Turkish Airlines' new Boeing 787, and new business class, takes wing
By David Flynn, July 2 2019
Turkish Airlines' first Boeing 787-9 has taken wing, and it's also packing an impressive new business class seat which is promised to deliver a trio of traveller-friendly traits – "full flat, full access, full privacy" – for premium passengers.
And that padding around the curved interior of the shell? It's suede-like Alcantara, which not only feels lush and warm but reduces cabin noise so you seat becomes a little more like a cosy cocoon, especially when it folds out into a 72" (1.83m) flat bed.
There's also an 18" HD video display, shelves and storage nooks next to the passenger and a privacy screen between the paired middle seats.
This is the same business class seat as featured on Turkish Airlines' Airbus 350 fleet, which follows the Dreamliners into the skies from April 2020.
It's also serving as Singapore Airlines' regional business class seat on Boeing 787-10 and selected Airbus A350 aircraft, which informs us as to the layout of the business class cabin, with all 30 seats ranked in two alternating row layouts.
One row sees the passengers in seats A and K located directly next to the window, with a wide shelf between them and the aisle, and the middle seats (D and F) positioned next to one another (with a sliding privacy panel between them).
The next row swaps things around, with the ‘window’ passenger now seated at the aisle – and a shelf between them and the window – and the centre passengers set apart.
Turkish Airlines has signed on the dotted line for 25 Dreamliners to be delivered through to 2023 – the first six alone are due by the end of August 2019 – with options for five more up its sleeve.
Turkish Airlines' Boeing 787 will take wing in mid-2019
Turkish Airlines' first international Boeing 787-9 flights will begin from Istanbul to Bali on July 17 – also on the Dreamliner's dance card are London, Amsterdam, Dubai, New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C, Mexico City, Delhi, Panama and Bogota.
For more insight into the practicalities of Turkish Airlines' new Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 business class seat, read our detailed review of Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 regional business class.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
27 Aug 2018
Total posts 10
Was at the Boeing factory today and there were a whole heap of Turkish airlines 787’s out on the tarmac!
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
This previous aim of TK's to fly to Australia appears to have been an Alan Joyce QF-style publicity seeking item that as far as 2019 goes has come to nought:
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
See the article on SQ's implementation of the same seat (https://www.executivetraveller.com/review-singapore-airlines-boeing-787-10-regional-business-class) for layout.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
The SQ photo in the article (with the same seat and layout) shows the configuration in regards to the aisle, supported by the comment about the "alternating row layouts". .
UA
09 Mar 2016
Total posts 55
If you’re flying in business class and trolleys bang your seat, change airlines. It’s exactly the same basic configuration as SQ’s 787-10 regional business class. Every second row has window seats right against the fuselage and window with utility and storage between pax and the aisle. I do wish TK would stretch itself to Sydney or Melbourne. It has a fantastic route network within Europe and into North and West Africa, and the business class soft product is great.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Mar 2015
Total posts 94
"Suede-like Alcantara"; hope it's not too "suede-like" as it will be difficult to clean and consequently have a short shelf life before looking grubby.
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 25
Does it look and feel more comfortable and luxurious than the QF offering for the same class or is it my impression?
UA
09 Mar 2016
Total posts 55
QF has that Scandi stripped down thing going with its latest business class “suite”. All fake blonde wood, black leather, and brushed aluminum. It’s very comfortable. The SQ version of the TK seat looks softer than QF, that’s for sure, and the TK version might look even cosier. Try China Airlines A350 business for the ultimate in inviting plush, though.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 190
looks like a nice seat but judging by the comments who flew on it-must be a horrible flat bed experience-like lying in a coffin and no moves for your feet at all-the 777 in comparison a luxury bed
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