Turkish Airlines has been building its network between the U.S. and Istanbul (IST) like crazy lately, adding nonstop flights from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), and several other cities in just the last few years. But it's not done yet.
Next on Turkish's wishlist? Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Orlando (MCO), Charlotte (CLT), and Philadelphia (PHL).
That's according to the airline's chairman, Ahmet Bolat, who told Travel Weekly in an interview this week that those four cities are part of the carrier's plan to fly to and from 20 U.S. cities total. Turkish began service to its 14th city on Tuesday with its first-ever flight to Denver.
But don't expect these flights straight to Istanbul from Minneapolis or Orlando to begin anytime soon. The airline hasn't made an official announcement, and flights aren't on sale yet. Representatives from the Minneapolis airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the potential of nonstop service from Minnesota to Istanbul.
It could take years – and some of these U.S. routes may never materialize.
Turkey's flag carrier has a track record of hinting at new nonstop routes long before they're ready. Case in point: The airline first announced it would fly to Denver way back in 2021 … but it took nearly three full years for that route to actually take flight.
Bolat, Turkish's board chairman, himself declined to put a date on it, admitting that the carrier's first priority is ramping up its recent additions in Denver and Detroit (DTW) to daily service. Both routes are currently flying just four to six times each week.
But one thing's for sure: Turkish will keep growing its U.S. footprint. It's just a matter of where next – and when.
The airline has been on a tear coming out of the pandemic, adding new nonstops to Dallas, Seattle (SEA), Detroit, and Denver within just the last few years. With dozens of additional widebody planes coming over the next several year, the airline simply needs to find more places for those new planes to fly.
And while Istanbul and the rest of Turkey will no doubt attract throngs of travelers, Turkish can get U.S. travelers practically anywhere with a quick stop. From Africa to the Middle East and even north into mainland Europe, Turkish Airlines is all about connecting travelers through Istanbul to their final destination. And they can do it: No airline in the world flies nonstop to more destinations than Turkish.
Turkish is perhaps best known for its stellar business class, with some of the best catering and service you'll find in the sky and excellent lounges in Istanbul. And while the airline's Boeing 777s that fly to many U.S. hubs feature a fairly outdated and crowded cabin, its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s are equipped with far more modern and comfortable lie-flat seats.
Read our full review of flying Turkish Airlines business class!
The airline would be a welcome addition in Minneapolis, whose travelers have been practically starved for airlines to give Delta's dominance (and high prices) at the Midwestern hub a serious challenge.
They got their wish this year as not one but two carriers began flying: Aer Lingus brought back nonstop flights to Dublin (DUB) this spring while Lufthansa commenced its very first route to Frankfurt (FRA) just last week. Adding Turkish – which isn't part of Delta's SkyTeam alliance but teams up with the Star Alliance like Lufthansa – within just a few years would be yet another jolt of competition.
Same goes for Charlotte and – two major American Airlines hubs with few long-haul options on other carriers. And with Disney World and other attractions, Orlando is a magnet for international carriers.
This is a developing news story, check back for updates.