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  4. Turkish Airlines wants to go toe-to-toe with its Middle Eastern rivals. See inside its luxurious new business class suites.

Turkish Airlines wants to go toe-to-toe with its Middle Eastern rivals. See inside its luxurious new business class suites.

Turkish Airlines wants to go toe-to-toe with its Middle Eastern rivals. See inside its luxurious new business class suites.
An overview of one of the rows.Pete Syme/Business Insider
  • Turkish Airlines revealed its new business class at the Farnborough Airshow.
  • It features sliding doors for the first time, plus more space.

Turkish Airlines unveiled a new business-class product called Crystal at the Farnborough Airshow in July.

Its business class already has a good reputation, ranked 10th worldwide by Skytrax.

However, Turkish Airlines faces steep competition. Other Middle Eastern airlines, like Qatar Airways and Emirates, have built strong reputations thanks partly because of their business-class offerings.

For Turkish, which is expanding its operations, an upgrade could help it cut into market share.

Turkish Airlines says Crystal will be gradually installed on its Airbus A350 jets on order, plus retrofitted onto its Boeing 777 aircraft.

For the first time, its business class will feature privacy dividers and sliding doors in every suite. It has a sleek design, and also comes with bigger entertainment screens plus a larger footwell.

Turkish Airlines unveiled its new business class, Crystal, at the Farnborough Airshow.

Turkish Airlines unveiled its new business class, Crystal, at the Farnborough Airshow.
The Crystal display in Turkish Airline's airshow chalet.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

The new product is the airline's unique design, developed by its subsidiary, TCI Aircraft Interiors.

Its current business class is already quite highly regarded.

Its current business class is already quite highly regarded.
The Turkish Airlines lounge at Istanbul Airport.      Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Turkish Airlines was recently named the 10th-best airline for business class in the world by Skytrax.

Its lounge in Istanbul Airport is often listed as one of the world's best airline lounges and is one of a few Skytrax has rated five stars.

I flew over 22 hours in business class with Turkish Airlines. The food and airport lounge were unreal.

But an upgraded premium product could help it compete with other Middle Eastern airlines.

But an upgraded premium product could help it compete with other Middle Eastern airlines.
Qatar Airways' QSuite Next Gen.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways are known for their first-rate business-class products.

Qatar, which won Skytrax's best business class and best airline awards, also unveiled its QSuite Next Gen at Farnborough.

Emirates was ranked fourth for its business class offering by Skytrax, while Abu Dhabi's Etihad was 12th.

The new design for Crystal is notably sleeker than its current business-class offering.

The new design for Crystal is notably sleeker than its current business-class offering.
A Turkish Airlines "Crystal" business class seat.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

However, the abundance of light colors might make it age quicker than the dark tones of its current product.

The suites looked spacious yet also offered privacy.

The suites looked spacious yet also offered privacy.
The seats are 23 inches wide.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

There's more space in the footwell, and unlike the current product, each suite has sliding doors and a privacy panel.

They can also be transformed into lie-flat beds.

They can also be transformed into lie-flat beds.
The bedding is a new design too.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

The fabrics and leathers are all sourced from Turkey.

Only two rows in the center section were on display.

Only two rows in the center section were on display.
An overview of one of the rows.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

It looked like the cabin will be arranged in a classic 1-2-1 formation, so every passenger has direct aisle access.

The console position alternates so passengers can have more or less privacy.

The console position alternates so passengers can have more or less privacy.
An aerial view of the Crystal display.      Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images

This staggered arrangement is sometimes playfully called the honeymoon-divorce configuration because you're either closer to or further away from your neighbor.

Qatar Airways QSuite and Singapore Airlines' A380 first-class offer a double bed option.

The in-flight entertainment screens are getting an upgrade too.

The in-flight entertainment screens are getting an upgrade too.
Passengers can kick back and watch TV.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

The new monitors measure at 22 inches instead of 18 inches.

Several small details added to the glossy design.

Several small details added to the glossy design.
The suit's accents are rose gold.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

The handles and seat-position buttons have rose-gold finishes, while the console table is in a marble style.

Wireless charging is another new feature in Crystal.

Wireless charging is another new feature in Crystal.
There's a wireless charging icon on the console.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

You can find USB-C outlets as well.

Business-class passengers also get a Lanvin amenity kit.

Business-class passengers also get a Lanvin amenity kit.
An amenity kit on top of the console.      Pete Syme/Business Insider

At the moment, Turkish Airlines' business class passengers will find travel sets from Ferragamo.

The airline says Crystal will be gradually installed on its Airbus A350 jets on order.

The airline says Crystal will be gradually installed on its Airbus A350 jets on order.
A Turkish Airlines Airbus A350.      Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Last December, Turkish Airlines ordered 70 A350s.

Crystal will also be retrofitted on its existing Boeing 777 aircraft.


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