Founded: 1933
Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Main hub: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey and flies to more countries than any other airline in the world. From its vast hub at Istanbul Airport, it connects Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, and it is consistently praised for its onboard catering and service. Here is a profile of the airline.
A brief history of Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933 as a small state airline with just five aircraft. For decades it was mainly a domestic and regional carrier, but from the 2000s it embarked on rapid expansion, turning Istanbul into one of the world’s great connecting hubs. It joined Star Alliance in 2008, alongside partners such as Lufthansa, United and Singapore Airlines.
The fleet
Turkish Airlines operates one of the largest fleets in Europe. Long-haul routes are flown by Airbus A350s and A330s and Boeing 777s and 787 Dreamliners, while Airbus A321neos and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft serve shorter routes. Its subsidiary AJet operates low-cost flights, mainly from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Network and onboard service
The airline serves more than 300 destinations in over 120 countries. Even in economy, passengers on most flights receive a meal, and long-haul flights feature cooked-to-order dishes prepared by onboard chefs in business class. Istanbul Airport, which opened in 2018, is one of the largest airports in the world. The airline’s loyalty programme is called Miles&Smiles.
Safety
Turkish Airlines operates to international safety standards, with trained crews and a young, modern fleet.
Turkish Airlines and Israel
For many years, Turkish Airlines was one of the most popular foreign airlines among Israeli travellers, offering cheap connections to destinations around the world via Istanbul. However, the airline suspended its flights to Israel following the outbreak of war in October 2023, and political tensions between the two countries have kept them suspended for a long period – see Turkish Airlines halts Israel flights. Check the latest news before planning any trip that involves the airline.
Tips for flying Turkish Airlines
- Use long layovers: passengers with a long connection in Istanbul may be eligible for free city tours through the airline’s Touristanbul programme.
- Allow time to connect: Istanbul Airport is enormous, so leave enough time between flights.
- Check the airport: make sure you know whether your flight uses Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).
Planning a stop in the city? Check Istanbul weather by month. Looking for other ways to connect from Israel? Compare our profiles of Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates.
