Turkish Airlines reportedly plans Istanbul-Sydney nonstop flights with Airbus A350-1000ULR

Turkish Airlines is reportedly planning nonstop flights between Istanbul and Sydney using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, according to a June 7 report. The route would be the carrier’s longest if it goes ahead, with a possible launch in late 2027.

The report indicates the aircraft would be specially equipped for ultra-long-haul operations, although no official order, route filing or airline statement was identified. The exact fleet commitment remains unclear, with the coverage referring to A350-1000s or ULR jets rather than confirming a final configuration.

If launched, the service would create a direct Turkey-Australia link and add another prospective customer for the A350-1000ULR, a variant developed for missions beyond the range of standard long-haul widebodies. Airbus has positioned the type around ultra-long-range operations, with Qantas’ Project Sunrise the benchmark example.