Turkish Airlines will fly to Kuala Lumpur daily

Turkish Airlines operates 4x weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia currently. And starting from May 2014, the airline will fly to Kuala Lumpur daily from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. Increased frequency comes after increased demand for flights between Turkey and Malaysia according to Firat Yildirim, general manager of Turkish Airlines for Malaysia.

In 2014, Turkish Airlines flew in 10,000 passengers from Turkey to Malaysia. The airline anticipates this demand to reach 20,000 passengers this year. Other than Turkish Airlines Malaysia Airlines also flies between Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur.

“For Visit Malaysia Year 2014, we are going to have more passengers, travellers, tourists and businessmen coming in on Turkish Airlines from Turkey through our vast network to support Kuala Lumpur’s tourism initiative,” Yildirim said. Given the airline’s track record in Europe and North America as well as the Middle east and African continent, he said the airlines anticipates greater growth in passengers traffic and “is confident it can gain market share here.”[1]

Turkish Airlines has just started to fly to Kuala Lumpur in 28 April 2013. The flights started 3 times weekly and increased to 4 times weekly in 17 June 2013. In fact, Turkish Airlines was flying from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur 10 years ago but stopped flights in 2003.[2]



Above video shows the arrival of its inaugural return flight to KLIA by flight No: TK060 landed at 4.50pm on April 26th 2013 and welcomed by the water cannon salute.
Increase in flights to Kuala Lumpur from Istanbul adds more flights for many destinations outside Turkey. Turkish Airlines uses Istanbul as a hub and feeds it with flights from 245 destinations in 105 countries around the world (94 destinations in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) countries, 36 destinations in Africa, 33 in the Middle East, 31 in the Far East, six in North America and two in South America and eight in Russia).
[1] - Turkish Airlines to fly daily to KL by May 2014 [2] - Türk Havayolları İstanbul’dan Kuala Lumpur’a uçuyor

Qatar Airways flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to start in May 2014

Most of the international flights to Turkey arrives to Istanbul Ataturk Airport which is at almost the end of this large city on the European side. This is OK for many because much of the tourist attractions in Istanbul is on this side of the Bosphorus. But if your destination is Asian side or other cities near Istanbul such as Bursa, Izmit and Sakarya then you will need to “cross the bridge”. This may mean hours of drive in traffic as well as other conveniences (there is no direct airport shuttle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Anatolian side of the city and it will cost a lot to take taxi to there).

Recently, I have taken a flight from Singapore to Istanbul on Qatar Airways and landed in Istanbul Ataturk Airport while my final destination was Umraniye on the Asian side. I had to take a 2 hours long public transportation to reach there (yes I am stingy). If there was a Sabiha Gokcen flight I would just take a shorter airport shuttle and then taxi.

Fortunately, increasing number of international flights are arriving to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Qatar Airways is the last one and one of the few which opens Asian side of İstanbul to long-haul international flights from Africa and Far East. By May 22 2014, the Doha based airline will fly to Sabiha Gokcen. The 4x weekly flights will be served by Airbus A320 aircraft in 2 class configuration with 12 Business Class and 132 Economy Class seats.

This will allow passengers to access Asian side of Istanbul as well as some other major industrial cities in Marmara region such as Izmit, Sakarya and Bursa. And not only Qatar Airways passangers: the airline has recently joined oneworld global airline alliance which is the third largest in the world. Oneworld members include American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas.

Qatar Airways will commence flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport in May 2014.

Qatar Airways have started flying to Turkey in 2004 with the commence of Doha – İstanbul Ataturk Airport flights. Increased demand resulted in introduction of Ankara – Doha flights in 2010. In 2013, Qatar Airways has responded to increased demand for flights to Turkey by replacing narrow body Airbus A320 aircraft on Istanbul route with wide body Airbus A330 and increasing the frequency of Ankara – Doha flights. Doha – Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen route will be the 3rd route of Qatar Airways to Turkey. With these flights total number of Qatar Airways flights to Turkey is increasing from 14 to 18.

Qatar Airways offers transfer in Doha to Istanbul which makes it a cheaper alternative to fly to Istanbul from Far East such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Japan.

Turkish Airlines will open its Istanbul Arrival Lounge for Business Class passengers

Turkish Airlines opened its new "Istanbul Arrival Lounge" in a ceremony, designed to provide a space where inbound guests may refresh themselves before exiting the Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This is the most recent innovation directed at making Business Class travel on Turkish Airlines a uniquely pleasurable experience.

The Lounge offers passengers shower facilities, areas for changing clothes and staff dedicated to ironing clothing items if desired. There are also delicious treats prepared by Turkish DO & CO—all designed to ready passengers for the tasks that await them upon leaving the airport. This service is especially valuable to guests arriving in the early morning when hotel rooms are generally not yet available for check-in.
Also available are daily local and foreign newspapers and magazines, a full wireless internet connection, media walls and charging points for passengers’ electronic devices.

The lounge will be open every day to receive arriving passengers from 05:00 - 12:30 (local time) and will be closed each day at 13:00 (local time).

Only Business Class passengers and Economy or Comfort Class passengers having Elite Plus membership will be able to use the lounge on arrival in Istanbul following their international flights. Star Gold members and other Miles & Smiles members--except Elite Plus members - will not be eligible to use the Lounge. Additionally, eligible passengers will not be permitted to bring guests.

Turkish Airlines Istanbul Arrival Lounge at Ataturk Airport

Qatar Airways introduces Airbus A330 on Doha - Istanbul flights

Qatar Airways is one of my most favorite airlines to fly from Far East to Turkey. They fly from Doha to Istanbul and Ankara. Both flights were served by Airbus A320 planes which is a drwaback after flying in a fantastic Boeing 777 or Airbus A330 from Singapore to Doha. But finally since 1 July 2013, Qatar Airways started to use Airbus A330 on Doha - Istanbul route. The wide body planes with 36 Business Class and 192 Economy Class seats are equipped with an in-flight entertainment system with 700 channels and more than 1000 videos and music.

With introduction of Airbus A330 on the route, Qatar Airway's Istanbul capacity will increase by 166 seats per day (50% up!). The airline has started flying to Istanbul 10 years ago with 3 x week schedule and with increased demand it is now flying 10 times a week to Istanbul.

Qatar Airways flies to many major destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Although it is not practical to fly to Europe and USA from Turkey, airline offers relatively cheap tickets and very high quality alternative on route to Middle East, Africa, East Asia (i.e. Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, China, Malaysia) and Australia and New Zealand.

An Airbus A330 of Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways Istanbul - Doha - Istanbul flights are now served with these
large body aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Istanbul will be served by Airbus A330 aircraft

Doha based international airline Qatar Airways has increased its capacity on its flights to Istanbul from Doha by introducing wide body Airbus A330 aircraft. As of July 2013, with the introduction of these larger aircraft, Doha - Istanbul capacity will be increased by 166 seats per day, or almost 50%.

Qatar Airways Airbus A330 aircraft feature two-class seats (24 Business Class and 258 Economy Class), seat-back TV screens providing passengers with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment system and a choice of more than 1000 audio and video on demand options.

“After more than 10 successful years of operations in Turkey, we are absolutely delighted to introduce a wide body aircraft on our Istanbul route, which will provide our passengers extra capacity and an optimised level of service and comfort” says Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, business, culture and tourism center, is a popular route for both leisure and business travelers. Qatar Airways started flying to Istanbul in 2003 with only 3X weekly flight frequency and now flies 10x a week thanks to the strong demand from Turkish market. From its hub Doha, which is only 4 hours flight from Istanbul, Qatar Airways offers quality and relatively cheap flights to Middle East, Africa and East Asia which is increasingly making the airline popular among Turks. The airline has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 127 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

A Qatar Airways Airbus A-330.

Below are Qatar Airways Istanbul flight schedules:

Flights from Doha to Istanbul (Sundays and Thursdays)
Depart Doha on QR 482 at 0750hrs, arrive in Istanbul at 1220hrs
Depart Doha on QR 480 at 1400hrs, arrive in Istanbul at 1830hrs

DOHA – ISTANBUL (Mondays)
Depart Doha on QR 482 at 0750hrs, arrive in Istanbul at 1220hrs
Depart Doha on QR 480 at 1350hrs, arrive in Istanbul at 1820hrs

Flights from Doha to Istanbul (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
Depart Doha on QR 480 at 1400hrs, arrive in Istanbul at 1830hrs

Flights from Doha to Istanbul (Wednesdays and Fridays)
Depart Doha on QR 482 at 0750, arrive in Istanbul at 1220hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Sundays and Thursdays)
Depart Istanbul on QR483 at 1320hrs, arrive in Doha at 1730hrs
Depart Istanbul on QR481 at 1930hrs, arrive in Doha at 2340hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Mondays)
Depart Istanbul on QR483 at 1325hrs, arrive in Doha at 1735hrs
Depart Istanbul on QR481 at 1930hrs, arrive in Doha at 2340hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Tuesdays)
Depart Istanbul on QR481 at 1935hrs, arrive in Doha at 2345hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Wednesdays)
Depart Istanbul on QR483 at 1325hrs, arrive in Doha at 1735hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Fridays)
Depart Istanbul on QR483 at 1320hrs, arrive in Doha at 1730hrs

Flights from Istanbul to Doha (Saturdays)
Depart Istanbul on QR481 at 1930hrs, arrive in Doha at 2340hrs

Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations this year – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Salalah (Oman), Najaf and Basra (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Chicago (USA).Over the next few months, the network will grow further with Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3) and recently-announced new routes of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).

Budget flights between Budapest and Istanbul by Wizz Air

From 2 August 2013 Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air will start flights from Budapest to Istanbul according to a press release by the company. Budapest - Istanbul route will operate four times per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday  and five times per week from September, 2013 on Monday, Wednesday, Thurday, Friday and Sunday. The new service will gradually grow over the following months to a daily operation by March, 2014.

Istanbul is the latest addition of Wizz Air’s eastbound network expansion from Budapest following the earlier introduction of Tel Aviv, Kiev, Baku and Dubai routes. The airline’s low fares will quickly increase bi-directional tourism and business travel between Hungary and Turkey, stimulating over 70,000 passenger traffic in the first year of operation.

Mr. Ábrán also said, Quote: “W!ZZ AIR has been stimulating Hungarian air traffic with very low fares and by expanding to Eastern destinations has opened Hungary to fast growing economies and great tourism destinations. Istanbul, at the crossways between Europe and Asia, is set to become one of the best-selling destinations. The increasing popularity of Turkey as business link and holiday destination will now be more accessible for individual travelers as well as families and businesses.”

Time is running so fast and by the use of flying high you can make the time stop in a way or at least save a lot of time at reaching destination quickly and comfy. Now a new destination will be added with the crafts and pilots for you to reach easily and at a real low-cost fair to Istanbul.

Wizz Air will start budget flights between Budapest and Istanbul in August 2013.

Flights on W!ZZ AIR’s new route to Istanbul –  Sabiha Gökçen Airport are already on sale and can be booked immediately on wizzair.com with incredible fares starting from just 5,990 HUF on a one way flight, incl., tax.

W!ZZ Air is the largest low-fare, low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe.

Flights to Marseille from Istanbul by Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has started direct flights from Istanbul to Marseille on 4 June 2013 as 5th destination in France. The award winning airline and flag carrier of Turkey is already flying to Paris, Lyon, Nice and Toulouse. Flights between Istanbul and the second largest city of France, Marseilles will be operated 4 times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in both directions.

Turkish Airlines introductory round trip faresare available from Istanbul to Marseille starting at 99 Euros (including taxes and fees). Additionally, for the first 6 months in our new destinations, there is a special offer for our Miles&Smiles members, with a 25% reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades.

Located on the Mediterranean coast of France, Marseille holds the title of the oldest city in Europe with two thousand six hundred years of history and also ranks as the being largest commercial port on the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of more than one million, including a wide variety of ethnic groups, Marseille has a metropolitan air and features characteristics similar to Istanbul, such as multiculturalism.

Sunlight is the most significant asset of Marseille. The natural light which comes with a Mistral breeze is unique to the Provence region and also has been a source of inspiration for many well-known painters such as Cezanne, Braque, Dufy, Derain and Marquet.

Turkish Airlines added direct flights from Istanbul to Marseille.

The ‘Château d'If’, which gained fame through Alexandre Dumas’ novel, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, has one of the most beautiful views of the city. With an exquiste view of the harbor surrounded by mountains, Marseille is a historical and cultural mosaic nestled amid lavender fields, where the old and the new coexist…

Flights from Istanbul to Marseille, TK1365, will depart from Istanbul on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday at 11:25 AM and will arrive to Marseille on the same day at 13:45 PM. Return flights from Marseille , TK1366, will depart from Merseille at 14:35 on the same day and arrive to Istanbul at 18:35 PM.

Marseille flight times as scheduled from June 4th;

Flight No.	Days	Departure		Arrival
TK1365	Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday	Istanbul	11:25	Marseille	13:45
TK1366	Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday	Marseille	14:35	İstanbul	18:35

Flights from Kiev to Istanbul by Ukraine Airlines

Ukraine Airlines launches reciprocal flights between Kiev and Istanbul twice a day for 7 days a week and as from May 14th, 2013 these reciprocal flights will take place 4 times a day. Launching flights to more than 40 cities worldwide, Ukraine Airlines adds Istanbul to its flight web as from April 22nd and aims to meet the high demands for flights to Istanbul.

On April 22nd, 135 passengers of Ukraine Airlines coming from Kiev were welcomed with a ceremony. Ukraine Consul General for Istanbul Bohdan Yaramenko, TAV Istanbul General Manager Kemal Unlu and Ukraine Airlines Vice President for Commercial and International Relations Simon Bundle attended the ceremony. Passengers were treated to a cake for celebration.

New direct scheduled flights en route Kiev (Boryspil International airport) – Istanbul (Ataturk International airport – Kiev (Boryspil International airport) will be operated twice daily.

Launching direct scheduled service between the capital of Ukraine and Istanbul, we aim at meeting the growing demand of Ukrainian travelers for Turkish destinations, – noted Evgeniya Satska, UIA Corporate Press Secretary . – We are very pleased to provide our passengers with an opportunity to visit Istanbul – cultural and geopolitical center of the Middle East, to discover Eastern culture, to relax on the shores of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and to get unforgettable impressions of this majestic city.

Ukraine Airlines direct flight schedule between Kiev and Istanbul

Flight	Destination	Days	Departure*	Arrival*
PS711	Kiev – Istanbul	1234567	06:40	08:40
PS712	Istanbul – Kiev	1234567	09:35	11:30
PS715	Kiev – Istanbul	1234567	19:30	21:30
PS716	Istanbul – Kiev	1234567	05:55	07:55

Direct Flights Between Houston and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is expanding its presence in the United States as it launches of its newest gateway in Houston, Texas. Houston becomes the fifth U.S. gateway, joining Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The airline will offer non-stop flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST).

"We're delighted that Turkish Airlines can now serve the Houston community and better connect them with our services to 220 destinations globally via Istanbul," says Hamdi Topcu, Turkish Airlines' Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee. "Houston is a key point in the international aviation. We believe that these new flights will make international travel easier and more convenient for both business and leisure travelers in the area."

Members of the media, along with Hamdi Topcu, Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the Consul General of Turkey in Houston Cemalettin Aydin, President of the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), Ilker Ayci, and Houston Airport System Director of Aviation Mario Diaz, attended the launch event at Terminal D at George Bush Intercontinental Airport before Turkish Airlines' inaugural flight. The event featured authentic Turkish cuisine, live entertainment, a ribbon cutting ceremony and speaker remarks by top officials from local government, the Turkish government, Turkish Airlines, and the Houston Airport System.

"The direct flights to Istanbul will strengthen trade, investment and tourism ties for Houston in Turkey," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I will lead a trade mission later this month to Istanbul to capitalize on the new air service and develop more economic relationships that will build a stronger bond between our global markets."

For the first time ever, Houstonites will be able to experience firsthand Turkish Airlines' unparalleled service, award-winning gourmet cuisine and amenities on the Boeing-777 aircraft en route to Istanbul. Houston service of Turkish Airlines will start with four frequencies per week: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning from July 3, 2013, the weekly frequencies of the mentioned flights will increase to six : Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

"This new route positions Texas with a new strategic advantage for international commerce since more than 300 Houston companies have business or trade ties with Turkey," said Mario C. Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. "In addition, Turkish Airlines offers outstanding connections from Istanbul, where a connecting passenger will have only three hours flying time to 50 different countries."

Houston and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines will be served by Boeing 777 aircraft.

Thirty-nine million passengers flew with Turkish Airlines in 2012 and that number is expected to grow by nine million this year, resulting in a 20% increase compared to 2011. With Houston being the fourth largest city in the United States in terms of population and home to thousands of Turkish residents it was a natural choice for the airlines' next gateway. Houston is comprised of many different ethnic communities, many whom travel frequently to their homelands. Trade missions between Texas and Turkey have dramatically increased over the past few years and with the introduction of Turkish Airlines in the Houston market, investment opportunities will multiply.

Introductory fares from Houston to Istanbul start at $599.