Hofmann's recommendations

Istanbul transfer

700394

700394

The world's largest airline in terms of countries served opened an enlarged Business Class Lounge at its Istanbul hub on February 11. Together with Turkish Do&Co, Turkish Airlines operates the largest lounge in Europe, which sets new standards worldwide.

A new Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 departs Singapore for the 11 hour 30 minute non-stop flight to Istanbul. Prelude to taking a closer look at some new service innovations.

Candlelight dinner

Connoisseur Circle's high expectations that the flying chef on board would refine the dishes in the tried-and-tested manner are certainly fulfilled. For the "candlelight dinner", flickering lights are now placed in small bags like candles. This has the advantage that it not only looks nice, but also makes it easier to find your way around in a darkened cabin. Turkish Airlines offers lie-flat seats in Business Class, i.e. seats that can be converted into a bed. A good night's sleep is therefore guaranteed, and after an excellent breakfast service, the flight lands on time in Istanbul. If you are busy in Istanbul and still have time for your next appointment, you can use the new Turkish Airlines Arrival Lounge. There, Business Class passengers have access to showers and an ironing service (!). A chef prepares a fresh breakfast, all of which makes for a good start to the day. Particularly worth mentioning: a very pleasant and quiet ambience.

Setting the tone

However, the recently expanded Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge in Istanbul Atatürk, which is operated by Turkish Do&Co, made headlines around the world. People from all over the world bustle through the crowded airport and the lounge's capacity was now exhausted. Up to 4,500 passengers frequent this lounge daily, which operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
With the opening of a second, directly connected lounge, its area has increased by 40 percent to almost 6,000 square meters. This finally guarantees a comfortable seat to relax or work while waiting for the next flight. The capacity now includes space for over 1,000 passengers. Turkish Do&Co has 30 employees per shift who look after the well-being of the guests. In addition, there are 22 housekeepers, twelve chefs, two technicians and two concierges. The lounge is not only architecturally unique, as are the culinary areas, where chefs are constantly preparing fresh dishes, it also offers additional innovations.
"Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul", for example, also offers a kindergarten, a biliard table, a prayer room, a telephone conference section, several bedrooms and shower rooms. But there are some clever ideas that make other airline lounges look old. For example, the masseurs strolling through the lounge offering neck massages (free of charge). Or there are also massage beds.

Lounge concert

A grand staircase leads to the new lounge area, where guests are welcomed in a tea garden. Also on this second lounge level is a Demel coffee house area or a cooking section where various Turkish specialties are offered.
Those who want a little more variety can pass the time on a model race track, practise on a golf simulator or at various game stations. In another area of the lounge, a grand piano provides musical entertainment. As if that were not enough, young artists will regularly give concerts in the lounge. In addition to the varied range of food, the same applies to the selection of drinks. It is therefore not surprising that the average length of stay for guests has increased to up to one and a half hours.

However, two personal comments on other lounges are permitted at this point. Emirates Airline may have the largest Business Class lounge in the world in Dubai, but in terms of comfort and service it is superseded by Turkish Do&Co. Lufthansa, for example, has elegant Senator Lounges in Frankfurt, but these can hardly compete with the existing facilities and services.

Kurt Hofmann

Istanbul transfer

Kurt Hofmann

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