TURKISH AIRLINES: Launches Auckland Flights via Singapore

It looks like the Istanbul-based airline has firm ambitions on ultra-long-haul routes. It even has Auckland, New Zealand, in its sights. At the Turkish Airlines Management Summit 2025 in Antalya, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat announced the commencement of flights to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in April/May 2025.

The development of an Istanbul-to-Auckland route via Singapore, eventually nonstop, would give Turkish Airlines a great presence in Oceania. Turkish Airlines has already established flights to Melbourne and Sydney.

Waiting on A350-1000 aircraft

Turkish, along with Qantas are awaiting the availability of Airbus A350-1000s to establish these ultra-long-haul non-stop routes to Australia and New Zealand. The current flights pause in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore before heading to their final destinations. The delivery of the Airbus A350-1000 will enable these 17+ hour direct flights.

The direct flights to Sydney are scheduled for 2026, with Melbourne to follow. That’s basically the same timing as the Qantas Project Sunshine flights to London.

Your voice, our inspiration. Experience the new standard of comfort with our new Business Class Suite.#TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/xb5ql7QH7e

— Turkish Airlines (@TurkishAirlines) July 22, 2024

New Cabins

The introduction of the new aircraft is also an excuse to provide new innovative cabins with doors in a larger Business Class. These new jets are likely to be premium cabin heavy to make the economics and weight restrictions of ultra-long-haul flying work.

It’s likely Turkish will riff off its recently introduced Crystal Business Class suites, which are being installed across its Boeing 777 fleet from 2025. So, out with the 232 layout, and in comes the more contemporary 1-2-1 configuration in Business class, which offers more privacy with higher-walled seats and sliding doors. Ever-bigger entertainment screens and support for wireless devices, from charging to headphones and AirPods, are inevitable.

Airport Expansion

All these new routes will place added pressure on Istanbu Airport, but don’t worry—that’s been thought of, too. Plans are afoot for a third parallel runway so that three aircraft can take off at once.

2PAXfly Takeout

Turkish Airlines is beginning to sound like the Emirates of Constantinople. It sits on the border between Europe and Asia and, due to a new aircraft design, can fly almost anywhere in the world by 2026.

This is good news for Australians and New Zealanders, as it adds another competitor to the super long-haul markets, providing another option to travel to Europe. Although New Zealanders and Australians have traditionally been Anglo and Eurocentric, Turkish will add focus to the Western Mediterranean. Arriving there will change the focus with its proximity to Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Lebanon. Let’s hope for continued peace in Israel and Syria.