ISTANBUL- The flag carrier of Turkey, Turkish Airlines (TK) operates flights to more countries than any other carrier globally and currently serves 14 cities in the United States, including the recent additions of Denver (DEN) and Dallas (DFW).
The airline has openly shared its expansion plans. In an interview with Travel Weekly, their Chairman Ahmet Bolat indicated the next four US cities they plan to add: Philadelphia, Charlotte, Orlando, and Minneapolis.
Photo: Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines United States Expansion
These new cities will join the existing routes to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York JFK, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington Dulles.
The carrier plans to expand to a total of 20 U.S. cities, with Phoenix and Las Vegas likely candidates, although Raleigh and Tampa are also possibilities.
Currently, no U.S. airline flies to Istanbul (IST). United Airlines (UA) previously served the Newark-Istanbul route but discontinued it in 2013. Delta Air Lines (DL) operated flights from Atlanta to Istanbul but ended the service in 2016.
If Turkish Airlines eventually includes Phoenix, it will cover all American Airlines (AA) international hubs.
Photo: Cado PhotoAmerican Failed to Dominate the Route
American Airlines focuses its international service on seasonal routes and joint venture partner hubs, avoiding long-haul flights without partner connectivity at the destination. They also lack the aircraft to experiment with new routes or engage in strategic flying.
During the pandemic, American retired their Airbus A330s, Boeing 767s, and 757s. New Boeing 787 deliveries are delayed, along with Airbus A321XLRs, which wouldn’t reach Istanbul but could free up widebody capacity from nearer Europe routes. They have also postponed some 787-9 deliveries.
When Wow Air and Icelandair launched the Dallas-Reykjavik service, American Airlines responded in kind. Then-CEO Doug Parker explained their approach to competition at the time and said,
Somebody starts flying a flight from Dallas to anywhere and American either is already there or we’re gonna be there. Because we’re not going to let customers have another option other than American in and out of here.”
Doug Parker, Former CEO of American Airlines
American Airlines considered making the route year-round. However, after Wow Air collapsed and Icelandair withdrew from the market, American also exited despite reduced competition on the route. They relocated the flight to Philadelphia for the summer of 2019, reported ViewfromtheWing.
Photo: Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish AirlinesChallenging US Carriers
This move was perceived as anti-competitive behavior, but American Airlines is no longer in a position to pursue such strategies, even if they desired to do so.
Consequently, Turkish Airlines is likely to serve every American Airlines hub. As a partner of United Airlines (UA), Turkish Airlines is unlikely to establish service to Salt Lake City (SLC), leaving one Delta (DL) hub without direct coverage.
Photo: EurospotMeanwhile, Turkish Airlines continues its expansion. They have firm orders for 75 Airbus A350s and are exploring additional options, including an order for the Boeing 777X.
Over the next decade, Turkish Airlines plans to nearly double in size, expanding operations across Africa and Asia and developing a robust connecting hub similar to Emirates.
Ironically, while U.S. airlines sought government protection against Emirates (EK), Etihad (EY), and Qatar Airways (QR), Turkish Airlines, majority-owned by the government, is rapidly expanding in the U.S. market.
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Turkish Airlines Inaugurates New Flights Between Denver and Istanbul
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