An Exciting New Contender in European Air Travel Earns High Marks for Economy Class (Almost)
January 6, 2026 — 5:00 AM
The Airline: Turkish Airlines
- Route: Istanbul to Sydney, Flight TK174
- Frequency: Daily
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 (359)
- Class: Economy; Seat 16K, Window
- Flight Time: The journey from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur takes 10 hours and 15 minutes, followed by a second leg of 7 hours and 25 minutes to Sydney.
Navigating Check-In
I smoothly checked in at Frankfurt for my 7 AM connecting flight to Istanbul. Interestingly, Turkish Airlines boasts the largest global reach of any airline, operating flights to more countries than any other carrier. By boarding in Kuala Lumpur for the Sydney leg of my trip, I felt fortunate to be nearing my destination with the long trek across Europe behind me.
With a single flight number, I received just one boarding pass, allowing us to simply shuffle off with our carry-ons in Kuala Lumpur. There was even time for a quick coffee before reboarding the same aircraft, which had been thoroughly cleaned and restocked with fresh pillows and blankets. It’s worth noting that due to regulations, Turkish Airlines cannot transport passengers solely on the segment from Malaysia to Australia; they must travel to the final destination.
Baggage Allowances
Checked luggage allowances vary between 23 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, or 40 kg, depending on which of the four economy fare categories you select. Additionally, every ticket includes the option to bring a cabin bag weighing up to eight kilograms.
Loyalty Program
The airline's loyalty program is called Miles & Smiles. As a member of the Star Alliance, Turkish Airlines partners with several other major airlines, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and United Airlines, among many others.
The Seating Experience
The economy class seats are spacious, measuring 18 inches (46 cm) in width and providing a generous 32 inches (81 cm) of legroom. Impressively, the airline's A350-900 fleet has an average age of only 2.4 years, featuring a sophisticated navy interior accented with stylish red details.
In-Flight Entertainment and Technology
Thank goodness for modern conveniences like USB ports! Turkish Airlines consistently wins awards for in-flight entertainment, offering a diverse selection ranging from nature documentaries to the latest installment of Mission: Impossible, all displayed on a crystal-clear 13.3-inch (34 cm) touchscreen.
Cabin Service
A team of five polite and friendly crew members serves the cabin, distributing amenity packs—a thoughtful gesture that many airlines have discontinued for their economy passengers. This consideration added a nice touch to the overall experience.
Culinary Offerings
On the first leg, I was served what they called a ‘chicken burger,’ presented uniquely with a chicken patty, sautéed vegetables, various dips, and a bread roll on separate plates. It felt like a build-your-own meal, and I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious creation. The subsequent dish featured traditional juicy meatballs known as kofte, accompanied by flavorful tomato bulgur, buttered rice, and a mung bean salad, showcasing the airline’s identity as Turkey’s national flag carrier. Both meals were impressively flavorful and creatively crafted.
However, my enthusiasm waned during the second leg of the journey. The breakfast provided by Malaysian catering included a hot mushroom and omelette, which was decent but left much to be desired. The accompanying breakfast box with a chicken and Emmental panini was disappointing—sadly soggy and barely satisfying. Oh, panini, you thwarted an otherwise nearly perfect culinary experience!
Commitment to Sustainability
Turkish Airlines aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, working diligently to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across new routes as part of their environmental initiatives.
A Bonus Feature
What’s even better? You can enjoy two complimentary nights at a 4-star hotel in Istanbul through the Turkish Airlines Stopover offer. This delightful perk feels akin to a mini-vacation and is a compelling reason to choose this airline for your travels. Find out more at Turkish Airlines Stopover.
Pricing Overview
Return fares from Sydney to Istanbul in economy class start at approximately $1800. However, flights to certain European destinations see more competitive pricing; for instance, a return ticket to Rome is roughly $1350, while Paris can be reached for about $1450.
Final Thoughts
When a friend recently texted, asking if booking Turkish Airlines for Christmas was a wise choice, I confidently responded, "Great decision! You won’t regret it!" If you haven’t yet heard much about Turkish Airlines, it’s likely because they began directly operating flights into Sydney and Melbourne only in late 2024, having previously relied on codeshare agreements for those routes. Now, travelers can experience firsthand why they were awarded Skytrax’s Best Airline in Europe in 2025 for the tenth consecutive year.
With shorter legs from Istanbul, the journey feels like one of the swiftest routes to Europe. It will feel even quicker once Turkish Airlines launches its anticipated non-stop flights from Sydney to Istanbul later this year. If it weren’t for that greasy chicken panini, I’d have rated them even higher.
Our Rating: ★★★★½
The writer traveled as a guest of Turkish Airlines. For more details, visit turkishairlines.com.
*For additional insights on air travel and sustainability, please refer to iata.org.
Note: Fares mentioned are based on availability three months from publication and may change over time.
