On November 28, Turkish Airlines launched its new longest route, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion. The inaugural flight, TK174, departed from Istanbul at 14:01 local time, bound for Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. This new route connects Istanbul to Sydney and replaces the airline’s previous Istanbul-Singapore-Melbourne route, both in terms of distance and travel time.
The first two round-trip flights will be operated by Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER, with the flagship aircraft, TC-LJK, taking the honor of the first departure. This aircraft, the youngest 777-300ER in the fleet, boasts a regular layout and is the ideal choice to accommodate dignitaries, media, and other special guests onboard. Following the initial flights, the airline will switch to the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 for future services on this route.
Covering an impressive 8,082 nautical miles (14,968 kilometers) each way, the flight between Istanbul and Sydney is now Turkish Airlines’ longest, both in terms of distance and block time, with the maximum flight duration reaching up to 21 hours and 35 minutes. This new service not only strengthens Turkish Airlines’ presence in the Asia-Pacific region but also enhances connectivity between Istanbul and one of Australia’s most vibrant cities.
With this addition, Turkish Airlines now operates flights to 49 airports across Asia-Pacific, and when including the Middle East, the airline serves 73 destinations. The expansion continues as Turkish Airlines is expected to add Phnom Penh to its network in the coming year, making it their 50th destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
For Turkish Airlines, the launch of this longest route is another testament to the airline’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global reach and offering passengers more options to connect with the world. Whether for business, leisure, or cultural exchange, Turkish Airlines is poised to continue offering exceptional service on this new, exciting route to Sydney, further cementing its status as one of the leading international airlines.
