I recently flew by Turkish Airlines Business Class Toronto to Istanbul. In this review, I’ll walk you through my experience of the 10-hour flight, from pre-flight check-in at Pearson Airport to the onboard dining and seating experience.
Background
This flight was part of a multi-stop itinerary to Sri Lanka, booked using my Star Alliance points. My complete itinerary was:
- Toronto – Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
- Istanbul – Colombo (Turkish Airlines)
- Colombo – Singapore (Singapore Airlines)
- Singapore – London Heathrow (Singapore Airlines)
- London – Toronto (Air Canada)
All flights were in Business Class, booked with 225,000 Aeroplan Points and just over CAD 300 in taxes and fees.
Table of Contents
CHECK MY VIDEO FOR THIS POST
Pre-Flight
Although I had checked in online, booking through Aeroplan required some follow-up at the Turkish Airlines counter at Toronto Pearson Airport to sort out my checked luggage.
Checking In
I arrived at Toronto Pearson Airport three hours before departure to enjoy the lounge and get settled. Check-in at the Turkish Airlines counter was a breeze — I was done in less than ten minutes and quickly made my way through security to the lounge.
The Maple Leaf Lounge
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge International at Pearson is spacious and offers decent food, alcohol, and other amenities.
The Turkish Airlines Business Class Toronto to Istanbul Experience
Boarding was scheduled for 9 PM for the 9:30 PM departure. After arriving at the gate, passengers were transported via bus to a separate terminal. I checked with a staff member, and she said this was a fill-in terminal. And I learnt something new about the Pearson Airport.
Once onboard, menus were distributed, followed by a choice of non-alcoholic welcome drinks: lemonade, raspberry juice, orange juice, or water. I chose lemonade.
While I was enjoying the drink and wondering whether I would get my alcoholic drink – after all, I like to start my flights with a champagne – they distributed the amenity kits. It was red pouches for women and black for men.
Flight attendants asked if I preferred dinner immediately after takeoff or later during the flight. I opted for the first option.
After Takeoff
Shortly after the flight reached its cruising altitude, hot towels and more water were distributed, and they started making the bed but then turbulence hit.
But about thirty minutes later, all was quiet, and they came for the drinks order.
Drinks, including alcoholic, and warm nuts followed as the flight reached cruising altitude.
I also got a battery-operated night candle.
This rekindled my memories of the 2016 flight to Istanbul from Brussels and I fell for the idea of a ‘candle-light’ dinner while cruising at a height of over 30,000 feet.
The only other airline that has given me this experience so far is Qatar Airways which provided a candle on its flight from Doha to Montreal in Canada. (MY POST AND VIDEO ON THAT TRIP HERE)
Afterwards, it was all quiet and I turned on the entertainment section.
In the morning, there was breakfast, but I just had the first course and skipped the main meal.
And then it was time to say Goodbye to the flight.
Meals on Turkish Airlines Business Class Toronto to Istanbul Flight
First Meal
Turkish Airlines Business Class meals are elevated by the presence of an onboard chef who oversees service.
The meal began with smoked salmon with capers and salad. The salmon was perfectly tempered, preserving its smoky flavor without overwhelming the palate.
For the main course, I selected grilled prawns with asparagus, basmati rice, and tomato sauce. It was well-prepared, flavorful, and served at the right temperature.
Dessert was chocolate fondant with chocolate sauce, which had a light texture and rich flavor.
Snacks were available throughout the flight, but I didn’t opt for any.
Second Meal
They serviced a second meal before landing. It started with fresh fruits, yogurt, chicken, roast beef, and cheese, paired with a croissant. All washed down with a cup of coffee.
This was sufficient for me, so I skipped the main course.
Drinks
I requested a Turkish wine, Sarafin Sauvignon Blanc 2022, but it was unavailable. Instead, they offered me Côtes d’Avanos 2022, another Turkish option. The flight attendant assured me that if I didn’t enjoy it, she could offer a French wine alternative.
But I was there to enjoy Turkish drinks and decided that I would rather go for a local beer. Thankfully, the wine was crisp and citrusy, and I didn’t need to switch.
The Cabin Experience
The Seat
The Boeing 777 Business Class cabin featured a 2-3-2 seating configuration. While this setup isn’t the most private, a pull-out divider between seats provides some separation.
The seat itself was fully lie-flat, with ample legroom and touchpad controls for adjusting recline and footrest positions. I am not very tall, so my stretched legs didn’t reach the full extent of the lie-flat seat. A massage function was also included.
Additional amenities included a power outlet, USB charging port, reading lamp, and extra storage space.
Amenity Kit
The FAs distributed the amenity kits shortly after boarding—black for men and red for women. These included essentials like toiletries and slippers, enhancing the overall comfort of the journey.
Entertainment
Turkish Airlines offers a great entertainment system with a diverse selection of Hollywood, Turkish, and international films, along with educational content like LinkedIn Learning. I wish they had more European and Asian/African/Latin American options.
The Denon headphones provided high-quality sound, adding to the experience.
I either slept or read, rather than watching movies using the Entertainment section.
Wifi
Once upon a time, your flight time was off-Internet time. But that is changing, as major airlines start offering wifi services for their passengers.
Free wifi was available for Business Class passengers.
The service was impressive as I was able to send and receive emails, check my Facebook etc. Of the three or four airlines whose wifi services I have enjoyed so far, this was the best.
Washroom
The washrooms were consistently clean and well-maintained throughout the flight.
Final Thoughts on Turkish Airlines Business Class Toronto to Istanbul Flight
This was my second time flying Turkish Airlines Business Class from Toronto. Like the first time, the food, service, and seating met high standards.
The addition of free, reliable wifi was a significant improvement, making the flight even more convenient.
Overall, Turkish Airlines Business Class continues to be a fantastic experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with them again.