Last year I finished the six-continent challenge with Turkish Airlines. Earned a million miles. Now comes the hunt for ways to burn them on long-haul business class without paying full fare. 🌍
I aim for the newer iron. Specifically the A350-909 or 787-9. These planes have all-aisle access seats. Older fleets don’t. You’re stuck next to a neighbor if you want a sip of water. It matters on an 11-hour flight.
So when Istanbul to Johannesburg opened up at 75k miles plus $218 fee? Easy decision. The A350-90. Dates aligned. South Africa awaited. (You could hunt Star Alliance awards via United or Aeroplan too, but this worked.)
The Lounge Shuffle
Two massive 60k sq ft lounges at Istanbul hub. Miles&Smiles for elites. Business for fare class. As an Elite flier, I get both.
Went to Miles&Smiles. Why? Lazy. They’re twins.
With a long layover I watched the rhythm. Empty to packed in minutes. Usually I fight for a table. Today? Quiet. Got a pair of seats with power outlets. Power used to be hard to find here. Economy seats upstairs lack them too. Annoying. New renovation helped though.
But the food? That’s the real deal. Gozleme. Manti. Fresh pide. Turkish tea on tap. Ayran. Canned sour cherry drink. 🥤
I know exactly what to grab after these many visits. You do too if you look closely.
“The food is the standout.”
Boarding Chaos
Arrived early. Gate was a zoo. Nearly full. Three lines formed already. One for biz/elite. One for rows 1-27. One for the rest.
Waited. Boarding didn’t start for 15 minutes past scheduled time.
Then chaos. The lines melted into blobs of people. Biz class got processed first. Others pushed forward. Scanner scanners flashed.
I was on the plane within 10 mins of start. Fast enough. Just… untidy.
Seat Stress
32 seats in my cabin. Stelia Aerospace Symphony model. Staggered 1-2-1.
Note: Some A350s have 28 Collins seats. Different plane. Different vibe. Don’t mix them up.
20 inches wide. Direct aisle access. Good.
Window seats A/K. Middle section D E F G.
Odd rows push E/F together. Even rows hug the window more. Check Aerolopa. 🛑
Amenities at the seat? Universal power outlet. USB-A port. Lockable cubby. Side table.
18-inch IFE screen in front. Loaded with shows. Movies. Maps.
Big flaw though. Remote placement sucks.
Screen sits beside you. Brush it while sleeping? It wakes up. Glowing bright in the dark. Not just me. Saw others deal with it mid-flight. Ruins the vibe.
Sleep test? Fully flat bed. Armrests lower to be flush. Comfortable. Firm.
Mattress pad helps but the bedding doesn’t breathe. Cabin felt warm. Sweat factor: low to moderate.
Footwell has tiny shoe storage. Tray table is big and sturdy. Comes from under the screen.
But the seat shell? Feels wasted space. Curves inward.
Maybe noise reduction? Maybe padding?
I lost window views. Space felt smaller. Inefficient design.
Solids But…
Pajamas? No.
Got: blanket, shoe bag, slippers.
Amenity kit is Lanvin. Gender-specific.
Women’s kit had fluffy socks, toothbrush, paste, earplugs, hair tie, lip balm. Eye mask slipped. One band fails against two bands. Classic travel failure.
Crew came post-takeoff. Added mattress pads. Dressed pillows.
Nice touch? Sure.
Awkward timing? Maybe. I hadn’t ordered dinner yet. But fine.
Wi-Fi? Complimentary for biz/elite.
Speed test results: 10.9 Mbps down. 1.23 up.
Ping: 1875ms. 📉
Useless. Forget trying to send an email.
The “Flying Chef” Food Game
Starts strong. Pre-departure drink choice. No menu though? Strange.
Asked for non-alc. Got sparkling fruit juice.
Enter the “Flying Chef.” Delivers the menu to your seat.
Sells “dine on demand.” Eat when you want. Until galley closes.
On my red-eye? No one used it. Everyone ate immediately after takeoff.
Chef asked two questions:
1. Meal now?
2. Wake up for breakfast?
Ordered Ayran. Mixed nuts came. 🥜
15 mins later: Cold appetizer. Grape leaves. Eggplant salad.
Nice presentation. Earthy tang. Savory.
Then bread. Cloth bag. “World’s oldest bread.” Dense. Hearty. Good.
Main course? Salmon poke bowl.
Chose this over swordfish or lamb. Wanted light.
Delivered. Tender fish. Sweet potato. Avocado. Crisp veggies. Felt fresh.
25 mins later: Bread and butter pudding. Vanilla sauce. Berries. Comfort food without the coma weight.
Drinks list? Impressive.
Champagne. Five reds. Three whites. Port.
Four whiskies. Efes or Heineken.
Even mocktails.
Arrival meal time.
Ordered latte.
15 mins later: Machine broken. 😡
Got filter coffee instead. Milk added.
Saw other passengers get espresso shots. Frustrating inconsistency.
Dinner arrived later. Cheese plate. Olives. Fruit.
Main: Poached eggs with spinach.
Yolks were runny. Savory base. Best flight eggs I’ve had in a while. 🥚
Service? Quick. Efficient. Professional.
But cold?
Procedural. Lacked the warmth Turkish used to have. Nothing broken. Just… sterile.
The Bottom Line
Turkish A350 business class? Solid.
Comfortable lie-flat seat. Direct aisle access. Food is genuinely good.
Crew moves the cabin through meals well on a long flight.
But the glitches hang around. Chaotic boarding. Slow Wi-Fi. Crowded lounge.
Lacks that final polish against the top competitors.
Still?
If you find a cheap award?
Yeah. It works. Just pack good eye masks and lower your expectations for tech. 📱📴
Will I do it again? Maybe.
The salmon bowl was pretty good.
