The in-flight menu on long-haul flights is an important part of the overall experience for passengers on a long journey. I had the opportunity to try the Turkish Airlines in-flight menu on a long-haul flight from Istanbul to Mauritius, which lasted over ten hours. The departure from Istanbul was around two o’clock in the morning. Almost immediately after takeoff, the cabin crew distributed hygiene packages, blankets, and headphones for listening to music or watching movies. The hygiene package included a toothbrush and toothpaste, warm socks, earplugs, and lip balm. At the same time, printed menus with information about the food we would be served throughout the flight were handed out to all interested passengers.
The evening menu included hummus with a warm baguette and butter, and a salad with lemon-olive dressing. The main course was “Café de Paris” chicken with grilled zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, and buttered rice. Instead of chicken, passengers could alternatively choose penne pasta with tomato sauce as the main course. Dessert was mascarpone with forest fruits. Water was bottled, and passengers could also choose from a selection of beverages such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, juices, small bottles of red or white wine, or cans of beer. Everyone also received another bottle of still water.
For breakfast, Turkish Airlines served popular scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes and toast with cheese and a slice of turkey ham. However, it was evident that the eggs had been prepared many hours before, as they were not as fresh as the scrambled eggs served on a short-haul Turkish Airlines flight. The main breakfast item was complemented by a selection of cheeses with marinated Turkish olives and thick muesli in milk. There was also a warm baguette with packaged butter, jam, and water. Coffee, tea, or water were available to drink.
The return flight to Istanbul departed from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport in Mauritius in the evening. Our journey was made more interesting by the fact that we traveled on the “Kushimoto” aircraft, which had a special historical coating scheme. The colorful design of the aircraft celebrated 125 years of friendship between Turkey and Japan. On board, passengers again received hygiene packages, blankets, and new menus with information about the food that would be served during the flight.
For dinner, a vegetable salad and a delicious eggplant spread called “baba ganoush” were served with a toasted whole-grain bun. Passengers could also choose a tasty chicken biryani with fluffy rice or alternatively penne pasta with tomato sauce, zucchini, and eggplant. A coconut panna cotta was prepared for dessert. All were accompanied by poured non-alcoholic beverages, wine, or beer.
For breakfast, fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes with pineapple compote and raspberry sauce were served, along with a toasted bun, packaged butter, jam, and water. Poured non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea were also served. However, it was very noticeable that the breakfast had been prepared many hours before. Unfortunately, there aren’t many solutions to this problem on long flights, but the Turkish Airlines on board menu is still among the most delicious I have ever eaten. The on board menu is included in the ticket price for Turkish Airlines flights.
What is your favorite meal to enjoy on board an airplane?
Accommodation in Istanbul
I wholeheartedly endorse the Mest Hotel located directly in the heart of Istanbul. The hotel is elegantly renovated, the breakfasts are incredible and the views are spectacular. I last stayed here in the fall of 2022 and will definitely be back again.
