Turkish Airlines Has A Terrific Stopover Program You Need To Try

With its centrally located hub in Istanbul, Turkish Airlines flies to 340 destinations in 129 countries, across five continents. And if you happen to be going to one of those many destinations, it is worth spending at least a few nights in Turkey’s sprawling capital. Post-COVID, this popular program is back in full swing and it is now easier than ever to enjoy a seamless stay in one of the world’s most interesting capitals. ​

Business Class passengers are able to stay two nights in a five star hotel on a complimentary basis, while Economy Class passengers can stay one night in a four star hotel on a complimentary basis. If you want to stay longer, you can extend your stay at select hotels for as little as $49. To date, over 60 thousand transfer passengers from 47 countries have taken advantage of this innovative program. This is your chance to shop the Grand Bazaar, enjoy a stroll along the Bosphorus and enjoy historical gems, all en route to your final destination. With many travelers eager to make up for lost travel time, this stopover program is an extremely welcome perk.

And if you do not have the time for an overnight stay, Turkish Airlines has created an additional opportunity for travelers to explore Istanbul. International passengers who have between 6-24 hours between flights are invited to join a complimentary tour of Istanbul’s most noteworthy sights, such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace between their two flights. Forget sitting in a dreary airport, instead you can get picked up by a Touristanbul vehicle and guide, see the city and then be brought back for the next leg of your trip. With six different tours organized every day, passengers are able the choose the one that best suits their flight times and interests.

While your time on the ground is well taken care of, you can also enjoy the award-winning flying experience that Turkish Airlines offers. Passengers on flights longer than eight hours can experience some of the best airplane food, prepared by the airline’s dedicated Flying Chefs. For Business Class travelers, meals can be ordered in advance or onboard and can be served at a time of the passenger’s choice. On a recent overnight flight, the appetizers included a potpourri of seafood, grilled goat cheese or zucchini soup; entrees featured cod with lemon butter, grilled rosemary chicken or rigatoni with tomato sauce. The dessert trolley arrives filled with traditional Turkish desserts such as baklava, as well as chocolate souffle, ice cream and a cheese and fruit plate. You can also indulge in homemade lemonade or sour cherry juice or a selection of wellness teas that help you relax, detox or gain energy.

You can also enjoy a lie-flat bed, complete with a cozy seat cover and comforter that is made up for you inflight, as well as an expansive movie selection, live TV and free WiFi. Turkish Airlines makes flying fun again and has created one of the most flyer-friendly stopover programs around.