We're exploring different options to get to Istanbul. Has anyone flown Turkish Air (we'd be in Business/First) ?? Curious about seats, service, food etc.

We flew Turkish Air Business Class from Dehli to London last year. Everything was just fine. I would definitely fly them again.

Jane, did the seats fully recline flat (or close to it) for sleeping?

They are not flat, but the non stop from ORD to IST compensated for that - IMHO. Recline is pretty decent - don't know what pitch though.

Check and see what aircraft will be used on your flight, then check out www.thy.com. You can view information regarding the seat under the Business Class section. It appears that the A330-200 have full flat seats with recline of 159 degrees.

mjz:
Did not know that Turkish flew non stop from ORD to IST, can you tell us more ?
This would be of interest for those heading to the Gulf and maybe Bangkok as Turkish have a daily non stp IST-Bangkok.
I flew them some years ago BKK to Singapore in Coach on a nice A-340 and it was great, and a good price too! regionaly they heavily discount Business class fares.

Currently, THY has 3 weekly non stop flights from ORD. Flight 006 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing at 5:00pm.

Yes, their rates for BC are heavily discounted! We bought a ticket one day in Delhi and flew the next day on BC to London for less than $800 one way. Our seats did not fully recline but they were comfortable. I don't remember what kind of plane it was--not a 747 though. The lounge in Istanbul was well-stocked with liquor, snacks, and lots of free internet access. Also, you get American Airlines FF Miles!!!

Thanks! I would be redeeming AA f.f. miles and will likely fly out of JFK non-stop to IST. Still might go with BA and go through Heathrow. Decisions....

You can't use American Airlines FF miles to take British Airways between the US and London (okay through Canada or Mexico though.)

I would assume the nonstop from JFK would be the best choice, and I would especially try to avoid Heathrow in any case.

Reports of the Turkish business-class seat/service are lukewarm, however if you travel to someplace in Europe and then change, you will get standard European business class service for the connecting flight, which in general is nothing to write home about. From London to Istanbul is a long flight - time you could be spending in Turkey if you take the nonstop.