Turkish Airlines is coming to Australia next year

TURKISH AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 TC-LLI (MSN 65809)

Turkish Airlines is set to begin flights to Australia in March 2024 after being granted more frequencies by Australia’s government. It had been given permission for an initial 21 flights a week to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and the new Western Sydney airport, which opens in 2026.

The airline is now able to increase frequency to 28 flights a week from the start of the northern winter 2024 timetable and 35 a week from winter 2025. 

Initial services will operate from Istanbul via Singapore with connections from Turkish Airlines’ UK departure points. However, Turkish Airlines this week announced a huge order for 355 Airbus aircraft, including 15 A350-1000s, which can operate from Istanbul to Australia non-stop.

The airline’s chairman Ahmet Bolat told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News: “We will commence flights to Australia between the 15th of March and the 25th of March 2024. The Australia flights will involve a layover, a 10-hour stopover in Singapore, and then a further seven-hour journey to Australia.” 

On the back of Turkish Airlines getting the go-ahead for daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Istanbul-based airline says it’s now in discussions with Rex to serve as its Australian partner.

This could allow inbound travellers on Turkish Airlines to book a single itinerary by adding local Rex flights onto their TK ticket – and, if taken the full distance, could also align the Star Alliance member’s Miles&Smiles rewards program with the newly-launched Rex Flyer scheme when it comes to earning points and enjoying status benefits.