   Flying from Istanbul to Bangkok, aboard the Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-203 , was very satisfying: both in term of comfort and service. Our way back to Europe, aboard their brand new Boeing 777-300ER, was so exciting that we wished to review this experience for our readership. There is at least
one daily flight, non-stop from BKK to IST, depending on the season. TK0061
departs from Suvarnabhumi
International Airport at 11:45 pm. Considering the traffic jam, we
left The
Oriental, located in the city center, at 7pm. It normally takes 1 till
2 hours to cover the quite long distance (30km) between downtown and the
new Bangkok airport. At 8:20 pm, there was already a queue at the TK Economy
class counters; though the C and F class desks allowed us an express check-in.
Within ten minutes, our boarding cards in hand, we had already crossed
the police and immigration controls, with an invitation to join the “Royal
Silk Lounge”, used by Star Alliance
carriers: we would give three stars out of five to this overcrowded executive
waiting room, catered by Thai Airways. It has some positive aspects: wireless
high speed Internet, a good selection of international newspapers and magazines,
an open bar with quite fine brands of alcohol and fresh juices. Negative
aspects: the room is far too small, the selection of snacks was so poor
you won't believe you are in such a wonderful gastronomic country like
Thailand. Last but no least, the seats and tables were not that clean.
We noticed that the service, with Thai Airways, was going downhill; the
lounge is one of the concrete illustrations of the mediocrity provided
by this company since more than a decade. Last time we have flown with
TK, we staid in the “Louis Tavern Lounge” which, though not exceptional,
was more comfortable and welcoming compared with the “Royal Silk Lounge”.
What a contrast with the great, simply amazing Istanbul Airport "International
CIP Lounge"...
 Before reaching the departure gate, located not far away from the lounge, we did some shopping: prices at Suvarnabhumi are rather attractive. There is a splendid choice from the best and most prestigious local and international brands, Thai handicraft, and orchids nicely packed for export. This is a very beautiful, large, clean and comfortable airport, giving a wonderful image of the Kingdom of Thailand. Leaving Suvarnabhumi would be somehow painful if we didn't get the compensation of the lavish treatment awaiting us aboard TK0061. The boarding was
amazingly quick for such a large aircraft like the B777-300 ER. All passengers
received the same treatment, without any priority for F and C Class boarding
pass holders; which, in the good conditions provided by TK staff at Suvarnabhumi,
was finally no problem. In the boarding corridor, we were finally splited
in two categories: the F class passengers entered the plane from the front
gate; the C and Y class passengers used a second gate. Though the plane
was 100% full, this didn't actually created any kind of rush; we were just
astonished to see all the Y class passengers (which means precisely 274
peoples!) obliged to walk along the C class cabin. Which meant a long way
for them, and some disturbance for the C class passengers, obliged to wait
patiently about 20 minutes before relaxing in front of a glass a chilled
Champagne “Gosset Brut Réserve”. Then, we must say that the all
flight was like a dream. What a comfort, what a service, and what a great
aircraft! The TC-JEE, “Karadeniz” B777-300 ER is actually a Jet
Airways aircraft, leased by TK. It bears the TK name and colour; though
looking more closely the back of the aircraft, we could see the Indian
flag still painted on it. The cabin also displayed some instructions in
Hindi language. It seemed to us that the pilots were not Turkish; but American
or English. The steward and stewardesses were Turkish: at least in C class.
 Jet Airways calls “Première” the elegant herringbone designed cabin; not “Business Class”. And we must say that, after experiencing F class so many times with so many airlines, we actually got the feeling we were seating in “Première". A lot of companies are using exactly the same configuration for their F class (United, Virgin “Upper Class”, Jet Airways, as a matter of fact...). This is a lovely design, with some LED, electric-blue lightning, which softening the already cool, trendy atmosphere. The seating was 1-2-1: which is also very much First class. The cabin seats 30 passengers: back to the C class standards. We peeped in the “First Class” cabin: featuring 8 private suites, it was splendid! We will review it as soon as possible, as it is actually five star deluxe... TK is working hard to promote this very exclusive service, featuring a great VIP treatment, while most of the airlines are dropping their F class for a standardized executive "premium" class. The “Première”
/ C class seats couldn’t be more comfortable. Orientated 45° to the
direction of the aisle, they can be transformed into a fully-flat bed within
15 seconds only. Totally separated from our neighbors by a real wall of
privacy, we travelled just like in a private cabin. Those wishing to discuss
with their partner will need to stand up, as there is no possibility to
create a direct contact. Also, if looking by the window is your hobby,
you will be obliged to badly twist your neck to try and see anything, indeed.
Our seat was controlled by a very easy to use electronic control panel.
There was a socket for our PC, USB port, and a large (15.4-inch) AVOD LCD
screen with plenty of games, music, just released movies (including “Bollywood”
shows!), and whatever a geek might have ever dreamed of. There was even
a button for a premium back massage, which we used many times during the
flight.
 The General Electric GE90 engines are so powerful and silent! After a as smooth as silk take-off, we didn't even use the ear caps provided, with perfume, tooth paste, and everything one might need for a long-haul flight, in a smart “L'Occitane” toilet kit. The cabin was slightly overheated; the air pressure was ideal, and our feet didn't inflate as much as in the A330 in which we had flown from Istanbul to Bangkok. After ten minutes,
we received our dinner menu,
and some options for the breakfast. The selection of aperitifs was fine.
All popular brands were available. Featuring Raki of course: this Turkish
specialty is an excellent pairing with seafoods and grilled fish, like
the “Prawn Caesar's Salad” served in a generous portion or, much better,
with the so appetizing “Potpourri of Mediterranean Mezze”, freshly imported
from the Bosphorus. The “Traditional Turkish Wedding Soup”, with steamed
lamb, is another specialty which you will only find on TK. All those
local delicacies, prepared by Do & Co, were so palatable! We must confess
that the main courses, certainly catered in Bangkok, tasted much more like
Y class airlines food. Though perfectly edible, and even quite good, our
“Grilled Beef Tournedos”, with demi-glace sauce, celeriac and potato puree,
was chewy: definitely overcooked. So was the “Swordfish Brochette”. But
the desserts were splendid: presented on a trolley, with such a variety
of freshly cut fruits, pastries (the “Profiterole” and the “Lemon Tarte”
were mouth watering), and local “Baklavas”, that we picked up little bit
of everything... There was a fine tea selection; the coffee was a tasteless,
very average brown liquid. We liked very much the quality of the wine (Champagne
Gosset, remarkable “Chablis, Michel Laroche, 2005” and “Saint Emilion,
Chateau Laroque, Grand Cru Classé 2002”), and the good quality digestives
(we ordered Cognac Hennessy VSOP; though, travelling business class, a
XO would have been more appropriate), and would award our dinner four star
out of five.
 The attendants asked us if we wished to be woken up for breakfast at about 4am, Istanbul time. It allowed us a 7 to 8 hours sleep. So we said yes. It was good to have “Scrambled Eggs with Turkey Ham, Cheese Toast and Grilled Potatoes”, yogurt, cheese and fresh fruits, before a soft landing in Istanbul Ataturk, at 05:30 am . Right on time! We were transiting
to another destination in Europe, and therefore got some time ahead to
purchase goods in what appears to be the cheapest, and one of the largest,
duty free shopping mall in Europe (Cuban cigars and French perfumes are
30 till 50% cheaper than in Paris CDG!). Afterward, we reached the «International
CIP Lounge», where TK offers a lavish treatment to its business
and VIP clients. The company feels proud of what we actually consider like
one of the best, most impressive C/F Class lounges in the world. We got
there a display of what TK offers to executive flyers. The ground
attendants are helpful, smiling and actually charming. The lounge is among
the most beautifully designed we have experienced. It is very spacious
and has a glamorous decoration, mixing large and deep leather sofas
with gilded chairs (we should write thrones!) which made us feel like pashas.
Many lounges comes stressing, oppressive at peak hours; we experienced
it between 7 till 9 am, when the traffic goes intense in Atatürk.
Thanks to its cleverly designed 1470 m2, there was still plenty of rooms
to accommodate oneself at ease. The buffet was regularly refilled with
fine quality snacks, club sandwiches, sweets for kids, and a wide choice
of soft and alcoholic beverages. Excellent espresso coffee. Large selection
of daily newspapers and magazines (most of them in English; they should
also consider other major languages like Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic
and Mandarin). There is a huge, extremely comfortable Internet corner (WiFi
is complimentary also: using you own laptop is easy, with a quick signal
shake-hand and electric plugs close to every armchairs and sofas). There
is a prayers room. Long-haul flyers will like the presence of clean, well
designed showers and a dark relaxing room with vibrating stretched armchairs
which did us a world of good, driving us into a fast sleep. The washrooms
are simply palatial: with precious marble and antique taps! All the marvels
of the Orient are concentrated in this «CIP Lounge», which
is well worth five star, as it actually reflects the atmosphere of a palace
hotel!
 Turkish Airlines
has recently seen its global Quality Rating upgraded to the prestigious
ranking as a 4 Star Quality Certified Airline by the prestigious and totally
independent Skytrax
reviewers. It is now a member of the Star
Alliance. This remains one of our favorite airlines, and we warmly
recommend it to those looking to a good value, safe and top comfortable
Business Class experience.
TK OFFICE BANGKOK: 3rd Floor
C.P. Tower, 313 Silom Rd., Bangkok 10500
TK OFFICE ISTANBUL ATATÜRK
AIRPORT:
TURKISH
AIRLINES OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE
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