Turkish Airlines Launches Sydney-Istanbul Flights: New Travel Options for Australians

Turkish Airlines Expands Services to Australia

Turkish Airlines launched its first flight from Istanbul to Sydney on November 29. This service offers Australian travelers new options for traveling to Europe and beyond. The airline also began flying to Melbourne earlier this year.

Currently, Turkish Airlines provides daily flights between Australia and Istanbul with brief stopovers in Singapore for Melbourne flights and Kuala Lumpur for Sydney flights, making the total journey around 20 hours. Non-stop flights will begin in late 2026 for Sydney and in 2027 for Melbourne, facilitated by Airbus A350-1000 jets.

Flight Schedule

The initial schedule for Turkish Airlines’ Sydney-Istanbul route includes:

• TK175: Leaves Sydney at 8:40 PM on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, arriving in Istanbul at 10:15 AM the next day.
• TK174: Departs Istanbul at 3:15 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, landing in Sydney at 6:30 PM the following day.

From June 10, 2025, an additional flight will be available on Wednesdays from Sydney and on Tuesdays from Istanbul.

Benefits of Traveling with Turkish Airlines

Beyond Istanbul, Turkish Airlines connects to over 100 destinations in Europe. Travelers with layovers in Istanbul can take advantage of free city tours or complimentary hotel stays if they fly in business class.

A350 Business Class Features

The Airbus A350 features 32 flatbed business class seats and 297 reclining economy seats. Each business class seat transforms into a 1.9m lie-flat bed. The cabin design ensures privacy and includes amenities such as power outlets and storage spaces.

Meals are a highlight of the flight experience, with chefs preparing high-quality dishes. Passengers can enjoy a selection of fine beverages, including Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne.

Wi-Fi and Future Improvements

Currently, business class passengers receive 1GB of inflight Wi-Fi, while certain members enjoy unlimited access. Turkish Airlines aims to provide free unlimited Wi-Fi for all passengers in the future.

From 2026, the A350-1000s will offer upgraded Crystal Business Class suites with increased privacy.

Status Match for Frequent Flyers

Turkish Airlines is offering a free status match to Qantas’ top-tier frequent flyers. This match provides benefits within the Star Alliance network, including access to various airline services globally.

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