Summary
- Turkish Airlines is expanding its US network with a new flight from Istanbul to Detroit, which will operate three times a week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
- The flight schedule offers convenient options for both leisure and business travelers, with midweek departures likely to have lower prices and Monday departures ideal for making it to Tuesday meetings in Istanbul.
- This expansion is part of Turkish Airlines’ rapid growth strategy as it continues to add destinations and increase connectivity worldwide, positioning itself as a major player in the global aviation industry.
On 15 November 2023, Turkish flag carrier Turkish Airlines will begin to fly to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) from its global hub at Istanbul Airport (IST). The Star Alliance carrier will begin thrice-weekly service from Detroit, which will operate using the airline’s modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
This service demonstrates the 13th destination in Turkish Airlines’ ever-expanding US network. Currently, the flag carrier provides direct flights from Istanbul to cities across the entire United States, including Atlanta, Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Newark.
Service specifics
As previously noted, this flight will operate three times weekly, departing from Detroit on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights year-round, all scheduled as overnight journeys arriving in Istanbul the following day. These services will feature Dreamliner aircraft equipped with 30 lie-flat business class seats and 270 seats in the economy cabin.
In terms of operational schedules, these flights will depart from IST at 15:35 as Turkish Airlines Flight 205 and are set to touch down in Detroit at 6:50 PM after just over 11 hours in the skies. In the return direction, flights will depart from DTW as Turkish Airlines Flight 206, taking off at 21:35 and arriving back in Istanbul the following afternoon at 15:35 PM after a 10-hour journey.
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For leisure travelers, Wednesday night flights will likely be those to keep one’s eyes on, as prices on midweek departures are likely to be lower. For those traveling on business, a Monday departure could prove ideal for making it to Tuesday afternoon meetings in Istanbul. In the return direction, Friday afternoon departures will allow business travelers to be back in Detroit just in time for the weekend.
An expansion for Turkish Airlines
With yet another destination added to its list of US connections, Turkish Airlines has continued to demonstrate its ability to expand rapidly. Currently, Turkish Airlines serves over 340 destinations worldwide and sits behind only United Airlines and American Airlines in terms of connectivity. Furthermore, the carrier provides nonstop connections to more nations than any other.
Photo: Ancapital | Shutterstock
Unsurprisingly, this expansion at DTW is yet another victory for the carrier’s network expansion team. In a statement regarding the announcement, Ahmet Bolat, the airline’s chairman, had the following words to share:
“It’s exciting to open another gateway in the Midwest region, connecting travelers from neighboring areas through the bustling hub of Detroit. This is a significant opening in our expansion plans for North America as we continue our mission of connecting more people and more destinations through our robust global route network.”
For Turkish Airlines, a partially state-owned enterprise, increasing tourism and ease of transport between the US and Turkey is of critical importance. As a result, expanding connectivity in the Upper Midwest comes as a critical victory for the airline’s long-term objectives in the US market.
Photo: EvrenKalinbacak | Shutterstock
Furthermore, the Turkish flag carrier isn’t done growing its US network this year alone. Later this winter, Turkish Airlines will begin operating long-haul flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) to its Istanbul hub.
Source: The Detroit News