Turkish Airlines is known for flying to more countries than most other airlines. If you want to fly from the UK to somewhere in the Middle East, Asia, or Africa without juggling multiple carriers, they’re often the first name that comes up. Their hub, Istanbul Airport, is a major connecting point, which means you can usually find flights with one stop rather than two or three. The airline’s fleet is mostly widebody planes, which makes their long-haul flights pretty comfortable, with a solid reputation for decent in-flight meals compared to budget carriers.
People booking with Turkish Airlines tend to be travellers who want a good balance between price and quality. The airline isn’t cheap, but it’s not as pricey as some of the bigger legacy carriers, either. You’ll find economy tickets that occasionally undercut competitors, especially if you book in advance or catch a sale. Business class is popular for long hauls, offering lie-flat seats and a quiet cabin, but it’s not quite at the level of top European carriers. The website can be a bit fiddly, and customer service sometimes feels patchy, especially when flights get disrupted, which is worth keeping in mind.
They also run a frequent flyer programme, Miles&Smiles, which works well if you travel regularly with them or their Star Alliance partners. Overall, Turkish Airlines is a solid choice if you want a broad route network out of Europe without breaking the bank, but don’t expect flawless service every time.