The best thing about flying Business Class is being treated like a VIP. We left the Polaris lounge 40 minutes before departure, walked to the gate and were able to board without waiting.
The 13-hour flight from SFO to IST is on a 777 and it's a 2-3-2 configuration in business class. The seats are side-by-side and convert to a lie-flat bed with the push of a button. The only problem with side-by-side seating is that once they become a flat bed, the person next to the window has to climb over the person in the aisle seat. Not a big issue if you know your seat mate but could be a little awkward if you don't know each other. There is a partition that can be pulled out between the seats.
Each seat has a personal light and plugs to charge your cell phone and computer.
WiFi is available for free for Business Class passengers.
The screen is fixed and pretty far away--too far to use the touch screen so you have to use the hand-held control. I liked the storage area under the screen so you can have your small carry on nearby.
At our seat was a pair of slippers. My husband liked that they actually fit his large feet.
The amenities bag is a nice Versace bag--hot pink on the flight from SFO to IST and orange from IST to SFO. I wasn't impressed with the contents though. There was a nice pair of super soft socks and eye shades, toothbrush and toothpaste but the creams were too heavily perfumed.
We were given a pair of noise-cancelling Denon earphones for use during the flight.
Welcome drink--I chose the homemade lemonade with mint followed by a glass of Tattinger Brut Reserve Champagne before takeoff.
There were 3 chefs onboard.
Once we were at cruising altitude, the inflight service began. First, a tablecloth was placed on our tray--a nice touch. We received a bowl of nuts then canapés--mini quiche, smoked salmon puff pastry and what tasted like ground shrimp on lemongrass. All were excellent.
After the canapés, we received a candlelit place setting, including a cloth napkin, personal olive oil, butter and salt & pepper shaker. The shakers were in the shape of a mosque and they were adorable.
The appetizers were on a trolley and you could choose whatever you want.
I chose the Mediterranean prawns, crab cake, smoked trout & horseradish cream, eggplant in tomato sauce and creamy tomato soup. All were delicious, especially the tomato soup!. Other options were avocado and tomato salad & spiced chicken breast, beetroot with goat cheese, hummus and iceberg salad with cherry tomatoes.
I chose the Steak & Salad with Roasted Herb Potatoes for my entree. The steak was the most amazing steak I have ever had. It was so flavorful and tender! Other options included Grilled Filet of Salmon and Mushroom Ravioli.
After the entrees were cleared, the dessert cart was presented. Again, you could choose whatever you wanted.
I was pretty full so I just had the Strawberry Ice Cream. You could tell it was made with fresh strawberries. So good.
My husband had the Fruit Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce, Potpourri of Turkish Desserts and Raspberry & Chocolate Cake. Other options were Selection of Cheese and Assorted Fruit.
Coffe & Tea were served with the desserts. You could choose a selection of "Wellness Teas"--there was a variety to fight jet lag, promote healthy digestion, energize the body, reduce edema or support the immune system.
After dinner, the flight attendants made our beds and I took a 6 hour nap. It was some of the best sleep I've ever had on a plane.
Two hours prior to arrival, we were served breakfast. It started with fruit, salad of tomato/cucumber/ricotta cheese, smoked chicken and pastry. We also got fresh squeezed orange juice.
I chose the Cheese Omelet on a bed of Spinach, Tomatoes and Home Fries. Some people ordered Fried Eggs, which were prepared onboard.
After landing in Istanbul, we found the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge. It was a little hard to find. We followed the signs which took us to an elevator. The attendant there directed us around the corner to the entrance. Take the escalator after showing your Business Class boarding pass then scan your boarding pass to enter the lounge.
There is another lounge for Star Alliance Gold Elite passengers flying economy. Supposedly, both lounges are equivalent.
The lounge is beautiful and even better than the United Polaris Lounge at SFO. Upon entering the lounge, scan your boarding pass to get your WiFi code. I had a difficult time getting the WiFi to work and after I did, it was slow.
If you have large bags, you can store them in lockers.
We headed to the back of the lounge and asked for a suite since we had a connection over 4 hours. The suites are for 1 person so my husband and I both got one.
The suites did not have connecting bathrooms. The bathrooms were across the hall from the suites and you had to ask separately to use them.
You can access the showers, even if your connecting time doesn't qualify for a suite.
Towels and bathrobes were available along with shampoo and shower gel. I didn't find any lotion though.
After our shower and rest, we went in search of dinner. There are multiple cooking stations throughout the lounge. This station was making manti--a Turkish ravioli.
Manti was served with tomato sauce & yogurt. This was, by far, my favorite dish in the entire lounge.
I love Turkish cherry juice and found it in the refrigerated section. They were stocked with cans and bottles of soft drinks, juices, beer and water.
There were self-serve wine and liquor stations but no bar preparing cocktails.
Spicy Chickpeas & Aegean Moussaka. The moussaka was my 2nd favorite dish. It was especially good with Turkish rice, which is a little chewier than Asian rice.
Grilled "Meatball" & Chicken Skewer with Barley and Gozleme--Turkish flatbread stuffed with cheese and herbs. The Grill station had a long line but it was worth the wait. The flatbread was very tasty as well.
There were various Pide--Turkish pizza. This one had mixed vegetables with basil. I thought this was too crispy.
Chicken Kaow Soy served with Noodles. This was okay.
Rigatoni with Tomato Sauce & Eggplant and Vegetable Noodle with Peanut Sauce. Again, these were just okay.
There was a station with numerous salads and Turkish cold items.
Vegetable Pancakes, Beets, Stuffed Grape Leaves and Celeriac Salad. The Grape Leaves were especially good.
There was also an Olive Bar.
Trolley with Turkish Sesame Bagel.
There were several Dessert Stations.
So many Baklava choices.
Specialty Tea Station.
Quiet area of the lounge.
There was a Museum within the lounge.
There was also a race track to while the time away.
The Miles & Smiles Lounge had a cinema but the Business Lounge did not.
We thoroughly enjoyed our 7-hour layover in IST and it passed quickly.
Our connecting flight to Bucharest was only 1 hour 20 minutes but we were served a full meal. We had to eat fast to finish it before landing. The Black Sea Omelet was especially tasty and I really liked the Homemade Sour Cherry Jam.
2019 09 14
