The business class Turkish Airlines doesn't talk about.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Get Surfshark VPN at surfshark.deals/winginit - Enter promo code WINGINIT to get 83% off + THREE EXTRA MONTHS for free! I'm back in the air with a business class product Turkish Airlines never talks about. You won't find any mention of these A350 business suites on their website and you have to dig around in the aviation press (or on KZbin!) to find out the details of this very unusual and very luxurious closing door suite. It's my first time passing through Istanbul since 2019 when the airport opened so this was a fun trip to do - and boy, is that airport BIG! Follow me on Twitter: @paul_winginit ¦ twitter.com/paul_winginit Follow me on Instagram: paul_winginit ¦ instagram.com/paul_winginit Merch store: wingin-it.teemill.com/collection/all-products/

[@C2K777]

Playing Devils Advocate for a moment I actually think that them not making a big thing, for now, about the 350's J cabin is sensible & an intelligent customer service approach. One of thee most annoying things about flying Qatar is the total 'QSuites Lottery' that you often face. Nothing ruins the experience like booking a Q Suite aircraft & them changing it out. Which happens with infruiating regularity. However if Turkish don't scream "Look at our amazing business product" then it is a massive uplift & enhanced experience IF you get it. If you don't then most will be non the wiser and will board expecting what they saw on the website when booking. Better to under promise & over deliver than scream 'Q,Q,Q,Q,QQQQQQ!', then get a 2--3-2 dated product on the day.

[@danielschwarz6432]

😊😊

[@Paul_Lucas]

Turkish also have the 2-3-2 lottery anyway so I don't think this is the reason. They regularly substitute vastly inferior 777 and 330 aircraft on 350 and 787 routes!

[@C2K777]

@@Paul_Lucas Ahh okay. I stand corrected in that case.

[@ajmk22]

does anyone know which type of Turkish airlines plane... flies from Rome or Dubai or anywhere near there to GEORGIA? I want to avoid the crap-tastic business class so bad....... I have paid my dues in first class from dubai in emirates to toronto was their OLDEST worst first class plane in their FLEET... a much longer story short... I would love to at least just have the right Turkish flight to georgia if anyone sees this or has any insight please let me know! Not necessarily needing or hoping for this " secret plane". but more so the other one with the grey/black. 1 2 1 config for business....seems to be the best... I think is a 350?.... it 300ERs seem ( from what I gathered ) is the old terrible business class.. PS thanks Paui for the insigh! and Video

[@tonyellis19]

I thought Ankara was the capital.

[@Paul_Lucas]

I’m probably going to run a sweepstake for the first people to point out the one deliberate mistake in every video at some point! 😊 (in the last video it was also a popularly misconstrued capital city so keep your ears peeled in the next one!)

[@stena_vlogs]

Ankara!

[@eannamc]

It is Ankara

[@briansaanich2624]

@@Paul_Lucas Saskatoon was the error in the last one.

[@OlympicAirwaysAirlines]

Konstantinople*

[@zephyr_00]

@16:38 It's a safety requirement for premium class (first and business class). Airlines installing doors in their business class are required to design the door in such a way if it gets stuck in an emergency, the occupant can easily escape. Qatar's Qsuite door design is removable (in emergency, if it's stuck, there's a lever you pull and the door comes off completely) each airline and seat maker have a different approach to it.

[@Calebs_Aviation]

Great video Paul! First off Ankara I’d the Capital of Turkey 🇹🇷 I believe. Second no transit train or moving walkways of any kind seems like an absolute joke and oversight for sure! Even much smaller airports such as Detroit (DTW) Atlanta (ATL) 🇺🇸 and as mentioned Dubai (DXB) 🇦🇪 or Doha (DOH) 🇶🇦 have transit systems in their airports so very very stupid!Also Wow 🤩 That ex Aeroflot now Turkish A350-900 looks way better than Turkish Airlines normal seat and it reminds me a lot of Delta Airlines Business class suites on their A350’s! Also at 9:29 a Kuwait Airways 🇰🇼 A330-800neo what a find!! Also at 13:20 is that a Russian 🇷🇺 built Sukhoi jet?!? Wow! Also at 13:42 is that an Iran Air 🇮🇷 A310! What great finds! I cannot wait to fly and review Turkish Airlines 🇹🇷especially on one of their newer planes like the B787 or A350! Cheers 🥂 😊

[@tramcrazy]

I think the stable door function is so they can give you food without fully sliding back the door: seems like a potentially good idea!

[@zephyr_00]

No it's not. Airlines installing doors in their business class are required to design the door in such a way if it gets stuck in an emergency, the occupant can easily escape. Qatar's Qsuite door design is removable (in emergency, if it's stuck, there's a lever you pull and the door comes off completely)

[@tramcrazy]

@@zephyr_00 Ahhh cool

[@LadyCalverley]

That was another fun flight, Paul! I was glad to find out there were some entertainment titles with audio description available-- you are so right when you said more airlines need to get onboard with better accessibility.

[@ivanblakely903]

Thanks Paul... very informative. Since you asked - both B787 and A350 are excellent and of course the experience depends on the seats the airline chose, plus what you decided to pay for, but when it comes to window shades the A350 wins hands down. I detest the electronic darkening on the B787, particularly because the crew takes over and bans you from looking out the window.

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Being able to dim all lights by the crew is a fantastic feature. Nothing worse than an asshole or two refusing to lower the blinds.

[@tjegan1417]

It's amazing how interiors of one airline are found flying with another. Several years ago I flew on a Sun-Country 737-800 that had a Turkish Airlines interior

[@danieltoth-nagy5097]

Finally, I had time to watch this and so much content was packed into one video! I like this length.

[@jeanpauljh]

Great video, as always Paul. Thanks for sharing this fascinating product review... and good to know that I'll need good running shoes to walk across the behemoth that is IST. One quibble from right at the beginning (0:06) - Istanbul may be the biggest city in Turkey, but it's not been the capital since 1923 ;-)

[@Clutching.My.Pearls]

I really appreciate your videos on planes and trains for our future travels. Thanks for all the hard work.

[@SpaceBaron]

The first business class lounge I have ever seen that offers popcorn! They got me with that! 😁😁😁

[@johnhaynes710]

I like your comment about accessibility. Normally I just preload my iPad as the screens are at the wrong angle. Or, if like many blind I sit with my face close to the screen I risk getting smashed in the face as the person in front slams their seat into the reclined position.

[@TheDjim49]

Best short haul cabin I’ve experienced was AA flagship first on the 777 300ER from Dallas to Miami. This was October 2020 when AA had their 777 300ER on domestic routes since there was no international demand. Nice way to spend a couple hours

[@RobJaskula]

Sounds like the polar opposite of their ancient 767s on the DFW-ORD route lol

[@Calebs_Aviation]

I was lucky enough to get a Delta A350-900 from DTW-ATL a few months ago

[@OverSoft]

The transit walk can be even longer, we found out this weekend! We flew from Tokyo to Istanbul to Amsterdam. We had to pass through transit security, which is on the OTHER side of the terminal. We had 1 hour and 20 minutes from arrival to departure, it took us 30 minutes just from gate to transit security. We then took 10 minutes in the lounge for a much needed drink and then walked another 20 minutes to gate F19 (which is the furthest away from the Turkish business lounge). We could board immediately... And we were flying business, so we could fast-track everything...

[@JSingh_8185]

Your way of reviewing any airline is awesome and you don't talk harshly all the time like Josh Cahill. I have recently started watching your videos and subscribed to your channel, I really like your content. I had also started watching Josh's videos at the same time when I started watching yours but he is very harsh and finds faults with every second flight he gets on. I don't know why I'm criticizing him on your channel but the truth needs to be told 😅

[@scottyerkes1867]

Nice flight. Love the privacy of business class and fine dining. Thanks Paul.😀💚

[@genesiswan4018]

Nice to See Paul flying again. Hope you will get to spend 1 night at Changi and Jewel, looking forward to it. PS: SQ giving free wifi all the way for all of their Premium cabins. (Biz & Abv) hopefully can tempt you to fly here soon.

[@philippoon8879]

The idea of the stable doors is for the meal and/or beverage service, quick and easy access during those times; yet still maintaining a closed suite. Add to that by evacuation regulations by the IATA and/or ICAO; the suites with doors will eventually require an emergency egress feature.

[@lionzion86]

Was flying out of KLIA to Perth but the baggage and check in systems had all failed and I was one of the last to be checked in due to the nature of the failures - once I got to the gate it was a full flight and the crew at the gate notified me the flight was oversold and that I was being bumped to business. This was on MAS and back when they still had 747-400's running the route on occasion, so I got a free bump to upstairs - though the seat wasn't much in comparison to a similar situation on an A330 which was a nice seat - it was my last flight on the Queen of the Skies.

[@JackKing12.]

Love Aeroflot's business class. They got their product spot on from what can be seen like the middle eastern carriers.

[@Sabrintwitt3r]

Dropped here immediately when I heard Turkish. Makes me happy with my country

[@bernierooney6539]

Love how you can get a flight through Air Nz from Istanbul to Amsterdam, when we live in NZ and can’t even get Istanbul up as a one way departure point!!

[@coolbreeze253]

Went through IST in 2022 after a cruise when I was enroute LHR-ATL. With three uncomfortable bone grafts in my right knee as a result of a badly broken leg twenty years ago, I concluded that this airport was the least user friendly one I've ever encountered. There wasn't even a vacant place to sit as all the great unwashed, sick, lame or lazy (mostly under thirty) were sprawled about, either sleeping or feigning sleep.

[@BarryOwen-cpt]

I recently flew this aircraft IST-CPT in economy, its worth noting for those of us who cannot fly up front that the aircraft has a 3 row PE cabin in a 2-4-2 configuration with good legroom that TK sell as economy...

[@joermnyc]

That flip open top of the door could be useful when interacting with the flight crew, like for food service, why open the whole door? That airport would need to invest in multiple trains (think Sea-Tac) or a really long loop, might have cost them too much.

[@kennethcampbell7263]

At a guess the stable door idea is likely to be private but still get food and beverage service.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:45 Wow! What a hotel room 👏🏽

[@whatever8282828]

That's funny because the split door you call a "stable door" we in America often call a "dutch door", and guess where you're headed! I also wonder if there's an unusual selection of language options on the IFE system (for Aeroflot instead of for Turkish? But they might cater to a similar range of languages anyway).

[@wehojm7320]

I'm flying Turkish Air economy NYC/BASEL in late July and business LONDON/LAX in mid August. So I'm scouring the internet for any info on the service as well as the transfers in Istanbul. Thank you for your valuable information.

[@combatrock3069]

Awesome and very entertaining. Been watching for over a year now and want to say thank you.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thanks for watching!

[@SpaceBaron]

Call me old fashioned but I prefer a good old fashioned window blind! I have seen my fair share of videos where flight attendants lock passengers out of their windows, but simply forgetting to switch the system back to normal operation. The windows also do not colour as dark as a blind would.

[@peterrisbergs7156]

Ist has sleeping pods in the terminal that charge by the hour. For connections over 12 hrs Turkish Airlines offers a free hotel room in the old town that is a 45-60 minute complimentary bus ride away. I have used this 4 times and had a good experience.

[@ragidyymann5109]

I've been watching you since 2019! It's been awesome seeing your growth -- love the channel. Safe travels.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you so much for sticking around! 😀

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thank you so much for sticking around! 😀

[@tonytony3895]

Your presentations are always highly interesting to watch. Thank you very much and take care.

[@ukdavepianoman]

Another terrific video. I've been very interested to know what Turkish Business looks like now. But what did you expect to see from an Istanbul airport hotel window...Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically...?

[@wehojm7320]

Thank you for this vlog. I will be flying Turkish Airlines in late July from NYC to Basel via Istanbul. I appreciate you showing me the "lay of the

[@thevacationworld]

It's unbelievable how many things changed and happened during the last years... Aeroflot was a nice airline, which I really want to try 😁 But it is like it is.. impossible for now.. otherwise a really great video, as always 👍🥂

[@Paul_Lucas]

Well if you fly Aeroflot you’ve got to fly to or via Russia which is extremely difficult for most westerners at the moment. The British government advises against all travel to Russia and travel there may raise suspicions when you travel again to other western nations.

[@thevacationworld]

@@Paul_Lucas Yeah it’s definitely to risky at the moment 😩 But who knows, maybe it’s possible again in the future 👍

[@h00vy82]

Apparently the six A350-900’s scheduled to be delivered for Air India are going to be equipped with the same interiors. And, potentially a new livery (as hinted by AI’s CEO) 👀

[@paulvandenbrand7409]

Like the Fawlty Towers Reference :)

[@wehojm7320]

REDO - Thank you for this vlog. I will be flying Turkish Airlines in late July from NYC to Basel via Istanbul. I appreciate you showing me the "lay of the land" at the Istanbul airport as well as on the actual plane. I'll have a scheduled 2 1/2 hr layover so I trust that will allow me enough time to get to the correct terminal and gate for my connecting flt to Basel.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Absolutely fantastic trip report Paul!

[@MrGreatplum]

Excellent stuff, Paul. I’ve enjoyed flying Turkish airlines in the past; but not been through that new airport yet! Hopefully will get to go back to Tanzania to see the brother in law’s family at some point!

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Amazing content as always. Keep it up Paul. Cheers.

[@billgracey6369]

Now I'm rethinking my next trip to the Philippines. I can take Turkish from Detroit to Manila and if they get that Pod hotel up by the end of the year I may try that route even with a stopover in Istanbul!

[@francisflood8921]

Delightful as always, Paul!!

[@knyta]

I just flew on this ex-AFL A350 from IST to SGN in economy - these A350s have also Aeroflots premium economy seats in 2-4-2 config (rows 09-12?) - THY is selling these seats as an extra legroom seat, I paid around 70 EUR and it was worth it. I had 09K and the seat was pretty fine 😊

[@wyldeguy1]

I got to experience the lounge at IST back in July 2022, but it was very early morning so the food options weren’t the best. I just find it interesting that I’ve been to a lounge before you Paul. You definitely beat me in miles flown though I’m sure.

[@gpierre90]

Hello and thanks for the review, I do Love the A350-900 and I am hoping that one day I will get the chance to fly on it, I may know why Turkish doesn't openly advertise those secret privacy suites, Yes it's an Aeroflot suite, because of that if they did, Aeroflot will definitely be accusing Turkish Airlines of stealing their product, even if we all know that it is not Turkish Airlines fault that Aeroflot lost those aircraft's in the first place. I don't think Turkish wants any of that. Though it is quite a nice product.

[@fidgetspinner343]

Pretty amazing how Turkish Airlines has become such a behemoth with all the currency issues they have had in Turkey for many years

[@billgracey6369]

I like the dimming windows on the 787s

[@chr04]

Both lounges have exactly the same food offerings

[@LukesPersonalChannel]

The reason for the stable door is literally to corral your animals. TurkishAir is extremely pet friendly.

[@jetaerobatics]

Your first airline review for a while. Hope youve enjoyed the break.

[@mostlyfreetravel]

Looks awesome! My biz class flight from ATL to IST shows it’s on the A350 with 7 rows in Biz class so I hope I’ll have this aircraft.

[@neurofrou]

I stayed at the landside Yotel IST last May and was *very pleasantly* surprised by how firm the bed is. I was so surprised that I made a note in my travel notes as I typically do not stay in such hotels. 😆

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! Keep up the good work. Be safe!

[@TheVaughan5]

The best business class by far that I’ve experienced short haul was with Swiss. LHR to ZRH. Single seat by the window that you could adjust to a lie flat bed. Incredible. Don’t know if this was a one off as I haven’t used Swiss recently.

[@JacobSilberfarb]

What aircraft was it on? Swiss has the best seat out of all the LH group! Flown LX but not LH yet.

[@TheVaughan5]

@@JacobSilberfarb Can’t recall which aircraft it was, however it wasn’t the usual short haul configuration, so not the usual A320 which I think is normal for Swiss.

[@spinalcrackerbox]

​@@TheVaughan5 It sounds like a wide body substitution. Intra-European flights obviously don't come with lie flat seats. In fact, their - and not just their - normal business class product is only *Middle seat vacant* and *a meal*.

[@jimohare3133]

I'd love to know what other routes the A350 flies with Turkish. Is it mostly shorter haul flights? I know the IST-JFK route is limited to the older (but still nice) 777-300 with 2-3-2 configuration.

[@gregorydull8030]

Thanks for this video. Most people say these ex-Aeroflot A350's don't have wifi, but it seems yours actually did?

[@rezaalan3991]

Great flight. Nice cabin even though the colour scheme come from previous customer.

[@jvstcu76]

Great review! What a great "catch" for you. That's my kind of Business Class layout. It's good to see that Turkish has maintained their delicious and nicely presented meal service. Take care and have an enjoyable week. 🫂❤️✈️🙏🌎🕊

[@roberthamilton1301]

Nice video once again Thank You

[@robertcotton9091]

Thanks for sharing mate, I really enjoyed watching as always.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Good review, with many points of interest. A pod hotel? Enough for me. My record to date is 49 square feet, at KLIA2.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Is that the capsule hotel? I’ve stayed there!

[@well-blazeredman6187]

@@Paul_Lucas The Aerotel, Paul. Had a 12-hour layover.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

3:53 Clearly not meant for people with joint pain and or non-athletes.

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Paul great vlog as always Nice business class 😊

[@e57alex88]

This door half open is something like a service window

[@p0igi0vc]

Anything in a dreamliner, is my preference 💕

[@rubaabughoush6182]

I am on Turkish airline now business class and I was forced to have meat as all other options were finished or stay hungry All other passengers got to eat their choice of food but me and my husband And we were treated with total neglect from the staff this is not fair and I want a refund refund from Turkish airlines how can I

[@adamingleton8529]

Emirates used to do stickers in economy, to say whether you want to be woken up for food. But I didnt see them on my latest emirates long haul flight?

[@konplayz]

The colours are beautiful

[@stevemusty1831]

Excellent detailed video as always Paul

[@David-tm4yj]

Great video on a great bargain (if you can get it), i'll not troll the R lot. But soooooo tempted, Aeroflot will miss that kite but there is still is the IL 14 'crate' seems fitting 😶‍🌫

[@adrianmurat]

Great video as always Paul! I was lucky enough to get gate upgraded on the same A350 (ex-Aeroflot) on the same route just after New Year's, it was quite funny actually as I had seen it's going to be one of those aircraft, but Business was sold out, and as luck has it, they decided to give it to me for free.

[@theeconomytraveler9999]

Nice report. Thanks for sharing.

[@marciaanderton7068]

Love seeing back in the air. How is Aer Lingus? Is it a good airline to fly?

[@ojosef4608]

I was wondering where you were - looking forward to viewing many videos.

[@aydnozbay9172]

Good job.

[@loeshalberstadt9998]

Great video Paul. Love it.

[@dospalmascb]

My best cabin on a short flight will be in September. Lhr Tlv club suites on ‘BA.

[@צבירוזן-י4ט]

The ‘strange’ door opening is for an emergency escape, so I was told by a F/A.The big minus in my opinion is the lack of arm rests. It’s more inconvenient in the centre seats,and the lack of Wi-Fi and a flight map,due to the slow process of converting those planes to TK standards( that was the case on my flight from Istanbul to Dushanbe) I also found the privacy too much, I felt like in a small prison cell…however any J seat is better than Y class.Cheers.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Thanks, that’s interesting!

[@kindastolen]

I wonder if that random leather rectangle on the left side of the headrest is secretly hiding an embroidered Aeroflot logo!

[@tonytowers5889]

Looks absolutely wonderful. Feel so smug that Turkish got those planes, and not Aeroflot!!!))) Really entertaining video. Thanks, Paul!

[@pnwlion9337]

What did you expect to see from a Torquay hotel window Paul.? Love the vlog

[@carolinelane9599]

Food on Turkish even on short flights in BC is amazing. Your hussling to eat it on say a flight to Cappadocia from Istanbul. But oh so good. I had to convince hubby to fly Turkish. He wasn't keen. We did 4 flights in BC and he is now all in. Loved it. But that Istanbul airport is nuts. Too big. And the times we were there the BC lounge is way to small for the amount of passengers. But I personally would chose Turkish over Emirates. Better food. And the crew service left Emirates for dust which surprised me. Emirates BC to me feels cold like it's food and like a conveyor belt. Out of the 4 flights we took last year, 2 the food was stone cold. Sorry I don't pay a truck load of money for cold food and aloof service. The other 2 flights brilliant. I don't get all the yay Emirates if I'm honest.

[@felixguett]

I flew IST-ATL on this 350 in Business Class last week and was so surprised to see this product… my return on the 777 SFO-IST was quite underwhelming after that flight. Do you know other airlines and routes that have this cabin?

[@danf-lynch1220]

Currently writing this from seat 7A on TK 186 ORD-IST. It is a great product and was a very nice surprise when boarding.

[@mostlyfreetravel]

I’m flying ATL to IST in Feb and it’s showing I’ve got the A350 with 7 rows in biz class so hopefully it’s this one.

[@brian402]

Air New Zealand seems to provide better service for those outside of NZ,than those within NZ.,but then again the same could be said for those U.S airline carriers too!.

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

The Business Class Cabin Most Be The Best In Europe.Great Work

[@janinebell763]

Great trip report. I can’t eat tomato so I can understand.

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

Hi Paul. I always love your videos, and try never to miss anyone. Safe travels!

[@gregwhates5948]

We’ve always liked the Turkish airlines pre departure fruit drinks! Our son must drinks about 10 litres every time!

[@deliciousfoodranger]

Good journey and good mission..

[@RyanLackey]

I've been in both lounges (business and ff status) and they are basically the same to me; huge difference from how Qatar does lounges in Doha, where the Al Marfan lounge is amazing (and Al Safra even more so) and the "business" and "first" lounges (for One World ff status people) kind of suck.

[@janbond8460]

I had some friends go to London and Paris. I noticed no equipment at either city for those with mobility issues. That came to my mind about the long walks at the airport.

[@octaviobarron1]

I flew Turkish Airlines Business Class from LAX to IST and I was very disappointed with the onboard service! Flight attendants were not very kind and didn't care about taking care of their passengers. They did the bare minimum of service (didn't replenish water or wine glasses, didn't go around the cabin to ask if there was anything else the passenger wanted) I even had a flight attendant in business class NOT SMILE EVEN ONCE! EVERYTIME i WOULD THANK HIM, HE NEVER SAID: "You are Welcome" or "Enjoy your meal" "Bon Appetite" HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING AND DIDN'T CARE OF TAKING PRIDE IN HIS WORK!" In the future, I will give my business instead to Qatar Airlines or Emirates.

[@debramage739]

Nice Paul

[@viesturslacis5554]

Nice video. Regarding the doors - the folding panel is an emergency feature, so in case of emergency you don't get trapped in your suite. It's a requirement for all seats with doors.

[@Paul_Lucas]

I can’t think of any other door suite business class that has a stable door feature - why not just have an emergency slide mechanism like all the others, I wonder? 🤔 odd!

[@johnmichaellund]

Hardly. Probably more for serving if the door is closed.

[@zephyr_00]

@@Paul_Lucas It's a safety requirement for premium class (first and business class). Qatar's Qsuite door design is removable (in emergency, if it's stuck, there's a lever you pull and the door comes off completely) each airline and seat maker have a different approach to it.

[@louisthetravelspotter]

What a brilliant video

[@JW-lr1mc]

Well done