ISTANBUL- Turkish Airlines (TK) has announced the expansion of its London footprint with a new route. The airline will connect Istanbul Airport (IST) to London Stansted Airport (STN), starting from March 18, 2026.
The addition is part of the airline’s aim to solidify Turkish Airlines’ role as a key connector between Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Turkish Airlines London Stansted Flight
Turkish Airlines will operate the Istanbul–Stansted service multiple times daily, using the fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo. In total, the airline plans to operate 10 weekly flights.
Here is the flight schedule for the new route:
Outbound: Istanbul → London Stansted
- TK1241: Departure from Istanbul at 08:45 am. Arrival in Stansted at 09:40 am local time. Flights on every Mon, Wed, and Sat.
- TK1243: Departure from Istanbul at 15:15. Arrival in Stansted at 16:20 local time. Flights on every Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sun.
- TK1245: Departure from Istanbul at 21:10. Arrival in Stansted at 22:15 local time. Flights on every Tue, Thu, and Sat.
Inbound: London Stansted → Istanbul
- TK1246: Departure from Stansted at 06:40 am. Arrival in Istanbul at 13:40 local time. Flights on every Wed, Fri, and Sun.
- TK1242: Departure from Stansted at 10:50 am. Arrival in Istanbul at 17:50 local time. Flights on every Mon, Wed, and Sat.
- TK1244: Departure from Stansted at 17:20. Arrival in Istanbul at 00:20 am (+1) local time. Flights on every Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sun.
This robust schedule provides travelers with various options for morning, afternoon, and evening departures. This will help Turkish cater to business, leisure, and connecting passengers.
TK’s Third London Airport
This new service will make Stansted the third London airport to be served by the airline, joining its existing operations at Heathrow and Gatwick. The Stansted service is part of Turkish Airlines’ recent global growth plans.
The carrier announced plans to add 14 new international destinations and double its fleet and passenger numbers by 2033.
Turkish Airlines’ route expansion is backed by a modernized aircraft and strategic alliances. The airline is also targeting to achieve a revenue growth beyond $50 billion. The Istanbul–London corridor is among the busiest in Europe, but service at secondary airports like Stansted remains limited.
Turkish Airlines’ entry adds much-needed capacity and offers better connectivity for travelers flying beyond Istanbul to destinations across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The route also reflects the airline’s intent to serve a cross-section of secondary airports in the London region.
While Heathrow is focused on serving premium travelers, these secondary airports mostly target students and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) passengers.
A Strategic Expansion into the UK
The airline’s decision to add London Stansted to its UK network indicates a surge in post-pandemic travel demand. There is increased capacity planning by airlines to London, especially Heathrow.
London remains one of the busiest international markets for Turkish Airlines. The addition of Stansted, which is located northeast of Central London, is popular for its easy accessibility. The airport will offer flexibility and add another option for passengers from northeast localities.
With over 64 million passengers handled at Istanbul Airport in 2023 and a further 15% growth in international traffic during 2024, Istanbul has become a central hub for east-west travel.
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