Turkish Airlines strengthens the bridge between Italy and the world via Istanbul
With one of the most extensive networks in the world and the Istanbul hub increasingly central to international connections, Turkish Airlines is also confirmed in Summer 2026 as a reference airline for Italian travellers.
In this interview, Sedat Orman, Turkish Airlines' Vice President of Sales for Southern Europe, takes stock of the strategic role of the Italian market, the breadth of the network served by the company and the opportunities offered to passengers departing from Italy to Turkey and to numerous destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, also focusing on services, digital innovation and initiatives put in place to make the travel experience increasingly fluid and complete.
During the Summer 2026 season, how many Countries are served by the Turkish Airlines network, and how many destinations are included overall in your route network?
"Following the launch of our Timişoara flights on 1 April 2026, Turkish Airlines continues to operate an unparalleled global network covering 133 countries and 358 destinations across six continents. We plan to further expand our network in 2026 with new routes to Monrovia, Bissau, Urumqi and Chengdu. By continuing to expand our network with new routes, we remain focused on offering our guests greater connectivity to destinations around the world while moving steadily forward in line with our long-term growth planning".
Which Italian airports are currently served by Turkish Airlines, and how is your direct flight offering between Italy and the Istanbul Hub structured?
"We currently serve nine Italian airports - Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Naples, Bari, Catania, Turin and Palermo. Italy is connected to a wide range of international destinations through frequent non-stop flights to the Istanbul hub, thanks to Turkish Airlines’ global network. This hub-and-spoke model allows our guests traveling from Italy not only to reach Türkiye, but also to seamlessly connect via Istanbul to a wide range of international destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. As the airline flying to more countries than any other, a distinction recognised by Guinness World Records™ with the title of “Most Countries Flown to by an Airline”, we continue to strengthen our role as a global connector, delivering a premium travel experience inspired by the enduring tradition of Turkish hospitality".
For Summer 2026 in Italy, are you planning to introduce new routes or increase frequencies? If so, from which airports?
"Italy is a very important market for us, both strategically and financially. It is one of the largest aviation markets in Europe and a key country in terms of tourism, trade and business travel between Europe, Türkiye and the wider regions we serve. For Summer 2026, our focus in Italy is on optimizing capacity and aligning our operations with seasonal demand across the market. In Venice, starting with the summer schedule on 29 March, we will operate two weekly wide-body flights on Wednesdays and Sundays. In Palermo, from 29 March, our operation will increase from four weekly flights to six weekly flights, reflecting stronger summer demand. This seasonal adjustment will continue throughout the summer schedule".
For Italian passengers, the Istanbul Hub represents a strategic gateway for connecting flights. Which key destinations, both within Türkiye and worldwide, can be reached with a short stopover in Istanbul through your network?
"For Italian guests, Istanbul serves as a highly strategic and efficient transfer hub, offering seamless connections to an extensive global network. Through our hub, travellers can easily access a wide range of destinations within Türkiye, including major cultural and coastal cities, as well as key international markets across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Our network is particularly strong in long-haul connectivity, enabling passengers from Italy to reach destinations in the Far East, North and South America, Australia, and Africa with short and optimised transfer times in Istanbul. This makes the journey not only convenient but also highly time-efficient. Italy continues to be one of our most connected markets in Europe, both in terms of passenger volume and network depth. With a total of 143 flights per week, we connect multiple Italian cities to our global network, carrying over two million passengers annually on these routes. At the same time, we also facilitate significant inbound tourism, with hundreds of thousands of Italian travellers visiting Türkiye each year. Beyond point-to-point travel, our role is to position Istanbul as a global bridge. Through our network, passengers from across the world can seamlessly connect to Italy, while Italian travellers benefit from access to one of the most comprehensive international route networks in aviation. In this sense, our operations contribute not only to connectivity, but also to tourism flows, business travel, and wider economic ties between Italy, Türkiye, and the global market".
What services and forms of assistance do you provide to passengers before, during, and after the flight in order to enhance the overall travel experience?
"Turkish Airlines provides comprehensive support to guests throughout their journey. Before the flight, travellers can manage bookings, check in online or via the mobile app, select seats, and take part in Touristanbul, a complimentary guided city tour available for our guests with layovers of 6-24 hours, or the Stopover in Istanbul program, which offers free hotel accommodation for international travelers with qualifying long connections. At Istanbul Airport, the Business Lounge is available to Business Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members, and Miles&Smiles Elite / Elite Plus members, providing refreshments, workspaces, and relaxation areas for a travel experience in total comfort. During the flight, we enhance the onboard experience through our award-winning services. Recognized at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards with titles such as “Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Europe” and “Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Europe”, we offer carefully curated seasonal menus prepared by our Flying Chefs using high-quality, fresh ingredients. Our Business Class guests are also presented with a Lanvin amenity kit collection, designed in line with our sustainability vision, combining comfort with a focus on reuse and zero-waste principles. In addition, we deliver a privileged experience at 30,000 feet with our award-winning inflight entertainment system, recognised with the “Best Entertainment Award in Europe” at the 2026 APEX Official Airline Ratings. With its extensive content library, high-resolution screens, and intuitive interface, the system ensures an engaging and personalised journey for every one of our guests. After landing, we continue to distinguish ourselves with enhanced baggage tracking and recovery through our partnership with Google Find Hub, along with our collaboration with Apple Find My but also with rebooking and customer service, ensuring a smooth and seamless travel experience".
Carry-on baggage, checked luggage, and assistance in case of irregularities are increasingly important topics for travellers. How is your current baggage policy structured, and what guarantees and tools do you offer passengers to help them track and recover their belongings more efficiently?
"Turkish Airlines has a clear baggage policy that specifies allowances for carry-on and checked baggage, varying according to route, travel class, and frequent flyer status. Passengers in Business Class or those with Miles&Smiles Elite/Elite Plus or Star Alliance Gold status have an additional baggage allowance compared to standard Economy class allowances. To make baggage handling more efficient, we effectively utilize online tools, our internally developed applications BagGlobe and BagStar, and International Systems to check allowances, track checked baggage in real time, and report delayed, lost, or damaged items. In addition, mobile solutions in collaboration with global brands such as Google Find Hub, Apple AirTag, and Samsung SmartTag are also available for passenger use for baggage location and tracking. Our TK Mobile application provides our guests with real-time baggage status updates (loading, transfer, baggage belt information, dispatch to address, etc.) via SMS/email and WhatsApp. In case of any issues, passengers can report them through online channels with necessary guidance. Passengers can also quickly contact us by scanning QR codes at Turkish Airlines offices. Furthermore, the TK Assistant application allows for interactive communication with passengers via chatbox, sharing information about baggage allowances, baggage issues, and the status of previous reports. Our BagLive application prioritizes issues experienced by priority passengers, resolving them as quickly as possible. Dedicated airport and assistance center personnel assist passengers with retrieving and redirecting their belongings, ensuring timely resolution of any issues without disrupting their overall travel plans".
What does the Turkish Airlines fleet currently consist of, and which onboard services are available to passengers, both those included in the fare and optional paid services?
"Turkish Airlines operates a modern fleet of 528 (passenger and cargo) Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including narrowbody models like the A319, A320, A321, and widebody types such as the A330, A350, 777, and 787, allowing it to serve short, medium, and long-haul destinations worldwide. Onboard, our guests enjoy a comprehensive range of services, most notably our award-winning inflight catering where menus prepared with high-quality ingredients reflect the richness of Turkish and international cuisines, with Flying Chefs enhancing the experience on select long-haul routes. In Economy Class, thoughtfully curated meals tailored to flight duration and departure time ensure a consistent level of quality and satisfaction. This onboard experience is further complemented by our inflight entertainment platform, recognized as Best in Entertainment in Europe at the 2026 APEX Ratings, offering an extensive selection of global content. Onboard connectivity is supported by high-speed wireless internet available on more than 300 aircraft equipped with advanced infrastructure, enabling passengers to remain connected via laptops, tablets, and smartphones. On international flights, complimentary internet access is provided to Business Class passengers and Miles&Smiles members, while non-members can easily enroll during the flight and benefit from unlimited messaging. Internet packages, including both complimentary quotas and paid options, may vary depending on the flight and aircraft type. In addition, passengers can further personalize their journey through optional offerings such as seat selection, extra baggage, cabin upgrades, and additional connectivity packages, ensuring a flexible and elevated travel experience aligned with the highest standards of Turkish hospitality".
Sustainability and environmental impact are increasingly relevant issues in the aviation sector, particularly for more conscious travelers. What are the most recent initiatives introduced by Turkish Airlines to reduce its CO₂ emissions?
"Sustainability has become a defining priority for the aviation industry, and at Turkish Airlines, we approach it as a core pillar of our long-term growth strategy. In line with our 2033 vision and 2050 carbon neutrality target, we are implementing a comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap built on multiple, mutually reinforcing initiatives. To achieve our environmental goals, we have shaped our decarbonization roadmap around five key pillars: fleet modernization, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), renewable energy, carbon offset mechanisms, and operational efficiency. A key focus area is fleet transformation. We continue to invest in next-generation aircraft that deliver approximately 15–20% lower emissions, with a clear objective for these aircraft to represent 77% of our fleet by 2030 and over 90% by 2033. By 2035 we expect our fleet to be entirely new generation. This transition plays a central role in reducing our overall carbon intensity while supporting our continued global expansion. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is another critical lever in our strategy. Since 2022, we have been actively incorporating SAF into both passenger and cargo operations. Beyond usage, we are also strengthening the supply ecosystem through strategic partnerships and investments. On the operational side, we are enhancing efficiency through digitalisation and resource optimisation. Under our Tomorrow On-Board framework, we are increasing the use of sustainable materials, reducing onboard waste, and improving resource efficiency across our operations. These efforts are complemented by expanded recycling and waste management practices. Collaboration with industry stakeholders is an essential part of this transformation. In the period ahead, our focus will be on advancing this approach in a more systematic and measurable way, contributing to the development of a more responsible, resilient, and future-ready aviation industry".
What new technologies, digital initiatives, or artificial intelligence solutions has Turkish Airlines implemented to enhance the passenger experience?
"Turkish Airlines approaches technology as a strategic enabler that enhances both operational excellence and the end-to-end passenger journey. One of the key areas where we leverage artificial intelligence is ground operations. Through our Apron AI initiative, we use advanced image processing to monitor turnaround processes in real time, enabling more efficient resource allocation, early detection of operational bottlenecks, and optimization of catering and crew planning. This not only strengthens operational reliability but also ensures a more seamless travel experience for our passengers. On the customer-facing side, we focus heavily on AI-driven personalization. By using advanced analytics and machine learning models, we are able to offer the right product to the right passenger at the right moment, whether it is seat upgrades, ancillary services, or tailored travel options. This approach improves both customer satisfaction and engagement while supporting our commercial performance. A key digital initiative in this area is TK Asistan, our AI-powered chat platform, which provides passengers with real-time access to flight information, booking details, Miles&Smiles offers, and onboard service requests. By significantly reducing response times and simplifying access to information, it creates a more intuitive and personalized customer experience. In parallel, we are investing in technologies that increase transparency across the journey. Beyond AI, we are also focused on broader digital transformation. Through our recent collaborations with Google, Samsung, and Apple, for instance, we aim to improve transparency and efficiency in baggage tracking processes in partnership with industry-leaders. Beyond individual solutions, we are digitalizing the entire passenger journey from search to boarding. Our mobile app, website, self-service tools, and digital wallet solutions are designed to work seamlessly together, supported by NDC-based distribution that enables richer and more dynamic content across all channels. Ultimately, our goal is not only to adopt new technologies but to create a fully connected and personalized travel ecosystem where every touchpoint is smarter, faster, and more relevant to the passenger".
In an increasingly competitive market environment, why should a passenger choose Turkish Airlines today? Which strengths and distinctive features do you rely on to make your airline more appealing to travelers?
"A passenger should choose Turkish Airlines today because we offer far more than transportation from one point to another. We provide a complete travel experience built on global connectivity, premium service, operational strength, and Turkish hospitality. As the airline flying to more countries than any other, which spans more than 350 destinations across over 130 countries and enables travellers to reach more of the world through a single hub than with any other airline. This connectivity is strengthened by the strategic advantage of Istanbul, one of the world’s most naturally connected hubs, allowing our guests to travel efficiently between Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. For many travellers, choosing Turkish Airlines means not only reaching their destination, but doing so with greater flexibility, stronger transfer possibilities, and a smoother overall journey. What truly distinguishes Turkish Airlines, however, is that this network strength is matched by a seamless travel experience delivered with consistency including award winning service, refined Business Class comfort, chef prepared cuisine, and premium lounge facilities. Being named Best Airline in Europe by Skytrax for the 10th consecutive time is a particularly important reflection of this strength, as it demonstrates sustained excellence. Programs such as Stopover in Istanbul and TourIstanbul also allow transit passengers to transform a connection into a meaningful travel experience. At the same time, we continue to strengthen the journey through digital innovation, more personalized services, and a broader travel ecosystem that includes products such as Turkish Airlines Holidays. In a highly competitive market, our advantage lies in combining global reach with consistency, hospitality, and a premium product that travellers can trust. That is why passengers choose Turkish Airlines not only to reach their destination, but to enjoy a smoother, richer, and more complete journey overall".
Interview by Angela Trivigno
Avion Tourism Magazine
Photo: Copyright © Turkish Airlines Press Office
All rights reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.
Istanbul photo: editorial use: Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
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