Turkish Airlines will finally standardise its Business Class cabin offering on Singapore flights with its latest direct aisle access product on all flights from early March next year, ending the lottery of whether you’ll get the carrier’s outdated 2-3-2 configuration or its newer and more private 1-2-1 product.
That’s good news for regulars on the Star Alliance carrier’s flights from the Lion City to Istanbul and Melbourne, and comes ahead of a planned upgrade to an even better Business Class cabin on retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs and new Airbus A350s, starting in 2026.
The problem with Turkish Airlines’ current Singapore flights
Turkish Airlines currently operates up to 20 weekly departures from Singapore; up to 17 flights to Istanbul and 3 “fifth freedom” services to Melbourne. While all the Melbourne flights already feature the new Business Class, the Istanbul route remains a mixed bag of aircraft types.
The older Boeing 777-300ER aircraft still flying on some Singapore-Istanbul rotations feature a 2000s-era 2-3-2 Business Class layout. While spacious and offering fully flat beds, this is definitely ‘old school’ design with a serious lack of privacy and that dreaded middle seat possibility for solo travellers.
(Photo: Live and Let’s Fly)
In this configuration, 40% of passengers don’t have direct aisle access, while the remaining 60% face the possibility of a stranger having to climb over them to reach the aisle. It’s far from ideal for a 12-hour flight.
That said, couples who can snag a pair by the window are usually happy with this rather sociable and spacious layout, and might even target the Boeing 777 flights to achieve it.
Turkish did start introducing its new 1-2-1 Business Class seats on the Singapore route back in June 2020 on the Boeing 787, with some newer Airbus A350s now also flying the route with the same seats, but it’s been a frustrating lottery ever since – book a ticket and you might get the new product, or you might end up with the aging 777.
(Photo: Meilenoptimieren)
This is in the form of the Stelia Symphony seats first introduced by Singapore Airlines as its 2018 Regional Business Class product on Boeing 787-10s and Airbus A350 Medium Haul jets, so it’s already a familiar product for many of our readers.
Seats are in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle access for all Business Class passengers, unlike the older dated 2-3-2 layout you’ll find on the carrier’s Boeing 777-300ERs.
There’s also free Wi-Fi in Business Class, and an 18-inch IFE screen for entertainment.
Most of all though, Turkish Airlines is known for its high quality food, with an onboard chef helping to prepare the meals for Business Class passengers.
(Photo: Turkish Airlines)
What’s changing from March 2026
From 3rd March 2026, all Turkish Airlines departures from Singapore will be operated exclusively by Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 aircraft, both featuring direct aisle access 1-2-1 flat bed seats. This applies to all services:
- All 3 weekly Singapore – Melbourne flights (already using the new product)
- All up to 17 weekly Singapore – Istanbul flights (currently mixed)
This means no more Boeing 777-300ERs on the Singapore route, guaranteeing Turkish’s better all-aisle-access Business Class cabin on every flight.
The schedule: Singapore to Istanbul
Here’s how the schedule looks for Turkish Airlines flights between Singapore and Istanbul, with the Boeing 777-300ER services featuring an older 2-3-2 configuration in Business Class highlighted
Singapore ↔ Istanbul
Now – 2nd March 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 |
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 05:15 |
IST 12:00 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:45 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:25 |
IST 17:15 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:50 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 11:40 |
IST 18:30 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:50 | |||||||||
|
TK55 777-300ER |
||||||||
| SIN 23:25 |
IST 06:05* |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:40 | |||||||||
|
TK54 777-300ER |
||||||||
| IST 01:50 |
SIN 17:35 |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:45 | |||||||||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 17:15 |
SIN 08:45* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 17:15 |
SIN 08:45* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 18:30 |
SIN 10:00* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
* Next day
TK208 does not operate on Tuesdays until 9th December 2025 onwards
TK209 does not operate on Wednesdays until 10th December 2025 onwards
From 3rd March 2026 it’s good news, with TK55/54 flights switching to the Boeing 787-9, with direct aisle access Business Class.
Singapore ↔ Istanbul
3rd March 2026 – 28th March 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 05:15 |
IST 12:00 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:45 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:25 |
IST 17:15 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:50 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 11:40 |
IST 18:30 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:50 | |||||||||
|
TK55 787-9 |
||||||||
| SIN 23:25 |
IST 06:05* |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:40 | |||||||||
|
TK54 787-9 |
||||||||
| IST 01:50 |
SIN 17:35 |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:45 | |||||||||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 17:15 |
SIN 08:45* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 17:15 |
SIN 08:45* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 18:30 |
SIN 10:00* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:30 | |||||||||
* Next day
Some minor timing and day of operation changes kick in for the summer 2026 season from 29th March 2026, but it’s still the new Business Class seats on all flights.
Singapore ↔ Istanbul
29th March 2026 – 14th September 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 05:25 |
IST 11:45 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK259 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 09:20 |
IST 15:40 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:20 |
IST 16:40 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK55 787-9 |
||||||||
| SIN 23:05 |
IST 05:15* |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:10 | |||||||||
|
TK54 787-9 |
||||||||
| IST 01:50 |
SIN 17:55 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:05 | |||||||||
|
TK258 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 15:50 |
SIN 07:40* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:50 | |||||||||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 16:50 |
SIN 08:35* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:45 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 16:50 |
SIN 08:40* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:50 | |||||||||
* Next day
From 15th September 2026 to the end of the airline’s published schedule on this route, Turkish Airlines deploys all-A350 service on 16 weekly flights, one fewer than usual with a removal of TK258 on Tuesdays and its corresponding return service TK259 on Wednesdays.
Again there’s no need to worry about the Business Class cabin product – all of the carrier’s A350s have the new 1-2-1 configuration.
Singapore ↔ Istanbul
15th September 2026 – 24th October 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 05:25 |
IST 11:45 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK259 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 09:20 |
IST 15:40 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK209 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:20 |
IST 16:40 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:20 | |||||||||
|
TK55 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 23:05 |
IST 05:15* |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:10 | |||||||||
|
TK54 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 01:50 |
SIN 17:55 |
||||||||
| Duration: 11:05 | |||||||||
|
TK258 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 15:50 |
SIN 07:40* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:50 | |||||||||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 16:50 |
SIN 08:35* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:45 | |||||||||
|
TK208 A350 |
||||||||
| IST 16:50 |
SIN 08:40* |
||||||||
| Duration: 10:50 | |||||||||
* Next day
Turkish Airlines has not loaded any flight schedules for the northern winter 2026/27 season at the time of writing, but hopefully this pattern of exclusively using Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s on Singapore flights will continue, for a consistent Business Class experience.
The schedule: Singapore to Melbourne
Turkish Airlines has consistently operated its new Business Class product on its Singapore – Melbourne “fifth freedom” route, either in the form of the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787.
Here’s how the schedule looks for the rest of the current northern winter schedule season.
Singapore ↔ Melbourne
Now – 28th March 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:25 |
MEL 20:55 |
||||||||
| Duration: 07:30 | |||||||||
|
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| MEL 22:40 |
SIN 03:35* |
||||||||
| Duration: 07:55 | |||||||||
* Next day
For the northern summer schedule from late March 2026, day of operation and minor timing variation kicks in, but it’s still the A350 operating this route.
Singapore ↔ Melbourne
29th March 2026 – 24th October 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
TK168 A350 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:15 |
MEL 19:35 |
||||||||
| Duration: 07:20 | |||||||||
|
TK169 A350 |
||||||||
| MEL 21:30 |
SIN 03:40* |
||||||||
| Duration: 08:10 | |||||||||
* Next day
MEL local arrival / departure times 1 hour later until 4th April 2026 and from 5th October 2026 onwards, due to Daylight Saving Time
Redeeming miles on Turkish Airlines from Singapore
You can redeem award seats on Turkish Airlines flights using frequent flyer miles in any Star Alliance programme, but for most of our readers it’s the carrier’s own Miles&Smiles scheme or SIA KrisFlyer miles that are the easiest options.
| Turkish Airlines Business Class Award Pricing |
||
| Route |  |
 |
| Singapore – Melbourne | 56,000 +S$354.20 |
90,000 +S$385.50 |
| Singapore – Istanbul | 65,000 +S$312.40 |
90,500 +S$421.80 |
| Singapore – Paris (via Istanbul) |
90,000 +S$403.80 |
114,000 +S$549.60 |
Note how Turkish passes on steep carrier surcharges with award tickets, but cash costs are lower when using the airline’s own Miles&Smiles programme to redeem.
For example, a Singapore – Melbourne redemption on Turkish Airlines comes in at 90,000 KrisFlyer miles + S$385.50.
That’s a steep increment on the 72,000 miles needed for a Saver award on Singapore Airlines, though if only Advantage (103,500 miles) or Access (129,500 to 207,000 miles) options exist on SIA flights, it’s worth considering.
Nonetheless, you’ll only part with 56,000 Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles miles for the same itinerary, with around S$30 less in taxes and fees to pay.
Turkish Airlines’ upcoming ‘Crystal’ Business Class
In mid-2024, Turkish Airlines revealed its latest ‘Crystal’ Business Class seat product, a 1-2-1 configuration based on the Safran Unity seat with closing privacy doors.
(Image: Turkish Airlines)
This will be retrofitted on the carrier’s Boeing 777-300ERs and will also appear on new-build Airbus A350s from 2026.
While this will eventually mean no more 2-3-2 Business Class to worry about on the 777s, the carrier has a long way to go with a 34-strong fleet of that type, and so it will still be something of a lottery getting this new seat for at least a few years to come on many routes.
Summary
The shift to a 1-2-1 Business Class product on all Turkish Airlines Singapore flights from March 2026 ends years of uncertainty for travellers on the Istanbul route. No more gambling on aircraft type – every flight is set to feature direct aisle access seating.
While the airline’s latest Stelia Symphony seats aren’t cutting-edge, they’re a solid product with free Wi-Fi and Turkish’s excellent onboard catering.
Looking further ahead, Turkish’s upcoming ‘Crystal’ Business Class with closing doors may eventually replace even these seats, but that retrofit programme will take years to complete across the fleet. For Singapore, at least, you can now book with confidence knowing exactly what you’re getting on both Istanbul and Melbourne routes.
(Cover Photo: Live and Let’s Fly)
What a simple minded post? The Stella is such a poor product that TK has committed to pulling it out of each and every aircraft and replace it with the Crystal seat. The author must be quite short and trim. No one over the height of 6′ 1″or so had ever been comfortable in these seats and pretty much all veterans of any size will choose a 777 or even A330 each and every time. The foot coffins make it unbearable for even smaller people. Of the many scores of 777s that I have taken with TK, the only time I have taken a middle seat was when I was traveling with 2 family members, in which case it was ideal, otherwise I simply have never chosen it. Actually to be fully honest I have had it twice when I was upgraded on European flights in which case it was welcome! SQ still has 7 across as recently as 2023,EK still has it in many a/c. You prefer the 8 across that BA still has in Biz on some a/c 7 years after “getting rid of them”
You will take whatever configuration is available for your measly miles. Is that 6 feet with a 1 inch D?
He’s right, the Stelia seats are terrible.
And TK’s onboard catering is “stellar” because of the “chef”? Erm, ok.
I flew TK J for the first time recently on a SIN-EU trip for a family of 3. Was not impressed with catering or service. Having said that, on the SIN-IST leg we had the old J configuration on the 777 and was comfortable indeed as noted above, certainly to be able to have the kid sleeping in the middle seat of the 3. But other than that, nothing to write home about.