SYDNEY- Turkish Airlines (TK) plans to launch nonstop flights between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), a service that would become the carrier’s longest route ever flown. The airline shared the plan exclusively with Simple Flying, confirming it intends to operate the route with specially equipped aircraft next year.
The route would rely on the Airbus A350-1000ULR, the same jet now facing a fresh delay. Qantas (QF), the launch customer for the type, has already pushed back its Project Sunrise program, which is set to connect Sydney with both New York and London.
Turkish Airlines Istanbul to Sydney Flights
Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker, detailed the plan in a wide-ranging interview with Simple Flying during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting in Rio De Janeiro on Saturday.
The proposed flight between the carrier’s hub at Istanbul Airport and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport would span nearly 9,300 miles and take up to 19 hours.
The airline already operates the smaller A350-900 variant and placed an order for 15 examples of the larger -1000 in 2023.
According to Şeker, eight of those airframes will be ULR jets, though the details have not yet been finalized. The chairman acknowledged that an Istanbul-Sydney launch faces “a challenge on the business side,” even as the airline’s ambitions stay firm.
“Operational side, we don’t have a challenge. We have a challenge on the business side with the A350-1000s, which are going to be specially designed for that ultra-long distance. We have agreed with Airbus on the design, but the economics of the aircraft in the long-haul…pax, plus the cargo… There are some still some discussions going on with Airbus on that regard – the weight of the aircraft and the fuel necessary…whether it needs to make a stop or not. But we want this nonstop, right? So there is still work in progress.”
Certification Timeline Shapes The Launch Plan
The first -1000 is expected to arrive in July of next year, with the third airframe delivered by the end of 2027. That timeline depends on certification of the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) increase, which is currently ongoing.
The airline expects to launch the Istanbul-Sydney service by the end of next year, following certification.
“By the end of ’27, we will start direct flights with this spatially designed A350-1000 aircraft,” Şeker said.
More Premium Suites And A New In-House Seat
The -1000ULRs will carry more business class seats than the standard versions. Şeker explained that the ULRs will be equipped with 66 business class suites, while the non-ULRs will comprise 48 suites. The added premium capacity is part of a broader initiative that also addresses premium economy seats.
Citing passenger feedback and the carrier’s shift toward “longer hours” of flying, Şeker confirmed that an in-house business class seat, developed by its subsidiary TCI Aircraft Interiors, is in the works.
The new suites will be enclosed with a door, offering “a complete privacy experience.” Although the product’s approval and authorization are taking some time, Şeker said the airline will “very likely” receive its first aircraft with the new seat by next year.
The plan calls for all future widebodies to arrive with the product starting in 2028, and retrofits are also planned for the airline’s older Boeing 777-300ERs.
Three New US Routes and More Frequency
The Istanbul-Sydney plan highlights a key constraint on Turkish Airlines’ network growth. The carrier has been unable to add more markets due to aircraft availability, according to Şeker.
With new planes on the way, the chairman said US markets are being actively reviewed, whether through added frequencies or service to all-new destinations.
“Our bigger priority will be to increase the depth of the market in our existing destinations to put more frequencies in Miami, LA, Chicago, but we’re also looking into new cities like Orlando, Minneapolis,” he explained. “For a while, we look into it, so there might be a few more destinations, new cities that we might get engaged in. Philadelphia – another one that we have been looking into.”
An Internal Transformation Boosts Customer Scores
Alongside its long-haul push, Şeker shared that the airline has been working on an internal transformation. At the start of the year, the carrier revised its catering offerings and introduced a new cabin program for crew members to improve passenger experience and engagement. The change has lifted the airline’s Net Promoter Score (NPS).
“Our NPS score has improved significantly since the beginning of the year, so our customers, especially new customers attending this year due to the conflict in the region, are being welcomed with our new crew experience,” he explained.
In the meantime, the airline will focus on improving its lounge experience, inflight WiFi, and continued growth in Istanbul before the new aircraft arrive.
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