ISTANBUL- Turkish Airlines (TK) will launch 5 weekly flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Sydney Airport (SYD) from 26 October 2026.
The Airbus A350-900 service forms part of the airline’s existing Istanbul to Sydney route but will now operate via Singapore instead of Kuala Lumpur, allowing passengers to book only the Singapore to Sydney sector under fifth freedom traffic rights.
The new operation strengthens Turkish Airlines’ presence at Singapore Changi Airport while increasing competition on the Singapore to Sydney route.
Tickets and award seats are already available for booking, giving travellers another option between the 2 cities without needing to continue to or from Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines Expands Singapore to Sydney Operations
Turkish Airlines is not introducing a completely new Sydney service. Instead, the airline is changing the transit point on its existing Istanbul to Sydney operation.
Since launching Australian flights in 2024, Turkish Airlines has operated its Sydney service through Kuala Lumpur. From 26 October 2026, Singapore will replace Kuala Lumpur as the intermediate stop, making Changi Airport the airline’s sole transit hub for all Australian services.
Sydney will become Turkish Airlines’ second fifth freedom destination from Singapore, joining its existing Singapore to Melbourne service, which continues to operate three times weekly.
Unlike many international transit flights, passengers will be able to purchase tickets exclusively between Singapore and Sydney without travelling onward to Istanbul because Turkish Airlines has secured the required fifth freedom traffic rights.
As first reported by Mainly Miles, the standalone Singapore to Sydney flights are already available for booking, including one-way and return itineraries.
Why Turkish Airlines Is Changing Route
The decision is primarily driven by commercial efficiency.
Although Turkish Airlines already operates flights between Istanbul and Sydney, the previous routing through Kuala Lumpur limited the airline’s ability to generate additional revenue.
Malaysia has not granted Turkish Airlines fifth freedom rights between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. As a result, only passengers travelling between Istanbul and Sydney could occupy seats on the Kuala Lumpur to Sydney sector. The airline could not sell standalone tickets between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney.
This restriction often resulted in aircraft operating the final sector with unused seats, reducing overall profitability on one of the airline’s longest routes.
Singapore offers a different operating environment.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore permits Turkish Airlines to sell tickets between Singapore and Sydney independently, allowing the carrier to fill seats with local passengers while continuing to carry long-haul travellers between Turkey and Australia.
The change improves aircraft utilisation, increases revenue opportunities, and makes better commercial use of the Airbus A350-900 fleet.
How Fifth Freedom Rights Benefit Travellers
Fifth freedom rights allow an airline to transport passengers between two foreign countries as part of a flight that begins or ends in its home country.
For Turkish Airlines, this means travellers can book flights solely between Singapore and Sydney without travelling to or from Istanbul.
This significantly increases travel options for passengers while introducing additional competition on an already busy international route.
Singapore has historically supported fifth freedom operations because they strengthen Changi Airport’s position as a global aviation hub.
Rather than restricting foreign airlines to protect domestic carriers, Singapore encourages additional international services that improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity.
The policy also benefits Singapore’s own airlines.
Singapore Airlines operates several fifth freedom routes, including Frankfurt to New York, Tokyo to Los Angeles, and Milan to Barcelona. Scoot also operates selected fifth freedom services between Taiwan and Japan.
By supporting reciprocal traffic rights, Singapore helps maintain international access for its own airlines while encouraging foreign carriers to expand through Changi Airport.
Flight Schedule
Turkish Airlines will operate the Singapore to Sydney route 5 times each week using two-class Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
The flights will also receive new flight numbers. The existing TK174 and TK175 services operating via Kuala Lumpur will become TK22 and TK23 once the Singapore routing begins.
Northern Winter 2026 to 2027 Schedule
Effective: 26 October 2026 to 27 March 2027
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Operating Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK22 | Istanbul to Singapore | 15:20 | 06:50 (+1) | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday |
| TK22 | Singapore to Sydney | 08:30 | 19:25 | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| TK23 | Sydney to Singapore | 21:35 | 02:50 (+1) | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| TK23 | Singapore to Istanbul | 04:35 | 11:10 | Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday |
Overall journey time is approximately:
- Istanbul to Singapore: 10 hours 30 minutes
- Singapore to Sydney: 7 hours 55 minutes
- Sydney to Singapore: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Singapore to Istanbul: 11 hours 35 minutes
The complete Istanbul to Sydney journey takes around 20 hours, while the return journey is approximately 21 hours and 40 minutes, including transit time.
Turkish Airlines schedules only around 1 hour and 40 minutes on the ground at Singapore Changi Airport in each direction, while aircraft turnaround time in Sydney is kept below two hours to maximise fleet utilisation.
Northern Summer 2027 Schedule
From 28 March 2027, Turkish Airlines will retain the same routing while making minor timetable adjustments.
The airline will operate TK22 from Istanbul on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, resulting in Singapore to Sydney flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Updated timings are:
| Flight | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul to Singapore | 15:50 | 07:40 (+1) |
| Singapore to Sydney | 09:20 | 19:05 |
| Sydney to Singapore | 21:00 | 03:20 (+1) |
| Singapore to Istanbul | 05:05 | 11:20 |
Although operating days and timings change slightly, Turkish Airlines continues offering five weekly flights throughout the year.
Turkish Airlines Expands Its Singapore Presence
The new Sydney routing significantly increases Turkish Airlines’ operations at Singapore Changi Airport.
From late October 2026, the airline will increase its Singapore schedule from 17 weekly flights to 22 weekly flights.
At the same time, Kuala Lumpur services will reduce from 19 weekly flights to 14 weekly flights following the Sydney rerouting.
Turkish Airlines will continue operating three separate services through Singapore:
- Daily Istanbul to Singapore flights.
- Five weekly Istanbul to Sydney flights via Singapore.
- Three weekly Istanbul to Melbourne flights via Singapore.
The Singapore to Melbourne service remains unchanged and continues operating as TK168 and TK169 using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
This expansion further strengthens Singapore’s role as Turkish Airlines’ primary gateway into Australia while consolidating the airline’s operations through a single Southeast Asian hub.
Competition on the Singapore to Sydney Route
The launch of Turkish Airlines’ standalone Singapore to Sydney service adds another competitor on one of the Asia Pacific region’s busiest international routes.
From November 2026, five airlines will operate nonstop flights between Singapore and Sydney:
- Singapore Airlines
- Qantas
- Scoot
- British Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines becomes the fifth airline serving the route and the second carrier operating under fifth freedom traffic rights after British Airways, which continues its Sydney service as an extension of selected London Heathrow to Singapore flights.
Based on the November 2026 schedule, approximately 67 weekly flights will operate between Singapore and Sydney.
Star Alliance members will account for 33 of those weekly services, comprising 28 Singapore Airlines flights and 5 Turkish Airlines flights.
The additional capacity provides travellers with greater choice while increasing competition across both premium and economy cabins.
Airbus A350-900 Cabin Configurations
Turkish Airlines will operate the Singapore to Sydney route using two-class Airbus A350-900 aircraft. While the aircraft type remains the same, passengers may encounter different cabin layouts depending on the aircraft assigned to the flight.
The airline currently operates three Airbus A350-900 configurations.
| Configuration | Business | Economy | Total Seats | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 32 | 297 | 329 | Original Turkish Airlines configuration. |
| New | 32 | 308 | 340 | Introduced from aircraft TC-LHH onwards with 11 additional Economy seats through galley and lavatory optimisation. |
| Ex-Aeroflot | 28 | 288 | 316 | Retains the original Aeroflot cabin built before delivery was cancelled. |
The standard and new configurations feature Turkish Airlines’ traditional Business Class product with Stelia Symphony seats.
The 6 former Aeroflot aircraft offer a different experience. These aircraft retain Collins Business Suites with sliding privacy doors, while the former Premium Economy cabin is sold as Economy Class.
Passengers travelling in the forward Economy cabin on these aircraft benefit from a wider 2-4-2 seating layout. Further back, the cabin changes to a more conventional 3-3-3 arrangement.
At launch, Turkish Airlines plans to operate the standard Airbus A350-900 configuration on the Singapore to Sydney route. However, aircraft assignments may change because of operational requirements.
Business Class Experience
Business Class on Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 features a 1-2-1 seating layout, providing direct aisle access for every passenger.
The standard configuration uses Stelia Symphony seats, a product also familiar to travellers who have flown Singapore Airlines’ 2018 Regional Business Class.
Passengers travelling on former Aeroflot aircraft receive Collins Business Suites with privacy doors, offering a more enclosed seating environment.
Business Class amenities include:
- Fully flat beds.
- Direct aisle access from every seat.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi.
- An 18-inch inflight entertainment screen.
- USB and power outlets.
- Premium dining service.
- An onboard chef responsible for Business Class meal preparation and presentation.
Turkish Airlines is widely recognised for its inflight catering, making the onboard dining experience one of the airline’s strongest premium offerings.
Economy Class
Economy Class varies slightly depending on the aircraft configuration.
Passengers travelling on standard and new Airbus A350-900 aircraft receive the airline’s regular Economy cabin with modern seating and personal entertainment screens.
Those assigned to an ex-Aeroflot aircraft may find the forward Economy section particularly attractive because it retains the original 2-4-2 seating layout from the former Premium Economy cabin, offering more personal space than the standard 3-3-3 arrangement located further behind.
Although aircraft substitutions remain possible, the Airbus A350 provides a more modern passenger experience than some of Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which continue to feature an older 2-3-2 Business Class layout.
Sydney to Singapore Arrival Timing
One aspect of the schedule that may not appeal to all travellers is the arrival time into Singapore.
During the Northern Winter 2026 schedule, flight TK23 arrives at Singapore Changi Airport at 2:50 AM. From the Northern Summer 2027 schedule, the arrival shifts slightly later to 3:20 AM.
The overnight arrival allows passengers departing Sydney to spend almost an entire final day in Australia before heading to the airport during the evening.
However, travellers ending their journey in Singapore may find the arrival inconvenient.
Public transport options are limited during the early morning hours, while hotel guests may need to reserve accommodation from the previous night if immediate check-in is required.
The outbound service offers a more convenient schedule.
Flight TK22 departs Singapore at 8:30 AM during the Northern Winter schedule and arrives in Sydney at 7:25 PM, allowing passengers to reach the city in time for the evening.
Lounge Access
Turkish Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at Singapore Changi Airport.
Eligible passengers receive complimentary access to the SATS Premier Lounge, a third party facility that operates 24 hours a day, making it suitable for the airline’s early morning departures and overnight arrivals.
Although there are currently no Star Alliance-operated lounges in Terminal 1 following the permanent closure of the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge, eligible passengers can travel by SkyTrain to other terminals.
Business Class passengers may access the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, with the Terminal 3 lounge generally offering the more premium experience.
Star Alliance Gold members travelling in Economy Class may use the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge located in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.
Passengers connecting between Turkey and Australia should consider their available transit time before changing terminals, as Turkish Airlines schedules only around 1 hour and 40 minutes on the ground in Singapore.
At Sydney Airport, eligible passengers receive access to the Air New Zealand Lounge. Business Class passengers may also use the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge until 7:00 PM, subject to operating hours.
Award Redemption Options
Award seats on the new Singapore to Sydney flights are already available through Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partner programmes.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members can redeem miles on Turkish Airlines flights, although redemption rates are generally higher than Saver awards on Singapore Airlines when available.
KrisFlyer One-Way Redemption Comparison
| Cabin | Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance Award) | Singapore Airlines Saver | Singapore Airlines Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 37,000 miles | 29,000 miles | 60,500 miles |
| Premium Economy | Not Available | 53,500 miles | Not Available |
| Business | 90,000 miles | 72,000 miles | 103,500 miles |
| First Class | Not Available | 98,000 miles | 178,500 miles |
Turkish Airlines awards become more attractive when Singapore Airlines Saver seats are unavailable and only Advantage awards remain.
Passengers should also consider carrier surcharges.
Approximate one-way taxes and surcharges include:
| Cabin | Turkish Airlines | Singapore Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Around S$310 | Around S$107 |
| Business | Around S$400 | Around S$107 |
While Turkish Airlines requires more cash alongside the redemption, travellers may still find value when award availability on Singapore Airlines is limited.
Miles&Smiles Redemptions
Members of Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles programme receive more competitive redemption pricing.
One-way award rates include:
- Economy Class: 34,000 miles
- Business Class: 66,000 miles
Taxes and surcharges remain lower than KrisFlyer partner awards but are still relatively high.
Typical charges are approximately:
- Economy Class: S$270
- Business Class: S$360
Travellers based in Singapore can also transfer eligible reward points from Citi and HSBC credit cards into the Miles&Smiles programme, providing another redemption option.
Long-Term Plans for Australia
The Singapore stop is expected to be an interim solution rather than a permanent operating model.
Turkish Airlines has repeatedly stated that its long-term objective is to operate nonstop flights between Istanbul and Australia.
The airline plans to introduce the Airbus A350-1000, which will feature a premium-focused configuration including 66 Crystal Business Class Suites.
Nonstop Istanbul to Sydney flights are currently expected to begin in late 2027, following a delay from the airline’s earlier target of late 2026.
Melbourne is expected to receive nonstop services sometime during 2028.
The air services agreement between Australia and Türkiye allows up to 35 weekly flights, providing Turkish Airlines with significant room for future expansion.
The airline has also identified Perth and Brisbane as potential future destinations once additional long-range aircraft become available.
Turkish Airlines has also expressed interest in launching services to Auckland, potentially via Singapore, although no formal schedule has been announced.
The airline’s long-term strategy remains focused on reducing travel time between Europe and Australia by replacing today’s two-stop journeys with nonstop services.
Bottom Line
Turkish Airlines will reroute its Istanbul to Sydney service through Singapore from 26 October 2026, introducing five weekly fifth freedom flights between Singapore and Sydney using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
The move allows passengers to purchase standalone tickets between Singapore and Sydney, significantly improving aircraft utilisation while strengthening Turkish Airlines’ presence at Singapore Changi Airport.
It also increases competition on the route by becoming the fifth airline serving the city pair and the second to operate under fifth freedom rights.
Passengers can expect modern Airbus A350 cabins, multiple Business Class configurations, Star Alliance lounge access, and award redemption options through both KrisFlyer and Miles&Smiles.
Although the early morning arrival into Singapore may not suit every traveller, the new service offers additional flexibility and expands travel choices between Southeast Asia and Australia.
Looking ahead, the Singapore routing is expected to remain a transitional arrangement until Turkish Airlines introduces nonstop Airbus A350-1000 flights between Istanbul and Australia, paving the way for further expansion across the region.
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