Latest news with #TurkishAirlines'
Tourism Breaking News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Turkish Airlines and Airlink have signed a codeshare agreement
Post Views: 24 Turkish Airlines signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement with South Africa-based Airlink to strengthen its presence on the African continent. The agreement, which will take effect on 1 August 2025, was signed at a ceremony held at Airlink's Head Office in Johannesburg, with the participation of senior executives from both companies. This strategic collaboration will significantly expand guests' travel options by integrating Turkish Airlines' unparalleled global network with Airlink's extensive domestic and regional routes across South Africa and its region. The partnership enables seamless multi-sector travel on a single ticket, offering greater convenience and flexibility for international and regional travelers. Under the new agreement, Turkish Airlines will place its 'TK' flight code on Airlink-operated flights, allowing smooth connections from Turkish Airlines' services into Cape Town and Johannesburg to a wide range of South African and regional destinations. Commenting on the agreement Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Strategy Officer Levent Konukcu stated; 'As Turkish Airlines, we give importance to this cooperation with Airlink so as to enhance our connectivity in South Africa and the region. We aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to our guests. We believe that this partnership will not only bring benefits to both carriers from a commercial perspective but also improve the cultural and tourism relations between the two countries.' Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said: 'This collaboration with Turkish Airlines represents a significant opportunity to deepen ties between the two airlines. The agreement is a further endorsement of Airlink's brand, while for our respective customers, it means more convenient travel options, with world-class service and easier access to destinations across our combined and extensive route networks.' With this collaboration, Turkish Airlines will not only advance its strategic growth in Africa but also further strengthen its regional presence while offering enhanced options for its guests.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside the world's only airline with 'flying chefs' cooking up Michelin-quality meals at 38,000ft - and it has even been voted 'best in Europe'
'Can you tell me how to pronounce your surname, Miss,' the onboard chef, Salih, kneeling next to me asks. He's dressed head-to-toe in chef's whites, hat and all, and chats enthusiastically about the menu which sounds as though it could have been plucked from a Michelin-starred London restaurant. We've been on board for just a few minutes and we've already been presented with glasses of champagne and soft, hot towels which smell like clementine. I'm onboard a 777-wide body to test out Turkish Airlines' Business class offerings, both short-haul and long-haul, on a whirlwind return trip from London to Tokyo via the Turkish capital. First up is long-haul. The plane has two business cabins, with seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, which seems unfortunate for whoever is stuck in the middle of the three-seat rows. But the seats are big. I mean really big, with a 78-inch pitch and 22-inch width, and a screen door which offers a decent level of privacy if you're sitting next to a stranger. I'm with my husband, Dan. We're seated in 1A and 1B (always a joy) and find Denom noise-cancelling headphones that would sell for up to £400 a pop in a pocket to our right. We place all our hand luggage in the huge compartment by our feet (meaning we don't need to store anything in the overhead bins) and find slippers and a blanket on top. The red-lipped cabin crew, dressed in grey and red dresses, hand out his and hers leather amenity kits to each passenger. Mine is bright red and comes with face mist, body lotion and lip balm by the high-end Italian brand Ferragamo, as well as toothbrush, paste and ear plugs. But what really makes the experience special and different to any other business class experience is the onboard chefs. As I sip on a Tattinger (served in glasses, not plastic), they take orders from the passengers who appear to be a mix of tourists and international business travellers and seamlessly switch between English, Turkish and Japanese. The chefs are responsible for cooking and overseeing in-flight food preparation and taking passenger orders. Turkish Airlines offers this service in business class cabins on flights longer than eight hours. And, given that Turkish Airlines flies to more destinations than any other airline in the world (353 destinations and counting), that's a lot of chefs in a lot of cabins. It's 'dine on demand', so Salih asks when we'd like to eat. We go for after take-off in the hope we'll spend the rest of the flight sleeping in the sumptuous lie-flat beds. Fine dining in the skies: MailOnline's Head of Travel was impressed with the airline's culinary prowess - the brand is the only airline to have chefs on board Once we're in the air, we're given bottles of water and asked for our drink preferences. The cabin crew attach the mattresses to our seats and place padded duvets by our feet for when we're ready for some shut-eye. Then, it's onto the food. Grey tablecloths are placed on our fold-down tray tables, along with tiny fake-flamed candles. I opt for a glass of Chablis to go with my starter of Turkish mezze, which is followed by wild sea bass served with a delicious celeriac mousseline and lemon caper butter, and finished off with a mix of sticky honey baklava. It's a delicious feast and I eat every crumb. We're addressed as 'Mr Williams' and 'Mrs Sime' throughout the flight. 'Tea or coffee, Mrs Sime?,' 'More bread, Mrs Sime?', the service is attentive - but not too attentive - and the questions seem to land at the perfect time. The seats may have seen better days (the airline's business cabins are getting retrofitted this year) but they're among the comfiest beds I've experienced. They lie flat at the click of a button by our elbows, and the padded mattress, duvet and acres of space around me allow me to spend a very decent eight of the 12-hour flight sleeping. Refreshing drinks - and a decent array of fresh bread - also featured during the meal service We wake with two hours to go and are offered hot towels before trays of breakfast are brought to our tables. I go for the mango coconut smoothie, which is delicious and served with overnight oats, a fruit salad and warm croissant. It's the best breakfast I've had on board. More hot towels are offered before the captain signals it's time to land. I disembark feeling refreshed and ready to tackle one of the world's greatest cities. SHORT HAUL 'I feel like I'm about to travel to the other side of the world,' I say to Dan, as a member of the cabin crew hands us white towels and three-course menus. But we're far from doing that. In fact, we're flying just 3.5 hours, from London Heathrow to Istanbul. The 321Neo slim body seats are arranged in a 2-2 configuration, with economy set out in 3-3 behind. I tend to find flying short-haul in business a total waste of money, with all but a lack of middle seat and mediocre food and drink differentiating between the front and back cabins. But this is different. The cabin could easily rival some long-haul business offerings and must be the best short-haul business cabin in the business. No wonder it's won so many accolades in recent years. As soon as we take our seats, a member of the cabin crew appears with a colourful tray of homemade lemonade with fresh mint, sparkling raspberry juice, freshly squeezed orange juice and water, followed by a pair of headphones. As we sip on our drinks, we peruse the menu and get acquainted with our seats, which feel more like thrones. Although the seats aren't lie-flat, we both have acres of space in front and either side of us and my husband can stretch out his 6ft 1in frame. We flick through the impressive film selection with the highly-responsive console to our right and are delighted to find the IMDb rating below each film, avoiding the frantic googling of films before I switch my phone to flight mode. To my right is a large pocket where I place my laptop and passport, alongside three buttons which recline the seat back to 8 inches and push the footrest up, and a set of USB and plug points. To my left is the tray table, which pushes up slickly at the click of a button. There's no amnesty kit. But that's not to be expected when flying short-haul. Once we're in the air, we're handed more towels to freshen up and asked for our food and drink preferences. I go for the chicken eggplant and tomato salad, followed by homemade ricotta ravioli with asparagus, black olives and a parmesan sauce, and a strawberry cream roll. As we fly over Germany, we tuck into our starters and mains and are offered warm bread from a wicker basket. I go for a sesame baguette, which I use to mop up the salad and creamy ravioli sauce. Even the butter is fancy, presented chilled in a little ramekin. Again, it's delicious and as food as any fancy London restaurant. The other passengers appear to be a combination of business and leisure travellers from the UK and Turkey and the crew seem to seamlessly switch between friendly and formal, Turkish and English, depending on the requirements of the passengers they're serving. Once our trays have been cleared, we're given packets of roasted Turkish hazelnuts, more hot towels and offered more drinks. The flight goes by in a flash. And, before we know, we're touching down in Istanbul and reluctantly disembarking, discussing how, hands down, it has to be the best short-haul flight we've ever experienced. We spend as much time during our 1.5 hour layover in the airline's hugely impressive lounge, where guests play golf (yes, really), sip on hot brews in the dedicated tea room and pursue the museum. It's smart but full of character and like no other lounge I've ever been - but what makes it really stand apart is the food. Every station is overflowing with local Turkish treats and dishes, which makes you feel as though you're walking through a souk. We drag ourselves away from the lounge reluctantly - a very rare occurrence - when we're told it's time to board for the second leg of our journey.
Web Release
18-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Turkish Airlines Expands Simulator Orders with HAVELSAN
In line with its ongoing efforts to further strengthen its pilot training infrastructure, Turkish Airlines has placed an additional order for one Boeing 737 MAX Full Flight Simulator (FFS) from HAVELSAN to be delivered in January 2026. This new order, placed as part of the long-standing cooperation with HAVELSAN, demonstrates the national flag carrier's commitment to expanding its simulator fleet and enhancing its technological capabilities. This additional order stands as a concrete testament to Turkish Airlines' confidence in HAVELSAN and in domestically developed advanced technologies. Commenting on the new order, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof Ahmet Bolat, stated: 'This additional order reinforces our strategic collaboration with HAVELSAN, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing world-class pilot training. By expanding our simulators with advanced and reliable technology, we ensure our pilots continue to deliver the exceptional safety and service standards that Turkish Airlines is renowned for.' HAVELSAN CEO Dr Mehmet Akif Nacar added: 'We are pleased to strengthen our partnership once again with Turkish Airlines through a new agreement for a third B737 MAX Full Flight Simulator. This continued trust from one of the world's leading airlines is a strong affirmation of our capabilities and commitment to excellence.' Under the agreement signed with HAVELSAN in 2018, Turkish Airlines originally planned to procure a total of eleven training devices consisting of three A320neo/ceo, two B737 MAX Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and six Flight Training Devices (FTD). As of today, Turkish Airlines successfully operates two B737 MAX, two A320neo/ceo simulators and one B737NG, which is the first procured simulator, produced by HAVELSAN, all certified to EASA Level D standards. In addition, the delivery of the last A320neo/ceo simulator as part of the previous agreement is scheduled in November 2025. The new order of B737 MAX FFS will be the seventh Full Flight Simulator in airline's fleet. Turkish Airlines remains committed to providing its pilots with top-level training opportunities through an advanced simulation infrastructure fully compliant with international civil aviation standards.
Web Release
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Turkish Airlines Series Completes its First Season
Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, continues to connect the world not only through its extensive flight network but also through the art of storytelling. With the debut of its signature podcast and videocast, Turkish Airlines Series, the brand has taken a step into audio-visual storytelling, offering curated travel content, inspiring insights, and insider perspectives from Türkiye and beyond. Driven by the idea that aviation represents more than just a means of transportation, Turkish Airlines redefines how an airline engages with global audiences. Through immersive, high-quality narratives, the Turkish Airlines Series invites listeners and viewers into the heart of the brand's global vision. Designed to inspire travelers, aviation enthusiasts, and curious minds, the series explores local cultures, delivers practical travel tips, and highlights remarkable destinations and experiences across Turkish Airlines' expansive network. Season One Highlights Launched in late 2024, the first season of Turkish Airlines Series consists of nine episodes, both in podcast and videocast formats. From cultural deep-dives and destination features to interviews with global content creators, each episode offers a unique perspective on travel. The podcast episodes provide short, engaging journeys into emerging travel trends and hidden gems, while the videocast segments bring visual depth through conversations with internationally recognized travel influencers. The season's nine episodes take audiences on a curated journey across Turkish Airlines' network and beyond. From exploring Türkiye's cultural richness in Destination: Türkiye and savoring local flavors in Culinary Quests to unveiling the beauty of Istanbul in Istanbul Unveiled and navigating family adventures in Traveling with Kids, each episode offers practical and inspiring insights for today's traveler. The series also highlights the digital age of exploration with Influencer-Recommended, Tech Tools and Tips for Travelers, and A Life on the Road, while celebrating iconic destinations like Cappadocia Chronicles and Jewels of the Mediterranean. Season one is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, reaching audiences worldwide, whether they prefer to watch or listen. Season Two is on the Horizon Following the success of the first season, Turkish Airlines Series is set to return with a new format and elevated storytelling. The upcoming season will offer rare behind-the-scenes perspectives from one of the world's leading carriers, exploring the stories that shape global aviation.
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Airport: More flights from Edinburgh to stunning city where east meets west
An airline has increased its flights from Edinburgh Airport to one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Turkish Airlines' Edinburgh-Istanbul service has jumped from ten to 14 weekly flights, making it easier for Scots to visit the stunning city where east meets west. In its description of the Turkish city, Edinburgh Airport's travel guide says: 'Straddling the border of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a heady intermingling of cultures packed with character. Its diverse history spans the Greek, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman rulings – all shaping the vibrant, modern city that exists today. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'From its ancient baths and mosques, bustling Grand Bazaar markets, spectacular scenery, and mouth-watering local cuisine, this is a city not to be missed. The Topkapi Palace is a must-see, while the Süleymaniye Mosque really is incredible.' Commenting on the news Harun Basturk, SVP Sales at Turkish Airlines, said: 'Demand from holidaymakers in the UK and Ireland to visit Türkiye – with its rich culture, history, cuisine, hospitality, and stunning coastal resorts, remains strong year-round and peaks during the summer. We're increasing capacity to meet this demand and offer more flexibility for travellers. 'As the airline that flies to more destinations than any other, our global network spans the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Oceania – all popular destinations for leisure travellers. Istanbul Airport's status as the world's most connected hub allows seamless onward connections from the UK and Ireland to Türkiye and beyond.'
