Turkish Airlines wants to make you a tasty in-flight meal once again. In May, the airline announced the return of its in-flight chef service, serving passengers on long-distance flights of eight hours or longer. The meals, the airline explained, are gourmet dishes prepared by the airline’s dedicated Flying Chefs, which are all prepared to restaurant quality in the skies. By Stacey Leasca
“Throughout the past year, we’ve had to make many adjustments to our product and service offerings to protect the health and safety of our passengers and employees,” Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and the executive committee, M Ilker Ayci, shared in a statement. “Our award-winning dining service and Flying Chefs programme is a distinguishing aspect of the airline and we are happy to reintroduce this to our worldwide guests to make the flight experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.”
According to the airline, The Flying Chefs were each selected by the airline based on a “diverse set of culinary and customer-service driven skills” and are responsible for “cooking and overseeing food preparation using only the highest quality and freshest ingredients.”
Dishes include breakfast items like a honeycomb from Erzincan with “kaymak” clotted cream from Afyon and Anatolian style spicy pepper and tomato spread, and dinner options like grilled Turkish style meatballs with sautéed zucchini and roasted red pepper and bulgur pilaf, or “Manti,” a homemade Turkish ravioli with minced beef, tomato sauce, and yoghurt.
In addition to this award-winning food service, Turkish Airlines has now also resumed its other in-flight services, including serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, fresh juices, and “Fly Good, Feel Good” wellness teas. And, it will continue to distribute its “Hygiene Kits” that contain a face mask, disinfectant, and antiseptic tissue to help everyone feel a bit more comfortable flying again. Don’t worry, you can take down your mask while eating one of those chef-prepared meals. Just remember to put it back on when you’re done.
Turkish Airlines is also expanding service with the announcement that Newark Liberty International Airport will serve as its 10th US gateway. Beginning May 21, Turkish Airlines, which flies to more countries than any other airline, will offer four flights weekly to and from Istanbul before moving to daily service from June 1. Newark, a major international airport serving the New York City area, will be Turkish Airlines’ 321st destination.
Editor‘s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on #IndiaFightsCorona for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: Turkey Lifts All Restrictions For Foreign Tourists In The Country
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