ISTANBUL – Turkish Airlines services more countries than any other carrier in the world, flying to 300 destinations across 120 countries with a fleet of more than 300 aircraft. That fleet will soon grow, too, as the airline recently announced an $11 billion order for 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The airline’s global reach, coupled with their corporate travel program – offering member businesses discounted tickets, penalty-free reservation changes and special baggage allowances, among other benefits at no cost – proves incentive enough for numerous global companies to choose Turkish.
After a successful and widely attended first Corporate Club Conference in Oct. 2015, Turkish Airlines, in partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), hosted a second event Sept. 25-26, 2017 in Turkey’s most populous city: Istanbul.
The event brought together more than 500 participants – primarily travel experts, top executives from agency chains, and current and potential club members – to learn more about the business travel segment and the latest developments in the aviation industry.
As part of the all-inclusive invitation to attend, Turkish provided conference-goers Business Class air travel into Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. The flights included state-of-the-art service, award-winning cuisine, free Wi-Fi and the ability to sleep soundly and comfortably on lay-flat seats that convert into beds.
On Turkish, Business Class means flight attendants address you by name and a chef personally takes your order – really bringing to life the hospitality that Turkey has long been known for. Another perk of flying Business Class on Turkish? Access to the airline’s world-class airport lounges, most notably the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Atatürk.
The airline’s lounge in its home airport has been reviewed as one of the world’s best, combining both modern and traditional design with the hospitality the country of Turkey is known for.
Those with access will find endless food and beverages, beds for napping, luggage storage, a movie theater, games and more. It’s no wonder it has been likened to a destination in and of itself.
Participants stayed in the beautifully charming Hilton Bomonti Hotel, which also served as the location for the conference itself. Attendees arrived in waves between Sunday and Monday and were welcomed with a cocktail hour Monday evening before the one-day event officially kicked off Tuesday.
After breakfast, Tuesday morning, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Mr. M. İlker Aycı, welcomed guests and kicked off the event alongside award-winning consultant and keynote speaker Ron Kauffman.
“As I am speaking of our brand and our products, I want to share with you an exciting development,” Ayci said in his opening remarks. “During the ongoing Airline Passenger Experience Association or APEX Expo held in California, Turkish Airlines has been named a ‘Five-Star Global Airline’.”
The announcement of the award, which is based solely on passenger feedback, generated excitement among the crowd, but didn’t come as a huge surprise, as Turkish has – and continues to receive – many accolades.
The airline’s most recent awards include Best Business Class Onboard Catering, World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and Best Business Class Lounge Dining – all received at this year’s Skytrax World Airlines Awards.
Ayci then discussed the ways in which Turkish is continuously working to improve the passenger experience. “We’ve made it our business to know what Business Class flyers need,” he said.
He then went on to talk about the ways in which Istanbul New Airport – currently under construction and planned as the largest airport in the world – will help the airline to achieve growth goals such as a 500-aircraft fleet and a 4% share in global aviation by the year 2023.
Following Ayci’s opening remarks, participants heard from a CEO panel moderated by Arda Ermut, President of the Republic of Turkey, Prime Ministry Investment Support, and Promotion agency; featuring speakers Serra Akçaoğlu, CEO of Citibank Turkey and Tankut Turnaoğlu, Vice President and General Manager of P&G Turkey and Caucasus.
The morning continued with additional speakers, including Ron Kauffman’s keynote address, before participants were treated to lunch. The afternoon included parallel sessions also focused on the conference theme of traveler centricity, a networking break and additional free time before the gala dinner which took place at beautiful and historical Çırağan Palace Kempinski
As this year’s conference came to a close, Ayci said the unique event was very successful. Learn more about the club and its benefits on the Turkish Airlines Corporate Club website. Dates for the 2018 conference have yet to be announced.
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