Turkish Airlines has marked a historic milestone with the launch of its longest-ever flight, connecting Istanbul to Sydney. The inaugural flight landed on 29 November 2024, making Sydney the airline’s second Australian destination after Melbourne, further expanding its global reach to 351 destinations across six continents.
Operating four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, the Istanbul–Sydney service covers a distance of 9,300 miles with a travel time of 19 hours. Passengers will enjoy the airline’s renowned hospitality aboard the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring 32 flatbed seats in business class and 297 comfortable recliners in economy.
This new route strengthens ties between Türkiye and Australia, fostering tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. It also offers Australian travellers seamless access to Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network, opening doors to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Expanding Australian horizons
Following the launch of flights to Melbourne earlier this year, Sydney represents Turkish Airlines’ growing commitment to Australia. Plans are already underway to introduce direct, non-stop flights from Sydney to Istanbul by 2026, transforming travel between these two iconic destinations.
Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi expressed pride in the new route: “This is a momentous occasion as we add Sydney to our network. With this milestone, we’re connecting more travellers globally with the comfort and hospitality Turkish Airlines is known for.”
Boosting local tourism and economy
The new route arrives with support from the Minns Government, underscoring the importance of international connectivity to New South Wales. Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, highlighted the economic benefits, stating: “This exciting new route will boost visitor numbers to Sydney, creating jobs and driving economic growth across NSW.”
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton added: “Turkish Airlines brings increased competition to the market and greater connectivity to Europe and beyond. With Türkiye being a popular destination for Australians and a strong Turkish community in New South Wales, we expect this route to see strong demand.”
Special launch fares
To celebrate the new route, Turkish Airlines is offering special fares starting at AUD 1,489 for Sydney to Istanbul flights. Tickets must be booked by 31 December 2024 for travel between 28 November 2024 and 20 June 2025.
