Turkish Delight Up In The Sky

Awarded Best Airline - Food and Beverages by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association, Turkish Airlines had fresh tulips, Silver Tea service and a chef onboard to bring the flying experience to new heights.

- Simone Gabriel

The Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul was full, an indication that the geopolitical situation was not deterring business and leisure travelers from going to and through turkey. It was going to be a 12-hour flight but free Wi-fi onboard made it a productive time to finish pending work and stay connected on matters of consequence.

As a matter of habit, the bathroom visit before take-off brought the first of many pleasant surprises. Fresh ivy in the mood-lit space, bigger than most, was an unexpected and nice touch. There was a single tulip among the greens, plucked from the three million tulips planted annually for a spring flower festival in April and may. It was an instagram moment.

DINNER BY CANDLE LIGHT 30,000 FEET ABOVE

A few paces before reaching aisle seat 1b, the second surprise smiled broadly in a double breasted white jacket and a toque blanche with a menu in hand. There was a chef onboard, specifically Chef Oguz Ilker, who made a few recommendations for dinner and breakfast. He later appeared after the meal, wheeling in a cart with a silver tea service. It made an impression stronger than the wine list, which was, in itself, pretty good.