New York (JFK) to Istanbul (IST) to Dubai (DXB)

On the Ground: Before this trip, most people were surprised to hear I hadn’t experienced Turkish Airlines, as I’m Turkish. I was excited to arrive at the airport early enough to relax in the lounge before take-off. With no one in the business line, this may have been one of my quickest check-ins to date. I would say it took less than two minutes. Off to the lounge I went.

Pre-Flight: I took a quick walk through the lounge to see what was available. The lounge — clean with plenty of food and drink options — featured a crisp design and comfortable chairs. With dependable WiFi, I sat down with a plate of food and a Bloody Mary and dove into some emails. Because it was a late flight out of JFK, I knew I would be getting some shuteye on the plane unless the entertainment was too good to pass up.

In-Flight: The plane boarded on time. I immediately reached my window seat, offering plenty of legroom as well as storage space for my bags. As soon as I sat down, I was served a juice option. I noticed an actual bar up front with an attendant concocting drinks to everyone’s liking. I grabbed a refreshing lemonade. I wanted to get comfortable under the thick blanket and check out the entertainment available. Shortly after takeoff, I started one of many movies I planned to watch during the long haul. One of the previews introduced Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which Turkish Airlines promoted. Almost everything was designed to promote the film — even the menus were in the shape of a bat opening its wings — and I think the marketing team did an excellent job.

The chef on board took our orders immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed a glass of Chablis Premier Cru Les Joyaux 2013 to complement my grilled Chilean sea bass. The wine list featured many vintages I wanted to taste. Did I mention the cute electronic candle for each passenger? Romantic dinner, party of one. Such a thoughtful detail! Full from the plethora of delicious food options, I found it easy to fall asleep on the fully flat bed right after dinner.

The Experience: There is a reason Turkish Airlines wins best airline awards across the globe. The service is impeccable, the food provides a great representation of the culture, and the staff is famous for its first-class hospitality. During my layover in İstanbul, I visited the new business lounge, a destination in itself. It featured a pool table where travelers could enjoy friendly competition and safes big enough to hold luggage. These were apparently popular, as I couldn’t find an empty one among about 50 lockers. The lounge also offered massages and even beds for catching a quick nap. Of course, the food was amazing. My favorite? The display offering all Turkish desserts. Everything exceeded my expectations, and the Turkish carrier represents the country well. I hope to enjoy another Turkish flight soon.