“Remote working above the clouds – living the dream or a nightmare? In our series of reports, we show how airlines are expanding their in-flight Wi-Fi services and what business and bleisure travellers, as well as workationists, can expect at airports and in lounges. This time: Turkish Airlines.” Kai Böcking
My friends think I’m a little mad: bleisure, workations, working wherever you like, plus a love of flying – and on long-haul flights at that. I’m on my way to the IPW tourism trade fair in Miami. This time, I decided to take a little detour via Istanbul.. The advantage being, that I’ll be in the US first thing in the morning rather than in the afternoon. The journey begins in Stuttgart, a key German hub for Turkish Airlines. Two lounges are available here for bleisure frequent flyers: the Aviator Lounge and the brand-new Star Alliance Lounge.
For the Turkish Skytrax winner (“Europe’s Best Airline” 2025), long-haul flights always take off from the massive hub in Istanbul. My flight, an Airbus 321-200neo, takes off at 6.45 pm with a 2–2 seating configuration in Business Class – a warm-up for the long-haul journey, offering a taste of the multi-award-winning in-flight service. On a three-hour flight, however, I take it easy, enjoy the appetisers only and unpack my laptop for the first time. Turkish Airlines has a clear policy for all digital nomads and online enthusiasts: 1 GB of data allowance in Business Class if you’re not a member of the frequent flyer programme.
Those who are registered enjoy unlimited data on all Business Class flights. My internet connection on the way to the Turkish capital is excellent. Download speeds of up to 8 Mbit/s are more than enough for emails and other small downloads.
Laptops & Turkish specialities
Istanbul’s mega-airport is a 24-hour universe in its own right – a living organism that demands sturdy footwear. Managing your time from disembarking to reaching the lounges and the departure gate is a challenge, not just for frequent flyers with sore feet.
I arrive at the huge business lounge. Here, frequent flyers from all over the world, along with their many laptops and devices, enjoy freshly prepared Turkish specialities, juices and – slightly tucked away – a cold beer or a glass of wine. Everyone gets Wi-Fi access when checking into the lounge(s) – simply scan your boarding pass and you’re in. The connection is fast for both uploads and downloads, despite the many hundreds of users going online here at the same time – the “Netflix Standard”, as I like to call it, and what I expect as a benchmark on my travels, even in hotels.
At 1:50 a.m., I’m off to Miami on the Dreamliner: I board, have my seat converted into a full-flat bed, have a nightcap, sleep, and land in Miami feeling refreshed for my first day at the trade fair.
Service later on? No problem
Four days later, it’s going back to Germany. The long-haul flight from Miami starts in the Turkish Airlines lounge in Florida. It’s chic, with a view of the apron and surfboards lining the walls.
My flight, again on the Dreamliner, departs on time at 10:35 a.m. for Istanbul – a daytime flight, giving me almost twelve hours for a ‘workation’ above the clouds. The Business Class seats are excellent, offering plenty of space, charging points for various devices, and the option to connect your mobile phone to the screen. I like it.
The connection speed fluctuates on this long flight. It never cut out for me, but did slow down slightly from time to time. Connectivity is, after all, still dependent on the link to the satellites.
What usually annoys me when working above the clouds is inflexible service. Not an issue here: a young and extremely friendly chef takes my order and assures me that I can eat later. In any case. The idea of having chefs on board is unique and the fact that they’re flexible too is absolutely brilliant. When the bell finally rings for my lunch break, I delve into the airline’s award-winning menu to my heart’s content. Everything is lovingly served by a chef in uniform and savoured by this frequent flyer.
Istanbul, 5 a.m., last stop before Stuttgart. Generally speaking, I love showers in lounges. In my experience, they range from “just about okay” to “I’ll stay here a bit longer”. In Istanbul, it’s the latter option:: clean, spacious, and with no time pressure.
Conclusion: Anyone who, like me, considers working above the clouds to be the norm, whilst also valuing comfort, service, and friendliness just as highly, is in the best of hands with Turkish Airlines. The only thing I didn’t manage to do this time was the free stopover programme in Istanbul. Next time.
Kai Böcking …
… has previously written many flight reviews as a freelance writer. His current focus on the suitability of in-the-air remote working is providing him with new flying experiences, not least because, as a TV producer, he has high Wi-Fi requirements. This was his first time trying Turkish Airlines on a long-haul flight. The only thing he’d still like for his next flight is a pair of pyjamas for the night flight.
work@sky turkish airlines
Turkish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, offers over 130 routes to destinations around the world via its hub in Istanbul. Wi-Fi packages are available on board.
Members of the Miles&Smiles programme enjoy special discounts, depending on their booking class. Non-members must pay for the packages.
Prices: Long-haul unlimited: 25 US dollars; 1 GB data allowance: 20 US dollars; unlimited massaging: 3 US dollars
Stopover offer: Passengers with a stopover in Istanbul of at least 20 hours can book the airline’s free stopover programme. In Economy Class, this includes one night in a four-star hotel;
Business Class passengers receive two nights in a five-star hotel, this applies to either the outbound or return flight.
Photos: © Turkish Airlines, Kai Böcking
