Turkish Airlines Business Class A321-200 to Berlin

Turkish Airlines’ long-haul Business Class enjoys an excellent reputation: its own chef on board, a sumptuous menu and a wide range of entertainment options. But what can you expect on short-haul flights? Following the long flight from Singapore to Istanbul on the A350, the Istanbul–Berlin leg on the A321-200 was the final leg of our return journey. Two very different aircraft, the same airline, the same cabin class – an intriguing comparison. Can Turkish Airlines’ Business Class on short-haul flights maintain the same standard as on long-haul flights? And is the extra cost worth it even for a flight lasting just two to three hours? Our review provides the answer.

How did we book our flight?

This flight was the second part of our return journey from Singapore. After the long leg from Singapore to Istanbul in the Business Class on board a Turkish Airlines A350 The final leg to Berlin was on the agenda, also with Turkish Airlines, this time on board an A321-200.

We booked our entire return journey directly through the Turkish Airlines website. What we had already noticed when booking the outbound flight also applied to this leg: the price difference between Economy and Business Class was so small that it was practically negligible. The decisive factor wasn't just the increased comfort on board, but also the mileage accrual. With Turkish Airlines – as with most airlines – the number of award miles credited depends on the booked travel class. Those flying Economy Class collect significantly fewer miles than those flying Business Class, even if the actual price difference is small. For frequent flyers who want to actively build up their mileage balance, this is a crucial consideration.

What is the cabin and seat like in the Turkish Airlines Business Class A321-200?

The A321-200's business class cabin comprises four rows of four seats each in a 2-2 configuration, offering a total of 16 seats. The separation from the economy cabin is pleasantly consistent: a fixed partition ensures a clear demarcation, and a curtain in the aisle provides additional privacy during the flight. Anyone who has ever sat in a cabin where business class was separated from economy only by a curtain will appreciate this detail.

The seats in this cabin have an interesting history: Originally, they were installed as the standard model in Turkish Airlines' Premium Economy Class, but back then they were upholstered differently. In today's Business Class configuration, they feature dark gray leather with ochre-colored stitching and accents. This not only looks good, but also conveys a significantly more premium feel.

The seat itself is well-padded and comfortably wide. The generous legroom was particularly noticeable. For a medium-haul flight of two to three hours, it's exceptionally spacious. There's no lie-flat position, but that's not really an issue on this type of flight. The seat's features are perfectly adequate for a comfortable short-haul flight.

The table folds out from the armrest, as does the personal monitor. A flexible reading light allows for individual lighting, and a small table for drinks can be extended between each pair of seats. This practical detail is quickly appreciated on short flights. A universal power outlet is also integrated into the armrest, so smartphones or laptops can be charged during the flight.

The seat adjustment is mechanical, using push buttons: the backrest and footrest can be individually adjusted, and the headrest can be moved vertically and folded to the side. This is practical for anyone who wants to doze off during the flight. There's no high-tech electronics, but for the requirements of this flight, this seat adjustment is just right.

What food and drink options are available in Turkish Airlines Business Class A321-200?

Anyone familiar with Turkish Airlines' long-haul business class knows the importance the airline places on food. Naturally, expectations are somewhat more modest on the short-haul flight to Berlin. Nevertheless, Turkish Airlines demonstrated even on this short flight that it takes its service seriously.

The service began even before takeoff with a welcome drink. Since Turkish Airlines only serves alcohol after takeoff, the selection was limited to raspberry or mint lemonade, orange juice, and water. Shortly afterward, the menu was distributed, and orders for the main course and first drink were taken before takeoff.

Starter and main course

The appetizers were served on a tray: salmon carpaccio with prawn and celery salad, and a Turkish eggplant dish called "Köpoğlu" with slow-roasted tomato sauce and süzme yogurt. The latter was a nice nod to Turkish cuisine and a welcome change from the usual bland fare on short-haul flights.

Three options were offered for the main course: braised beef cheeks with white beans, baked Romagna polenta with side dishes, a swordfish medallion with grilled vegetables and buttered potatoes, or homemade artichoke mezzelune in a light panna coulis with cherry tomatoes. I opted for the beef cheeks, but unfortunately, I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the meat. The dish seemed more like reheated convenience food than what was described on the menu. A shame, because the concept was promising. For dessert, there were éclairs and a cheese selection – both were decent, without being particularly outstanding. Dessert and cheese were served on a tray at the table along with the starter. Given the short service time on the short route, this was acceptable to me.

Drinks selection

For a flight of this length, the drinks menu was surprisingly extensive. Besides freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade lemonades, and several varieties of juice, soft drinks like cola, ginger ale, and ayran were also available. Those wanting something a little more unusual could opt for a pineapple-mango spritz mocktail. In addition, there was a selection of different teas and the usual coffee specialties.

The alcoholic beverages included Efes and Heineken, as well as three red and three white wines. The spirits selection comprised gin, whisky, vodka, and – typically Turkish – raki. For a two- to three-hour flight, this is a selection that doesn't need to hide its light under a bushel.

What is the in-flight entertainment like in the Turkish Airlines Business Class A321-200?

After takeoff, the monitor can be folded out from the armrest. Over-ear headphones are already provided in the seat pocket during boarding. However, these do not offer noise cancellation. The entertainment selection itself was remarkably well-organized for a short flight. Movies could be filtered by language, genre, and other criteria – a feature not necessarily expected on this flight length. TV series, music, and games were also available. The touchscreen responded reliably and smoothly. A physical remote control was also located in the opposite armrest, which I personally found unnecessary, as the touchscreen handled all functions without any problems.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Wi-Fi: Turkish Airlines' A321 also has it, and it's free for Business Class passengers. I was particularly pleased that the network was already working right from boarding, while still on the ground – there was no need to wait until cruising altitude. That's a real plus, even for a short flight where you might want to quickly get a few things done.