Now this is exciting news. Turkish Airlines currently operates some 777-300ERs which they are leasing from Jet Airways, one of the best airlines out there. These aircraft are equipped with lie flat business class seats and suites in first class. The seats and entertainment are among the best out there, and the food is excellent as well. I just flew this exact aircraft from London to Istanbul and Istanbul to Hong Kong last week, and I’ll be writing a trip report on the product shortly. Well, starting next month they will start flying this aircraft to New York from Istanbul daily!
The best part is that there is plenty of award availability, even for several passengers in premium cabins. The first class product is easily the best all around product to Europe from the US, and the business class product is among the best.
@Lucky - Thanks for the advice, this will be our first trip on LH for both out/in bound from SFO. Since I'm travelling with my family, I'll go ahead and stick with LH F through FRA, at least we'll get the to enjoy FCT and save 10 hours of traveling time. When I called yesterday, I had no problems getting 3 seats in F from IST-JFK.
For June travel from JFK-IST note that the ANA Tool and even the USAir rep were finding the old flight info (times and aircraft). When we went to book the flights the times changed and matched the Turkish Air schedule that shows a 777. 4 C seats were available.
@ ikura -- Stay tuned for my trip report. They're both excellent products, really, and it comes down to slightly preferences. LX F is excellent as well.
Is really TK F better than LX F? I have a redemption coming up EU-US r/t in LX F, would you suggest that I change one of the legs (if not both?) to TK?
What worries me is 1) their tendency to be very delayed and 2) possible equipment swapping.
@ Gene -- I didn't really find any links, but the three cabin first availability is enough for me, given that they don't have a first class product otherwise. You'll get lots more details when my trip report is out in a few days. :)
@ imm2b -- Toughie. If you've flown Lufthansa first class many times and have the time/interest, you might as well. Otherwise I would stick to Lufthansa, since a ten hour...
@ Gene -- I didn't really find any links, but the three cabin first availability is enough for me, given that they don't have a first class product otherwise. You'll get lots more details when my trip report is out in a few days. :)
@ imm2b -- Toughie. If you've flown Lufthansa first class many times and have the time/interest, you might as well. Otherwise I would stick to Lufthansa, since a ten hour delay is substantial.
@ chitownflyer -- It seems like they are taking the 77W's off the LHR-IST and IST-SIN routes.
Is this plane being switched from a current 77W route and what route does it replace?
Hmm...I'm tempted to switch my FRA-SFO to IST-JFK-SFO in First. Is it worth it with the extra connection in JFK and arriving home at 10PM instead of 12 Noon?
Never mind. I forgot that you're behind in your reading!
Awesone news! Do you have a link to more details? I don't see anything in the Turkish Airlines forum on FT.