Turkish Airlines Launches New Route to London Stansted Airport
Turkish Airlines has commenced direct flights between Istanbul and London Stansted Airport, marking a significant expansion of its UK network. The new service, which began on March 20, 2026, offers passengers a convenient gateway to Turkey and onward connections to over 350 destinations across Asia, Africa, and beyond.
Expanding UK Presence
The launch of the Istanbul-Stansted route makes Stansted the airline’s third London airport, joining Heathrow and Gatwick. Turkish Airlines now serves six locations across the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh [Source: EDP24].
Flight Schedule and Capacity
Turkish Airlines will operate up to 15 flights per week between London Stansted and Istanbul [Source: EDP24]. The inaugural flight landed on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, initiating a twice-daily schedule [Source: EDP24]. This increased capacity brings the total number of weekly flights across the UK and Ireland to 168, including Dublin [Source: EDP24].
Convenient Connections and Accessibility
Stansted Airport provides access to a vast network of destinations via Istanbul, offering travelers connections to more than 350 locations worldwide [Source: Turkish Airlines]. The airport is well-connected to central London via the Stansted Express train, providing a 47-minute journey to Liverpool Street station, making it a convenient option for travelers heading to east or north-east London [Source: Turkish Airlines].
Industry Reaction
Ciaran Brannigan, commercial director at London Stansted, expressed delight at welcoming Turkish Airlines, stating the route provides passengers with a “fantastic new option” for travel to Istanbul and convenient connections worldwide [Source: EDP24]. Fuat Fırat, Turkish Airlines vice president of sales for Middle and Northern Europe, highlighted the United Kingdom as a key strategic market for the airline [Source: EDP24].
Launch Celebration
The arrival of the Turkish Airlines aircraft at Stansted Airport was marked with a traditional water-arch salute performed by the airport’s fire service [Source: EDP24].
The launch of this new route was also announced on social media by both Turkish Airlines and Stansted Airport [Source: Facebook] and [Source: Instagram].