Turkish Airlines is set to unveil its next-generation business class cabins this week at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo show in Hamburg, with plans to introduce them across the entire Boeing 777 fleet starting in early 2025.
The new private suites, developed under the codename Crystal, are expected to feature luxury amenities and cutting-edge comfort features tailored to meet the demands of modern business class passengers. These suites will also grace the ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000 jets, set to operate non-stop flights to Sydney and Melbourne from late 2026. While details about a potential marketing brand similar to Cathay Pacific’s 777 Aria Suites remain elusive, the Crystal suites are highly anticipated in the aviation industry.
Unlike a grand launch event, Turkish Airlines will showcase the new 777 business class suites exclusively to a select group of AIX attendees comprising partners, stakeholders, and members of the media. Turkish Airlines Chairman Professor Ahmet Bolat has confirmed that these suites will incorporate sliding doors and other state-of-the-art amenities for enhanced passenger comfort.
The bespoke Turkish Airlines’ Crystal suites, believed to be created by the airline’s Turkish Cabin Interior (TCI) arm, are rumored to be based on the Safran Unity seats, akin to those found in Qantas’ A350 business class. The 1-2-1 layout features alternately paired and separated middle seats as well as window seats positioned next to either the window or the aisle, offering passengers flexibility in seating arrangements.
With a modern 1-2-1 configuration allowing for 44 business class seats on the Boeing 777, Turkish Airlines aims to transition from the traditional 2-3-2 layout while eliminating the unpopular ‘middle seat.’ The implementation of Crystal business class suites is expected to commence in early 2025, with each aircraft undergoing upgrades over roughly a week.
Turkish Airlines plans to retrofit the Crystal business class suites on its Boeing 777 fleet and eventually on the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft for long-haul flights to Australia starting in 2026. The airline does not intend to expand the Crystal suites to other aircraft like the Airbus A350-900 or Boeing 787 fleets, nor will it reintroduce Comfort Class premium economy. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines aims to provide fast and complimentary WiFi to all passengers beginning in 2025.
