Turkish Airlines has announced that Auckland will be added to its future flight schedule, aiming to complement its existing services to Sydney and Melbourne.
During the Turkish Airlines Management Summit 2025 in Antalya, airline chairman Ahmet Bolat revealed that the inaugural flights from Istanbul to Auckland will transit through Singapore, similar to the airline’s Istanbul-Melbourne route. Passengers will deplane at Singapore’s Changi Airport, where business class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers, including Star Alliance Gold members such as Air New Zealand Airpoints Gold and Elite cardholders, can enjoy the airport lounge before boarding the same aircraft for the next leg of their journey.
The airline is also exploring the possibility of offering non-stop flights between Auckland and Istanbul as it expands its fleet of ultra-long-range Airbus A350-1000 jets. The first A350-1000s are expected to begin direct flights from Istanbul to Sydney in late 2026, eliminating the current stopover in Kuala Lumpur for a 17-hour non-stop flight, with direct services to Melbourne to follow.
The new A350-1000s will feature a customized layout with a significantly larger business class cabin. However, the airline has confirmed that it will not be reintroducing its ‘Comfort Class’ premium economy, which previously provided a ‘business-lite’ experience.
Auckland flights are anticipated to include Turkish Airlines’ new Crystal business class suites, which offer fully lie-flat beds and sliding privacy doors.
