If you are planning to come to Turkey or fly with one of the Turkish Airline companies, you are at the right place.
As a professional Turkish lawyer, I frequently travel by plane, even to the remotest parts of Turkey. Air transport is one of my favored means of transportation.
As a result, I have experienced being a customer of all Turkish Airway Companies hundreds of times.
It’s important to know what the airline company is offering before deciding.
In this guide, I will tell you all details you need to know before booking a flight to or in Turkey.
If you are in a hurry, here is your short answer:
Turkish Airlines and Corendon provide the best service quality.
Turkish Airlines (THY) is the most popular and well-known Turkish airline company. The quality of service is competing with top international brands in the aviation industry.
Corendon Airlines usually has international routes and flies to limited destinations in Europe.
Pegasus, Anadolu Jet, Onur Air, and SunExpress are Turkish airline companies with budget prices. Anadolu Jet would be my top choice among low cost airlines in Turkey.
Turkish Airlines is a bit more expensive than others. Anadolu Jet is a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines with lower prices and service quality.
In this article, I’d like to explain the similarities and differences between them.
If you’re ready, let’s dig in.
Expedia helps you find the best and cheapest ticket by scanning flight routes. I love Expedia when searching for plane tickets. Click here to go to Expedia’s flight reservation page.
1) Turkish Airlines (THY)
Without a doubt, Turkish Airlines is one of the biggest companies in the world.
THY, which was established in 1933, was chosen several times as the “Best Airline in Europe” in the recent decade.
Turkish Airlines is also one of my all-time favorites.
I can easily recommend Turkish Airlines without a doubt. The only drawback is their tickets are expensive.
If I travel alone, I go with the cheapest, but If I travel with my family, I definitely choose Turkish Airlines because I feel safer and treated with the best service.
So, what makes this airline company well-known and unique?
One of the amazing qualities of Turkish Airlines is that even economy class passengers get special treatment.
The good thing is that you don’t have to pay for the food! Beyond that, the food is so good that this airline has won awards for catering.
It’s been a while since the last time I was on a plane. However, I can still remember the taste of the delicious dessert they served.
Additionally, you arrange your meal before the flight. You do not need to eat the same food as everyone, they have around 20 meal options covering all tastes, medical needs, and vegetarian choices.
Most planes have Wi-Fi service, screens to watch your favorite shows, and much more.
Besides, Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in Turkey.
THY flies to 127 countries and 292 cities, and 300 airports in the world. In Turkey, Turkish Airlines has 49 flight destinations.
Top-performing areas: Customer satisfaction, diversity of flight destinations
Lowest-performing areas: More expensive than other Turkish airline companies
You can click here, if you want to check Turkish Airlines’ website.
You can also see the ratings on Skytrax by clicking here.
2) Corendon Airlines
Corendon Airlines is another popular Turkish airline company that was established in 2000. Corendon Airlines offers a safe and comfortable flight for passengers.
In 2005, this company became the first airline company to land at Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Additionally, Corendon Airlines was ranked fourth among the “World’s Cleanest Airlines” in terms of carbon emissions per passenger.
Long story short, it’s a successful company that provides safe and great-quality flights for passengers.
Corendon Airlines has mostly charter flights and flies to 145 destinations in more than 40 countries.
Top-performing areas: Customer satisfaction
Lowest-performing areas: Inflight entertainment
If you want to check Corendon Airlines’ website, you can click here.
To see the ratings on Skytrax, you can click here.
Suggested Reading: Driving in Turkey in 2023: A Local’s Guide
3) Anadolu Jet
Anadolu Jet, a Turkish Airlines subsidiary, is also a successful airline company in Turkey.
Anadolu Jet was established in 2008, and it is a budget version of Turkish Airlines with lower service quality. Yet, it offers a comfortable flight.
The prices and quality ratio is the main reason that makes this airline a popular choice.
Like THY, Anadolu Jet also offers special treatment to CIP passengers. CIP lounges allow guests to take their time relaxing before the flight. Therefore, it’s an amazing option that needs to be considered.
Top-performing areas: Free catering, has the widest range of domestic destinations with Turkish Airlines.
Lowest-performing areas: Inflight entertainment
If you click here, you can take a look at Anadolu Jet’s website.
You can also see the ratings on Skytrax by clicking here.
4) Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus Airlines is one of Turkey’s most successful and well-known airline companies.
The company was founded in 1990 and grew to be the second biggest after Turkish Airlines. Pegasus offers service quality but with an additional price.
For example, as opposed to Turkish Airlines, treats, and food are not free. You need to pay for additional services if you want to eat or drink something.
Additionally, the luggage limit is usually lower than Turkish Airlines, and you need to pay extra if you have bigger than normal luggage.
Pegasus Airlines provides affordable and simple tickets, with every service additionally charged. Even the headphones are offered with a service charge.
Pegasus Airlines also offers four packages for their customers.
In the basic service, you are only allowed with your hand baggage.
The most expensive option is comfort flex service, and you will get nearly the same rights as a normal Turkish Airline ticket.
Pegasus flies to 36 Destinations in Turkey and 88 international destinations, with a total network of 124 destinations in 47 countries.
If you are on a business trip with your suitcase, I would recommend Pegasus as it would be cheaper. Yet, I believe Anadolu Jet offers a better service and lower costs than Pegasus.
On the other hand, I would choose Turkish Airlines if you are going on a vacation with your family and luggage.
Top-performing areas: Affordability
Lowest-performing areas: Food is not free
If you want to take a look at Pegasus Airlines’ website, you can click here.
To see the ratings on Skytrax, click here.
5) SunExpress
SunExpress is also one of the affordable airline companies in Turkey, established in 1989.
This successful airline company is a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and German Lufthansa.
SunExpress offers low-cost flights to customers. Therefore, it’s also one of the reasons why people choose this airline company.
The service quality is similar to Pegasus Airlines.
SunExpress offers a variety of food options and appealing services. However, these are not for free; you need to pay to eat and use any onboard services.
Besides domestic flights, Sun Express has many direct flights to European destinations, including Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Top-performing areas: Affordability, inflight entertainment
Lowest-performing areas: Food is not free
You can click here to check the website of SunExpress.
If you want to see the ratings on Skytrax, you can click here.
6) Onur Air
Onur Air is another budget airline company in Turkey.
This airline company is a great option for people who want to book an affordable flight.
Onur Air also offers plenty of delicious food, desserts, and snacks, which are not for free. Yet, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if you are looking for a cheap way to reach your destination.
Onur Air flies to limited but major destinations in Turkey. Additionally, it has limited international destinations.
Top-performing areas: Affordability and alternative hours in major destinations.
Lowest-performing areas: Food is not free.
If you click here, you can also check the website of Onur Air.
To see the ratings on Skytrax, you can click here.
7) Fly Kıbrıs Airline
Fly Kıbrıs Airline (FLYKHY) is a Turkish Cypriot company that exclusively flies between Turkish and Cyprus.
Fly Kıbrıs is a new company that started its operation in 2023. As A frequent flier to Cyprus, I already took a flight with this company two times.
I believe The Fly Kıbrıs offers a budget airline option better than Pegasus and Turkish Airlines in terms of value for money.
Top-performing areas: Affordability, alternative hours in Cypriot destinations.
Lowest-performing areas: Even though, The Fly Cyprus provides good value for money, has lower service quality than Turkish Airlines (THY).
If you click here, you can also check the website of Fly Kıbrıs Airline.
Turkey Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Turkey?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing, one of the biggest names in travel insurance.
💧Can you drink tap water in Turkey?
Rarely — You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Turkey, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Turkey. (Read more)
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Turkey?
Yes — Renting a car in Turkey is one of the best ways to explore the seven regions of Turkey! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Turkish companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more)
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Turkey accommodation?
For Turkish hotels and hostels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Airbnb, don’t forget also to check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to Turkey? For finding cheap Turkey flights, I recommend Skyscanner and Google Flights. (Read more about the best Turkish Airline Companies.)
🎫 Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Likely Not — U.S., Canadian, and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Turkey but check here to see if you do need a Turkey travel visa.
