Turkish Airlines Expands US Reach with New Denver Route – Travel And Tour World

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Last year, Turkish Airlines announced plans to significantly increase its flights to the United States, aiming for up to 23 daily flights by 2024. This ambitious expansion comes in the wake of the pandemic, during which the carrier has doubled its US operations. Key destinations include JFK, IAD, and ORD, among others. Here, we delve into the airline’s longest US-bound routes.

In April, Turkish Airlines launched a new route to Denver, a strategic move expected to create 350 jobs and inject $54 million annually into Colorado’s economy. This route supports Denver International Airport’s (DEN) goal of reaching 100 million passengers annually by 2027. The Airbus A350-900 services this 6,130-mile journey, taking around 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Other airlines connecting Istanbul to Denver include British Airways, with a 17-hour journey via London using the Airbus A320 (sharklets) and A350-1000, and Air France via Paris. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Turkish Airlines offers 18,600 seats on this route in July alone, across 62 operations since its 2021 launch.

Turkish Airlines is the sole provider of direct flights on the Istanbul to Dallas/Fort Worth (IST-DFW) route, using the Boeing 787-9. This 12-hour and 45-minute flight has become a popular choice for travelers.

The airline also uniquely serves the non-stop IST-IAH route, offering daily flights throughout July. The Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300ER cover this 13-hour and 35-minute journey. Competing airlines include Lufthansa, with a 15-hour, 25-minute flight via Frankfurt, utilizing aircraft such as the Boeing 747-8, Airbus A320 (sharklets), and Airbus A321, and British Airways, which offers a nearly 19-hour flight via London Heathrow with the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A320 (sharklets), and Boeing 747-8.

The IST-SFO route sees Turkish Airlines operating nearly 14-hour non-stop flights with the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-900. Just 50 miles short of the airline’s longest US-bound route, it offers departure times from 07:50 to 13:50, with Economy and Business class options available.

On the IST-LAX route, Turkish Airlines provides two daily flights, spanning almost 14 hours. The Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 787-9 are used on this route. In June, Turkish Airlines operated 60 flights on this route, making it the third-most popular US-bound route for the carrier. Competing one-stop options include Polish Airlines via Warsaw, with aircraft like the Boeing 787-9, Embraer 195, and Legacy 1000, and Lufthansa via Frankfurt, using the Airbus A321, Airbus A320 (sharklets), and Boeing 747-8.

Turkish Airlines continues to expand its extensive network, reinforcing its presence in the US market and offering a variety of competitive options for transatlantic travelers.