ISTANBUL- Turkish Airlines (TK) is evaluating the return of a premium economy cabin on long haul routes, signaling a possible revival of its former Comfort Class product.
Based at Istanbul Airport (IST), the carrier is reassessing premium seating as global demand grows for an upgrade option between economy and business class.
Photo: Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines Premium Economy
Turkish Airlines was among the early adopters of premium economy, launching Comfort Class roughly 15 years ago on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The cabin featured wider recliner seats in a 2-3-2 layout, offering more space and comfort than standard economy at a lower price than business class.
In 2013, the airline discontinued Comfort Class, citing insufficient demand. However, industry observers have long suggested that the real issue was internal competition. Comfort Class delivered a strong value proposition that diverted passengers from higher-yielding business class seats, especially at a time when business fares were significantly higher.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat addressed the decision in a 2024 interview with Skift, explaining that business class pricing had since become more accessible, reducing the perceived need for a separate premium economy product.
Over the past decade, premium economy has become one of the fastest-growing cabin classes across the airline industry. Most carriers now view it as an effective way to upsell economy passengers rather than dilute business class demand.
Premium economy typically attracts travelers constrained by corporate travel policies or personal budgets who still seek extra space, improved dining, and a more refined onboard experience. This segment has proven consistently profitable when priced correctly, Live and Let’s Fly reported.
Photo: By KM B – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80964383
Passenger Surveys Signal Renewed Interest
According to 2PAXFly, Turkish Airlines sent a detailed survey to Miles&Smiles members in late 2025, focusing heavily on premium economy preferences. Questions covered seat comfort priorities, dining expectations, willingness to pay, and acceptable price differences across short, medium, and long-haul flights.
The survey strongly suggests that the airline is actively exploring how a redesigned premium economy cabin could fit into its broader product strategy.
Some Airbus A350-900 aircraft previously operated by Aeroflot already feature premium seating, which Turkish Airlines currently sells at higher fares. These aircraft could serve as an initial platform for reintroducing premium economy.
A key challenge remains fleet consistency. During the Comfort Class era, only a limited number of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft were equipped with premium economy seats. This created operational issues during aircraft swaps, often resulting in passenger downgrades. Any future rollout would likely require broader fleet integration to avoid similar disruptions.
Photo: Clément Alloing
Long Haul Expansion Strengthens the Case
As Turkish Airlines continues to expand its ultra-long-haul network, including potential nonstop services to Australia, the absence of a premium economy cabin becomes more noticeable. Long-duration flights increasingly drive demand for a comfort-focused mid-tier product.
A well-executed premium economy offering could improve passenger satisfaction while strengthening revenue performance on long haul routes.
Bottom Line
Turkish Airlines is clearly reassessing premium economy as part of its evolving long-haul strategy.
Market trends, passenger feedback, and network expansion all point toward a strong business case for its return.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News