Flying Las Vegas → Istanbul at the front of the plane
Booked well, Las Vegas to Istanbul in First Class is not an indulgence so much as arithmetic: a flat bed out of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), hours of genuine sleep, and a first day in Istanbul you don't lose to recovery.
Because no carrier flies true First Class nonstop on this pairing, the routing craft matters. British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and Qatar Airways each offer superb one-stop itineraries through their hubs — often at fares below what a nonstop business seat would cost, with a lounge stop that feels like part of the vacation.
Harry Reid International offers comfortable premium and club lounges, including strong contract facilities used by the international carriers, but no flagship First Class lounge. The elevated ground experience begins at your gateway — the Qantas First Lounge at LAX or the Emirates lounges on the coasts — which is another argument for the positioning strategy.
On timing: april and May — tulip season, fittingly, since the flower came from here — and September through early November are ideal: warm light on the water, comfortable sightseeing, and full ferry schedules. July and August are hot and heavily touristed at the major sites. Winter has a moody, tea-and-ferries appeal and the best fares of the year, though pack for rain and real cold.