Turkish Airlines begins Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operations

Turkish Airlines is due to begin operations of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on July 8, having received the aircraft at its Istanbul base on June 26, 2019. The Turkish national flag carrier has placed 25 firm orders for the Boeing 787-9, plus five options, which will be gradually added to its expanding fleet – the youngest in the world – between 2019 and 2023.

The airline’s Dreamliners have been configured with seating capacity for 300 passengers, including 270 economy class seats, and the genuine Turkish feel of the inflight experience, measures 17.43in width between the armrests, and is recommended at a pitch range of 30-39in, the 787-9s will have a 31in pitch and 6in recline.

The seats can accommodate IFE displays up to 13.3in. The first six aircraft will feature widescreen slimline 11.6in monitors, with the remaining Dreamliners arriving from early 2020 to be fitted with 13.3in units. As well as passenger entertainment, passenger comfort has been considered in the IFE provision, with pancake electronics boxes located under the seat pans to help optimise footspace, a location which also gives maintenance crews easy access to the IFE systems.

Continuing the authentic Turkish feel, the 30-seat business class cabins in the 787-9s will feature business class monuments produced in Turkey by TCI Cabin.