Turkish Airlines is reportedly scaling back plans to add more flight frequencies to several key US destinations. According to the aviation analytics company Cirium, the Turkish national airline has dropped its plans to add more flights between its main hub at Istanbul Airport (IST) and the cities of Atlanta, San Francisco, and Denver.
The reason for not adding more flights may be due to lower than expected demand. However, the reason for scrapping the original plan has not yet been disclosed. Simple Flying has reached out to Turkish Airlines for comment.
Turkish Carrier Pulls Back On US Growth
Cirium data shows that 
Turkish Airlines had planned to operate 10 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in November 2025. However, the airline will now offer nine flights per week, reducing capacity by 300 seats. This schedule will remain the same through December, January, February, and March 2026. While the planned expansion won’t go ahead, the airline is still increasing service compared to last year, when it operated only seven weekly flights on the route.
In November 2025, Turkish Airlines planned to operate 12 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and 
San Francisco International Airport (SFO). However, according to Cirium data, the airline will now reduce this to 10 weekly flights, cutting 658 seats. In December and January, the original plan was 14 weekly flights, but the airline will only operate 11, according to Cirium. Since Turkish Airlines offered up to 11 weekly flights on this route last winter, there will be no expansion this season.
Turkish Airlines had planned to operate four weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Denver International Airport (DEN) for the 2025 winter season. However, data now shows the airline will reduce this to three flights per week, cutting capacity by 300 seats. In December and January, the original plan was five weekly flights, but the airline will operate only four.
Competition On These Routes
Notably, Turkish Airlines is currently the sole airline offering nonstop flights from Istanbul to Atlanta, San Francisco, and Denver. The carrier typically operates its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody aircraft on the Istanbul to Atlanta and Istanbul to Denver routes, according to data from Flightradar24.com.
According to ch-aviation data, Turkish Airlines has a total of 23 Boeing 787-9s, with an average age of 4.5 years. These aircraft are configured in a two-class layout, accommodating 300 passengers: 30 in business class and 270 in economy.
|
Widebody fleet |
Number of aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A350-900 |
28 |
|
Airbus A330 |
59 |
|
Boeing 777 |
44 |
|
Boeing 787-9 |
23 |
Meanwhile, the route between Istanbul and San Francisco is operated by the airline’s Airbus A350-900 fleet. The average flight time between these two cities is approximately 12 and a half hours, based on Flightradar24.com data. Turkish Airlines currently operates 28 A350-900s, each configured in a two-class cabin layout with 32 business class and 297 economy class seats.
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New Interline Agreement With Air Transat
Turkish Airlines has signed an interline agreement with Canada’s leisure carrier, Air Transat. The partnership aims to enhance air connectivity between Turkey and Canada, while also expanding travel options for passengers of both airlines. Through this agreement, Air Transat customers will gain easier access to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, while Turkish Airlines passengers will benefit from more travel options across North America.
Air Transat plans to launch twice-weekly nonstop flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Istanbul (IST) during this winter season, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays. With this new transatlantic service, Air Transat will become the second carrier to offer direct nonstop flights on this route, joining Turkish Airlines, which is currently the only carrier providing nonstop service.
It is worth noting that the route between Toronto and Istanbul covers approximately 4,439 nautical miles (8,220 kilometers) and takes around nine to ten hours of flight time. Air Transat is expected to operate the service using its Airbus A330 fleet. Meanwhile, the Turkish flag carrier typically operates its fleet of Boeing 777-300ER or Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebodies on this route.
