Ahmet Olmustur, the new CEO of Turkish Airlines, wants to increase revenue per passenger with more business class seats and a new premium economy class (Photo: Turkish Airlines)
Ten years after removing a premium economy product called Comfort Class from its offer, Turkish Airlines is following the general trend and is due to launch this intermediate class in early 2028. This news, reported by the online website Skift, has now been confirmed by the new CEO of Turkish Airlines, Ahmet Olmustur. In an exclusive interview with the American magazine Forbes, Ahmet Olmustur confirmed a strategy that is strongly focused on growth.
The goal remains unchanged: by 2033, grow the fleet to more than 800 aircraft, serve 345 destinations and exceed $50 billion in annual revenue. However, the company wants to increase revenue from passenger transportation. This will be achieved through a higher class of business class product and the introduction of the Premium Economy class.
Thus, the CEO of Turkish Airlines talks about the arrival of the first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, scheduled for the third quarter of 2027, the introduction of new โCrystalโ business class suites, completely enclosed by sliding doors. It is expected that by 2030 the Turkish fleet will be replenished with fifteen Airbus A350-1000s.
The airline also confirmed that it will introduce a premium economy cabin on its wide-body aircraft from 2028. Internal research shows that nearly two-thirds of long-haul passengers are willing to pay more for greater comfort. The cabin reconfiguration is expected to increase the number of seats per aircraft by more than 12% and increase business class capacity by 10%. According to the CEO of Turkish Airlines, 8 to 9% of the total number of economy class seats will then be allocated to premium economy.
The update should also make long-haul flights more attractive. Ahmet Olmustur intends to launch non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia from 2028. The company has also expressed interest in serving Lima in Peru and strengthening its presence in the Americas by increasing frequencies to Santiago, Chile and Panama, as well as opening new routes to Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Orlando and Philadelphia.
Luke Citrino