Turkish Airlines Launches Longest Flight with New Sydney Route

Turkish Airlines has officially launched its new service connecting Istanbul to Sydney, marking the airline’s longest-ever flight route. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, landed at Sydney Airport (SYD) on November 29, 2024, shortly before 18:20, with Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi onboard. This historic flight highlights the airline’s commitment to expanding its network and improving connectivity between Europe and Australia.

The new route began on November 28, 2024, from Istanbul Airport (IST), with the aircraft making a stopover in Kuala Lumpur after almost 10 hours of flying. After a brief layover of less than an hour, the Boeing 777 continued for the final eight-hour journey to Sydney. Upon arrival, the aircraft was warmly welcomed by Sydney Airport officials, marking a major milestone for both the airline and the Australian aviation industry.

“This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines’ longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network,” said Bilal Ekşi, the CEO of Turkish Airlines, during the landing ceremony. He emphasized the airline’s dedication to providing seamless connections for travelers between Europe and Australia, combined with the airline’s renowned comfort and hospitality.

Initially, Turkish Airlines will operate four weekly direct flights from Sydney to Istanbul with a stop in Kuala Lumpur. Starting in June 2025, the airline plans to increase the frequency to five services per week. Furthermore, from 2026, Turkish Airlines will introduce a non-stop service from Istanbul to Sydney using its new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, further enhancing the travel experience with a modern fleet capable of making the journey without the need for stopovers.

“Our goal is to further expand our offerings with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul, once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap,” Ekşi added. This non-stop service will not only make travel more convenient but will also strengthen the airline’s position in the growing Australia-Europe travel market.

Following the successful launch of Turkish Airlines’ first flight to Melbourne in March 2024, Sydney becomes the second Australian city added to the airline’s network, reflecting the increasing demand for connections between Australia and Europe.

Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, also expressed pride in the new addition, stating, “We’re proud to welcome Turkish Airlines as our 50th airline partner. This inaugural flight strengthens our international network, offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond, through Turkish Airlines’ extensive hub in Istanbul.”

With this new route, Turkish Airlines is set to play a crucial role in connecting passengers between two major continents, offering them enhanced options for travel and greater accessibility to some of the world’s most popular destinations.

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