ISTANBUL- The renowned Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines (TK) is all set to formally announce the commencement of direct flights connecting Australia and Istanbul.
The airline’s Chairman, Ahmet Bolat, is expected to reveal the official start date and schedule for the Istanbul (IST)-Melbourne (MEL) flights during a ‘gala dinner event’ at Melbourne’s Crown Towers this week.
Turkish Airlines to Start Flights to Australia
The highly-anticipated inaugural flight is scheduled to take off from Melbourne in December. Subsequently, with plans to extend services to Sydney as well potentially. Turkish Airlines is eyeing three weekly flights initially, with a stopover in Singapore en route to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines intends to deploy Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 aircraft on the Istanbul-Australia route. These planes boast around 30 flatbed business class seats, designed similarly to Singapore Airlines (SQ) ‘regional business class.’
While the initial flights will include a stopover, Chairman Ahmet Bolat envisions a future with non-stop daily flights between Istanbul, Sydney, and Melbourne. Turkish Airlines aims to achieve this by acquiring new-generation ultra-long-range jets from Airbus or Boeing.
With the airline already catering to a significant number of passengers from Australia through codeshare agreements, the direct flights are expected to unlock the untapped potential for Turkish Airlines to expand its network across Europe, the UK, and Africa, offering convenient connections through its Istanbul hub.
Istanbul Airport’s Unique Stopover Packages
Turkish Airlines presents two enticing stopover packages for passengers with stopovers at the impressive Istanbul Airport.
Travelers can choose between eight city tours or a more comprehensive ‘Stopover in Istanbul’ program that includes a complimentary stay of up to two nights in a luxurious five-star hotel.
Turkish Airlines is well-regarded among business-class travelers, who relish “restaurant-quality” gourmet meals prepared by the airline’s talented Flying Chefs.
The business class cabins feature a 1-2-1 seat configuration for enhanced privacy, direct aisle access, an 18-inch video screen, and free inflight WiFi.
Miles & Smiles Program
At the Istanbul Airport hub, Turkish Airlines boasts two splendid lounges. One is dedicated to business class travelers, while the other caters to frequent flyers holding Elite and Elite Plus status in Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles program and Star Alliance Gold equivalents.
Top-tier frequent flyers from partner airlines such as Qantas (QF), Emirates (EK), Etihad Airways (EY), and any member of the Oneworld and SkyTeam alliances can apply for a Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles status match.
This offers up to 12 months as a Miles&Smiles Elite tier member. Subsequently, unlocking various practical perks like lounge access, higher checked luggage allowance, and the use of priority lanes at Istanbul Airport.
With exciting new routes and premium services, Turkish Airlines is ready to make its mark in Australia’s aviation landscape.
Stay tuned for this week’s official announcement. Further, prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey with one of the world’s leading airlines.
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