Star Alliance newcomer Turkish Airlines has announced it will launch flights from Birmingham International Airport to Istanbul this winter.
The carrier will ply the route five-times weekly from December 15, with Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured for 20 business class seats and 135 in economy.
Flights depart Birmingham at 1130 on Monday and Thursday, and 1315 on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving into Istanbul at 1725 and 1910 respectively. The return leg leaves Istanbul at 0820 on Monday and Thursday and 1005 on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving back into the UK at 1030 and 1215.
The direct flights will be a first for travellers based in the Midlands - current options would involve connecting in London or via European hubs with the likes of Air France-KLM or Lufthansa.
Turkish Airlines joined Star Alliance this April (see online news April 1). For more information visit thy.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
