Review of Turkish Airlines flight Istanbul Hong Kong in Business

Airline Turkish Airlines
Flight TK 70
Class Business
Seat 4D
Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
Flight time 09:55
Take-off 21 Nov 15, 01:20
Arrival at 21 Nov 15, 17:15
TK   #13 out of 97 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 775 reviews
jetsetpanda
By 4853
Published on 26th December 2015
Hi and welcome to this flight which is a highlight of my RTW. Below is a summary of my schedule:


SFO-LHR on UA Y - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12219.html
LHR-LIS on TP Y - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12240.html
LIS-MAD on IB J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12281.html
MAD-LHR on IB J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12318.html
LHR-HEL on AY J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12341.html
HEL-CPH on AY J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12412.html
CPH-IST on TK J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12544.html
IST-HKG on TK J - you are here.
HKG-SFO on CX J - http://flight-report.com/en/report-12980.html


I have always wanted to take a long haul trip with TK in J and this wish was finally accomplished through this segment. The ticket was booked back in March as a one way from CPH-HKG for USD 1,200 or EUR 1.090 in J - a very reasonable fare. Then in July, I received a schedule change advising me that the flight will now depart 30 min. later. (Originally it was supposed to leave IST at 00:50 and arrive HKG at 16:40). Now I would leave at 01:20 and arrive at 17:15, so not too bad of a change. My biggest disappointment was the substitution of equipment from CPH-IST. I looked forward to flying on the A330 but this was changed to an A321.


TK CIP Lounge.

Upon arrival into IST, I followed the signs for connections and breezed through security. My next stop was the TK CIP lounge which in my opinion is one of the best business class lounges (if not the best) in the world. It is a pleasure to return to this oasis in the middle of this busy airport, although lately this refuge has become a bit more crowded as I have noticed during this visit. Also, there is a wait now for the food and once the dishes come out, they are gone within a few minutes and there are lines awaiting for the next batch, something that I have never experienced during my previous visits. Still, the lovely ambiance, great assortment of freshly made food and on demand masseurs make this lounge a step above the competition.

The size of this lounge is impressive - 6,000 square meters (approx. 64,583 square feet) that serves an average of 4,000 guests per day. It has 2 floors with 4 relaxation rooms with beds in each floor making for a total of 8 units. Unfortunately I couldn't use these rooms because my layover was almost 9 hrs. For some strange reason, TK requires you to have a 4-7 hrs layover and connecting to/from a long haul TK flight (8+ hrs) in order to qualify. An upset passenger was telling the receptionist that the longer your connection, the more reason to justify a room for the passenger. She just shrugged her shoulders and said that those are the rules and she couldn't do anything about it, even after consulting with a manager.


Entrance.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (1)


Interior.




Manti station.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (2)photo TK CIP lounge IST (6)photo TK CIP lounge IST (7)


Soup.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (4)


Salad bar.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (5)


First round dinner.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (9)


Kebab station.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (19)


Dessert station.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (14)


Second round dinner a bit later.




Turkish coffee.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (16)photo TK CIP lounge IST (15)


Relaxing in the Tea Garden.




WC.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (8)


Before leaving the lounge I wanted to take a shower and inquired with the receptionist. She informed me that it was going to be a 1 hr. wait and luckily I had 2 hrs. before the dept. of my flight. She gave me a buzzer and I took a table next to the reception desk. Another passenger before me was told the same and he just left in frustration. I logged into my computer while I waited. Less than 1 hr later the buzzer went off and the receptionist escorted me to a vacant shower.

Shower.

Is the TK J lounge the only one that actually provides bathrobes in the showers? I have not seen any other airline lounge with that feature.

photo TK CIP lounge IST (43)photo TK CIP lounge IST (44)photo TK CIP lounge IST (41)


Afterwards I stopped by the front and tried to get a new boarding pass. I gave the agent my flight details and after typing in the computer she informed me that she couldn't find my reservation. I started to get worried and pulled out my boarding pass and showed her that I was checked already. She then realized that she was looking at the BKK flight and not the HKG one. Total incompetence on her part after I told her the flight number and destination clearly. Argh!!!

I left the lounge without a new boarding pass and browsed for a little bit. Then checked the flight information screens and noticed that all the Asian flights were delayed by one hour.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG boarding (1)


Rather than go back to the lounge, I decided to check out the Duty Free stores and souvenir shops around the terminal. IST is a very crowded airport that at times feel overwhelming and chaotic. Eventually I made my way to the gate and it was full of people. We were going to take a bus and as soon as the gate agent made an announcement for J passengers to board, it seemed that everybody stood up and lined up at the front.

I boarded the crowded bus and we were dropped off next to the plane.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG boarding (2)photo TK 70 IST-HKG boarding (3)photo TK 70 IST-HKG boarding


A friendly welcome by a couple of FA's by the door and I made a left to my J cabin.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (2)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (4)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (13) - Copy


One of the two chefs onboard the flight.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (6) - Copy


There were three or four empty seats in the cabin and luckily I did not have a neighbor next to me in the middle row. I wanted to switch to a pair of empty seats in the bulkhead but someone took it right after the door closed.

My seat.




Nice screen size.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (21)


Pre-dept. drinks.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (10) - Copyphoto TK 70 IST-HKG (11)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (3)


Distribution of reading materials and amenity kits.




Some better shots of the amenity kit taken at the hotel in HKG.

photo DSC00598photo DSC00600


Doors were closed and we taxied to the runway for take off. When we leveled off, FA's started the meal service. I must say that even though this flight departed past midnight and most airlines would not have bothered with an elaborate meal service, TK still provided a full blown meal. The only difference between dinner and supper on TK is that the during the supper service the à la carte appetizer trolley with all the options displayed is omitted and a shortened pre-plated version is offered.

The meal service was conducted in a dimmed cabin, so the quality of some of the pictures is not the greatest. It was challenging to get a half way decent shot under these conditions.

Hot towel.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (23)


Menu.




The FA went around the cabin strapping a liner on the seats. I had to get up so that he could prepare my seat.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (22)


Cherry juice and amuse bouche.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (34)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (36)


This was followed by the dinner set up. Two FA's rolled down the cart and placed on each passenger's table a linen, candlelight, glass of water and condiments.




Appetizer cart with pre-plated selections and soup.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (52)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (53)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (55)


The main dish was delivered individually and I chose the stuffed eggplant. It reminded me of a dish called Imam Bayildi (which does not contain meat and is served cold). The stuffed eggplant was scrumptious with the tender cubes of lamb that accompanied the buttered rice brilliantly.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (58)


After my plate was taken, it was time for dessert and this was quite a delectable show with the choices neatly presented from the cart. You could choose whatever you wanted and I opted for a modest selection of Turkish semolina cake, chocolate mousse, custard and brioche with vanilla sauce. Just delicious!




My selection.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (62)


Some hot tea as the ending touch to this feast.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (67)


After the meal service most of the crew disappeared which is usual with TK. One crew member approached me later on when he saw me awake and asked if he could offer me anything. I flipped through the entertainment system and couldn't find anything that will keep my interest for a long time, so decided to take a quick nap. After a couple of hours I woke up and explored the WC. There was one at the front and two on each side of the galley. I went to the left side WC located by the galley.

Seat in sleep position.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (73)


WC.




There is no window, just a creative illusion.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (74)


I stretched my legs and went up to the FA in the front galley to ask for some souvenirs. She told me that she didn't have anything and then I stopped by the snack station. There were a few wrapped sandwiches and packages of dried fruits.


Snack station in the galley.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (78)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (84)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (88)


At one point the chef was assembling the breakfast service.




Hot towel and water offered before breakfast.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG brkfstphoto TK 70 IST-HKG brkst


At the beginning of the flight there was a card allowing passengers to customize the breakfast options. I was encouraged to fill it out and it was picked up by a FA before the supper service started.

My breakfast.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (89)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (97)


Cheese gözleme or omelette. Of course I had the gözleme.

photo TK 70 IST-HKG (99)photo TK 70 IST-HKG (101)


When we were getting ready to descend, I noticed that a paper bag that I brought onboard was starting to break, so I asked a FA for a big plastic one like the ones they use to collect the garbage. He was very apologetic and said that they did not have any. First the denial of any souvenirs and then this. TK crew can be abrupt sometimes but I attribute that more on culture and language that might be lost in translation. Inflight crew with this carrier can be a mixed bag at times. I have had fantastic experiences with some of them that went out of their way to please and at other times dealt with some that were not as proactive, but never a rude one like on other carriers.

Finally we descended into HKG and arrived at around 16:21.
See more

Verdict

Turkish Airlines

8.6/10
Cabin9.0
Cabin crew7.0
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Meal/catering10.0

Turkish Airlines Lounge

9.9/10
Comfort10.0
Meal/catering10.0
Entertainment/wifi10.0
Services9.5

Istanbul - ISL

7.8/10
Efficiency7.0
Access9.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness8.0

Hong Kong - HKG

9.8/10
Efficiency9.0
Access10.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness10.0

Conclusion

I was glad that I finally was able to experience a long haul flight in Business on Turkish. The carrier truly excels in its catering and it's always a pleasure to dine onboard with them. As for cabin comfort and seat, the lack of privacy might be an issue.

I had a very comfortable flight and the empty seat next to me was a big bonus. However, I wonder how soon will the present J seating arrangement of 2-3-2 in their 777's fleet will become obsolete when most of its competitors are giving more privacy in their J cabins by installing the Cirrus Zodiac seats. UA and TK might be falling behind the pack when it comes to cabin comfort.

As I mentioned earlier, TK crew is a mixed bag and consistency is not its strength. At times language can be an issue and on rare occasions the English spoken can be unintelligible.

There is no doubt that TK is a force to contend with and its rapid network expansion is a proof of that. One can hope that deficiencies will be properly addressed and its strong qualities will not start to slip.

Information on the route Istanbul (ISL) Hong Kong (HKG)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 10 avis concernant 1 compagnies sur la ligne Istanbul (ISL) → Hong Kong (HKG).


Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Turkish Airlines avec 8.1/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 10 heures et 7 minutes.

  More information

14 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 153469 by
    Nick 171 Comments
    What an extensive report! Great job. I believe the cutoff for rooms in the lounge is 7 hours because if your layover exceeds that, you actually get a free hotel room and transportation.
    • Comment 331203 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Hi Nick and thank you for your comments.

      You might be right but I didn't want to bother entering into Turkey and pay for a visa, then return to the airport and deal with security. It was not worth it for me and I have already been in IST before.
  • Comment 153498 by
    aussenrist 225 Comments
    Thanks for sharing this report with nice pictures!
    The J cabin looks outdated compared with the other airlines, but luckily you were not stuck in the middle seat and no one sat next to you. Otherwise it would be a very different experience on this flight :P
    The food looks good and delicious! And glad to hear that TK allows passengers to customize their meal !!! :) Recent news said that CX also copied TK’s practice (providing candles and neatly cart presentation for selection) on their new J catering services and they now have trial run on the selected flights to JFK.
    Look forward to your next trip and Happy Holidays!
    • Comment 331205 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Hi Ashley.

      Recent news said that CX also copied TK’s practice (providing candles and neatly cart presentation for selection) on their new J catering services..
      - That is a welcoming development indeed. It's about time that CX steps up its catering. ;)

      Thanks for stopping and Happy Holidays to you too.
  • Comment 153569 by
    lagentsecret 12186 Comments
    Thanks for sharingfthis FR

    It's a comprehensive and very pleasant report

    I'm glad that you finally had flown a long haul business TK flight

    Unfortunately the lounge has became too crowdy :( It's time for TK to think about another one for Business and E+ pax

    On board nothing has changed

    Even if the catering is really good (the main looks very yummy) it's almost always the same one

    The FAs are lacking of consistency

    See you soon for the final leg
    • Comment 331458 by
      lagentsecret 12186 Comments
      In fact I was thinking about Elite Plus pax not Y+ pax :)
    • Comment 331459 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Et nous avons pensé que tu étais parfait. ;)
    • Comment 331240 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Bonjour Gilbert.

      I'm glad that you finally had flown a long haul business TK flight
      - One more item with a checked mark, although I wouldn't mind doing it again. Once a TK lover, always a TK lover, no? ;) Besides, TK makes it easier to like them because their fares are sometimes the most competitive in the market.

      Unfortunately the lounge has became too crowdy :( It's time for TK to think about another one for Business and E+ pax
      - That is evidenced by the lines of people waiting for a new batch of food at some stations which I have never seen before. The lower level can also get crowded now and that is why I spent most of my time in the tea garden area. Even if it gets crowded there, there is space in between tables and does not feel too claustrophobic.

      IST airport is over capacity and that is why there are talks about building a third airport north of IST as you might know. Granting access to the lounge for E+ passengers is a great perk, but most airlines don't do that. To my knowledge, JL seems to be the only one that is generous in this regard. Besides, isn't TK phasing out E+?

      Even if the catering is really good (the main looks very yummy) it's almost always the same one
      - I thoroughly enjoyed my main dish. It did not only looked good but tasted equally so. At least there is consistency somewhere with TK. TK promotes Turkish cuisine brilliantly and have you noticed that most dishes are stewed, braised in sauce or grilled? Those methods of cooking are simple and travel very well.

      The FAs are lacking of consistency
      - It can be excellent or very disappointing. At least it's never aggressive and rude which is a good thing.

      Thank you for your comments. It's reassuring to hear from the TK expert. ;)
  • Comment 153703 by
    socalnow 976 Comments
    Greetings Jetsetpanda and thank you for sharing this fantastic report.

    That lounge and the food. It is truly a special place. The selection, quality, and quantity, it looks overwhelming.

    We were going to take a bus and as soon as the gate agent made an announcement for J passengers to board, it seemed that everybody stood up and lined up at the front.
    -This was my experience on a flight from IST-PVG. There wasn't even an announcement. The agent just opened the lane and everyone rushed. This isn't Lufthansa ;).

    The carrier truly excels in its catering and it's always a pleasure to dine onboard with them.
    -Indeed! That meal looked fantastic. You have to be reminded that this is J class on a flight leaving at midnight! It's beautiful food and beautifully presented.

    However, I wonder how soon will the present J seating arrangement of 2-3-2 in their 777's fleet will become obsolete when most of its competitors are giving more privacy in their J cabins by installing the Cirrus Zodiac seats. UA and TK might be falling behind the pack when it comes to cabin comfort.
    -Might be? They are already significantly behind the standard of all aisle access in J.

    Thank you very much for this report. I have to find a way to IST! Happy flying.
    • Comment 331353 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Hi there Christian.

      Thank you very much for commenting. You have already flown on some pretty good premium products and you must add TK to your list. ;) The lounge experience alone is worth it.

      See you around and safe travels too.
  • Comment 153706 by
    eminere™ 271 Comments
    The 2-3-2 seating layout is just as bad as EK's B777s and a disgrace in 2016.
  • Comment 153708 by
    NGO85 SILVER 1955 Comments
    Thank you for this wonderful report Adan!

    Also, there is a wait now for the food and once the dishes come out, they are gone within a few minutes and there are lines awaiting for the next batch
    - This also speaks for the quality of food. Lounges in the US are often crowded, but no wait for the food ;) Maybe some day I'll make it IST, but the lounge will probably be crappy by the time I get there, lol.

    TK requires you to have a 4-7 hrs layover and connecting to/from a long haul TK flight (8+ hrs) in order to qualify.
    - Bizarre rules that the layover window is so specific to 4-7 hours. So unless you are flying from North America to Asia via IST, this is useless feature?

    Total incompetence on her part after I told her the flight number and destination clearly. Argh!!!
    - Not all of us are graced with your cunning intellect. Although this necessity to get a new boarding pass strongly suggests that you are quite the boarding pass hoarder ;) More importantly, the agent didn't tell your flight was delayed when you were getting the new boarding pass??? Very poor service by TK.

    I made a left to my J cabin.
    - The newer TK cabins look very modern, but the seating configuration is far from it. As many have said, the 2-3-2 employed by AA/KE/EK/OZ is very outdated and needs to be quickly cycled out, but it looks like installing a brand new hard-product with this configuration in these planes suggests that its not in the immediate forecast for TK. This seat seems to lack a lot of privacy, there should at least be some foot divider or some sort of privacy screens. I'd hate to be in that middle seat.

    Some better shots of the amenity kit taken at the hotel in HKG.
    - This kit has the eye of the tiger...

    TK still provided a full blown meal.
    - I've seen mixed bags on departures after midnight. CX and OZ did compressed meals, but CA did a full service. The catering looks phenomenal of course. I like carriers that still serve soups, they are becoming very rare these days.

    I had to get up so that he could prepare my seat.
    - I would have preferred the story of how they put the liner in without you getting up. Or if you were feeling really brazen, you should have had them prepare the middle seat for your bed. I'm sure the person on the other end would have loved that ;)

    I opted for a modest selection
    -Such a modest selection; I'm surprised you had room after all those cakes you devoured in the TK Lounge ;)

    There is no window, just a creative illusion.
    - I was about to commend you on your air-to-air photography skills while peeing...

    My breakfast.
    - Now this is a modest selection. Strange that they offer breakfast for a flight that lands at 16:00, but I guess it is breakfast time in IST? The breakfast is served on a tray?

    Thank you for sharing this great report and now you will return to reality with CX catering ;) TK only offers good catering and that's not a reason for me to go out of my way to try them (probably what I value least in a carrier versus hard-product and soft-product).
    • Comment 331438 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Maybe some day I'll make it IST, but the lounge will probably be crappy by the time I get there, lol.
      - Do you always see the glass half empty? :P

      So unless you are flying from North America to Asia via IST, this is useless feature?
      - Not really. The long haul requirement could be to OR from, as long as it is 8+ hrs.

      Not all of us are graced with your cunning intellect.
      - Are you calling me Machiavellian? Slanderous! :0 :P

      More importantly, the agent didn't tell your flight was delayed when you were getting the new boarding pass??? Very poor service by TK.
      - I have learned not to expect much from them. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and perhaps the delay was posted last minute after I left the lounge.

      This seat seems to lack a lot of privacy, there should at least be some foot divider or some sort of privacy screens. I'd hate to be in that middle seat.
      - It had a small screen that you could slide for some privacy, but not much. Worse is when you have to get out to use the WC - you risk stepping on your neighbor(assuming that he/she is sleeping) if you are not careful.

      Or if you were feeling really brazen, you should have had them prepare the middle seat for your bed. I'm sure the person on the other end would have loved that ;)
      - I am considerate of others. ;)

      I'm surprised you had room after all those cakes you devoured in the TK Lounge ;)
      - You assumed that I devoured the cakes while in reality I exercised restraint and only had one or two bites leaving the rest. ;)

      I was about to commend you on your air-to-air photography skills while peeing..
      - Oh I can multitask, trust me. :P

      The breakfast is served on a tray?
      - It is served on a ceramic show plate which sits on top of a tray. How's that for a showpiece?

      Thank you Michael for your comments as usual.



Login to post a comment.