Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines is one of the most established airlines in operation today. The flag carrier airline for Turkey, Turkish Airlines evolved and expanded significantly throughout the twentieth century and, as the airline soared into the new millennium, it solidified its credentials as a giant of air travel. Today, the airline boasts a fleet size upwards of 320, with Turkish Airlines flights travelling to more than 300 individual destinations in no less than 120 different countries. Ownership of the airline is split, with the Republic of Turkey’s Prime Ministry Privatisation Administration holding a 49.12% share and the remaining 50.88% left free for public trading.
Based out of Istanbul Atatürk Airport with secondary hubs at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Ankara Esenbo?a International Airport, the sheer scale and reach of Turkish Airlines is hard to match. In addition to affordable seats in Economy Class, the airline has built a reputation as a premier provider of affordable business class travel. In both categories of class, the airline has earned recognition from industry awarding bodies. Turkish Airlines has claimed Skytrax awards for highly competitive categories including Southern Europe’s Best Airline and Europe’s Best Airline, while also earning the merit of World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat from 2011 to 2013. In more recent years, its reputation as a go-to for business travel has soared significantly.
The airline boasts a lucrative frequent flyer program, Miles&Smiles, made all the more enticing after Turkish Airlines became a member of the Star Alliance network in the first half of 2008. Points collected as part of this program can be used to purchase award tickets for Turkish Airlines flights, as well as tickets for flights operated by other Star Alliance members. Other perks include the flexibility for last-minute upgrades, free access to Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance lounges at no cost, along with reservation priority and free seat selection. Passengers who utilise this frequent flyer program can also enjoy extra baggage allowance, while also being free to use Business Class counters to check-in at the airport, even when flying Economy Class.
Key subsidiaries of Turkish Airlines include AnadoluJet, a Turkish regional airline handling domestic flights across the country and to destinations further afield, including Northern Cyprus. Other part-owned subsidiaries include Air Albania, the flag carrier airline of Albania, as well as SunExpress, an airline handling both chartered and scheduled flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and Asia. Unsurprisingly due to its scope, Turkish Airlines also employs codeshare agreements with many other major airlines across the globe, including Air China, United Airlines and Air Canada.