In a bid to significantly boost passenger comfort, Turkish Airlines is set to revamp the business class experience in its Boeing 777 fleet. In a recent interview with Executive Traveller, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat outlined plans to provide passengers with «full privacy» and direct aisle access.
Currently, the 2-3-2 business class layout in the 777s has faced criticism for its lack of privacy and the unpopular ‘middle seat’. The proposed upgrade aims to rectify these shortcomings. The new design, exclusively developed by Turkish Airlines’ Turkish Cabin Interior (TCI) arm, aims to transform the in-flight experience.
Maximizing Comfort and Efficiency
«We’re upgrading our 777s with our bespoke business class seats,” stated Bolat. The carrier plans to retain a ‘high-density’ configuration in lieu of the conventional 1-2-1 layout, thereby maximizing premium seats and ensuring superior comfort.
The design may draw inspiration from the ‘Apex suite’ used by Japan Airlines, maintaining a 2-3-2 layout but with increased space between rows. This setup provides all passengers with direct access without compromising on personal space.
The next-gen business class seat, crafted in Turkey, will incorporate modern amenities such as sliding «full privacy» doors, wireless device charging, and large video screens.
Future Plans
Bolat didn’t detail the rollout timeline for the new seats across the 33-strong Boeing 777 fleet. However, he hinted that the updated business class could feature on Turkish Airlines’ future Airbus A350ULR or Boeing 777X jets. These jets aim to connect Istanbul non-stop to international cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Santiago, and Buenos Aires by the end of this decade.
