Flying Los Angeles → Istanbul at the front of the plane
Booked well, Los Angeles to Istanbul in First Class is not an indulgence so much as arithmetic: a flat bed out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), hours of genuine sleep, and a first day in Istanbul you don't lose to recovery.
British Airways First sets the tone here, though British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and Qatar Airways each bring serious hardware to this market. Your choice usually comes down to schedule, aircraft, and which ground experience you value most.
The Qantas First Lounge at the Tom Bradley International Terminal is LAX's crown jewel — à la carte dining and a proper salon before departure, open to First travelers on Qantas and select partners. Emirates operates its own lounge at LAX, and other flagships use elevated partner facilities within the terminal.
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.