Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections?

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - A Deep Dive into Turkish Airlines' Ticket Classes and Benefits

Turkish Airlines offers a variety of ticket classes, each with different amenities, restrictions, and benefits. Understanding the differences can help travelers select the best fare for their needs and budget.

At the most basic level, Turkish operates Economy Class seats. These no-frills seats are ideal for budget-focused fliers who just need to get from point A to point B. Restrictions like advance purchase requirements, non-refundability, and lack of changes are common.

For a bit more legroom and comfort, Main Cabin Extra seats provide additional space at a small upcharge over regular Economy. These are usually located near the front of the Economy Cabin.
Turkish Airlines' Comfort Class is a hybrid between Economy and Business. It includes amenities like additional legroom, adjustable headrests, and free alcoholic drinks. Comfort Class passengers also get two free checked bags, priority services, and access to the Turkish Airlines Lounge. It's a nice upgrade over Economy with many perks.
Business Class is Turkish's premium cabin product. It features lie-flat seats on long-haul flights, with direct aisle access and plenty of personal space. Business Class passengers can take advantage of an enhanced dining experience, noise-canceling headphones, and luxury amenity kits. Business Class awards are coveted upgrades for mileage redemptions.
First Class, offered only on select long-haul aircraft, is the most exclusive way to fly with Turkish Airlines. The First Class "Suites" include fully lie-flat beds with duvets and pillows for sleeping. Passengers are pampered with Bulgari amenity kits, Anya Hindmarch bags, and chef-prepared cuisine. First Class fliers also get access to a private lounge in Istanbul with complimentary massages.
When booking award tickets, Turkish releases only limited First Class award space to partners, while Business Class awards are more readily available. Mileage upgrades from Economy to Business are a great way to experience the premium cabin when flying long-haul routes.

What else is in this post?

1. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - A Deep Dive into Turkish Airlines' Ticket Classes and Benefits
2. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - How Loyalty Programs Influence Seat Selection Options
3. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - The Evolution of Turkish Airlines' Seating Policy
4. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Maximizing Comfort - Tips for Choosing the Best Seats on Turkish Airlines
5. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - The Impact of COVID-19 on Airline Seating Amenities
6. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Traveler Tales - Real Experiences with Turkish Airlines Seating
7. Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Future of Flying - What's Next for Airline Seating Options?

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - How Loyalty Programs Influence Seat Selection Options

Turkish Airlines participates in the Miles&Smiles frequent flyer program, which can impact seating options depending on your elite status level. For the typical leisure traveler with no status, seat selection at booking is limited to regular Economy seats. However, as you move up the loyalty ladder, additional seat options open up.
The first status level, Classic Plus, unlocks access to exit row seats with extra legroom. This is a nice perk for taller travelers who value that space. At 20,000 elite miles, Classic Plus is achievable for members who fly a few long-haul flights or take several short round-trips on Turkish annually.

Elite and Elite Plus members gain access to Comfort Class seats, located near the front of the Economy Cabin. These seats have about 5 inches of additional legroom compared to regular Economy and also feature extendable footrests and adjustable headrests. Elite status normally requires 40,000 miles credited in one year.
Moving up to Miles&Smiles Elite members unlocks access to Business Class award space at reduced mileage rates. While expensive Business Class tickets are out of reach for many, the ability to snag those seats with miles is huge. Business Class amenities like lie-flat seating, premium dining, and luxury amenity kits elevate the whole travel experience.

Finally, Turkish's top-tier Elite Plus status grants a selection of exclusive privileges - including access to First Class awards at a discount. Though Turkish releases very little First Class award inventory to partners, Elite Plus members gain priority access to book those coveted seats. Flying the Apartments Suites in First Class is the ultimate aspirational redemption.

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - The Evolution of Turkish Airlines' Seating Policy

Over the past decade, Turkish Airlines has undergone a remarkable transformation in its approach to seating configurations and policies. This evolution reflects the airline's growth into a global carrier, while also responding to changing customer preferences. For veteran Turkish Airlines travelers, the contrast between the old and new approaches is striking.
In the early 2000s, Turkish configured most of its long-haul fleet with cramped eight-abreast Economy Class cabins in a utilitarian 3-3-3 layout. The antiquated seats offered just 31” of pitch and a narrow 17” width – a tight squeeze for larger passengers on lengthy journeys. Business Class followed a similarly stingy 2-3-2 alignment in eight-across rows. This approach maximized capacity at the expense of comfort.
Flash forward to 2023, and Turkish's fleet has been revolutionized with more refined cabins. The latest generation 787 Dreamliners introduced in 2019 feature a spacious 3-3-3 Economy layout with 32” of pitch and 18” seat width. Modern ergonomic designs allow the seats to recline without encroaching on the space behind. Turkish also opted for a luxurious 1-2-1 reverse herringbone arrangement in Business Class, a huge upgrade from the old 2-3-2 style.

This cabin evolution reflects a strategic decision by Turkish Airlines to compete for premium traffic flows between Europe/North America and its Istanbul hub. By elevating its hardware, Turkish aims to attract business travelers and high-yield leisure passengers who value comfort. The airline balances this with intelligent density management – still offering budget-friendly Economy fares but with a bit more generosity.
Turkish's seating changes extend beyond just hard product innovations in the air. The airline has adopted more flexible policies for seat assignments and upgrades. For example, while Main Cabin Extra seats were once only available for elite frequent flyers, these desirable exit rows are now purchasable by all passengers. Similarly, passengers can preorder meal selections across all cabins – not just Business and First. Turkish is focused on enhancing the entire passenger experience from booking to deplaning.

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Maximizing Comfort - Tips for Choosing the Best Seats on Turkish Airlines

With its modern fleet and constantly evolving cabins, Turkish Airlines offers travelers a variety of options for maximizing comfort in the air. However, choosing the optimal seat for your needs does require some savvy. Here are our top tips for selecting seats on Turkish to make the most of your journey:

Aim for the Exits
Exit row seats should be priority #1 for taller travelers or anyone who values extra legroom. Turkish exits typically have over 36 inches of pitch and unlimited foot space, making them the most generous seats in Economy. They do come at a small premium, but the extra comfort is worth it on long flights. Pro tip: exits in the second Economy cabin (behind Business Class) are quieter.

Get Close to the Front
While Turkish doesn't offer Premium Economy, the Main Cabin Extra seats at the front of coach are the next best option. You'll enjoy an extra 3-5 inches of legroom and be among the first to deplane. If exits are sold out, this is your next best bet for stretch-out space in Economy.
Skip the Back
Conversely, avoid the very last rows if possible. These seats don't recline and are located right by the lavatories. You'll sacrifice comfort while getting extra traffic and noise. Only pick rear seats if getting the lowest fare is your sole priority.

Consider Solo Options
Turkish has selectively added some solo center seats in Economy, which are ideal if you're traveling alone. You'll have no neighbor issues and a bit more privacy. Just be sure to bring along a pillow to maximize sleep.
Check the Aircraft
Turkish flies a mix of 787, A330, and 777 aircraft on long haul routes. The 787s are the most modern with the largest overhead bins, dimmable windows, lower cabin altitude, and smoother ride. Try to pick this aircraft type if you have a choice.

Utilize Expert Mode
When selecting seats through Expert Mode on Turkish's website, you can see the actual layout including footrest locations. This helps avoid getting stuck behind a seat with reduced foot space. Expert Mode provides the clearest view for choosing the best option.
Consider Neighbors
If traveling with kids, pick aisle and window pairs so they don't climb over other passengers. For couples, avoid middle seats and look for pairs behind each other for proximity during sleep. Think about your neighbor dynamics when booking.

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - The Impact of COVID-19 on Airline Seating Amenities

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 triggered massive disruptions across the airline industry. As travel demand evaporated almost overnight, carriers cut capacity and grounded aircraft. Faced with apocalyptic losses, airlines turned to dramatic cost-cutting and cash preservation efforts just to survive. Unfortunately, some of the austerity came at the expense of passenger comfort through substantial rollbacks in seating amenities.

Understandably, sanitization became the priority for air travel’s post-pandemic restart. But in tandem with enhanced cleaning regimens, many airlines started removing services that were suddenly deemed non-essential. Hot towels in Business Class? Gone. Pillows and blankets on overnight flights? No more. Inflight magazines and newspapers? Mostly discontinued. Even basic complimentary snacks and beverages disappeared on short domestic hops.

The rollbacks went beyond just service items too. Several major U.S. carriers started blocking middle seats to facilitate distancing - but this policy was short-lived. Except for a few holdouts like Delta, middle seat blocking lapsed by mid-2021. Airlines realized the revenue potential of filling planes outweighed the marginal infection risk.

Premium cabin dining service also took a hard hit during COVID-19. With galley limitations due to crew reductions, many airlines shifted to pre-packaged meals or outright suspended most food on shorter flights. The difference from 2019’s lacquered trays and porcelain dishes was profound. Though premium cabins bore the worst cutbacks, Economy Class also saw meal service curtailed outside of long-haul international flights.
Inflight entertainment was collateral damage as well. Those seatback screens we take for granted on newer aircraft? Airlines stopped bothering to maintain and update the expensive systems absent any travelers to use them. Though most flights over 6-8 hours do still offer some film options, the breadth of choices has narrowed.
The various cabin downgrades added insult to injury on top of the other pandemic travel stresses like testing requirements, health forms, quarantines, and confusing entry rules that shifted by the day early on. After being cooped up for months on Zoom calls, flyers yearned for an escape - not more barebones austerity.

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Traveler Tales - Real Experiences with Turkish Airlines Seating

While policies and brochures can describe an airline’s offerings, nothing beats firsthand experiences from real-world travelers when it comes to knowing what to expect on board. At the end of the day, tight seat pitches and scaled-back meals matter less than how the journey actually feels. We dug into reviews from recent Turkish Airlines customers to get unfiltered perspectives on the seating across cabins.

In Economy, reviews were decidedly mixed. Many praised the comfortable cloth-covered seats, reasonable 32-33 inch pitches, and generous 18 inch width (at least for Economy). “The seat itself was fine, and I’m 6’ 2” tall” noted one passenger. However, other travelers felt Turkish crammed too many seats in, especially on the 3-4-3 777s. One flyer said it was “the tightest Economy Class I’ve ever experienced.” Others reported the recline was minimal and made sleeping difficult on overnight flights. Caveat emptor.
For those able to snag an exit, reviews were glowing. “I purposely booked very early to reserve an exit row aisle seat. SO MUCH LEG ROOM!” commented one satisfied traveler. Given the exits have over 36 inches of pitch, they are clearly the top Economy option. Upgrading to Turkish’s Comfort Class also earned consistently positive feedback. The 5 extra inches of legroom, plush headrests, and roomier seats were appreciated perks. As one veteran flier summed it up: “Comfort Class treatment and service were superb, making the flight enjoyable rather than just tolerable.”

In the premium cabins, Turkish won acclaim for its lie-flat seats and all-aisle access arrangement. A Business Class customer on the 787 raved: “This is the best business class hard product in the sky. Every person has direct aisle access. Game changer.” Some griped the seats were narrow, but most reviewers valued the extensive space when lie-flat. Turkish’s catering earned mixed opinions, with some business travelers underwhelmed by the food quality. But that’s typical when comparing inflated expectations to the realities of mass-produced 35,000 foot cuisine.

Up in First Class, the completely enclosed Suites dazzled passengers with their opulence. As one awestruck Luxury lover recounted: “It is the most privacy I’ve ever had on a plane. They really take care of you.” Given the sky-high expectations in Suites Class, Turkish scored impressively with its over-the-top service touches like candle-lit dining events. Sure, at nearly $15,000 for a First Suites ticket from JFK-IST, luxury better come standard. But Turkish exceeded most passengers’ imaginations.

Does Turkish Airlines Still Offer Complimentary Seat Selections? - Future of Flying - What's Next for Airline Seating Options?

The aviation industry is constantly evolving to meet shifting passenger expectations and operational realities. And the cabin is often where innovation gets tested first. Airlines walk a fine line balancing customer desires for more personal space with the revenue potential of adding additional seats. But necessity has birthed some inventive concepts that could redefine onboard comfort and ambiance.

While lie-flat Business Class seating has become standard on long-haul international routes, some airlines want to push the boundaries. Qsuite by Qatar Airways pioneered the double bed concept with adjoining center suites that convert into a queen-sized mattress for couples. Not to be outdone, Singapore Airlines recently unveiled trials of bunk-style beds in Business Class configured like train cabins.

Even in Economy, we've seen airlines get creative with novel seating arrangements beyond just shrinkage. Air New Zealand permits Economy flyers to book the Skycouch – basically a row of three seats that transforms into a couch. It's ideal for families or couples who really want to stretch out and get comfy. Other airlines have experimented with staggeredLayouts and alternating forward/backward facing seats to add privacy.
Health-conscious flyers will appreciate seats that encourage wellness. Panasonic and Expliseat debuted their Wellness Seats at AIX 2022. These seats have integrated sensors that detect fidgeting and restless behavior. The chair then provides tactile feedback to promote circulation and relaxation on lengthy journeys. It's high-tech meets holistic.

Perhaps the most outside-the-box seating innovation comes from Molon Labe. Its staggered rows in Economy are angled to create an expanded personal space for each flyer. The sawtooth pattern limits your exposure to neighbors while enhancing shoulder room. It's a novel way to carve out some semblance of privacy in the typically cramped confines of steerage.

Connectivity and technology will continue reshaping the inflight experience too. With modems supporting space-based WiFi, staying linked at 36,000 feet is getting easier and more reliable. Seats will likely incorporate inductive charging pads, AC outlets, and smart screens with content beamed from your devices. Imagine selecting your own content rather than making do with the airline picks.