Turkish Airlines has launched its longest flight to date with the introduction of its new route between Istanbul and Sydney. The inaugural flight, which landed on November 29th, marks a major milestone as the airline expands to its second Australian destination, following its Melbourne launch in March 2024. With this addition, Turkish Airlines now serves 351 destinations across six continents.
The route will operate four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, using the airline’s new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering 32 flatbed business class seats and 297 economy recliners. The 19-hour, 9,300-mile flight aims to strengthen ties between Türkiye and Australia, boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi said “This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines, longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network. The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul.”
New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, called the launch a “landmark moment,” highlighting its economic potential, including job creation and growth in the tourism sector. Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton also emphasized the added connectivity and competition the new route brings to the market.
Special launch fares are available, with tickets from Sydney to Istanbul priced at 1489 AUD, and from Istanbul to Sydney at 999 USD. These rates are valid for travel from November 28, 2024, to June 20, 2025, with ticketing available until December 31, 2024.
The new service is expected to generate A$53 million for New South Wales’ visitor economy and support 290 jobs.
