Turkish Airlines Makes Historic Sydney Debut with Longest Flight

Last Friday, November 29, Turkish Airlines celebrated a monumental milestone by landing in Sydney for the first time. This marked the launch of its longest flight and expanded its global network to 351 destinations across six continents. I had the privilege of attending the exclusive launch event at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney for the “Connect to Türkiye” celebration.

A New Gateway to the World

The new route, operated with the airline’s modern Airbus A350-900, will provide travellers with a comfortable experience featuring 32 flatbed seats in business class and 297 recliners in economy class. The flights will run four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, covering a 9,300-mile journey in approximately 19 hours. This expansion will strengthen ties between Türkiye and Australia, boosting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange and offering Australian travellers access to Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network.

A Significant Milestone

Following the launch of Turkish Airlines’ first flight from Melbourne in March this year, Sydney became the second Australian city added to the airline’s network. The inaugural flight is just the beginning, with future plans to introduce direct, non-stop services from Sydney to Istanbul, revolutionising travel between these two iconic destinations.

Celebrating the Arrival

Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi expressed his satisfaction and 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.”

Boosting Tourism and Economy

New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, The Hon. John Graham, highlighted the economic benefits: “Turkish Airlines’ arrival in Sydney is a landmark moment that offers a new high-quality option for local travellers to Europe and a boost in visitor numbers to Sydney. We are backing our airports to increase capacity and bring more visitors to NSW, creating jobs and economic growth in our tourism destinations across the state.”

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton added: “This new service strengthens Sydney’s already strong international network, offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond through Turkish Airlines’ extensive hub in Istanbul.”

Flight Schedule

Istanbul – Sydney Flight Schedule:

Special launch prices for Turkish Airlines’ Sydney to Istanbul flights are 1489 AUD, and 999 USD for Istanbul to Sydney flights. These prices are valid for tickets purchased by December 31, 2024, for travel between November 28, 2024, and June 20, 2025.

A Bright Future

As Australia’s largest city and New South Wales’s capital, Sydney is a major global hub for business, tourism, and the arts. Home to landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the city offers a unique and iconic experience for visitors. With Turkish Airlines’ new route, travellers can now enjoy Sydney with unparalleled comfort and hospitality while Australian guests can explore the world more conveniently.

This launch marks a significant chapter in Turkish Airlines’ history. It promises to enhance the travel experience and foster stronger connections between continents. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as Turkish Airlines continues to expand its horizons.

Are you ready to embark on this new journey with Turkish Airlines? Explore the world like never before!