Turkish Airlines has major growth plans, despite already being huge, and flying to more countries than any other airline in the world.
In 2023, the airline announced how it planned to order up to 600 more planes, in order to fuel its growth. Shortly thereafter, we saw the airline place a substantial order with Airbus, though there wasn’t much news on the Boeing front. Well, that has finally changed.
In this post:
Turkish Airlines places massive Boeing aircraft order
Turkish Airlines has today announced an order for up to 75 Boeing 787s. This includes a firm order for 35 787-9s, 15 787-10s, and options for an additional 25 787s, with the variants to be determined at a future date. All of the planes should be delivered between 2029 and 2034.
The airline has also announced its intention to purchase up to 150 more Boeing 737 MAXs, which would be the company’s largest single-aisle order from Boeing in history, if/when it’s finalized. Now, I wouldn’t read too much into the 737 MAX order just yet. Yes, I’m sure the airline will order more 737 MAXs, but for now it’s just talk.
If the 737 MAX order gets finalized, this would double Turkish Airlines’ Boeing fleet. Here’s how Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat describes this order:
“This landmark agreement represents much more than a fleet growth. It is a reflection of our leadership in the industry as well as our dedication to innovation and operational excellence. The addition of these advanced Boeing aircraft to our fleet will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also become a significant element supporting Turkish Airlines’ 2033 Vision of expanding our fleet to 800 aircraft.”
My take on Turkish Airlines’ latest fleet development
There’s nothing really surprising with this Turkish Airlines order. We know the airline wants to roughly double in size, so of course the airline was going to pick up more Boeing 787s, and possibly more Boeing 737 MAXs.
Turkish Airlines’ passenger fleet currently consists of around 370 planes, with roughly 320 more planes now on order. The airline now has firm orders for Airbus A321neos, A350-900s, and A350-1000s, along with firm orders for Boeing 787-9s and 787-10s.
Turkish Airlines’ Dreamliner fleet currently consists of 24 787-9s, and now there are a total of 41 787-9s (six as part of the previous order, 35 as part of the new order) and 15 787-10s on order.
When it comes to this order, there are really just two things that stand out to me:
- I’m surprised Turkish Airlines only ordered 15 787-10s; that seems like a really small firm order, since the plane has amazing economics, sufficient range for Turkish Airlines’ network, and the carrier has no problem filling planes
- It’s noteworthy how Turkish Airlines still hasn’t ordered the Boeing 777X, since you’d assume that this would at some point be of interest to the airline, as a new flagship aircraft
Of course if Turkish Airlines wants to actually double in size, we’re going to see even more orders, especially since some of the existing planes will also soon need to be replaced.
Bottom line
Turkish Airlines has placed a significant order with Boeing, as the airline has ordered up to 75 Boeing 787-9s. This includes 50 firm orders and 25 options, split between the 787-9 and 787-10. On top of that, the airline suggests that it plans to order up to 150 more 737 MAXs, though we’ll see what comes of that.
Given Turkish Airlines’ announcement a couple of years back of ordering 600 new planes, it was a matter of time until this order was announced.
What do you make of Turkish Airlines’ Boeing order?
Guessing the 150 Boeing 737 MAX order will be conditional on if or how many F-35s the State Department will allow Türkiye to purchase.
It would be 255 Boeing order logbook vs 265 for Airbus (190 Airbus A321neo, Airbus A350-900/-1000)
As someone who has flown in and out of Istabul airport - it is complete rubbish. It is a massive airport that doesn't use its massive footprint very well. I was bussed (?) to and from two of my four flights - despite how massive it is. On top of that - they don't have a great service culture - so unlike Singapore/EK/QR etc, it is very hit and miss. They also don't do alcohol...
As someone who has flown in and out of Istabul airport - it is complete rubbish. It is a massive airport that doesn't use its massive footprint very well. I was bussed (?) to and from two of my four flights - despite how massive it is. On top of that - they don't have a great service culture - so unlike Singapore/EK/QR etc, it is very hit and miss. They also don't do alcohol well (banned demostically and also in their domestic lounges) - it is a laboured effort to get a decent drop poured and then re-poured. It feels like they are just trying to push themselves as a hub, whilst the rest of the aviation world has developed the technology to by-pass them... That said SQ is a great reason to fly where-every you go :)
Leo, one has to agree with your final sentence. However, the remaining statements could well be taken with a pinch of salt. Istanbul has three major airports: ISL, IST, and SAW. Depending upon which airline you arrived and departed on, will determine if they remote park or go to an airbridge stand. The cheap airlines remote park, hence your bus ride. Hardly the fault of the airport authorities.
You know that IST is closed, right?
Alcohol is not banned in Turkey, wth?!
They just don't serve alcohol on domestic routes due to economics...
Terminal 2 is getting build in the near future as well as a satellite + additional runways. See Google Maps
TK’s growth plans baffle me. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there is any “single-hub” airline with a fleet of 800+ airplanes. UA, AA, DL, WN are all 800+ aircraft but operate over many large bases. Hell, even the European majors with 200-400 aircraft split their operations (LHR/LGW, CDG/ORY, FRA/MUC).
So how is TK going to operate a fleet of 800+ out of a single airport, or even two? IST is...
TK’s growth plans baffle me. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there is any “single-hub” airline with a fleet of 800+ airplanes. UA, AA, DL, WN are all 800+ aircraft but operate over many large bases. Hell, even the European majors with 200-400 aircraft split their operations (LHR/LGW, CDG/ORY, FRA/MUC).
So how is TK going to operate a fleet of 800+ out of a single airport, or even two? IST is already unbearably large (30-45min walk between gates and no train system, frequent use of remote gates with airstairs, etc.). Where is all of this extra capacity going to go?
There are plans to extend IST airport with a large satellite terminal
Turkiye have a plan to build T2 with 60Mpax? capacity and one satellite as 50Mpax? to eventually handle 200M passengers/year in far future.
I think part of the plans may be to use ADB, ESB, and AYT as minor hubs. They have quite a few direct fights to several European and Middle Eastern destinations on TK or AJet.
Is there any update on TK flying direct to Australia? Or has that been dropped
nonstop*
They fly via Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But for the nonstop flights they are waiting for the A350-1000s to be delivered by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Yup, at the moment they don't have anything with the legs to reliably get back to Istanbul non-stop every time. The A35K will fix that.
I still like the TK 350-10's Better.
Airbuses are nice.