Turkish Airlines has embarked on an ambitious expansion in the United States. The airline’s chairman, Ahmet Bolat, recently announced plans to grow the carrier’s US network from 14 to 20 destinations, including four new cities: Philadelphia, Orlando, Charlotte, and Minneapolis. In this article we talk about Turkish Airlines Sets Sights on Philadelphia and others.
According to ONE MILE AT A TIME, For Turkish Airlines, the US market is crucial for growth. The airline has steadily increased frequencies and capacity to existing destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to meet rising demand. And with a young fleet, excellent service, and a convenient Istanbul hub, Turkish sees an opportunity to take a larger share of travel between North America and destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Philadelphia First on List for New Routes
Of the four cities named, Philadelphia likely tops the list for new nonstop flights from the airline’s Istanbul base. As an American Airlines hub, Philadelphia offers extensive domestic connections that can funnel passengers to and from Turkish’s growing network. And as home to companies like Comcast, Aramark, and Five Below, a direct link with Istanbul would benefit business travel.
Orlando and Charlotte also make sense as focus cities for major US carriers like American, United, and Southwest. Both offer easy access for tourism and industry. Minneapolis may have less obvious synergies, though as home to Delta could deliver connecting traffic.
Beyond those four cities, Turkish hinted at designs on two more yet-unnamed US destinations. With gateways already in Houston, Miami, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other major markets, analysts speculate the airline could look at options like Atlanta, Denver, or Seattle.
Istanbul Remains Key Gateway for Global Network
As Turkish grows its US points, the carrier’s Istanbul hub remains central to its strategy. The convenient connecting airport offers easy access to underserved markets across Europe, Africa, India and the Middle East. That global network and award-winning service have made Turkish popular with US flyers.
Over the past decade, the airline has built one of the world’s largest route maps with flights to over 300 destinations. The additional US cities will further cement Turkish’s leading position for connectivity between North America and emerging markets worldwide. As the airline takes delivery of new long-range aircraft like the 787 Dreamliner, it aims to leverage Istanbul’s unique geography for continued global growth. I sincerely hope you find this “Turkish Airlines Sets Sights on Philadelphia and others – Here’s What You Should Know” article helpful.
Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.
