Turkish Airlines has confirmed plans to launch a new one-stop service between Sydney and Istanbul in December 2024, offering up a new pathway into Europe and beyond. Sydney is set to become the Star Alliance carrier’s second destination in Australia, following the launch of Melbourne services in March 2024.
Just like Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul-Melbourne service, there’s a short stopover in Asia. But while Melbourne travellers stretch their legs in Singapore, Sydney services will stop in Kuala Lumpur. The airline plans to remove the stopover from late 2026, utilising the increased range of incoming Airbus 350-1000 or Boeing 777X aircraft.
Beginning on 4th December 2024, Turkish will offer four flights per week between Istanbul and Sydney, with a fuel stop in Kuala Lumpur. Flights are already on sale, starting at $1489 AUD return in Economy. You can also use frequent flyer points to book award seats on Turkish Airlines’ new route, via Star Alliance partners such as KrisFlyer and Aeroplan.
The service is operated using Airbus A350-900 aircraft, and yes, travellers will shortly be able to purchase the Istanbul-Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur-Sydney legs separately.
Here’s how the schedule works out;
- TK174 blasts out of Istanbul at 3.15pm, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 6.20am the next morning. After an 80-minute stop, the jet departs at 7.40am to reach Sydney by 6.30pm. That’s 19hrs 15min total travel time.
- TK175 departs Sydney at 8.40pm, landing in Kuala Lumpur at 1.55am the following morning. After 2 hours on the ground, at 3.55am the Istanbul departs, arriving at 10.15am. That’s 21hrs 35 min total travel time.
Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton, welcomed the new route as offering seamless access to Europe.
“We are proud that Turkish Airlines chose Sydney and NSW for their first non-stop service which is a strong endorsement of everything our city and state has to offer. In the meantime, passengers will get to experience Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur in December 2024.”
“Today’s announcement is also incredibly important for the Sydney and NSW economies and speaks to the impact of international aviation in supporting our visitor economy,” added Mr Charlton
