Elite Traveler Summer 2019

How important is business class to the aviation industry? At Turkish Airlines, we place a premium on the value of our leisure, business and corporate travelers. Many of the hallmarks of Turkish Airlines’ award-winning services are developed with a long-term vision of creating a seamless door-to-door experience for our passengers. Investing in premium features for our business-class experience, such as high-end lounges, stopover services, and quality in-flight catering has ultimately elevated the overall product for every passenger of Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge is accessible through a special entrance gate located outside the terminal so you can complete check-in procedures and transfer directly to your aircraft on buses. Guests can rest on comfortable couches and enjoy delectable treats fromTurkey. The lounge provides a large children’s play area, media wall and prayer room. What is the next generation of consumer asking for? We are continually improving and innovating by investing heavily in research and development through both in-house proprietary data analysis and partnerships with independent research providers. We constantly and carefully review the results to determine aviation trends and consumer demands, with outcomes often finding their way into our products and services. In a recent Nielsen survey commissioned by Turkish Airlines on US consumer aviation trends, 40 percent of passengers rank connectivity as the thirdmost important driver of airline choice, behind only price and schedule. American travelers are also interested in keeping air travel one of the last spaces to stay disconnected from cell phone coverage to keep the in-flight experience free of potential nuisance and disturbance. As technology has improved to allow charging andmore online connectivity, that opposition to cell coverage has continued to grow. The report also found that among US travelers, the most important in-flight factor is cleanliness (96 percent). Other highly important factors for passengers include: friendly, attentive and accessible staff (94 percent); wider seat spacing in all classes (93 percent); quality food and beverage options (92 percent); and console screen on the back of the seat for entertainment and information (90 percent). Internet connectivity (77 percent) is the most expected feature. How is Turkish Airlinesmeeting its passengers’ needs? As a result of this US consumer aviation trends survey, Turkish Airlines is on a mission to make the flight experience with digital connectivity as robust as its flight network connectivity. We have been investing heavily in our travel experience to enhance comfort and offer high-end in-flight services, including the best internet connectivity over the Atlantic and the US. As we expand our fleet, we choose new-generation, environmentally friendly aircraft fully equipped with the technology to meet the evolving needs of a modern traveler. Research has also shown our passengers care deeply about sleep comfort, so we are developing new sleeping sets for our business-class full-flat cabins. Most recently, the global airline paired up withMilan-based haute couturier Ettore Bilotta to create a dynamic new uniform design heralding a new era and brand identity for the national flag carrier. Inspired by many classic elements of Turkish design and culture, the new uniforms incorporate traditional patterns found in artisanal glassware, ceramics and calligraphy with contemporary textures and details. The collection combines shapes and colors found in Istanbul’s Bosphorus with a new ‘flow detail,’ created to symbolize the effortless and dynamic energy flowing through Turkey’s most dynamic city as an intersection between East andWest. We are very excited about the new Istanbul Airport that will allow Turkish Airlines to introduce even more new products and services, offering a seamless door-to-door experience that connects 17 cities in the Americas to more than 40 countries located less than three hours from Istanbul.

How is Turkish Airlines providing the ultimate Business-class experience? In addition to having one of the most robust flight networks, Turkish Airlines offers an award-winning business-class service. Business- class passengers can enjoy modern full-flat seats with a first-rate entertainment system; free Wi-Fi service on all wide-body fleet; active noise-canceling headphones; special amenity kit; welcome drink and dedicated bar; turn-down service and sleeping kit (on flights eight hours or longer); snack bar; Turkish coffee and Turkish delight service; special menu with gourmet meals served by Flying Chefs (on flights eight hours or longer); hot towel service; dedicated lavatory and more. We also offer unique programs for business-class fliers such as: Flying Chefs, a rare in-flight chef service where passengers can enjoy gourmet dishes by candlelight, offering passengers the luxury and feel of dining at a restaurant high above the clouds; Exclusive Drive, where business-class passengers are picked up to and from the airport (within 35 miles) by a private, chauffeured limo; Istanbul Stopover Service, offering passengers who choose to extend their layover with more than 20 hours of connection time to explore the city of Istanbul (those traveling business class receive two complimentary nights at a five-star hotel in Taksim); and the Istanbul Bosphorus Experience, allowing those who have a stopover time of seven hours or more in Istanbul to be accompanied by a guide and tour the beauty of the Bosphorus on a private cruise. Turkish Airlines also offers one of the world’s most extensive corporate frequent-flyer programs, Turkish Airlines Corporate Club, with benefits such as exclusive annual discounts, extra baggage, flexibility, free tickets, upgrades and access to passenger lounges. At the new Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines offers Business Class, Miles & Smiles, Elite Plus, Elite, Gold Star and Corporate Club passengers access to arrival and departure lounges: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge has an area of 60,278 sq ft and seats 765 guests. Turkish Airlines has partnered with Istanbul Modern to incorporate a 1,400-sq-ft museum. The lounge includes 13 private suites with showers. Guests can rest on comfortable couches, savor delicious, exclusive treats from Turkey and international cuisine or enjoy mobile masseur services. A console gaming experience, golf simulators, technology center with 3D glasses and virtual reality, and large children’s play area provide entertainment. The lounge also provides meeting rooms, a library and prayer room. Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Lounge has an area of 60,278 sq ft and seats 765 guests. The lounge includes 11 suites with showers. A cinema, console gaming experience, golf simulators, technology center with 3D glasses and virtual reality and a large children’s play area provide entertainment. The couches are perfect for relaxing and enjoying Turkish and international cuisine. The lounge also provides meeting rooms, a library and prayer room.

Clockwise: The new Istanbul airport; Cenk Ocal; flying high wtih Turkish Airlines; the cabin crew’s chic new uniform

turkishairlines.com

Photos Chad Slattery, Miles Aldridge