Earlier this week, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the U.S. and the Netherlands have created a reciprocal pilot program for citizens that would allow U.S. and Dutch citizens over 14 years of age to enroll in similar programs using both Global Entry and its Dutch equivalent, Privium. Through the Fast Low-Risk Universal Crossing (FLUX) program, U.S. and Dutch citizens can now complete enrollment process at select destinations through June, including: April 5 to 23 at Dulles International Airport and Houston Intercontinental Airport; April 26 to May 14 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport; and April 19 to June 30 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

These temporary joint-enrollment centers are the first outside of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to give travelers the opportunity to apply for both Global Entry and Privium programs, including interviews with both the Royal Dutch Marechaussee and a CBP officer. Ally Miola

That’s why the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released a statement this week to simplify the process for everyone. Essentially, if the electronic is the size of a laptop or larger, take it out of your bag. This includes items like Xbox players, full-sized DVD players and video cameras that use video cassettes. Anything smaller should be acceptable in your bag; however more cluttered bags may require additional screening, so keep that in mind when packing. Of course, for speed demons looking to breeze through security, a laptop “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag is your best bet. AM

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I checked in for first class at Turkish Airlines’ business-class counter a couple of hours before this 4:30 p.m. flight. There was no line, and the friendly check-in agent asked if I wanted a window or an aisle seat, explaining that window seats (suites, actually) were singles. After choosing a window seat, I zipped through the fast-track security line, which was a short walk from the first-class lounge that Turkish Airlines shares with Korean Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

I secured the Wi-Fi password from the lounge’s front desk attendant, and settled into a window-side chair in the small, but comfortable and quiet room. Snacks, including cookies, nuts, cheese and crackers, chocolate croissants and other pastries, as well as a range of drinks, were available for self-service. I enjoyed a glass of wine with cheese and crackers while catching up on last-minute e-mails. When boarding was displayed, we headed for the nearby gate.

BOARDING
There was no line for boarding, and Turkish music swirled throughout the cabin as I was shown to my suite and offered warm towels and a choice of orange juice, Champagne or water. Warm nuts were served in bowls with colorful Turkish motifs, and flight attendants distributed Bose noise-canceling headphones, amenity kits with Bulgari body products (hand lotion, perfume and lip balm), plus socks, an eye mask, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste and a hairbrush. Black pajamas with pink trim, along with slippers and a sachet of potpourri, topped the footstool opposite my seat.

SEAT COMFORT
Just as the agent had told me, seating was in a 1-2-1 configuration on the B777-300ER (one of several aircraft Turkish Airlines is leasing from Jet Airways), and I was very happy with my suite, which measured about 26 square feet, with a 90-inch seat pitch. To my seat’s right were three windows, compartments for storage, and the tabletop, which tucked into the wall. On my left, the suite’s sliding door was next to a personal closet, where a flight attendant hung my coat. Facing me was the footstool, which could also be used as a seat for a colleague, and above it, a 23-inch flat screen. I had wondered if I would feel claustrophobic with the suite’s doors closed, but I liked the feeling of privacy and could still see glimpses of the cabin through the slats in the door and overhead.

Lights that resembled a starry night lit the cabin’s ceiling at night. Fully-flat seats adjusted easily with the touch of a button, and also offered a massage function. I charged my laptop with the universal power outlet tucked away in one of the seat’s storage compartments, and when I tired of work, the AVOD entertainment system featured 30 movies, 40 TV series, 17 games, and 250 CDs.

THE FLIGHT
After takeoff, I was offered a choice of a warm or a cold towel, then drinks and canapés. I decided to try a Turkish Karma Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and the entrée of herbed guinea fowl with pappardelle, fresh herbs and grilled asparagus. Other main courses were equally enticing: swordfish brochette, grilled lamb chops and mushroom ravioli. But first, flight attendants opened the enormous table to my right and set it with a white linen tablecloth and napkins, real silverware, a basket with many warm breads, butter, olive oil flavored with lemon, salt and pepper, and a rose wrapped with baby’s breath.

A creamy tomato soup was served, warm and delicious and topped with olive bruschetta croutons. Next came a delectable parade of hors d’oeuvres, including shrimp in puff pastry shells, smoked salmon with grilled zucchini, Turkish-style haricot beans, yogurt with cucumbers, seafood salad of scallops with sliced peppers, onions and dill, zucchini and eggplant salad, and chicken Caesar salad.

Following the main course, cheese, fresh fruit and sweets, including chocolate tart, apple strudel, green tea parfait, and petits fours were offered. Before landing and throughout the flight, passengers could also order fresh juices, energizer smoothies, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, and a selection of cheese and cold cuts. After the sumptuous meal, I reclined the seat, and a flight attendant made up the bed for me with a light mattress, duvet and two pillows. I slept for a few hours, and when I woke, warm towels were being offered before breakfast service, which consisted of cold cuts, warm breads, cheeses and fresh fruit with a potent cup of coffee, then chocolates. Warm towels were offered again after breakfast, and throughout the flight, the cabin crew was warm and attentive, offering refills and asking if I needed anything.

ARRIVAL
We arrived in Istanbul at about9:45 a.m., having made good time despite being significantly delayed out of JFK. The JFK check-in attendant had given me a fast-track pass, which enabled me to speed through Istanbul customs. I didn’t have to wait long for my luggage, and I was on my way to the city within minutes.

VERDICT
Superior attention to detail was the hallmark of this Turkish Airlines first-class flight. The veritable cavalcade of food, flavors and other cultural accents gave me a sense of being in Turkey before I arrived and were a wonderful introduction to the country. The food service was extraordinary in its variety and quality, and service overall was consistently friendly and thoughtful. The lie-flat seats allowed for sufficient rest on the flight, so that I arrived ready for the day. This meshed with the spaciousness of the first-class product to imbue the whole experience with a sense of luxury, yet all the practical elements for working were also in place.

— Eva Leonard