Turkish Airlines celebrated its 93rd anniversary
Turkish Airlines celebrated the 93rd anniversary of its founding. Having started operations in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft and a staff of 24 employees, Türkiye’s national carrier now operates flights to 358 destinations across 133 countries and has a fleet of 536 aircraft.
The airline’s history began on May 20, 1933, under the name “State Airlines.” In its early years, the fleet consisted of only five aircraft, while international flights were launched in 1947, with the first foreign route connecting Istanbul and Athens.
Over the following decades, the carrier actively expanded its route network, modernized its fleet, and introduced contemporary services. In 1956, the company adopted the name Turkish Airlines and joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA). By the late 1950s, THY had begun transitioning to jet aircraft.
The airline’s logo, inspired by the image of a wild goose capable of long-distance flights at high altitudes, was designed in 1959 by Mesut Manioğlu and continues to be used today.
In 2008, THY became a member of Star Alliance, one of the world’s largest airline alliances, and in 2011 it was named Europe’s Best Airline by Skytrax.
Today, the carrier ranks among the world’s largest airlines. In 2023, Turkish Airlines carried its billionth passenger and received its 400th aircraft. In 2026, the company added its 500th aircraft, named “TK Aile,” featuring photographs of 100,000 company employees on its fuselage.
As of 2026, Turkish Airlines remains the airline flying to the largest number of countries in the world. The company is also among the world’s top ten airlines by fleet size.
By its 100th anniversary in 2033, THY plans to expand its fleet to 813 aircraft and join the ranks of the world’s five largest airlines.
