Turkish Business Class LHR-IST, A340 Sleeper seats with pics
May 28, 2010, 11:54 pm
#1
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Turkish Business Class LHR-IST, A340 Sleeper seats with pics
TK1980
LHR-IST
May 26, 2010
11:25A-5:15P
A340-300
Seats 2JK
Even before the BA strike, BA's coach seating passed off as Business didn't stand a change against TK's 50"+ pitch sleeper seats. And at only $1,300 RT quite a bargain for European J travel. For Business Class pax, a very pleasant check in experience at T-3. With a throng checking in for Y, we were the only pax at the J counter and efficiently processed by an attractive TK agent, who volunteered that we could use the London Lounge.
After a short and very efficient security process with remarkable friendly security agents, we headed for the London Lounge, recommended by our TK check-in agent. Apparently the main *A lounge for AC and SK, the two level lounge is quite comfortable and pleasant, and conveniently located right next to our gate 11.
While Mrs. SFO settled in to read, I headed out to explore potentially greener pastures, specifically the SQ Silver Kris lounge that we'll be using in September. Pleasant lounge dragon that welcomed me and in the course of our conversation indicated that SQ had no plans to add another 380 to LHR service by September. Oh well, still hoping for a back door First Suite on our upcoming RTW.
As we were about to leave for Gate 11, the monitor indicated a last minute gate change, to a now distant Gate 30. After a long trek, we arrive at T-20 to a pretty disorganize gate situation, featuring a long unmarked queue blocking the corridor and a shorter unmarked queue. Proving at least for a few moments that mama didn't raise no fool, we went to the short queue.
As it turned out, the gate check in was only for entry to the gate seating area itself, which slowly filled to capacity. Apparently, our 11h25 departure time is only a suggested time.
Hilarious and chaotic boarding, made even worse by a boarding call for an AC flight at adjacent gate 32. Loud AC PA announcement from Gate 32 spilled over to our Gate 32 where most people thought that the call for passengers with small children, Executive First, Super Elite, Elite and *G was for our flight. At least it cleared out our seating area.
Once the GA was ready to begin boarding, she couldn't get the PA to work, so she resorted to shouting out "families with small children, those needing extra time and Business Class passengers". Pretty much the entire gate area rushed the door, prompting the guy sitting beside me to joke that it resembled lthe crowd ready for the bulls in Pamplona.
Boarding through 2L let us turn left and leave the unwashed masses. Spacious, pleasant looking though dated J cabin. But so much better that the alternative BA coach-seating J class rip off.
Reasonable comfortable although somewhat worn angled lie flat.
Although the prominent placement of the barf bags was amusing...
As was the shoe storage space, assigned to a specific seat.
Other than an FA took hanging jackets, there was absolutely little FA-pax interaction. Perhaps it was the full 34/34 cabin but no PDB was offered. A newspaper cart with a full complement of newspapers was rolled down the aisle and offered.
LHR-IST
May 26, 2010
11:25A-5:15P
A340-300
Seats 2JK
Even before the BA strike, BA's coach seating passed off as Business didn't stand a change against TK's 50"+ pitch sleeper seats. And at only $1,300 RT quite a bargain for European J travel. For Business Class pax, a very pleasant check in experience at T-3. With a throng checking in for Y, we were the only pax at the J counter and efficiently processed by an attractive TK agent, who volunteered that we could use the London Lounge.
After a short and very efficient security process with remarkable friendly security agents, we headed for the London Lounge, recommended by our TK check-in agent. Apparently the main *A lounge for AC and SK, the two level lounge is quite comfortable and pleasant, and conveniently located right next to our gate 11.
While Mrs. SFO settled in to read, I headed out to explore potentially greener pastures, specifically the SQ Silver Kris lounge that we'll be using in September. Pleasant lounge dragon that welcomed me and in the course of our conversation indicated that SQ had no plans to add another 380 to LHR service by September. Oh well, still hoping for a back door First Suite on our upcoming RTW.
As we were about to leave for Gate 11, the monitor indicated a last minute gate change, to a now distant Gate 30. After a long trek, we arrive at T-20 to a pretty disorganize gate situation, featuring a long unmarked queue blocking the corridor and a shorter unmarked queue. Proving at least for a few moments that mama didn't raise no fool, we went to the short queue.
As it turned out, the gate check in was only for entry to the gate seating area itself, which slowly filled to capacity. Apparently, our 11h25 departure time is only a suggested time.
Hilarious and chaotic boarding, made even worse by a boarding call for an AC flight at adjacent gate 32. Loud AC PA announcement from Gate 32 spilled over to our Gate 32 where most people thought that the call for passengers with small children, Executive First, Super Elite, Elite and *G was for our flight. At least it cleared out our seating area.
Once the GA was ready to begin boarding, she couldn't get the PA to work, so she resorted to shouting out "families with small children, those needing extra time and Business Class passengers". Pretty much the entire gate area rushed the door, prompting the guy sitting beside me to joke that it resembled lthe crowd ready for the bulls in Pamplona.
Boarding through 2L let us turn left and leave the unwashed masses. Spacious, pleasant looking though dated J cabin. But so much better that the alternative BA coach-seating J class rip off.
Reasonable comfortable although somewhat worn angled lie flat.
Although the prominent placement of the barf bags was amusing...
As was the shoe storage space, assigned to a specific seat.
Other than an FA took hanging jackets, there was absolutely little FA-pax interaction. Perhaps it was the full 34/34 cabin but no PDB was offered. A newspaper cart with a full complement of newspapers was rolled down the aisle and offered.
Last edited by SFO777; Aug 23, 2010 at 11:13 am
May 28, 2010, 11:55 pm
#2
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After take-off, an impressive 4 FAs sprung into action at the front of the cabin. Although never have I seen so many FAs expending so much energy and accomplishing so little. Much of that energy was expended setting up the front of cabin bar, with FA's bringing bottles, cans, glasses, garnishments, etc..., seemingly one piece at a time from the galley. As there was no interaction between FAs and pax, it was unclear whether this was a self-serve bar or merely a FA work area.
25 minutes after take off, with no beverage service but a now fully stocked front-of-cabin bar, 4J decided to get a couple of beers. OK, now I get it. I went up to pour ourselves a couple of Coke Lights. But no one else followed, presumably content to either go dry or wait for the FAs to start beverage service.
One of the funniest cabin flower arrangement I have seen, foil wrapped wilting flowers in a foil wrapped "vase". Apparently someone forgot to add water, or they've been there for a few days.
30 minutes after take-off and bar set up, our inflight service begins with hot towel, followed by a paper placemat (upside down), set up tray and menu, all with not a word spoken.
After all of the above, beverage service was finally offered, except of course for 4J and I who had already taken matters into our own hands.
The chicken starter was reasonable tasty, but the marinated green beans horrendous.
Next up, our cart returned with hot entree choices. The artichoke ravioli, although dry and probably loaded seven hours earlier in IST, was quite tasty, especially when washed down with Turkish beer EFES. The profiterole was excellent.
Tea, coffee, liqueur service followed with periodic passes through the cabin to top up drinks.
The IFE was quite dated and slow, with the movie selection featuring few current titles. Moving map worked. All in all, a reasonably pleasant experience and far superior to our BA Euro Club coach seating on our late 2008 LHR-ATH flight. IST arrival was pleasant as our TA had booked the VIP arrival service. We were met at the gate by a lovely VIP rep and a porter. We were whisked by golf cart to Visa and Passport controls, jumping the queue in both locations. Quite a bargain at something like $60.
25 minutes after take off, with no beverage service but a now fully stocked front-of-cabin bar, 4J decided to get a couple of beers. OK, now I get it. I went up to pour ourselves a couple of Coke Lights. But no one else followed, presumably content to either go dry or wait for the FAs to start beverage service.
One of the funniest cabin flower arrangement I have seen, foil wrapped wilting flowers in a foil wrapped "vase". Apparently someone forgot to add water, or they've been there for a few days.
30 minutes after take-off and bar set up, our inflight service begins with hot towel, followed by a paper placemat (upside down), set up tray and menu, all with not a word spoken.
After all of the above, beverage service was finally offered, except of course for 4J and I who had already taken matters into our own hands.
The chicken starter was reasonable tasty, but the marinated green beans horrendous.
Next up, our cart returned with hot entree choices. The artichoke ravioli, although dry and probably loaded seven hours earlier in IST, was quite tasty, especially when washed down with Turkish beer EFES. The profiterole was excellent.
Tea, coffee, liqueur service followed with periodic passes through the cabin to top up drinks.
The IFE was quite dated and slow, with the movie selection featuring few current titles. Moving map worked. All in all, a reasonably pleasant experience and far superior to our BA Euro Club coach seating on our late 2008 LHR-ATH flight. IST arrival was pleasant as our TA had booked the VIP arrival service. We were met at the gate by a lovely VIP rep and a porter. We were whisked by golf cart to Visa and Passport controls, jumping the queue in both locations. Quite a bargain at something like $60.
Last edited by SFO777; Aug 23, 2010 at 11:25 am
May 29, 2010, 2:06 am
#3
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I'm a bit disappointed with the meal service (compared to BA's on the LHR-IST route), but as you mentioned, the difference in seating makes all the difference. Good price for your ticket as well...
May 29, 2010, 8:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DE,UN,StarwoodGold
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Very much enjoyed that one, thank you. For a minute there, with the retro seats plus the very retro hairdo's of a couple of the FA's I felt we were all suddenly in some kind of lovely 1973-ish time-warp; but no, there is Mrs. SFO if I am not mistaken, assuring us that we are still in today. Actually I think some shot of her should be de rigueur now in any TR where she is with you, sort of like Hitchcock appeared if only very briefly in all his films; certainly the recent shot of her toasting an empty LH F cabin is one for the ages. Anyhow it is all great, I do look forward to whatever you post, thanks again for a very amusing look at it, hopefully you might also continue on with your experiences in Istanbul itself...
May 30, 2010, 1:36 pm
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,207
It has to be said that not all LHR-IST TK flights use this aircraft most are narrow airbus jobs. You do pay a premium to fly on the A340.....BA are much cheaper.
Great selection of pictures. ^
Feb 9, 2013, 8:51 am
#15
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And yet another previously missed trip report!
Comparing with my BA Club Europe experience on the LHR-IST route last year (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ub-europe.html), I think both TK and BA are fairly similar in the catering stakes, but BA wins for service.
Hard product-wise, of course, there is little comparison - TK wins hands down when they are operating their widebodies on the route.
Comparing with my BA Club Europe experience on the LHR-IST route last year (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ub-europe.html), I think both TK and BA are fairly similar in the catering stakes, but BA wins for service.
Hard product-wise, of course, there is little comparison - TK wins hands down when they are operating their widebodies on the route.