A Turkish Airlines plane carrying the Turkish national football team arrives ahead of UEFA EURO 2019… [+] Germany 2024 match at Hannover Airport in Hannover, Germany on June 11, 2024. (Photo by Luciano Lima – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
UEFA via Getty Images
In recent years, there has been something of an arms race among airlines to offer the most luxurious and comfortable business class seats and service. Airlines are competing to attract valuable customers who are willing to pay five to ten times as much for a business class seat as they would for an economy class seat.
This year, Turkish Airlines was ranked 10th in Skytrax’s ranking of the world’s best business class airlines. The airline also won the award for Best Business Class In-flight Catering.
But Turkish Airlines is not resting on its laurels, and will be unveiling its latest Crystal Business Class suite at the Farnborough Airshow 2024 in Hampshire, UK this week.
The airline already boasts flying to more countries than any other airline, and it also hit a record high in passenger numbers in May, carrying 7.2 million passengers across international and domestic routes.
Turkish Airlines unveiled its new Crystal Business Class suite at the Farnborough Airshow. [+] It is scheduled to launch in the UK in July 2023. The new suites feature 23-inch seat width, privacy screens and aisle access for all.
Turkish Airlines
Travelers can now enjoy their upcoming journey in style in the new Crystal Business Class Suite, which is the first on Turkish Airlines to feature an adjustable suite door and privacy panel for added privacy on board.
Business class passengers will also enjoy a more comfortable flight: the new business class seats feature a wider seat width of 23 inches and increased legroom. While most airlines use third-party manufacturers for their premium seats, the new seats were developed by TCI Aircraft Interiors, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.
The idea was to create a product unique to the airline, so the new seats are made with luxurious leathers and fabrics, all sourced in Turkey, highlighting the roots of Turkey’s national airline.
The seats are staggered to give every passenger direct aisle access and a commanding aisle view from every window suite. The new suites are in keeping with the airline’s “Flow” brand identity, featuring lighter, warmer colors, marble-look tables and rose gold finishes. Judging from the photos, Turkish Airlines appears to continue to focus on business class food and service.
The suites come equipped with adjustable ambient and reading lights, universal and Type-C power outlets, wireless chargers, noise-cancelling audio jacks, adjustable mirrors, ergonomic seat cushions with enclosed storage, and a 22-inch IFE (in-flight entertainment) screen.
Turkish Airlines’ new Crystal Business Class Suite unveiled at Farnborough Airport. [+] It is scheduled to be performed in July 2024.
Turkish Airlines
The airline also said it will offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers by the end of 2025. The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with state satellite company Turksat and subsidiary TCI Aircraft Interiors to add high-speed connectivity to its aircraft.
The new seats will be introduced on the airline’s transcontinental flights and will be installed on Airbus A350s to order from 2026. The advanced seat suites will also be retrofitted onto Boeing 777 aircraft.
“Our new Crystal Business Class Suites will add a new chapter to our long-haul luxury travel, bringing new levels of luxury and privacy across our extensive global network and propelling the airline into the future,” said Professor Ahmet Bollat, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines. “The specially created design complements our award-winning in-flight dining options, allowing us to continue offering our customers an unparalleled experience above the clouds.”
Speaking to Airways about the new business class product, Borat added that Turkish Airlines has no plans to reintroduce premium economy since dropping the service in 2016, despite other airlines seeing it profitably.
A couple is served a meal while seated in Turkish Airlines’ new Crystal Business Class Suite.
Turkish Airlines
Founded in 1933 with five aircraft, Turkish Airlines now operates a fleet of 458 aircraft and serves passengers and cargo to 347 destinations in 130 countries worldwide. A member of Star Alliance, the airline was recently ranked 8th among the strongest airline brands by international brand rating agency Brand Finance.
