Monday, September 16, 2024 In a notable development, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) revealed that Turkish Airlines (TK) would inaugurate a direct flight service connecting Istanbul (IST) to Sydney, with an intermediate stop in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) starting December 5, 2024. This new route is set to operate four times per week and will stand out as the only direct return flight to Istanbul available from any Australian airport. SYD has experienced significant growth in its airline network over the past two years, with Turkish Airlines becoming the eighth new addition to the airport’s roster of over 50 airlines.
This expansion reflects a broader trend of increasing connectivity and competition among global airlines. Aircraft and Configuration For this route, Turkish Airlines plans to utilize the Airbus A350-900. This aircraft will be configured to accommodate a total of 329 passengers, including 32 seats in Business Class and 297 seats in Economy Class.
The Business Class seats will be arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for each passenger, while Economy Class will feature a standard 3-3-3 seating arrangement. In the future, the airline intends to transition this route to a non-stop service, which will enhance convenience for travelers heading to Türkiye or connecting through Istanbul to Turkish Airlines’ extensive network of 340 destinations across 130 countries. This move is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency and options .