread, and sea bass en papillote with julienne vegetables.

The unique long-haul dining experience defined by an in-flight chef is also a highlight. On transatlantic flights, you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink, followed by an expansive selection of hors d’oeuvres and soups. Your meal is served on porcelain tableware and prepared to your specifications, concluding with Turkish coffee and Turkish delight.

4. Economy Class Insights

Chris Loh at Simple Flying described the seats in Turkish Airlines’ economy class on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 as having ample legroom, generous recline, highly adjustable headrests, and a small coat hanger on the side of the forward seat.

Even on a short flight, the food service included two entree options (a pasta dish or a beef patty on rice with a bean stew), alongside a variety of sides offered with all meals, including an eggplant dish with sour cream, a mango mousse topped with chocolate shavings, a warm bread roll, and a choice of beverage.

According to Nickel-D’Andrea, if you’re flying on a long-haul overnight flight, economy class even provides an amenity kit filled with ear plugs, a sleep mask, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and lip balm.

5. Baggage Allowances

Compared to some airlines, Turkish Airlines is generous when it comes to baggage. However, your experience will differ depending on which service class you book.

Business class passengers can check two pieces of luggage weighing up to about 70 pounds each for free, in addition to bringing two pieces of cabin baggage. Meanwhile, economy class allows you to check two bags weighing up to 50 pounds each, along with bringing a carry-on bag, like a purse or tote, and an accessory item, such as headphones or a camera.

6. Conclusion: Should You Fly Turkish Airlines?

From the food to the airport lounges, reviewers generally rave about their experiences flying Turkish Airlines. The fact that economy class benefits from business class services (hot meals, amenity kits, good legroom) on several Turkish Airlines flights, combined with unique amenities available in business class, significantly enhances the airline’s reputation.

Notable advantages include “proper business class seats, free Wi-Fi, friendly service, and a great food and beverage selection,” as cited by One Mile at a Time. Nickel-D’Andrea particularly appreciated the lie-flat business class seats on all transatlantic flights, along with the airline’s airport lounge experience and the personal chef service.

Loh at Simple Flying remarked, “All in all, the experience of flying a short international flight in a Turkish Airlines narrow-body aircraft was fantastic — even in economy class. Indeed, this experience puts other airlines to shame.”