Widen Your World with Turkey's Global Flag Carrier
Founded
1933
Headquarters
Istanbul, Turkey
Alliance
Star Alliance
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Turkey, founded in 1933 as a state airline and now one of the world's largest carriers by number of destinations. Operating from its primary base at Istanbul Airport, the airline connects passengers to more countries than any other airline in the world, serving over 120 countries across six continents.
The airline has undergone significant transformation since the 1980s, expanding aggressively through fleet growth, strategic alliances, and sponsorship deals to build a globally recognized brand. It joined Star Alliance in 2008, further strengthening its international connectivity and code-share partnerships.
Turkish Airlines has consistently received high marks for in-flight service, catering, and comfort, earning multiple Skytrax awards. Its catering subsidiary, DO&CO, is renowned for producing premium in-flight meals, and the airline maintains a reputation for offering quality service across both economy and business class cabins.
Hubs & network
Turkish Airlines operates primarily from Istanbul Airport (IST), with a secondary hub at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) for certain operations.
Fleet
Turkish Airlines operates a large mixed fleet including Airbus A320 family, A330, A350, and Boeing 737 family, 777, and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Notable facts
- ›Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in the world.
- ›The airline was founded on May 20, 1933, originally as Devlet Hava Yolları.
- ›Its in-flight catering is produced by DO&CO, an award-winning gourmet food company.
- ›Turkish Airlines has served as a prominent sponsor of global sports events and clubs, including Manchester United and FC Barcelona.
- ›The airline relocated its primary hub from Atatürk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport in 2019.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
