Intro
Is Turkish Airlines’ economy food reputation actually good?
They’re one of the few airlines still doing decent meals in economy, but with some quirks you need to know about.
I tested their service from Paris to Singapore via Istanbul to see if the Do&Co catering partnership delivers what frequent flyers claim.
Two routes, different meal experiences, but consistent quality that most airlines can’t always match!
Paris to Istanbul
For a 2-hour 35-minute flight, this was impressive when most airlines would serve peanuts or charge for sandwiches.
Cabin crew offered beef or pasta options – I chose the beef.
The meal included vegetables, rice, yogurt entrรฉe with peas, and chocolate mousse for dessert.
The beef had flavour, the portion size was substantial, and it was filling.
One issue: my water and part of the entrรฉe arrived frozen solid. Not ideal, but these things happen.
Turkish Airlines provides metal cutlery in economy and a good beverage selection, including fresh juices and alcohol.
Rare to see airlines offer this level of meal service on sub-3-hour flights anymore.
Istanbul to Singapore
The 11-hour flight delivered two full meal services plus galley snacks available.
First service offered chicken or vegetarian options with larger meal trays than the European leg.
The presentation stepped up: fresh salad, hummus entrรฉe, olive oil provided for dressing.
That chocolate mousse appeared again – Turkish Airlines clearly has signature desserts they stick with.
Here’s the frequent flyer complaint: menu repetition.
The same dishes appear regularly, which some find boring.
But there’s something to be said for perfecting recipes rather than constantly changing mediocre options.
Breakfast service two hours before landing impressed most.
Scrambled eggs with toast, roasted tomato, cheese and olives, plus yogurt with cherry.
The eggs were genuinely good – Do&Co knows how to cook eggs that work at altitude, which most airline caterers struggle with.
These were some of the best eggs I’ve had on a flight.
Conclusion
Turkish Airlines’ economy maintains higher meal service standards than most European and Middle Eastern carriers.
The Do&Co catering partnership delivers consistent quality across both short and long-haul routes.
The airline provides proper meal choices and metal cutlery on routes where competitors offer minimal service or charge for food.
Frequent flyers complain about similar dishes being served regularly, but occasional travellers benefit from the consistent execution of proven recipes rather than experimental dishes that often disappoint.
Is Turkish Airlines worth choosing for economy dining?
Yes, particularly for routes where meal service matters.
The combination of proper portions, quality cooking, and included service makes Turkish a solid choice when food is a consideration in your booking decision.
