Turkish Airlines delays non-stop Sydney, Melbourne flights to 2027

Turkish Airlines has delayed its non-stop Sydney-Istanbul and Melbourne-Istanbul services to the end of 2027 and 2028 respectively, as it awaits Airbus deliveries of the long-range A350-1000 jets. The carrier had targeted late-2026 for Sydney, but that plan was pushed back by about a year. Eight of the 15 A350-1000s will be configured for 17-hour non-stop flights to Sydney and Melbourne, with the aircraft skipping Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to maximize reach. The jets will feature Turkish Airlines’ Crystal Suite with 66 business seats, a premium-heavy layout, and new cabin amenities; a premium economy option is planned for early 2028. First deliveries are expected mid-2027, though the economics of the ultra-long-range variant remain under discussion with Airbus.