Turkish Airlines started the longest long-haul route: Istanbul – Sydney with A350

Turkish Airlines, the airline with the largest network in the world, has ushered in a new era with the launch of flights to Sydney. On November 29, 2024, Turkish Airlines landed in Sydney for the first time, marking a significant milestone: after Melbourne, Sydney is now the second Australian city in the airline’s global network, joining an impressive 351 destinations on six continents.

The new flights between Istanbul and Sydney will be operated using the modern Airbus A350-900 fleet, which is specifically designed for long-haul flights. With 32 full-size flat-bed seats in business class and 297 adjustable economy seats, Turkish Airlines offers the highest level of comfort for passengers. The route, which operates four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, covers a distance of 14,900 kilometers and a flight time of 19 hours. The new connection will not only deepen economic and cultural ties between Turkey and Australia, but also promote tourism and trade between the two countries. At the same time, Australian travelers benefit from Turkish Airlines’ world-renowned services and gain access to an extensive global route network that brings the world closer to them.

From Melbourne to Sydney – A success story

Following the launch of Turkish Airlines’ first flight from Melbourne in March this year, Sydney becomes the second Australian city in the airline’s ever-expanding route network. The inaugural flight paves the way for future plans to introduce direct non-stop services from Sydney to Istanbul, fundamentally transforming travel between these two iconic destinations.

Upon the arrival of the first aircraft in Sydney, Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, stated: “This significant milestone marks the longest flight route in Turkish Airlines history, and we are proud to add our second Australian city to our network.” With this The first flight from Istanbul to Sydney underlines our commitment to connecting travelers worldwide and creating a seamless bridge between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality that Turkish Airlines is known for. We look forward to further expanding our offering with the first non-stop flights between Sydney and Istanbul soon.”

New South Wales Jobs and Tourism Minister John Graham highlighted the importance of the connection: “The arrival of Turkish Airlines in Sydney is a milestone for air transport and provides a high-quality connection to Europe.” increase in visitor numbers to Sydney. This exciting project was made possible with the support of the Minn government, which is committed to creating jobs and promoting growth in tourism. More passengers means more economic opportunities for our regions.”

Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, added: “We are proud to welcome Turkish Airlines to Sydney.” This new connection strengthens our international route network and offers travelers via Istanbul more opportunities to explore Europe and beyond. “Turkish Airlines not only brings more competition to the market, but also serves strong demand – after all, there are over 15,000 Turkish Australians living in New South Wales and Turkey is a popular destination for Australian travellers.”

A growing market with global significance

As well as strengthening ties between Turkey and Australia, the new link will bring an estimated €33 million into New South Wales tourism and create around 290 new jobs.

Sydney, Australia’s largest city and an international hub for business, tourism and culture, offers unforgettable experiences with highlights such as the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. With Turkish Airlines, travelers from around the world can now experience Sydney in ultimate comfort, while Australian passengers can more easily use the airline’s global network.

Source: PM TK