It's Istanbul, not Constantinople: A report on TK's New 77W in First Suites SIN-IST

[SQflyergirl]

The spoons jutting out of the caviar - dunno about the rest of you but don't you all think this is a presentation faux pas

Oh - didn't notice that! I guess you're right

Pillows - they're a bit stingy on the pillows no. Doesnt SQ new generation FC give you at least two standard sized ones?

Yeah, they made it up with just the one big one and one small one, but don't worry, I slept with 2 big ones and 2 small ones. Don't know if it was because the load was light, or they actually carried many spares

SQFG - what was the load like in Y? I wonder how long will they keep sending a B77W with the loads like that.

I'd guess around 100 or so. It was light, and I could see lots of people stretched out over whole rows.

Less bling but some positive differences (where TK looks better) - eg suite closet is inside not outside, ottoman to share dining with.

I think so too. Gold's not really my colour

That JCL cabin, including the colour scheme - looks v similar to NZ's Business Premier cabin! Apart from the lack of brown leather seats. Are they using the VS patent as well?

NZ BP head rests are squarer, and it's leather. This was cloth and the headrest had a more Delta new J shape than NZ BP, i think.

Well, you all won't mind if I say we have two very nice models indeed here at SQTalk, will you?

Aunty P maybe. Not me

hmmmm..... another airlines that use bread basket . IMO, it's more elegant than distribute the bread from the big basket a la SQ, especially for F.

I kinda like it like this too.

Sevruga Caviar?? Wow! It just one line below the best caviar, the Beluga. Nice!!

I dunno - I'm no caviar expert, and I only get to eat it once in a blue blue moon. But it was pretty good, I have to say, maybe a bit less salty than the one SQ uses.

[SQflyergirl]

Thoughts

The Seat:
Size: Winner SQ R - Fair bit wider with some room between doors and bed
Privacy: Winner SQ R - Higher walls. TK F is better in one regard: no holes in blinds like SQ R
Buddy Seat: Winner SQ R - It's possible to sit sideways comfortably with both body and legs supported on the SQ R buddy seat. Not possible on any other buddy seat I've tried. Also, TK F's unable to fit a proper rollaboard underneath.
Comfort: Winner SQ R. You can't beat a fold down proper mattress with a converted seat. When you've got a door that closes your seat off from the rest of the world - inevitable comparisons are going to be drawn between that, SQ's suites and EK's F. Not been on EK F, so I can't comment - All these are my own opinions of course, YMMV.

To be fair, this comparison to SQ R was always going to highlight the difference. Against more traditional rival offering - Old SQ F/ New SQ F/LX F/TG F, TK F compares well.

Service
Notes: Did not get addressed by name by TK staff. Only by 9W staff. Not a Turkish thing i guess.

Crew was still highly attentive, very chatty.

Got given outbound IST-SIN TK66 menu at first. Soon rectified. Put it down to a little carelessness.

Aforementioned Caviar service started once I was halfway through the meal - to some, unacceptable, but the presentation made up for it.

Overall: I'm not entirely sure TK crew will be able to keep it up once the 9W crew go back to India. With a sample size of one flight, it sure seemed to me as if the Indians were a notch above the Turkish crew.


Food
Overall quality of food is good, if a bit oily catered ex SIN.

Lounges
in SIN - the Sats premier is used. A funny looking cordoned area for "First Class" exists, but it's kinda like being put in a fishtank. No thanks

in IST - you get to use the one and only CIP lounge. As far as I know, there's no separate one for F.

Ground Services
This is where SQ gets royally trounced. Almost felt as though I was flying TG F - getting buggy rides here and there, which was nice. Full escort through immigration both ends.

IFE
Krisworld still rules. TK's offering was quite low in quality (although up to date), and very low in terms of choice.

[jhm]

Thanks for the enjoyable pics/TR, SQfg!

Apart from the Turkish desserts and coffee, everything else on the menu is IMO bland and has no connection with Turkey at all.

[stargold]

Thank you for the great pics and interesting descriptions/thoughts.

I must say, it sounds like I did well overall not to switch my recent NH F to TK F after all - your flight sounds like a good solid F flight, but not something that will keep you smiling every time you think back. Would you agree with the assessment?

[SQflyergirl]

Thanks for the enjoyable pics/TR, SQfg!

Apart from the Turkish desserts and coffee, everything else on the menu is IMO bland and has no connection with Turkey at all.

In that regard, you're right, but I must say the main dishes were probably the tastiest relative to what I'd expect on the ground.

Thank you for the great pics and interesting descriptions/thoughts.

I must say, it sounds like I did well overall not to switch my recent NH F to TK F after all - your flight sounds like a good solid F flight, but not something that will keep you smiling every time you think back. Would you agree with the assessment?

I'd like to think of TK F as a rough diamond. Don't forget, they've been at it for not very long. The service isn't on-your-knees-reverent like NH F, which in any case isn't everyone's cup of tea. Smiling when I look back? - maybe, simply because of the the fact that I'm probably not going to have a whole lot of opportunities to ride this again.

[SQflyergirl]

A few more pics I hadn't put up before:

One of the lights you can control from the control panel, and interestingly, an Airvent in the side wall.


Table folds out in the traditional way - note the thickness. It's heavy!


During Takeoff and Landing the cabin never got fully dark. I like this ambience. It's classy

[KeithMEL]

Thanks for the comprehensive analysis SQFG. You've made me v intrigued about TK F. I guess it's a somewhat TK/9W joint service when you have 9W crew working alongside TK, not to mention the similar hardware. Now if i can put together an itinerary in the next 24 hours before certain enhancements kick in......... Yes it doesn't compare well with SQ R, but one can hardly redeem into SQ R.

[SQflyergirl]

Yes it doesn't compare well with SQ R,

Well, i'm no SQ apologist, but SQ R has got this particular upstart well and truly covered off.
But, in the spirit of celebrating something new and to applaud TK for having the cojones to INCREASE the number of cabins they have when everyone else is cutting F from routes - there are one or two areas where this product is ahead of most of the competition

1) This seat may come off second best to SQ R, but it in turn, IMHO, beats SQ old and new F. Some people don't like privacy screens. I do, because having everyone walk past you when you're drooling in your sleep is horrible
In that regard, it's MILES ahead of TG F - I feel almost naked sitting in that seat.

2) That caviar presentation - I've never seen anywhere else, and I thought was rather unique.

3) Ground services at both ends. I suppose when crew are new, and this a shiny new toy to play with, they're very eager to please - to the point of being ALMOST insistent (I say almost - because if that had happened i'd have been upset). If this product survives a few years down the road, I don't know if they'll still be so chirpy at 5am In this particular area: TK has SQ well and truly trounced- are you listening SQ?

4) Sleepwear and Blankets - I'm still in awe at the comforter (note, I didn't say blanket. Blankets are what other airlines give out. Goose down filled comforters of a really good size are what TK gives out, along with a gorgeous set of PJ's -In this area, TK is a class leader. The "First Class" logos are a bit naff, so that's my only complaint. Could have been a tad more discreet

but one can hardly redeem into SQ R.

You can't?

[stargold]

I'd like to think of TK F as a rough diamond. Don't forget, they've been at it for not very long. The service isn't on-your-knees-reverent like NH F, which in any case isn't everyone's cup of tea. Smiling when I look back? - maybe, simply because of the the fact that I'm probably not going to have a whole lot of opportunities to ride this again.

But TK F is oh-so-available and usually convenient for all that driving with your hands on certain positions... Either way, it does sound like an interesting and unusual option Perhaps it's worth a try on the LHR-IST segment sometime.

In my last NH F flight, the service wasn't overly reverent and definitely not on-her-knees It almost reminded me of SQ with a Japanese twist. I felt that the FAs were more at ease and natural.

[Kiwi]

That JCL cabin, including the colour scheme - looks v similar to NZ's Business Premier cabin! Apart from the lack of brown leather seats. Are they using the VS patent as well?

The business class seat looks to be quite different to VS/NZ and also to the CX imitation.

[Kiwi]

Thanks for the comprehensive analysis SQFG. You've made me v intrigued about TK F. I guess it's a somewhat TK/9W joint service when you have 9W crew working alongside TK, not to mention the similar hardware. Now if i can put together an itinerary in the next 24 hours before certain enhancements kick in......... Yes it doesn't compare well with SQ R, but one can hardly redeem into SQ R.

Did you manage to book this? When are you travelling?

[B727]

Apart from the Turkish desserts and coffee, everything else on the menu is IMO bland and has no connection with Turkey at all.

I heard you can request for raki on board TK intercontinental flights

[B727]

2) That caviar presentation - I've never seen anywhere else, and I thought was rather unique.

I love it! That's how it should be served on board: with complete garnishes. Ah, reminds me of the caviar service in the Russian Tea Room

[Kiwi]

I heard you can request for raki on board TK intercontinental flights

Raki was available on my TK shorthaul flights.

[9V-SIA]

Another top notch TR.

Thanks for sharing