Istanbul- The flag carrier of Turkey, Turkish Airlines (TK) operates flights to more countries than any another carrier globally and presently serves 14 cities in the United States, including the fresh additions of Denver (DEN) and Dallas (DFW).
The airline has openly shared its expansion plans. In an interview with Travel Weekly, their president Ahmet Bolat indicated the next 4 US cities they plan to add: Philadelphia, Charlotte, Orlando, and Minneapolis.
Photo: Ahmet Bolat, president of Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines United States Expansion
These fresh cities will join the existing routes to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, fresh York JFK, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington Dulles.
The carrier plans to grow to a full of 20 U.S. cities, with Phoenix and Las Vegas likely candidates, although Raleigh and Tampa are besides possible.
Currently, no U.S. airline flies to Istanbul (IST). United Airlines (UA) previously served the Newark-Istanbul way but discontinued it in 2013. Delta Air Lines (DL) operated flights from Atlanta to Istanbul but ended the service in 2016.
If Turkish Airlines evenly included Phoenix, it will cover all American Airlines (AA) global hubs.
Photo: Cado PhotoAmerican Failed to Dominate the Route
American Airlines focuses its global service on seasonal routes and joint venture partner hubs, avoiding long-haul flights without partner connectivity at the destination. They besides catch the aircraft to experience with fresh routes or engage in strategical flying.
During the pandemic, American retrieved their Airbus A330s, Boeing 767s, and 757s. fresh Boeing 787 deliveryries are delayed, along with Airbus A321XLRs, which would wouldn’t scope Istanbul but could free up widebody capacity from nearer Europe routes. They have besides postponed any 787-9 deliveryries.
When Wow Air and Icelandair launched the Dallas-Reykjavik service, American Airlines responded in kind. Then-CEO Doug Parker exploited their approach to competence 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. due to the fact that we’re not going to let customers have another option another than American in and out of here.”
Doug Parker, erstwhile CEO of American Airlines
American Airlines hosted making the way year-round. However, after Wow Air collapsed and Icelandair withwood from the market, American besides exited despite reduced competition on the route. They relocated the flight to Philadelphia for the summertime of 2019, reported ViewfromtheWing.
Photo: Ahmet Bolat, president of Turkish AirlinesChallenging US Carriers
This decision was perceived as anti-competitive behavior, but American Airlines is no longer in a position to prosecute specified strategies, even if they desired to do so.
Consecently, Turkish Airlines is likely to service all American Airlines hub. As a partner of United Airlines (UA), Turkish Airlines is improbable to establish service to Salt Lake City (SLC), leaving 1 Delta (DL) hub without direct cover.
Photo: EurospotMeanwhile, Turkish Airlines continues its expansion. They have companies 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 akin to Emirates.
Ironically, while U.S. airlines thought 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 fresh Flights Between Denver and Istanbul
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