MANILA, Philippines – Turkish Airlines (TK), which Skytrax awarded “Best Airline in Europe” three years in a row, announced that, beginning Feb. 9, it will fly daily from Manila via Istanbul to 232 destinations around the world.
Turkey’s national flag carrier recently updated its fleet of 299 aircraft with 18 Boeing 777-300 ERs, which offer passengers more comfort and safety. There’s more personal space, for one, with wider seats that fully recline to flat beds, and more legroom.
Entertainment system Digital Planet offers over 1,600 hours of movies, live TV, music, multiplayer games, and audio books.
Awarded “Best Business Class Airline Catering” by Skytrax in 2014, TK takes its food seriously, with over 290 flying chefs and 460 flying service chefs decked out in toques serving freshly cooked gourmet meals. Before takeoff a wide selection of juices — not just orange and apple but also lemonade and strawberry — is served, and no other airline offers a candlelight dinner (and breakfast) high above the clouds, with a little faux votive lending the multi-course meals a romantic ambience.
Dessert comes on a trolley with baklava, cheese, fruits and Turkish delight, and there’s a vast selection of beverages as well, with merlot from Thrace on a separate wine menu, various herbal teas and Turkish coffee.
When it’s time to relax, Business Class passengers are given a Turkish kit called “Bohça” — traditionally given to loved ones to increase their comfort on the road — that includes a pillow, mattress, duvet and waist-support pillow to encourage the most restful sleep.
Turkish Airlines also won the SkyTrax award, known as the “Passengers Choice Awards,” for “Best Airline in Southern Europe” every year from 2009 to 2012.
Other Skytrax awards include “Best Premium Economy Seats in the World” for its Comfort Class seats in 2012, “World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge” and “World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining” in 2015.
According to UMB’s Official Airline Guide, Turkish Airlines flies to more countries in the world than any other airline (111 countries over five continents).
Oh, and one other nice touch: they hand out Godiva chocolates to Business Class passengers before landing.
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For more information and reservations, visit www.turkishairlines.com.