On the Ground: Departing from LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal in the afternoon can be unpredictable because of traffic, but the roads were clear and I arrived well ahead of my flight. After a brief wait in the business-class line for Turkish Airlines, I checked in quickly and received my boarding pass. Security was busy as usual, but I cleared it in about 15 minutes and made my way to the Star Alliance lounge. Being early for an international departure, I settled into a comfortable chair near an outlet and spent a few hours enjoying free WiFi, fresh fruit and strong coffee.
Pre-Flight: Business-class passengers used a separate check-in line at the gate. Following a quick secondary screening of carry-on luggage, I was escorted to the front of the aircraft. I managed to get an aisle seat with an empty adjacent seat, which let me spread out items like an iPad, magazines and cables. During boarding, flight attendants offered hot cleansing towels, lemonade or Champagne, and a small Godiva chocolate.
One pleasant surprise was that flight attendants did not require electronic devices to be turned off for takeoff. I’m not sure about the official policy, but it was nice to listen to calming music on my iPod as the plane lifted off and Los Angeles receded beneath us.
In-Flight: Once we reached cruising altitude, I unbuckled and took a closer look at my space. The business-class seat converted to a fully flat 180-degree bed, ideal for sleeping on a 12-hour flight. I needed to get some work done first, so I used the swivel table from the center console to set up my laptop; the table was spacious and onboard power outlets kept both my laptop and iPad charged. Each seat featured a 15-inch screen with a sharp display and intuitive controls. The entertainment selection was extensive, ranging from recent films to classic comedies and dramas, plus a variety of TV shows and music. I ended up watching The Sound of Music and enjoyed it.
The dinner menu offered both Turkish specialties and familiar American options. I chose the national dish — beef kebabs with baked eggplant, yellow rice and lentil soup — and it was well presented and satisfying, evoking the flavors of Istanbul.
After dinner I checked the amenity kit. The Crabtree & Evelyn lotions and lip balm had a fresh scent and were pleasant to use during the flight. The kit also included a full-size toothpaste and toothbrush, a foldable bristle brush, socks and earplugs. The cabin ran a bit warm, which interrupted my sleep and prompted me to watch more films and use the self-serve snack options. A few hours before arrival in Istanbul, the crew turned on the cabin lights and served breakfast. The Turkish coffee was strong and effective at waking me; the omelet that accompanied it was average and felt a bit like a prepackaged item. During the descent I listened to music again and anticipated visiting the CIP lounge in Istanbul.
The Experience: Overall, Turkish Airlines provided a solid business-class experience on the 12-hour Los Angeles–Istanbul flight. The crew kept service efficient and the cabin comfortable; while the attendants were professional rather than effusively friendly, I felt well looked after and secure throughout the journey. Onboard WiFi supported work needs and the broad entertainment library was ideal for relaxing. The highlight for business travelers is access to Turkish Airlines’ renovated CIP lounge in Istanbul — a valuable perk that rounds out the experience.
GT Checklist
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Friendly and helpful agents
- Priority tagged bags
- Airport lounge
- Complimentary in-lounge food
- Priority boarding
- Helpful and courteous flight attendants
- Pre-flight beverage service
- Pre-flight newspapers and magazines
- Extensive on-demand menu
- Self-serve in-flight pantry
- Amenity kits
- Slippers
- Lie-flat seat/bed
- Mattress and comforter
- In-flight menu with three entrée choices
- Top-shelf wines and liquors