Ask anyone living in the GCC about their plans for the holidays and chances are, travelling is at the top of the list. The region, with its proximity to Europe, Africa and the Far East, makes international travel a relatively convenient and fair-priced experience.
It’s no surprise then that airlines are upping their game to capture a greater number of travel-hungry passengers who are eager to explore the abundance of opportunities surrounding them. Turkish Airlines is among these carriers.
Full-on upgrade
Over the last year, Turkey’s national carrier has undergone a full-on upgrade, announcing new travel routes alongside spruced up services and refined interiors of its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. The airline even opened an art exhibition curated from the Istanbul Modern Collection, in the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at its new Istanbul Airport hub. As a result, the carrier has solidified its status as a global airline that takes a truly holistic approach to the air travel experience.
Pre-flight in the art exhibition, business class passengers can witness the depth of Turkish creative expression. A 130 square-metre space features various artworks ranging from early 20th-century landscape paintings to abstract pieces from the 1950s that fuses eastern and western styles. Housing artworks that illustrate the daily life presence of figure painting, the exhibition will also display compositions that interpret cultural values of Anatolia with a new perspective. Made possible with the collaboration of Turkish Airlines and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, the collection will be renewed three times per year during the project.
Then, as all passengers step on board, they will be greeted immediately by cabin crew dressed in sophisticated new flag-red and anthracite grey uniforms, designed by the Italian Haute Couturier Ettore Bilotta. Inspired by many classical details in Turkish culture, from the currents of the Bosphorus to the glassware, ceramics and calligraphy produced by local artisans, the designs ensure that regardless of destination, a touch of local culture remains in the sky.
Elevated experience for Business Class passengers
Beyond uniforms, Business Class passengers on the carrier’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner are in for an even more elevated experience. The Dreamliner fleet features 30 exceptional, all-new Business Class seats that rival any other. The interior trimming of each seat features suede-like Alcantara padding – commonly found in sports cars – to add another welcome layer of luxury and refinement. The layout also provides all-aisle access, enhanced privacy panels, personal closed stowage space, a self-care mirror, and a wide cocktail table, maximising space to offer ultimate comfort.
Versace travel kits
Meanwhile, on all intercontinental flights, Business Class passengers are now eased into a pastel ambience of soft red and orange lights, reminiscent of the sunsets in Turkey’s central Cappadocia. As the airline strives to raise travel comfort to a new high, Business Class passengers will also now notice new Versace travel kits. Containing socks, earplugs, a sleep mask, warning stickers, Versace lip balm, hand lotion, facial mist and hairpins. The new travel kit exudes elegance and sophistication, reflective of the uprated ambience surrounding passengers.
In economy class, passengers can take advantage of the similarly lush travel kits designed by Mandarina Duck, an Italian fashion brand renowned for bringing innovative and functional products to travellers. The set includes a sleep mask, socks, earplugs, lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste. Also in economy class, fliers will find the products of Atelier Rebul in the lavatories. It’s all part of the airline’s quest to provide unparalleled customer service in-flight and on-ground.
Growing network
Conveniently, as the onboard experience in Turkish Airlines continues to be refined, the carrier’s route network also grows. The recently delivered 787-9 Dreamliner offers new options to reinforce the status of Turkish Airlines as the carrier that flies to more countries than any other airline.
The refined comfort of the global carrier has a flight network that consists of 334 destinations in 128 countries, which now includes Cebu in the Philippines, Newark and Dallas in the USA, Urmia in Iran, Vancouver in Canada, Turkistan and Aktau in Kazakhstan, Fergana and Urgench in Uzbekistan and Luanda in Angola.
Already with 50 domestic and 284 international destinations across 128 countries, the global airline will continue to expand its flight network as it introduces new routes later in the year. It also plans to start scheduled flights to Denver, Seattle and Detroit (USA), Sialkot (Pakistan) and Hargeisa (Somalia) in the coming period, depending on opportunities and market conditions.
Visit turkishairlines.com for updates and more information.
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