Summary

  • Turkish Airlines is making changes to its winter operations by replacing the Boeing 787-9 with the Airbus A350-900 on the Istanbul-Newark route.
  • Certain Turkish Airlines A350s were initially intended for Aeroflot, and have a premium economy section in a 2-4-2 layout that is marketed as economy class.
  • The aircraft change will provide almost 500 more seats a month in each direction on the route, increasing revenue opportunities for Turkish Airlines.

Despite the waves of time having not quite swept us into the peak northern hemisphere summer season, Turkish Airlines is already looking at how to optimise its winter operations. Among the changes being made is the deployment of the Airbus A350-900 on the Istanbul-Newark route, replacing the Boeing 787-9.

Chopping and changing

According to a report published earlier today by AeroRoutes, Turkish Airlines has filed this aircraft change to come into effect on October 27th, 2024. From then onwards, the Star Alliance carrier’s winter flights between its hub at Istanbul Airport (IST) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) will no longer see the Dreamliner.

Instead, the Turkish flag carrier has reportedly opted to deploy the Airbus A350-900 in its place. Data from aeroLOPA shows that the airline’s A350s have two different two-class seating configurations, accommodating either 316 (288 economy and 28 business) or 329 (297 economy and 32 business) passengers. In this instance, AeroRoutes reports that Turkish Airlines will be deploying 316-seat examples.

Book Istanbul-Newark flights on Turkish Airlines’ A350s here!

Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 Inflight

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Interestingly, these particular A350s are the ones that were initially intended to fly for Aeroflot, and even had the Russian carrier’s chosen cabin configuration installed before being purchased by Turkish Airlines. Among various quirks, this notably features a 24-seat premium economy section in a more spacious 2-4-2 layout that Turkish Airlines sells as economy due to no longer offering premium economy.

Daily flights

In any case, both of Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 configurations can accommodate more passengers than its Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Indeed, the national carrier’s mid-sized Dreamliners have 300 seats onboard, with this figure consisting of 270 in economy and 30 in business class. While the 16-seat difference between the 787 and the A350 might not seem like much, it quickly adds up in the long term.

Indeed, apart from February 4th to March 3rd, when the frequency will drop to five rotations a week, Turkish Airlines will fly the A350 daily between Istanbul and Newark over the winter. As a result, the aircraft change will offer almost 500 more seats a month in each direction, as well as the chance for the carrier to generate more revenue. Simple Flying has contacted the airline for more information.

Related

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Turkish Airlines Airbus A350 Taxiing At Night

Photo: Pascal Pigeyre | Airbus

The outbound flight (TK029) will take just over 11 hours, departing Istanbul at 19:35 and touching down in Newark at 22:40 local time. After a couple of hours on the ground, the return leg (TK030) is scheduled to leave Newark at 00:35, touching down in Istanbul nine-and-a-half hours later at 18:05 local time. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Turkish Airlines has a monopoly on this route.

Tentatively scheduling the A350 elsewhere

As it happens, Newark isn’t the only destination that has recently seen a schedule change involving Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350-900s. Indeed, a separate report from AeroRoutes notes that the Turkish flag carrier has also tentatively scheduled the type (again using the 316-seat configuration) on winter operations from Istanbul to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Los Angeles International (LAX), and Seattle (SEA).

What do you make of this equipment change? If you’ve flown on Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, which do you prefer? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!


  • Turkish Airlines A330

    Turkish Airlines

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    TK/THY

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Istanbul Airport

    Year Founded:
    1933

    Alliance:
    Star Alliance

    CEO:
    Bilal Ekşi

    Country:
    Turkey

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