Turkish Airlines has announced plans to significantly upscale its service from Sydney to Istanbul, with flights set to become daily by early 2026 on their Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This expansion marks a pivotal growth in the airline's commitment to enhancing connectivity between Australia and Europe, leveraging the strategic stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The decision to increase flight frequency comes less than three months after Turkish Airlines initiated its service to Sydney, heralding the route as a vital addition to their global network. The airline's inaugural flight to Sydney from Istanbul, which commenced on November 28, 2024, was initially scheduled for four times weekly through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). The route has since seen a progressive increase in service frequency, with plans to scale up to five flights a week by mid-June 2025, six by the end of October 2025, and ultimately, daily by January 12, 2026.
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The choice of the Airbus A350-900 for this long-haul route underscores Turkish Airlines' commitment to passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Known for its advanced technology, fuel efficiency, and passenger amenities, the A350-900 offers 32 fully flatbed seats in business class and 297 reclining seats in economy, providing a comfortable journey for all passengers over the 9,300-mile flight path, which takes approximately 19 hours including the stopover in Kuala Lumpur. This strategic route enhancement not only benefits travelers by offering more flexible travel options but also positions Kuala Lumpur as an increasingly significant transit hub in Southeast Asia. The stopover allows the aircraft to refuel, which is necessary for the current configuration of the A350-900, although future modifications or newer models like the A350-1000 are expected to enable non-stop flights between Istanbul and Sydney.
The increase in daily flights is driven by robust passenger demand, reflecting both the allure of Istanbul as a destination and a gateway to Europe and the growing economic and cultural ties between Australia and Turkey. This expansion is part of Turkish Airlines' broader strategy to connect more countries than any other airline, providing seamless travel experiences to passengers from various global regions. Furthermore, the move to daily service is expected to have a positive economic impact in New South Wales (NSW), with projections of an additional 68,620 inbound seats to Sydney Airport in the first year alone. This increase in traffic supports local jobs and boosts the visitor economy, estimated to generate around $53 million.
Turkish Airlines' expansion also comes at a time when global aviation is seeing a resurgence, with airlines worldwide looking to expand their networks post-pandemic. For Turkish Airlines, this route not only strengthens its presence in the Australasian market but also enhances its competitive edge in offering one of the most extensive networks from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region. Looking ahead, Turkish Airlines has expressed intentions to eventually introduce non-stop flights from Sydney to Istanbul with the upcoming A350-1000, which would shorten the journey time significantly. However, this is slated for a later timeline, with the current focus on increasing the frequency of flights to cater to the immediate demand. This commitment to growth and service enhancement reflects Turkish Airlines' vision of not just connecting cities but cultures, fostering global travel with an emphasis on comfort, convenience, and connectivity.