London Gatwick is set to gain a new link with Istanbul in December, with the launch of Turkish Airlines’ daily service.
The Turkish national carrier will be the only airline to fly between Gatwick and Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Easyjet currently operates flights from Gatwick to the Turkish city, but it flies into Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Sabiha Gokcen is on the Asian side of Istanbul, 35 km from the city centre, while Ataturk is on the European side and is only 24 km from the city centre.
From December 20, flights will depart daily from Gatwick’s newly renovated North Terminal at 1355, arriving in Istanbul Ataturk at 1945, with the return leg leaving the Istanbul at 1050 and landing back in the UK at 1250.
The service will be operated using an Airbus 321-200, which flies 195 passengers in a two-class layout (to see a seat plan, click here).
The carrier already flies several times a day between London Heathrow and Istanbul Ataturk.
With its new launch, Turkish Airlines will join a list of carriers and routes that have recently moved into Gatwick. The airport has recently attracted Air Asia X, Hong Kong Airlines and Vietnam Airlines to base services there (see online news November 18).
Contact turkishairlines.com
Report by Scott Carey
