Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Türkiye and a member of Star Alliance. From its hub at Istanbul Airport it connects an unusually wide network across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the Far East and the Americas, which makes Istanbul one of the most useful connecting points between Europe and the rest of the world.

Hub and network

International flights are concentrated at Istanbul Airport (IST), a single large terminal on the European side of the city. As a Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines shares frequent-flyer earning, lounge access for eligible members and through-check-in with partners such as Lufthansa. Its loyalty programme is Miles&Smiles.

Baggage allowance

Cabin baggage, from Turkish Airlines’ cabin baggage page:

• Economy: one cabin bag up to 23 x 40 x 55 cm and 8 kg, plus one personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm and 4 kg.
• Business: two cabin bags of the same size, 8 kg each (16 kg in total), plus one personal item.
• Infants: one cabin bag of up to 8 kg in either cabin.

Checked baggage, from the checked baggage page:

• The allowance depends on your fare package and route. Some routes use a piece system (in Economy each bag may weigh up to 23 kg, in Business up to 32 kg) and others a weight system. Domestic flights always use the weight system.
• Some EcoFly fares include no free checked bag, so check what your fare includes before you pack.
• No single bag may exceed 32 kg, and bags whose dimensions add up to more than 158 cm count as oversized and are charged separately.
• Passengers on separate bookings cannot pool their allowances.

Check-in

From Turkish Airlines’ check-in page:

• Online and mobile check-in: from 24 hours to 90 minutes before departure.
• Airport kiosks: from 12 hours before departure until 60 minutes before international flights (45 minutes for domestic).
• Check-in counters close 60 minutes before international and 45 minutes before domestic departures.
• The airline recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic ones.

Seats, meals and onboard service

Meals are served on Turkish Airlines flights, with the scale of service depending on flight length and cabin. Seat selection options and any charges depend on your fare package and are shown in Manage Booking. Aircraft and seats vary by route, so check the seat map for your flight.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Change and refund rules vary by fare package: the lowest fares carry the most restrictions. Review the fare rules before booking and make changes in Manage Booking or through Turkish Airlines’ customer service. Extra baggage fees, according to the airline, can change up to 8 hours before the flight, so buying extra allowance early is sensible.

Practical tips

• Two separate cabin limits. The 8 kg bag and the 4 kg personal item are checked separately; don’t count on moving weight between them.
• Allow time at Istanbul Airport. The terminal is very large and walking distances between gates are long. See our Istanbul Airport guide.
• Long layover? Getting into the city takes time; plan it with the Layover Planner and our Istanbul city guide.
• Check your fare package for checked bags before you buy, especially on short European routes.

Official links

• Booking and Manage Booking: turkishairlines.com
• Baggage: Cabin baggage · Checked baggage
• Check-in: Check-in options

Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.

Header photo: 4300streetcar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0