Turkish Airlines Series Completes its First Season
Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, continues to connect the world not only through its extensive flight network but also through the art of storytelling. With the debut of its signature podcast and videocast, Turkish Airlines Series, the brand has taken a step into audio-visual storytelling, offering curated travel content, inspiring insights, and insider perspectives from Türkiye and beyond.
Driven by the idea that aviation represents more than just a means of transportation, Turkish Airlines redefines how an airline engages with global audiences. Through immersive, high-quality narratives, the Turkish Airlines Series invites listeners and viewers into the heart of the brand's global vision.
Designed to inspire travelers, aviation enthusiasts, and curious minds, the series explores local cultures, delivers practical travel tips, and highlights remarkable destinations and experiences across Turkish Airlines' expansive network.
Season One Highlights
Launched in late 2024, the first season of Turkish Airlines Series consists of nine episodes, both in podcast and videocast formats. From cultural deep-dives and destination features to interviews with global content creators, each episode offers a unique perspective on travel.
The podcast episodes provide short, engaging journeys into emerging travel trends and hidden gems, while the videocast segments bring visual depth through conversations with internationally recognized travel influencers.
The season's nine episodes take audiences on a curated journey across Turkish Airlines' network and beyond. From exploring Türkiye's cultural richness in Destination: Türkiye and savoring local flavors in Culinary Quests to unveiling the beauty of Istanbul in Istanbul Unveiled and navigating family adventures in Traveling with Kids, each episode offers practical and inspiring insights for today's traveler. The series also highlights the digital age of exploration with Influencer-Recommended, Tech Tools and Tips for Travelers, and A Life on the Road, while celebrating iconic destinations like Cappadocia Chronicles and Jewels of the Mediterranean.
Season one is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, reaching audiences worldwide, whether they prefer to watch or listen.
Season Two is on the Horizon
Following the success of the first season, Turkish Airlines Series is set to return with a new format and elevated storytelling. The upcoming season will offer rare behind-the-scenes perspectives from one of the world's leading carriers, exploring the stories that shape global aviation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence
When Turkish Airlines completed the largest airport relocation in aviation history in just 33 hours, the world took notice. But what followed was even more extraordinary. The move from Atatürk Airport to the newly-built Istanbul Airport (IGA) — a state-of-the-art mega hub built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was more than a logistical feat. It marked the beginning of a transformative era for Turkish Airlines, one that would elevate its global standing and redefine operational excellence. 'We didn't just change airports; we changed the future of our airline,' says Erol Senol, Vice-President of Sales (Middle East & Cyprus) at Turkish Airlines to Khaleej Times in Istanbul. 'The move to IGA has been instrumental in helping us achieve ambitious growth, unlock operational potential, and enhance the overall passenger experience.' A Strategic Leap Forward For years, Turkish Airlines had been constrained by the limitations of Atatürk Airport. Overcrowding, limited runway capacity, and mounting congestion were beginning to clash with the airline's global growth ambitions. The solution arrived in the form of Istanbul Airport — a next-generation aviation hub, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and operated by IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport). Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul Airport has emerged as one of the world's most influential air gateways since its inauguration in 2018. With a projected capacity of over 200 million passengers annually upon completion of all phases, the airport currently serves over 100 airlines flying to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Its current infrastructure, spanning three operational runways and a massive terminal with a 90-million-passenger capacity has dramatically elevated Turkish Airlines' capabilities. 'Approximately 80% of IGA's capacity is dedicated to Turkish Airlines,' explains Senol. 'This gives us the flexibility and infrastructure to scale rapidly, handle more aircraft movements, and serve more destinations than ever before.' The numbers tell the story. Aircraft movement capacity has surged from 70 per hour at Atatürk Airport to 120 per hour at IGA, thanks to the addition of a third runway. Waiting times for aircraft have dropped from 5% to less than 1%, drastically improving fuel efficiency and on-time performance. Turkish Airlines has also taken full advantage of expanded ground facilities, doubling the size of its CIP lounges, enlarging check-in zones, and enhancing passenger flow through better boarding infrastructure. Powering Passenger Experience At the heart of Istanbul Airport's success is its digital-first strategy. From AI-powered customer service tools and biometric boarding to contactless check-in and real-time decision-making at its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), IGA is redefining the airport experience. The facility leverages big data analytics and location-based services to optimize everything from baggage handling to air traffic flow. This technological backbone has been a game-changer for Turkish Airlines. 'The seamless integration of our operations with IGA's smart infrastructure allows us to offer a world-class, efficient, and stress-free travel experience,' says Senol. 'It's not just about moving passengers. It's about moving them smartly.' The Cargo Boom Beyond passengers, Turkish Airlines has seen explosive growth in cargo operations since the move. Cargo capacity has more than doubled from 1.2 million tonnes at Atatürk Airport to 2.5 million tonnes at IGA, with future projections reaching 5 to 6 million tonnes annually. Central to this surge is SmartIST, Turkish Airlines' proprietary next-generation cargo facility. 'We designed SmartIST ourselves to match the speed and sophistication required by global logistics standards,' Senol notes. 'As a result, we've climbed from 9th to 3rd in IATA's global cargo traffic rankings as of 2025.' SmartIST is now recognised as one of Europe's most advanced cargo terminals, incorporating automation, robotics, and real-time tracking technologies to optimize throughput and reliability. Overcoming Aviation's Greatest Operational Challenge The transition itself from Atatürk to IGA remains one of the most complex and flawlessly executed operations in aviation history. The 46-kilometre move involved 1,056 trucks transporting over 47,000 tonnes of equipment, executed in under 33 hours without a single workplace accident or significant service disruption. 'We had to shut down operations at Atatürk and go live at IGA overnight,' recalls Senol. 'Any misstep could have triggered massive disruptions. But through rigorous simulations, weather contingency plans, and pre-positioned response teams, we pulled off what many thought was impossible.' Independent Growth in a PPP Giant While IGA's core airport infrastructure — runways, terminals, and control towers was financed under the PPP framework, Turkish Airlines made a deliberate choice to independently invest in its own support facilities. These include SmartIST, custom-built lounges, upgraded check-in areas, crew facilities, and a dedicated ground services ecosystem. 'This strategic independence allowed us to tailor every aspect of our operations to our standards,' Senol explains. 'It ensures flexibility, brand consistency, and long-term cost-efficiency.' This infrastructure, fully aligned with Turkish Airlines' operational vision, is designed not just for current demands but also for future scalability as the airline expands its global footprint. Fleet Strategy Today, Turkish Airlines operates a fleet of 481 aircraft —134 wide-body and 347 narrow-body jets divided between 201 Boeing and 280 Airbus models. Looking ahead, the airline has already placed orders for 355 new aircraft: 250 A321 Neos and 105 A350s. 'We're still in talks with Boeing, but we're approaching procurement with a balanced strategy,' Senol says. 'Our mixed-fleet model allows us to deploy the right aircraft on the right routes.' This flexibility is key to Turkish Airlines' growth model. Istanbul's geographic advantage means the airline can access 78 cities in 41 countries within three hours, and over 140 cities within five. This unique proximity to global centers empowers Turkish Airlines to offer high-frequency, cost-efficient services across continents. Unlocking IGA's Full Potential Despite remarkable progress, Turkish Airlines is far from finished. Istanbul Airport is expected to reach full capacity by 2028, and Turkish Airlines is gearing up accordingly. By 2033, the airline plans to operate a fleet of 813 aircraft, fly to 400 destinations, and serve 171 million passengers annually, generating an estimated $52 billion in revenue. 'With the synergy between Turkish Airlines and IGA, we're ready to double our capacity,' says Senol. 'We're expanding our footprint in underserved markets and reinforcing our presence in strategic regions.' Secondary cities in Europe, growing African economies, and emerging Asian hubs are all on the radar. By deploying smaller aircraft with higher frequency, Turkish Airlines is increasing accessibility while maintaining efficiency. Already serving 353 destinations in 131 countries including 53 domestic and 300 international stops —Turkish Airlines continues to grow its global map. New destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Tripoli, Benghazi, Denver, Santiago, and Damascus, with upcoming routes targeting Seville and Cambodia. 'Our goal is simple: to connect more places more effectively,' Senol explains. 'It's about responding to demand, entering new markets, and enhancing existing partnerships and hubs.' Lounge network expansions and strategic codeshare agreements are also on the horizon as part of Turkish Airlines' strategy to enhance customer experience across all touchpoints. From smashing records in cargo and passenger numbers to embracing cutting-edge technology and gaining more autonomy in operations, the airline is shaping the future of global travel. 'Our network now reaches more countries than any other airline in the world,' says Senol with pride. 'It's something we've even secured a Guinness World Record for.'
Web Release
a day ago
- Web Release
Turkish Airlines Series Completes its First Season
Turkish Airlines, the airline flying to more countries than any other, continues to connect the world not only through its extensive flight network but also through the art of storytelling. With the debut of its signature podcast and videocast, Turkish Airlines Series, the brand has taken a step into audio-visual storytelling, offering curated travel content, inspiring insights, and insider perspectives from Türkiye and beyond. Driven by the idea that aviation represents more than just a means of transportation, Turkish Airlines redefines how an airline engages with global audiences. Through immersive, high-quality narratives, the Turkish Airlines Series invites listeners and viewers into the heart of the brand's global vision. Designed to inspire travelers, aviation enthusiasts, and curious minds, the series explores local cultures, delivers practical travel tips, and highlights remarkable destinations and experiences across Turkish Airlines' expansive network. Season One Highlights Launched in late 2024, the first season of Turkish Airlines Series consists of nine episodes, both in podcast and videocast formats. From cultural deep-dives and destination features to interviews with global content creators, each episode offers a unique perspective on travel. The podcast episodes provide short, engaging journeys into emerging travel trends and hidden gems, while the videocast segments bring visual depth through conversations with internationally recognized travel influencers. The season's nine episodes take audiences on a curated journey across Turkish Airlines' network and beyond. From exploring Türkiye's cultural richness in Destination: Türkiye and savoring local flavors in Culinary Quests to unveiling the beauty of Istanbul in Istanbul Unveiled and navigating family adventures in Traveling with Kids, each episode offers practical and inspiring insights for today's traveler. The series also highlights the digital age of exploration with Influencer-Recommended, Tech Tools and Tips for Travelers, and A Life on the Road, while celebrating iconic destinations like Cappadocia Chronicles and Jewels of the Mediterranean. Season one is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, reaching audiences worldwide, whether they prefer to watch or listen. Season Two is on the Horizon Following the success of the first season, Turkish Airlines Series is set to return with a new format and elevated storytelling. The upcoming season will offer rare behind-the-scenes perspectives from one of the world's leading carriers, exploring the stories that shape global aviation.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
04-06-2025
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
There's a new one-day WellCation in Abu Dhabi
If your idea of self-care is more face towel than face mask and you've been craving a serious soul reset without packing a suitcase, here's your chance. Wellbeings Holistic Healing has launched a one-day WellCation at the reimagined Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa – and it's every bit the tranquil, sea-kissed escape your overstimulated nervous system has been begging for. Kicking off this June, the experience combines ancient healing rituals with a splash of luxe modern therapy, all set against Al Raha's picturesque coastline. The WellCation is basically a mini-retreat for anyone needing to breathe, reset and maybe sit in a Jacuzzi while doing absolutely nothing. Bliss. Here's the day plan: you'll start with a 45-minute yin yoga session to unfurl that laptop back, followed by a guided meditation and a sound healing session (think crystal bowls, not Spotify playlists). Next comes a custom 30-minute massage and a proper traditional hammam ritual – steam, scrubs and serenity. But that's not all: guests are also treated to oxygen therapy, an infrared sauna session, a soak in the Hydra Massage Pool and full access to the spa's steam, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities. And because healing's hard work, there's a lavish buffet lunch at Sevilla Restaurant and full-day access to Al Raha's beach and outdoor pool – so you can float your way to peace with a side of vitamin D. The WellCation is open to both hotel guests and day visitors and spaces are limited, so you'll want to book ahead. The summer treat also gives you a sneak peek of Wellbeings Holistic Healing's brand-new direction ahead of its grand reopening in September – and if this is the preview, we can't wait for the main event. Daily from June 1. Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa. Request prices. (058 583 0457). Other ways to unwind in Abu Dhabi 21 beautiful nature spots in the UAE you need to visit Add these destinations to your UAE bucket list, from Al Wathba Salt Lake to Snoopy Island The best beaches in Abu Dhabi for a relaxing day in the sun Ready, set, sunbathe The 6 best golf courses in Abu Dhabi, plus top clubs across the UAE We may be in the desert, but the UAE is in no shortage of greens Where to go for a walk in Abu Dhabi Fancy a stroll?
