As we mentioned in our previous blog post, we headed to Istanbul last year for an Eastern Mediterranean cruise adventure.
Flying from our home in Mérida, Mexico, to some destinations can be complicated and tiring.
Turkish Airlines made this trip easy and convenient, and we’re glad we booked with them.
Cancun to Istanbul
Finding a carrier that flew nonstop from Cancun to Istanbul was a pleasant surprise. At the end of our journey, we had only one flight from Venice, Italy, to Istanbul, then flew nonstop back to Cancun.
Earlier, we mentioned that we usually fly from Mérida to either Mexico City or an international airport in the US. From there, we usually have at least one more flight, often more, to reach our final destination.
Getting to Cancún
We’re just a few hours from Cancún, and we’ve found that the regional ADO bus line is easy, comfortable, and inexpensive. Their Platino buses run regularly from Mérida to Cancún and offer very comfortable seating and great AC! The Platino lounge provides bottled water and a comfortable waiting room, and the round trip is about $75 US per person.
Most of the time, we arrive a day early because we’re not fans of scrambling if travel or scheduling issues come up.
We generally book a night at the Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport before our flight. The hotel is minutes from the airport, clean, comfortable, and relatively affordable. It includes a decent breakfast buffet and offers a shuttle to and from the airport.
Lately, we’ve started booking a room for our return trip to relax after a long international flight. It’s nice to get up, have breakfast, and take a taxi to the bus terminal.
Turkish Airlines
For a few years, we have heard incredible things about Turkish Airlines, especially its Business Class.
We typically try to fly Business Class when we travel. We’re both over six feet tall and good-sized guys. Since we’re both over 65, we have our share of aches and pains, and long-haul economy flights with nowhere to move take a toll on the rest of the trip.
We can’t say enough good things about the gate attendants and flight crew; they were polite, helpful, and very friendly.
The Business Class cabin was very comfortable; we liked sitting side by side with the divider open between us, and each seat offered excellent storage and amenities.
Turkish Airlines In-Flight Dining
Everything they say about Turkish Airlines’ Business Class in-flight dining is true!
They have a designated “chef” whose sole job is to heat, plate, and serve food. Although he might not look like it in this photo, he was very friendly and happy to bring us anything we needed.
Their menus highlight unique ingredients from across Türkiye and share plenty of information about the dishes and their origins. For Mark, a retired chef, this made the trip even more amazing!
In addition to alcoholic and nonalcoholic welcome drinks, they start you off with warm mixed nuts and an assortment of canapés. For this flight, they included a stuffed filo pastry, a tomato tart, and a grilled k-bob.
The Bread!
Turkish Airlines serves a very specific bread; it claims to be made from grains dating back 1200 years to the world’s oldest settlement.
It’s warm, dense, and delicious, and the bread service includes sweet butter, za’atar seasoning, and olive oil. And yes, that’s a candle next to our bread; LED or not, it’s a cute touch.
Selections from the Trolley
As a nod to traditional Meze and old-school airline travel, they serve their appetizer course on a trolley. You pick exactly what you want to try; they’re happy to make recommendations and bring you more when you finish.
This flight originated in Mexico, so some appetizers had a distinctly Mexican flair, but they also showcased Turkish ingredients.
While the Hummus, Salmon Tartare, and Jalapeño pepper stuffed with cream cheese were all excellent, the Carrot Soup stood out.
Entrées and Something Sweet
For our entrées, Chuck chose the Filet of Beef with Sicilian Caponata and Gratin Potatoes, and Mark opted for the Grilled Salmon with Grilled Vegetables and Celeriac Mousseline.
Both dishes and sides were delicious. However, despite the quality and preparation, beef at 30,000 feet just doesn’t taste the same as it does at a steakhouse on land.
We finished off dinner with an assortment of traditional Turkish desserts and some Turkish Tea.
Breakfast
Breakfast started with a cold platter featuring Fresh Fruit Salad, Yogurt with Honey, a selection of cheeses, and chilled chicken breast and roast beef. They also offered Turkish Coffee and Tea, along with fresh juices and plenty of croissants and pastries.
For entrées, we could choose a Spinach Quiche with Mushrooms and Tomato Sauce or a Chocolate Chip Waffle.
We Felt Pampered!
As if all the incredible food service wasn’t enough, they offered snacks such as dried fruit, assorted crackers and chips, fresh fruit, popcorn, roast beef and Gouda sandwiches, and petit fours.
Business Class seating, the crew, the service, and the amazing food made for the perfect start to Chuck’s birthday trip!
But what about the lounge?
Yes, everyone talks about the iconic Turkish Airlines business-class lounge in Istanbul. Unfortunately, Istanbul was our final destination, and we were eager to get to our hotel and see the sights, so we didn’t get to enjoy it.
We’ll tell you more about the lounge on our return trip.
