Turkish Airlines is now in the spotlight as the spotlight swings to Türkiye. Turkish Airlines has just signed a monster Boeing order that makes even seasoned av-geeks do a double-take. We’re talking a fleet plan so bold it could rewrite the airline’s next decade. Let’s taxi through the details.
But first, the basics:
- Full Name: Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları A.O.)
- IATA Code: TK
- Founded: 1933 (when pilots wore leather caps and looked impossibly cool)
- HQ: Istanbul, Türkiye
- Main Hub: Istanbul Airport (IST) – a mega-hub that’s practically its own city
- Alliance: Star Alliance – rubbing shoulders with the big players since 2008
- Frequent Flyer Program: Miles&Smiles – rack up miles, flash a grin, repeat
In This Post
Current Fleet
Turkish is already flying a seriously eclectic line-up:
- 58 A321neo
- 6 A319
- 21 A320
- 68 A321
- 22 A330-200
- 37 A330-300
- 30 A350-900
- 20 Boeing 737-8 MAX
- 5 Boeing 737-9 MAX
- 40 Boeing 737-800
- 15 Boeing 737-900
- 8 Boeing 777-LR
- 34 Boeing 777-300ER
- 24 Boeing 787-9
That’s enough metal to make any spotter’s camera overheat.
What’s Coming Down the Runway
Here’s the headline grabber: Turkish Airlines has locked in a record-breaking order for up to 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The deal covers 35 of the 787-9 model, 15 of the longer 787-10, plus options for 25 more.
Not stopping there, the carrier also announced its intent to buy up to 150 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which will be its largest single-aisle Boeing order when finalised.
Chairman Prof. Ahmet Bolat summed it up perfectly:
“This landmark agreement represents much more than fleet growth. It is a reflection of our leadership in the industry as well as our dedication to innovation and operational excellence.”
Translation: Turkish is gearing up to double its Boeing fleet and is eyeing a jaw-dropping 800 aircraft by 2033.
Final Approach
Turkish Airlines isn’t just refreshing its fleet; it’s plotting a full-scale takeover of the skies. With Dreamliners for the long haul and a small army of 737 MAXes for regional hops, Istanbul’s red-tailed giant is about to make your layovers a lot more interesting.
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