Prologue:
Hello and welcome to the continuation of my return trip in 2017 with TK.As you read this report you will explore the old TK CIP lounge at IST and see why so many seasoned travelers considered it one of the best business class lounges in the world. In addition to the tour of the lounge you will also notice why TK's catering is top notch and considered the golden standard for others.
After getting off the bus that took me from my previous flight to the terminal, I followed the connecting sign that brought me to a security area where i was screened and my bag x-rayed again. Thankfully it was empty when I arrived and I breezed through the inspection. Back at the terminal, I headed to the TK CIP lounge for some rest before my connecting flight to JFK. I bought a one way CAI-JFK in J in order to take advantage of the 4X miles promotion that I received from TK some time ago. The one way ticket was USD 757.86 (EUR 649.90) total.
Considered by many to be the best business class lounge in the world travelers have sung its praises "ad nauseam" on this website and other travel forums. The lounge gets empty past midnight and food choices become limited.
The famous library and pool table on the left after you enter through the main entrance.
I go straight to the lower level. Here is the view of the staircase from below. Impressive isn't it?
My favorite corner of the lounge below the staircase - the tea garden.
Liquor table.
I went to the desk on the second floor and requested a sleeping room. In order to qualify for its use you need to be a J *A Gold or TK Elite/Elite + pax AND connect to a TK long haul flt of 8+ hours with a transit time of more than 4 but less than 7 hrs. I passed one of the stations where it featured a destination dish.
The rooms are located in front of the showers in a hallway. Upon entering I thought that the space was adequate and I found the bed to be comfortable. In addition there was a radio/alarm clock TV telephone and two bottles of water on the desk. The hallway where the rooms are facing the showers. You are not given a key so every time that you leave your room and need to reenter you need to ask the attendant to open the room for you.
The room was well appointed.
I went outside and asked the attendant how busy it would be to grab a shower in the morning by 5-6A. She informed me that at that time it gets very busy so I decided to take a shower before I went to bed. I was invited to step into a shower room right away.
I think TK is the only airline that provides bathrobes in a J lounge.
Vanity items neatly presented in a box.
i must have slept between 1-2 hrs. and then woke up and readied myself to go to the gate.
Some breakfast paninis and pastries were available but I did not have anything since I knew that I was going to have a decent breakfast aboard.
At the time there was a ban on all electronic items aboard and one had to check them out. I arrived at the gate and there was a line for people to check in their electronics before proceeding to the waiting area. I turned in my camera and laptop and was provided with two receipts to claim them during my arrival at JFK. The process was efficient although a bit time consuming due to the volume of pax turning their gadgets.
At this point I was separated from my camera and all subsequent pics were taken with my mobile phone so the quality of the pics might be a bit inconsistent. I've been asked what type of camera I use when I travel and back then I used to bring my compact "point and shoot" Sony RX100. I sometimes used my mobile Motorola phone but most of the time I relied on my Sony. I hate carrying DSLR's because of their bulky shape and weight.
I lined up by my priority line at the gate and a few minutes later an announcement was made for boarding. Two FA's were doing some last minute preparations in the galley when the pax entered so they were caught by surprise. One of them immediately greeted us and positioned himself by the door.
The cabin.
My seat with back pillow and blanket already in place.
Pre-dept. drinks offered promptly after sitting down.
Onboad chef handing out menus and a pen for the "a la card" breakfast card.
Distribution of reading materials headphones and amenity kits followed.
"A la carte" breakfast. As lovely as it looks isn't it time to change the design?
Beverage menu.
One of the most entertaining safety videos out there with Zach King. I applaud TK for its originality.
Take off. Bye IST. I was in an aisle seat so I quickly snapped these shots while my seatmate was dozing off.. ;)
Once we reached cruising altitude an attentive FA went by each pax offering to put the padding on the seat. I did not see a pillow menu for this flight. Maybe it's only for overnight flights or it has been discontinued due to costs?
I thought that the layout of the WC's in the J cabin was a slight issue. There is one located in the front by the cockpit and then 2 on each aisle behind the galley. These two are separated by the curtains to Y and at first I thought that they were designed for J because of the Molton Brown toiletries but later i noticed that there was a stream of Y pax using them as well. If that's the case so there is actually 1 dedicated WC for 28 pax in the front. Not good. The "jungle" theme was the latest decor inside the WC's.
But the toiletries are a great improvement. The aromatic sticks are kind of impractical perhaps a facial spray would have been more useful.
At one point I used the WC in the front and there is a small note there. My theory about the sharing of the two WC's in the back with Y pax was confirmed since this note was not found in the WC's behind the J cabin.
Back to my seat for the breakfast service with delivery of hot towel.
Upon delivery of my tray the FA notices something with the cup and goes back to the galley. She returns and sets the tray on my table. As usual presentation is excellent and I love that there is a proper appetizer course for breakfast before the main dish is brought out. It feels very premium even for a simple breakfast and other airlines should learn from TK.
Breads offered from a basket.
Traditional Black Sea (Trabzon) omelette.
My tea was top off by the chef.
Another round of hot towels at the end of breakfast.
Bottles of water were distributed and the cabin became dark.
Nice curtain design.
Snacks were located in the front credenza and galley.
Snacks.
At one point as we got closer to our destination the lunch service started with hot towels and a bowl of nuts accompanied by drink of choice.
The candlelight is a charming feature.
Appetizer cart. There were 2 pre-plated choices - Turkish meze OR smoked salmon with celeriac salad AND/OR sweet pea soup.
For the main dish I selected the grilled lamb chops with ratatouille rosemary jus bulgur pilav and cucumber yogurt. This has been one of the most satisfying dishes that I have tried aboard a plane. It was perfectly cooked with a hint of pink in the middle and the chops were tender and flavorful. It was heavenly.
The dessert and hot drinks service are now combined into one cart service. However by the time that it got to me some items like the passion fruit panna cotta were not replenished. I did not ask so I requested what was available on the cart. Chocolate fondant semolina dessert and fresh fruit will do for me.
We arrived shortly after the meal service concluded. At JKF there was a desk set up by the baggage claim belt to pick up the electronics. There was a slight delay for these coming out and the agents advised the pax of this.
========== Ataturk Arpt (IST) - ==========
========== Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge International ==========
========== THY - Turkish Airlines - Airline ==========
========== NewYork JFK (JFK) - ==========
Summary:
The TK CIP Lounge was empty by the time that I arrived past midnight and as expected the food choices were limited. This was the perfect time for the cleaning crew to tidy up the lounge. i was glad that I had access to the sleep room. A ensuite WC would have been nice, but this is a J lounge after all and not a F one. The only inconvenience is asking the agent to open the door for you if you have to step out, so make sure you do all your necessities before staying in the room.The situation with the WC is not ideal, although bearable. At the minimum there should be at least 2 dedicated WC's for J cabin.
This was a good flight with TK and the catering is top notch as expected. The crew was professional but not engaging which is typical of TK. The few times that I had an approachable and smiling crew it was a joy to ride making the flight a joy.
15 Comments
ReplySuch an impressive experience overall. Not surprising to see why TK gets all the praise in the world. The timing it"s not ideal but it suitable for people coming from asia.
Thanks a lot Adan for this report. United back to SFO next ?
Take a good care of you.
TK is not perfect, but when it comes to food and lounge is top. Yes the connection is not the best but beggars can't be choosy.
You are right, UA back to SFO but through LGA-IAD-SFO.
ReplyThe chops look so First ! I miss the pool game. Having a room in a business class lounge is one of the stunning perks available in the lounge.
The flight leaves too early for me. Thank you my friend.
The meal service is F period. ;) I think it's very elaborate for J compared to the rest. That soup is already an extra touch.
The pool game was such an iconic touch for the old lounge and as you said rooms inside a J lounge is the top.
ReplyDamn, Turkish is very good. You have had a great experience. Thanks Panda for this fantastic review.
Thanks for your comment. I would do it all over again. ;)
ReplyThanks for sharing this FR
"but I did not have anything"
OMG !!! Panda is on diet :(
"Traditional Black Sea (Trabzon) omelette."
It looks a bit overcooked
I don't like breakfast on board
The lunch is better even if there not enough smoked salmon ;)
And to my paste the lamb chops are a bit overcooked ;)
Overall a very good TK experience
See you soon
"OMG !!! Panda is on diet :("
- Always on "see-food" diet. ;)
"It looks a bit overcooked"
- Appearances are deceitful. It tasted great!
"I don't like breakfast on board "
- It's not the most glamorous meal.
"The lunch is better even if there not enough smoked salmon ;)"
- I guess I could have asked for seconds but I exercise restraint. :)
"lamb chops are a bit overcooked"
- Just a bit. It can be forgiven.
TK is truly a restaurant in the sky (if you fly J) :P
Ciao.
ReplyHello Adan!
Really nice lounge and these rooms are a good idea. too bad there is no key to enter it again ...
Onboard a vert good meal which sometimes looks more like F than J.
Thank you for sharing my friend!!
A very satisfying trip indeed. You need to board with an empty belly when you fly TK. ;)
ReplyHello Adan
What a lounge
seems like a high level night club
overall a top client experience
thanks for sharing
One of a kind lounge isn't it? TK hardly disappoints aboard. ;)
ReplyWoof ! JetSet' !
You were lucky: you took TK when they were on top. With a beautiful lounge and a remarkable catering on board.
I no longer remembered this story of electronic gadgets! Fortunately it's over.
"Professional but not engaging crew": your observation about TK FAs' is relevant.
I correct: you are far too outstanding for luck.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful ytr, JetSet' ! See you soon !
Thanks for your kind words. I was glad that I traveled with a back up to my camera just in case.
i'm really glad that I had the opportunity to experience the old lounge several times before TK moved to the new airport. I don't think that it is the same. We'll see.
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