Turkish Airlines

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Turkey’s flag carrier and a global network airline headquartered in Istanbul.

Last updated October 29, 2026

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First read: Nov 4, 2026
Latest read: Nov 4, 2026

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Overview

Turkish Airlines, legally Türk Hava Yolları Anonim Ortaklığı, is the flag carrier of Turkey and one of the world’s most geographically extensive network airlines. It was established by the Turkish state in 1933 as Turkish State Airlines, initially operating a very small fleet on domestic routes. International flying began in 1947 with services linking Ankara, Istanbul and Athens, followed by expansion into the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. The company adopted its modern Turkish corporate name in 1956 and gradually developed from a primarily domestic operator into Turkey’s principal international gateway. Istanbul is the airline’s strategic center. Its corporate headquarters remain in the Yeşilköy area near the former Atatürk Airport, while Istanbul Airport is the main operating hub. The carrier also historically maintained significant operations at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Its location between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East supports a hub-and-spoke model built around connecting traffic. Turkish Airlines markets Istanbul as a convenient transfer point for passengers traveling between regions that are not directly linked by other carriers. The airline’s network expanded substantially after the arrival of jet aircraft in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Airbus A310 and A340 aircraft enabled longer-range operations, including services to North America and East Asia. During the 1990s and 2000s, Turkish Airlines used fleet renewal, code-sharing and international partnerships to improve its competitiveness. It joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2008 after an integration process that began in 2006. The alliance membership strengthened its connections with other global airlines and expanded the usefulness of its frequent-flyer and connecting networks. Turkish Airlines operates scheduled passenger services and a substantial cargo business under the Turkish Cargo brand. Its portfolio has also included lower-cost and regional aviation activities, particularly AnadoluJet, which was developed to serve more price-sensitive domestic and international demand and was later planned for separation as an independent airline. The group has participated in aviation ventures outside Turkey, including Air Albania. Turkish Airlines has also developed technical maintenance, training and aircraft-support capabilities through Turkish Technic and related operations. The brand’s principal competitive advantages are network breadth, Istanbul connectivity, a large international destination portfolio and a full-service proposition. It serves both local Turkish demand and transfer traffic, with cabins ranging from economy to business class and with dedicated cargo services. The airline has been especially active in Africa, where its destination count increased markedly during the 2010s as Turkey expanded commercial and diplomatic engagement across the continent. The company experienced severe operational and financial pressure during earlier aviation crises, including the Gulf War period, the 2001 Turkish economic crisis, the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the 2016 security and political disruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic period. It nevertheless continued a long-term strategy of fleet growth and international expansion. As of the source material’s 2024 reporting, the airline served approximately 340 destinations including cargo points, covered 129 countries, and operated 53 domestic passenger destinations; the airline has also stated that it connects more countries from a single airport than any other carrier. Turkish Airlines remains an active, publicly traded national flag carrier with a global full-service positioning.

History

Turkish Airlines began on 20 May 1933 as Turkish State Airlines, a government department with five small aircraft. It was transferred between government ministries during the 1930s before becoming part of the Ministry of Transportation. After the Second World War, Douglas DC-3 and C-47 aircraft enabled network growth, and the carrier inaugurated international service in 1947. Nicosia, Beirut and Cairo were among the early additions, although domestic flying remained central for many years. In 1956 the airline was reorganized as Türk Hava Yolları A.O. and joined the International Air Transport Association soon afterward. British Overseas Airways Corporation acquired a minority stake and supplied technical assistance for roughly two decades. The fleet expanded through the addition of Vickers Viscounts, Fokker F27s and further Douglas aircraft. Turkish Airlines entered the jet age with the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 in 1967 and added Boeing 707s in 1971, followed by DC-10 and Fokker F28 operations. The 1970s and 1980s included both modernization and serious operational difficulties. The 1974 crash of Flight 981 in France, caused by a defective cargo-door design, killed 346 people and became one of aviation’s deadliest accidents. During the 1980s the airline was criticized for delays and service quality, while also suffering from several accidents and hijackings. A change in government policy in 1983 treated the airline as a strategic national gateway. Turkish Airlines invested in security, maintenance infrastructure and fleet renewal, including Airbus A310 aircraft. It opened longer-range routes to Asia and North America and developed a technical center capable of substantial aircraft maintenance. The company ordered Airbus A340 aircraft in 1990 and received the first aircraft in 1993. It launched a nonstop New York service in 1994 and expanded to Chicago in 1997. The airline faced the Persian Gulf War, inflation, high aircraft-acquisition costs and increased competition after Turkish domestic aviation was deregulated. Code-share and marketing agreements with carriers including Japan Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swissair and Croatia Airlines helped it compete internationally. A new terminal at Istanbul Atatürk Airport opened in 2000. The airline continued adding partners and routes while coping with Turkey’s 2001 economic crisis and the global shock following the September 11 attacks. In 2004 it announced a major Airbus and Boeing fleet order and planned further investment in technical and training facilities. The government revived privatization through a 20% public offering in 2004; the state later retained a controlling interest, while the Turkey Wealth Fund eventually became the largest disclosed shareholder. Turkish Airlines joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2008. The company continued international expansion during the 2010s, particularly in Africa, and increased activity at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It became involved in Air Albania in 2018 and developed AnadoluJet as a lower-cost operating brand. The 2016 attempted coup caused a short interruption to United States services and contributed to a difficult operating period, but the carrier returned to profitability in 2017 according to the cited historical material. The move of Turkish Airlines’ main operations to Istanbul Airport reshaped its hub system. Turkish Cargo completed its relocation from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport in 2022. In 2023 the company announced plans to separate AnadoluJet into an independent airline. The modern Turkish Airlines business combines global passenger connectivity, cargo, fleet growth, technical services and aviation partnerships. Its present identity is that of a large publicly traded flag carrier using Istanbul’s geography to connect Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania.

2023
AnadoluJet separation plan
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The company announced plans to establish AnadoluJet as an independent airline.
2022
Turkish Cargo relocation
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Cargo operations moved from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport.
2016
Temporary United States service interruption
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
United States flights were briefly suspended after the attempted coup in Turkey and then restored.
2008
Star Alliance membership
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Turkish Airlines formally joined Star Alliance on 1 April.
1967
Jet operations begin
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
A McDonnell Douglas DC-9 became the airline’s first jet aircraft.
1956
Modern corporate name adopted
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The organization was reorganized as Türk Hava Yolları A.O.
1947
International services begin
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The airline opened international service on the Ankara–Istanbul–Athens route.
1933
Turkish State Airlines established
[1]Turkish Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The Turkish state founded the airline on 20 May as a small government aviation department.

Products and positioning

Global full-service network airline emphasizing Istanbul connectivity, broad international coverage and Turkish hospitality.

Passenger aviation · 1933
Scheduled passenger services
Turkish Airlines operates domestic and international scheduled passenger flights from its Istanbul-centered network. The service is designed around connecting traffic between Turkey and destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, with economy and business cabins and connecting itineraries through Istanbul.
Air cargo
Turkish Cargo
Turkish Cargo is the airline’s freight division. It operates dedicated cargo aircraft and carries freight through the Turkish Airlines network, using Istanbul Airport as its principal modern cargo base after its 2022 relocation from Atatürk Airport.
Premium cabin
Business Class
The airline’s premium cabin product is offered on qualifying domestic and international routes. It is positioned for business and long-haul travelers and forms part of Turkish Airlines’ full-service network proposition.
Lower-cost airline brand · 2008
AnadoluJet
AnadoluJet was developed as a lower-cost brand serving price-sensitive domestic and international demand. Turkish Airlines announced in 2023 that it intended to separate the brand from the parent company as an independent airline.

Controversies

2021
Turkish Airlines fined over passengers without COVID-19 certificates
In January 2021, a mobile court at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport fined Turkish Airlines Tk 300,000 for bringing three passengers who did not have COVID-19 negative certificates. The penalty was issued by the mobile court operating at the airport, according to a report by The Daily Star. The event concerned the airline's carriage of the three passengers without the required negative test documentation.
Source
2020
Pakistan fines Turkish Airlines over COVID-19 SOP violations
The Pakistan government imposed a fine of 100,000 PKR on Turkish Airlines for violating standard operating procedures enforced against the COVID-19 pandemic. The report says the airline transported a passenger from Mali to Istanbul for onward travel to Lahore without proof of a negative RT-PCR test.
Source
1974
Flight 981 disaster
Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed near Ermenonville, France, after a cargo-door failure linked to a design defect. All 346 people aboard died, making it one of the deadliest accidents in aviation history.
Source

2023
Plan to spin off AnadoluJetStrategy
Background
The lower-cost brand had developed into a distinct business serving more price-sensitive markets.
Action taken
Turkish Airlines confirmed plans to convert AnadoluJet from an incorporated brand into an independent airline.
Aftermath
The plan was intended to give the lower-cost operation a more independent corporate structure.
Source
2022
Move Turkish Cargo to Istanbul AirportStrategy
Background
Istanbul Airport was developed as the airline’s principal hub and cargo gateway.
Action taken
Turkish Cargo transferred its flights and operational infrastructure from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport.
Aftermath
The move consolidated the cargo operation at the airline’s newer main airport base.
Source
2008
Join Star AllianceStrategy
Background
Turkish Airlines sought stronger international connectivity and competitive reach through participation in a major global airline alliance.
Action taken
The airline completed an 18-month integration process and joined Star Alliance on 1 April 2008.
Aftermath
Membership expanded alliance connectivity and strengthened the airline’s position as a global network carrier.
Source

Recent events

2026.11.03
Hong Kong Airport Authority and Turkish Airlines sign cooperation memorandum[6]机管局与土耳其航空签署合作谅解备忘录hkcd.com
Hong Kong Airport Authority and Turkish Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in aviation connectivity, operational standards, sustainable development and talent training.
2022.02.02
Reported2022.02.02
Turkish Airlines begins using sustainable aviation fuel[7]土耳其航空开始使用可持续航空燃料aa.com.tr
Turkish Airlines began using sustainable aviation fuel on flights, with its first flight using the fuel departing Istanbul for Paris. The fuel was sourced from Neste and was planned for use one day a week on the chosen route.
2021.07.09
Reported2021.07.11
Castlelake provides financing to Turkish Airlines[8]Castlelake向土耳其航空提供融资simpleflying.com
Castlelake provided Turkish Airlines with a loan package secured by four new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft; the amount was not disclosed.
Unconfirmed
Turkish Airlines fined over passengers without COVID-19 certificates[5]Turkish Airlines fined over passengers without COVID-19 certificatesthedailystar.net
A mobile court at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport fined Turkish Airlines Tk 300,000 for bringing three passengers who did not have COVID-19 negative certificates.
2020.10.22
Reported2020.10.23
Pakistan fines Turkish Airlines over COVID-19 SOP violations[4]Pakistan fines Turkish Airlines over COVID-19 SOP violationsindiatvnews.com
The Pakistan government imposed a fine of 100,000 PKR on Turkish Airlines for violating standard operating procedures enforced against the COVID-19 pandemic. The report says the airline transported a passenger from Mali to Istanbul for onward travel to Lahore without proof of a negative RT-PCR test.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.08.10
Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia sign codeshare agreement[9]土耳其航空与塞尔维亚航空签署代码共享协议simpleflying.com
Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia signed a codeshare agreement covering routes in Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The agreement was to begin with the Belgrade–Istanbul route on 15 August, with expansion to more routes planned for the near future.
2020.06.08
Turkish Airlines offers discounted tickets to health workers[10]土耳其航空为医护人员提供折扣机票hurriyetdailynews.com
Turkish Airlines offered health care professionals worldwide and up to three accompanying travelers a 40% ticket discount for eligible purchases made between June 8 and August 1, 2020, for travel through May 31, 2021.
2019.12.31
Reported2019.12.31
Turkish Airlines and Boeing reach compensation agreement[11]土耳其航空与波音达成补偿协议tech.sina.com.cn
Turkish Airlines announced that it had reached a compensation agreement with Boeing; the amount was not disclosed.
Unconfirmed
Turkish Airlines pledges aircraft upgrade and baggage clearance[12]土耳其航空承诺升级飞机并运回乘客行李thisdaylive.com
After meeting with Nigeria’s aviation regulator, Turkish Airlines executives pledged to freight remaining passengers’ baggage back to Turkey and said they would upgrade the aircraft used on the route. The baggage-clearance programme was to run from December 13 to 17, 2019.
2019.12.05
Reported2019.12.07
Turkish Airlines launches service to Rovaniemi[13]土耳其航空开通罗瓦涅米航线airlinegeeks.com
Turkish Airlines began operating flights between its Istanbul hub and Rovaniemi, Finland, its second destination in Finland. The route is scheduled three times a week.

Sources22 sources

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