TRIP REPORT: TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS) - Growing Old in Style

TK209 Singapore Changi Terminal 1 to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS)
Growing Old in Style

It’s time to start heading towards Europe as I start to bring my Asian adventure to a close. How does Turkish Airlines stack up in Business Class with one of their newer products?

In this mammoth trip report

TK209 Singapore Changi Terminal 3 to Istanbul Airport
Airbus A350-900
Seat 1F, Business Class

I headed down the access way and down the business class jetbridge (as this gate had dual jetbridges). It’s always nice to see these implemented.

I was welcomed aboard and headed aboard. This aircraft has one of Turkish Airlines’ newest products in Business Class, with the airline installing Stelia Aerospace’s Symphony Seat. This is something I’ve seen in trade shows, so it’s good to see it out in the real world, serving passengers.

Symphony aboard Turkish Airlines. Yes. That’s a toothpick down the bottom left of the picture.

Passport, lockable amenity area, headphones and power.

Seat controls, IFE Output and IFE controls

Pillow and a three-point safety belt.

Blanket and slippers

Pedestal

AS such, the cabin was laid out in a much more premium 1-2-1 configuration (compared to the 2-3-2 that was on the Boeing 777-300ER.

Stitching

Embossing

At the seat was a little blanket and slippers already – a good sign. With my luggage stowed in the overhead compartment, I got settled down. What’s the first thing I spotted? A toothpick/serving pick on the floor.

I know it’s a very small thing, but… not the greatest first impression when you’re paying for business class seating. At the fare levels, you’re expecting a high level of attention to detail… and that was something that was missed during cabin prep.

No matter, I settled into the seat, and it’s seemingly good. Some nice Steila Aerospace touches, with customisations for Turkish Airlines.

There are also some overhead air gaspers too – something I love in an aircraft (and could have done with on the outbound flight).

The usual pre-flight drinks made their way around, which was good to see as the cabin was prepared for departure. I went for the lemonade… as I wasn’t in the mood for booze at that moment.

Soon enough, the mile-long menu was distributed. Again, it’s visually impressive, but honestly, I would have preferred something… more hand-held.

Or as someone once said – size isn’t everything.

A Hot towel made its way to my seat, presented on a plate. Again, it’s a nice touch (considering how many have been handed to me by hand in the past on other airlines)

Amneity kits were distributed again – this time, size is everything.

As for the headset, once again, this is a Dennon Headset, with noise cancelling, with reassuringly heavy armatures. That’s fine as long as you’re sat down. These are certainly not headphones for walking around a city.

It glows. It glows…

With everything settling down, it was soon time for pushback from Changi. And of course, the dual language safety video played.

Whilst I appreciate they play the variants of the video, it gets on for around 10 minutes by the time both variants play, with the accessibility announcements too.

As the aircraft was near a departure runway, our Airbus A350-900 made a quick taxi around Changi Airport.

Soon enough, it was time for the engines to roar into life and propel this aircraft into its home – the sky.

With the aircraft in the air, it was time to explore this IFE system. Again, it had been wrapped into the TK Entertainment. This again is a Panasonic system, which was fluid to use.

I started with The Big Bang Theory. Sometimes, comedy is good for the soul.

That’s good for a giggle.

Interestingly, Flight Mapping software is the more classic Panasonic Voyager 3D, rather than FlightRadar24.

The crew were spritly off their feet, as they wanted to conduct the catering service, which is interesting, considering Turkish Airlines allegedly has a “dine on demand” concept.t

Tray table out.

And covered up.

For welcome, there were the pre-ordered drinks and nuts.

Yes, I will have bubblely. No Further questions will be taken in this matter.

The amuse-bouche was next to arrive, with a prawn skewer, iberico ham and the smallest spring roll I’ve ever seen. And yes, I’ve seen my fair share of buffet spring rolls in my time.

With the amuse-bouche cleared away, it was time for the elaborate table setup.

Ah yes. The In-flight candle, again.

Once again, we have the bread set up, touting their “oldest bread” thing. I get the idea and respect. I just don’t need it pushed as an advertorial on the aircraft. I’ve already paid for the ticket, seat and food. Is there a need to sell everything to me again?

On the bread setup, we had the little salt and pepper shakers, butter and spices.

Those shakers are too damn cute. And Magnetic too.

Oil

The starter service commenced, and this was delivered with a set-up trolley.

Ok, this is just showing off at this point. I know some airlines love a trolley service like this… but I always prefer a little something more … discreet. It is ornate and pretty – that always helps. I selected some items from it, being the first person on my side of the cabin to get first dibs.

Sometimes sitting in Row 1 has its advantages.

For my main, I selected the steak. It was medium-well done with a blush of pink in it. Now, you’re probably wondering where the picture is.

More on that sad story much later on. Sadly, the EOS R didn’t make it through this trip. For deseert the trolley once again came out with sweet options. Some good for you. Some not

I went for a small treat.

There followed a coffee menu… but I was never asked if I wanted a coffee. Small things, as they say.

With the service completed and clearedaway, the crew were next making up beds for those who wanted them. I took a blanket as the cabin descended into darkness. It’s as though the crew wanted to hide away straight after service.

I took the hint and put the bed into a flat mode andslept my way for most of the flight. Whilst I found the seat a little narrow, I got a decent chunk of sleep on this flight.

Waking up, I decided to hit the small room first. And for those of you who like to be surprised at 35,000ft, there’s good news – they have an in-flight bidet.

I hooked back up to the internet access for the flight. Again, under the TK WiFi banner (and this time under a Panasonic System), I had plenty of bandwidth, even if it was a bit sluggish to use.

Arriving back at my seat, it was time for the breakfast service to commence. First up was some orange juice. I’m not sure of Turkish Airlines’ source for it, but it’s pulpy and fresh-tasting.

Starting off for the breakfast service, there was a fruit plate, yoghurt, cheese and a savoury item. This setup was a lot less elegant than the first service.

The fruit plate was replaced with a “Californian style- omlette”. Your guess as to what that is is as good as mine.

It was served with corgetes, mushcrooms and tomato. A light bite and what was needed – even if breakfast seems an odd choice for a flight landing at 18:00 or so.

There was coffee this time. Small things.

As well as Aliens doing what they do best.

And also a hot towel to make the world a better place.

Looking outside, the lightness of the day had gone, with the dark blue hues of the evening taking over.

At least in ID4, it was time for the humans to head into space.

Just remember to turn the forward/back signal the right way

With the aircraft closing in on Istanbul, the crew went on a cleaning spree – including the menus and loose items. I was slightly annoyed, as I use these to help write the trip reports.

Soon enough, the cabin was brought under control as our descent to Istanbul Airport began.

Put all items away. Stow your life in the overhead locker.

Hues of blue and orange

Outside, we were having a great sunset as the aircraft crossed from Asia to Europe and towards its target destination.

Our route took us past Central Istanbul as the city lit up for the evening.

With the aircraft making its final turns, the Airbus A350 was lining up for its landing.

Ready to land.

Lining up for landing

The aircraft made a gentle descent into Istanbul Airport, with a touchdown that was just lovely.

With the aircraft braking, we peeled off the runway as the aircraft was directed to a contact gate.

Of course, this is an A350 – we have tailcam.

At least it was dry – something to be thankful for. The aircraft made a short taxi around its home base, finding a gate for it to be parked.

That looks like a hike away…

Coming onto the gate

With the aircraft parked at a gate (and one par for Istanbul Airport, in the middle of seemingly nowhere), the Airbus A350’s engines powered down.

With the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation implementing its policies to ensure passengers stay seated until the seatbelt sign is switched off, and made to wait until they are called forward to disembark (under a threat of a fine), people seemed to behave, with no rushes to the front of the aircraft.

Everything out!

Objects back into motion.

Thank you, seat.

It’s amazing what a monetary penalty could do motivate people.

With the doors opened, I thanked the crew and proceeded to disembark. And yes, with my passport.

Overall

Let’s break this down a little. The hard product – whilst the seat is a little narrow, I got plenty of sleep on the thing, which is my main test for a business class seat (well, that and if I can sleep without waking up in a hot sweat… and that passed that test). The IFE system was pretty spot on, with it wrapped in the Turkish PlanetTK interface.

Let’s get onto the catering. I appreciate the trolleys and such, as well as the oldest bread thing. But there is such a thing as trying to oversell to me – when I’ve already bought the product. I don’t need to be sold on it again.

The crew… this is where it falls down a little. The chefs and such were fine. The rest of the crew were more… business-friendly, rather than passenger-friendly. I had trouble detecting genuine warmth – rather, “get the service done and hide behind the curtain”.

There are little things like a toothpick on the floor and missing out on coffee, which point to a level of detail that was missing from this crew.

A little disappointing to be honest.

Into Turkey and the Sheraton Levant.

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Comments

CraigTPA says

11/02/2026 at 3:59 pm

As a former Californian, I always get nervous whenever anyone describes something as “California”, as it usually means either avocado, which I like only in guacamole form, or cauliflower, which I like only when deposited with great force into a garbage can. But zucchini in an omlette? That’s not Californian, it’s just weird.

Now chili in (or on) an omlette, now we’re talking.

That said, the seat looks like a very nice place to be.

TRIP REPORT: TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS) – Growing Old in Style

TK209 Singapore Changi Terminal 1 to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS)
Growing Old in Style

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TK209 Singapore Changi Terminal 1 to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS) Growing Old in Style

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TK209 Singapore Changi Terminal 1 to Istanbul Airport (BUSINESS CLASS)
Growing Old in Style