Turkish Airlines business class used to be great. What happened?

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Күн бұрын

Business class on Turkish Airlines isn’t what it used to be. On this trip from Istanbul to Abu Dhabi, the product has gotten significantly worse over the years. Learn more about what has changed, but also what’s still good about Turkish Airlines business class.
📝 This video is NOT sponsored. I paid for this trip myself. The airline did not know ahead of time that I was going to make a video, and the views presented are my own. Some product links are affiliate links. If you use them I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
🎬 Related videos mentioned:
Why I don’t recommend Turkish Airlines anymore: • Does Turkish Airlines ...
The Flip Flop Traveller ‪@tfft‬ on the TK lounge in IST: • TURKISH AIRLINES A321 ...
✈️ Trip details:
Route: Istanbul, Turkey ( IST) to Abu Dhabi, UAE (AUH)
Date: Jan. 14, 2023
Airline: Turkish Airlines (TK)
Aircraft type: Airbus A321neo
Class of service: Business class
Frequent flyer status: Star Alliance Gold (TK Elite)
Paid with: TK points
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⌚ Sections in this video (Turkish Airlines business class used to be great. What happened?):
0:00 | Turkish Airlines business class
0:38 | Istanbul Airport
1:38 | Miles&Smiles Lounge
3:29 | Boarding Turkish Airlines at Istanbul Airport
4:14 | Seat tour on A321neo narrow-body jet
5:23 | In-flight entertainment
6:08 | Other amenities
6:45 | Lavatory tour
7:21 | Meal service
8:33 | Recommendation
9:05 | More reasons to not fly Turkish
🏢 Companies mentioned:
‪@TurkishAirlines‬

Пікірлер: 43

@locolombia1970 Жыл бұрын

I just flew from Miami to Kathmandu, Nepal on business class this past March/2023. There is not enough words for me to say how great the service was. The Cabin crew and also on land. I had flown Qatar airways three years ago, service was good. Suites were amazing . I am definitely flying with Turkish airways again.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I'm happy you had a great experience with TK. I have too, in the past.

@locolombia1970 Жыл бұрын

@@MarkusTravels it was my first time and they exceed my expectations. I will be flying With them once again Miami-Rome in September. Let’s see if they still keep the same standards as my first flights two weeks ago. I will keep you all posted.

@ZRHTrainspotter Жыл бұрын

To Abu Dhabi the demand is not high enough for a widebody, and so you get the A321neo, which is also an amazing cabin and product. Meantime, if you fly to Dubai, you will get a widebody. They only use widebodies to Dubai. The title makes it seem overly drammatic while it actually isnt.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

When I booked this trip, I tried very hard to look for widebody aircraft, and did check both DXB and AUH. None were available. But you're right, to DXB they have them now.

@ZRHTrainspotter Жыл бұрын

@@MarkusTravels oh so this must have been in COVID times.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

That's right. I initially made the booking in Dec. 2021 for travel in Nov. 2022. Then TK canceled my flight and we moved it to Jan. 2023.

@ZRHTrainspotter Жыл бұрын

@@MarkusTravels yeah, and since COVID its still narrowbody. The demand for AUH isnt high enough. If you want the best experience, use TK to DXB. They use 777, A330, A350.

@CSpili Жыл бұрын

Hi Markus, regarding the outlets, they are usually hidden underneath the floor, if you know how to spot them. I've seen multiple "openings" at the Business lounge, so I assume it's the same for Miles & Smiles. If you've seen any hotel/conference floor sockets, you can understand what I'm talking about. As for the plane, it might have been a sudden equipment swap, because on a similar route, IST to DXB, we had lie-flat seats and all. My main issue with TK is that they don't have those golf buggy cars transferring people towards their gate. That would be a great thumbs up for them.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I'm never sure if we're allowed to open those lids in the floor that cover the outlets. Maybe they wouldn't mind! I did compare many different dates when booking, trying to look for a wide-body aircraft. At the time, I wasn't able to find one.

@CSpili Жыл бұрын

@@MarkusTravels That sucks, and I know the feeling. I travelled from IST - DXB in the old business cabin and from DXB to IST in their new dreamliner and business cabin, so I can definitely attest that there may be different times/routes that offer other experiences. Moreover, the business class you showed is what is used in EU flights to IST primarily, so my best guess is a sudden equipment change from TK for some odd reason. As for the tiles, well, one can always ask, and quite honestly, I don't mind asking them to open one up. It's not that much of a hustle for them, and I'm sure they're accustomed to doing that every so often. On another note, TK does have decent bathrooms, quite spotless I may say so in the business lounge, and some decent showers, though at times it may be hectic. I may have been lucky though, as I never had to wait for one to be available.

@nordlands8798 Жыл бұрын

Regarding electrical outlets in the IST M&S lounge, there are outlets at the columns at 1:52 and otherwise in the floor at about every other seating group. There are also usb outlets in some round chairs near the entrance that are for taking phonecalls etc.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

That's very good advice, I'll take a look next time! I always feel unsure about outlets in the floors, as in are you allowed to open the cover and use them.

@tinatito6273 Жыл бұрын

I always fly Turkish Airlines from Chicago to Iraq

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I'm happy you're enjoying them!

@1bluensx Жыл бұрын

Hi! I’m first to comment. Thank you for the great, honest review. I’m flying them in July IST to BUD. IM not expecting much as far as the flight on this age aircraft, but I am looking forward to the IST lounge food. I’ve watched a lot of negative reviews since the plandemic. United’s Polaris at some point before the plandemic had hope…but on a recent flight from Narita to ewr, it was dismal. The absolute worst long haul soft product and flight attendants that I have ever had. Flat beds are HUGE for me. It is the only reason I pay for business class. Otherwise I’d just eat a damn granola. I’m paying for the seat on long haul or even < 3 hour business class. The lounge experience is nice, but in reality it’s just a brief period.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I think you'll love the lounge at IST. The power outlet issue is annoying, but they do have power on the aircraft. The lounge food is so good, and there's so much variety. Don't miss the Turkish coffee!

@ranjansamarakone6101 Жыл бұрын

I flew TK business class several trips from JFK to BKK, BER and CMB. I had mixed of good, bad and worse experiences between 2019 - 2023. Service was not always good. They used the old rundown aircraft ( Old A330-300 and 777) with damage seats on the JFK sector. Also the food service was not that good on most of my latest flights. At the airport lounge in IST they really need to bring back the food stations 100% back. They only have few open. Not good!

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I'm working on a video about TK in economy class, and I too will highlight a few service issues. This airline is a very mixed bag.

@Mario-ch9nl Жыл бұрын

LH does offer a flat bed on a 4,5h flight? No, they dont. They offer a flat bed on a flight to the UAE cause its about 6,5h and too long for a A320/321 On a 3,5-4,5h flight to LIS/TLV/CAI/LPA they offer an economy seat with blocked middle seat, so TK provides a much better narrow body cabin.

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

Yes, the TK narrow body experience is better than many others. I just miss the wide bodies they used to have on this route. Even with a middle seat.

@user-pm7pc 5 ай бұрын

ia am going to go to hong kong to malaga in 2024 this year i think they are very good 👍👌😊

@MarkusTravels 5 ай бұрын

I wish you a great trip!

@angelaallen7311 Жыл бұрын

Hey all, I gotta say, don't fly Turkish Airlines. Something has changed since late 2021. I fly this route in business class often enough to know. Bad customer service, repeatedly canceled flights, absolutely horrible customer service, they are even limiting services in the lounge like the sleeping rooms, which you are allowed to request if you have a very long layover (which btw is their fault to due previously mentioned cancellations). I'll be taking my business elsewhere. #turkishairlines #worstcustomerservice #neveragain

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

I've had similar experiences, which I documented in the two other TK videos I have on my channel.

@DiggingNorway 11 ай бұрын

Clickbait title. Turkish still great product.

@MarkusTravels 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion!

@UmairActorModel Жыл бұрын

Turkish Airlines’ cabin crew members are so disgruntled! I flew on them from LAX-IST in 2019 & they were so rude!! Couldn’t stand them! Disgusting and dismissive behaviors! Speaks a lot about their management and how they don’t train their cabin crew or hold them accountable to premium standards!

@MarkusTravels Жыл бұрын

That matches with my experience of TK crew as well. And I've flown them for a long time.

@UmairActorModel Жыл бұрын

@@MarkusTravels oh man, sorry to know you had a similar experience, Markus!! TK inflight mgmt needs to step up and do a better job of training their cabin crew!

@homer3152 Жыл бұрын

You were very polite to blame it on their management only:)

@555125kevin Жыл бұрын

Same for Air France & Lufthansa, their flight crews can be blatantly rude. Seems like European airlines don't emphasize respect & anti-descrimination to their air crews as much Middle Eastern airlines do.

@huseyincembaykan1289 Жыл бұрын

On the contrary I flew los angeles to ankara via istanbul . The crew were very polite and helpful. The food was the best. İn future I will always fly by turkish airlines.