Name: Ersen Engin
Title: General manager
Company, city: Turkish Airlines; Los Angeles, Calif.
Number of employees: 26
Recent project: Turkish Airlines currently offers two daily flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul, a route in high demand. I am focused on increasing the number of weekly flights and making the experience ever better.
First job: I started as a part-time accounting clerk in the aviation sector of Turkish Airlines in 1997.
Little-known fact about you: I majored in mathematics in college.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: My business philosophy centers around the customer experience: service/product/customer satisfaction and loyalty. I focus on the long-term effects rather than short-term.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Customer service, sponsorship agreements and brand awareness through entertaining commercials starring celebrities like Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi
Yardstick of success: From 2014 to 2015, TA grew its business by 10 percent and increased passengers from 58 million to 60 million. Rated as a 5-star dining and lounge airline, it offers a massive network (282 destinations worldwide and growing), is a member of Star Alliance and is consistently awarded by Skytrax each year. I am also proud my employees have longevity at TA; maintaining employee satisfaction is important, as TA has a family feel internally.
Ersen Engin as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? My camera. Photography is one of my favorite hobbies, and I love to document my adventures.
How do you spend your time on board? When I fly TA, I always make sure the customers are having a good experience. I check out what’s new on board and how customers are interacting with TA. I also read magazines (GT) and books.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Çiya in Istanbul — in the Kadiköy district — serves authentic local Turkish food.
What is your favorite destination in the world? I am very excited to be living in Los Angeles and cannot wait to check out what the city has to offer.
About Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines added Montréal as its 10th destination in North America. What plans are in store for North America in the coming year?
Developing the U.S. market is important to TA, and we have a schedule for rolling out new U.S. connections. After adding San Francisco and Miami flights last year, we will further expand the route network when we begin service to Atlanta this May. These major U.S. cities provide gateways to different countries and cultures, which goes right along with our campaign of “Widen Your World.”
Tell our readers more about the idea behind the ‘Widen Your World’ campaign.
TA strives to be an airline that not only provides a massive destination network, service quality, a solid product offering and good price but also offers customers a chance to explore the world. We believe the Turkish hospitality on board will also delight customers and result in repeat business.
What can premium travelers expect from Turkish Airlines?
Passengers enjoy excellent service, beautiful airport lounges, 5-star dining and renowned Turkish hospitality.
Read This Next
Women in Travel
2016
Sep 22, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSeptember 2023
Sep 25, 2023More Cruise Lines Move Toward Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Voyages
Less than five years ago the world’s first hybrid cruise ship, Hurtigruten Expeditions’ MS Roald Amundsen, set sail for Antarctica in November 2019 with 450 passengers. The battery-hybrid-powered ship, named for the first man to cross the continent and reach the South Pole, was built specifically for voyages in polar waters. Its battery-hybrid power reduces the ship’s consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to equally sized ships.
Sponsored Content
Join the Global Movement: GBTA Drives Business Travel Through Community, Learning and Advocacy
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) believes business travel is a fundamental force for good and brings the industry together to connect, innovate and set new standards. With members from across the globe, GBTA engages the many voices of business travel to build a collective future, providing a platform for buyers and suppliers to come together, connect with peers, grow their network and shape the future of the industry.
Daily
Sep 25, 2023What to Do If You Leave Something Behind on a Plane
A few months ago, I flew Polaris business class on a United flight from Dulles (IAD) to Paris (CDG). It was only when I got to my hotel in Paris I realized that I didn’t have my iPad or its bag or accessories. Since I had been working on it in the restaurant in the Polaris lounge and then went directly to the gate, I knew I either left it propped up on my table when I packed up or in my business-class seat. But what was the best method to alert the airline about my careless mishap and (hopefully) retrieve it? With spotty data and WiFi, searching for information on my phone was frustrating and slow. Here’s what I learned from the anxiety-inducing experience (and unexpected ending) about what to do if you leave something behind on your flight:
Daily
Sep 25, 2023This 5-Star Resort Forms a New Identity on the Pacific Ocean
Solmar Hotels & Resorts introduces Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes, previously known as Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The hotel renewed its name and image to highlight the property’s natural attributes while maintaining the quality of its services and experiences.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
Daily
Sep 25, 2023Up Norway Announces New Sustainable Journeys
Specializing in bespoke adventures in some truly spectacular locations, Up Norway proves sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand. Ideal for families and small groups, the newly launched Coastal, Rural and Urban Norway Journey takes travelers on an immersive, eight-day expedition embracing the concept of slow travel.
Daily
Sep 21, 2023Soak in Philadelphia’s Charm with This Epicurean Lovers Weekend Getaway
If fabulous food and beverages are a must-have for any weekend getaway, then look no further than the City of Brotherly Love. Whether your palate has a penchant for vibrant Latin American fare or cozy French cuisine, whether you're an oenophile looking to swirl, sniff and sip your way around the globe or you’d rather sample farm-to-glass cocktails, Philly’s got it all this fall. (With the exception of Bolo, which is a short taxi or Uber ride away and definitely worth the trip, the rest of these spots are all within walking distance of each other.)
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Daily
Sep 21, 2023These Hotels Have Some of the Best Room Views in the World
From Santoríni to Dubai to New York, some hotels just have that “it” factor that draws visitors far and wide. For some hotels it’s their proximity to popular landmarks and attractions, for others it’s their amenities. But these hotels have something few can claim: a true room with a view.
ShareThis