Update 31 Jan 2024: Turkish Airlines has announced that flights to Melbourne will now commence on March 1, with the first arrival in Melbourne on March 2. This brings forward the launch of TK Melbourne flights by two weeks. Additionally, although the route will launch with the Boeing 787 (and on some days the Boeing 777), long-term plans are for the route to be flown by the Airbus A350-900.
For the first time in a very long time, a European airline will once again be flying to Melbourne. Turkish Airlines has announced flights connecting Istanbul and Melbourne commencing March 15, 2024. This new destination will be the 346th in Turkish Airlines’ destination list, and its 130th country. It’s also a huge boost to the Star Alliance network, of which Turkish Airlines is a part, complementing services by other allied carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand.
Turkish Airlines Melbourne Schedule
Flights will initially run 3 times per week. The northern winter launch schedule, which ends later in March, is as follows:
Melbourne – Singapore (TK 169)
Frequency: Tues, Thurs, Sat
Departure: 22:30
Arrival: 03:00+1
Singapore – Istanbul (TK 169)
Frequency: Wed, Fri, Sun
Departure: 04:30
Arrival: 11:15
Istanbul – Singapore (TK 168)
Frequency: Mon, Wed, Fri
Departure: 17:30
Arrival: 08:50 +1
Singapore – Melbourne (TK 168)
Frequency: Tues, Thurs, Sat
Departure: 10:20
Arrival: 20:40
Singapore Stopover
Turkish Airlines has initially scheduled the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on this route, which for various technical and financial reasons is best run as a one-stop journey with a stopover in Singapore. This stop is what’s known as a fifth-freedom flight, meaning you can book to fly only as far as Singapore if you’re in Melbourne or Istanbul. Alternatively, if you are in Singapore, these flights will be handy for you if you wish to go to Melbourne or Istanbul. The route between Melbourne and Singapore is a heavily plied route, already flown by Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar and Scoot. Therefore we expect some competitive fares on this leg. If you’re considering a stopover in Singapore, some creative routing via other existing TK flights via Singapore (e.g. TK54, TK55, TK209) will allow additional time in Singapore. Check out our articles on free Singapore transit tours here.
Turkish Airlines also suggests that additional flights and destinations are on the way.
In the coming years, we plan to strengthen our presence in this beautiful country by increasing both the frequency of our flights and the number of our destinations.Prof Dr Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee
This is likely due to a recent increase in bilateral rights between Türkiye and Australia, allowing up to 21 flights per week (up from 7) between Istanbul and Australia’s main airports. Sydney has been indicated as a possible future destination. Furthermore, with plans for the delivery of new long-range Airbus A350 aircraft, it is likely that many (if not all) of these flights will eventually bypass Singapore altogether.
Turkish Airlines’ Melbourne Launch Fares
To celebrate Turkish Airlines’ Melbourne to Istanbul flights, special launch fares are on offer for AUD 1499 from Melbourne and USD 1199 from Istanbul. These launch fares are available until 15 April 2024 with travel from 15 March to 15 May 2024. To take advantage of these launch fares, visit the airline’s website here.
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