Turkish Airlines is already a massive airline, flying to more countries than any other airline in the world. However, the company is just getting started, and has plans to roughly double in size over the next decade. Along those lines, we’ve just learned the details of the carrier’s next planned destination in the United States.

Turkish Airlines plans Minneapolis flights as of spring 2025

Turkish Airlines’ Chairman has revealed that the airline intends to launch a new route between Istanbul (IST) and Minneapolis (MSP) as of the spring of 2025, with flights likely to launch as of April or May. Those are all the details we have as of now, as we don’t yet know the frequency with which flights will operate, or what plane will be used.

However, the airline has long revealed the next routes on its radar prior to putting flights on sale, so I’d trust that this will happen. Once it launches, this 5,502-mile flight will be the carrier’s 15th destination in the United States.

Turkish Airlines’ current destinations in the United States include Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), and Washington (IAD).

In June 2024, Turkish Airlines announced that its next four destinations in the United States would include Charlotte (CLT), Minneapolis (MSP), Orlando (MCO), and Philadelphia (PHL). So it’s interesting to see that the Minneapolis flight is likely going to be the first of those to be launched. It’s interesting how three of the four routes being added are to major hubs of American and Delta.

It’s fun to see competition at a Delta fortress hub!

Turkish Airlines adding flights to Minneapolis might seem a bit random on the surface, since it’s not exactly the world’s biggest or most international market. However, I’m sure Turkish Airlines will have no issues making this flight work.

For one, Turkish Airlines has managed to scale its network in a way that few airlines have. The airline can make routes work even if there’s not that much demand between that city and Istanbul, thanks to the fact that the airline offers easy one-stop service to so many destinations. So whether you’re going to Belgrade, Benghazi, Damascus, Durbin, Mahe, or Mogadishu, the airline has you covered.

It’s especially fun to see Turkish Airlines “attacking” a Delta fortress hub, like Minneapolis. Historically, Delta loves to immediately respond when airlines add flights to the company’s hubs. For example, as soon as Aer Lingus announced it would add Minneapolis flights, Delta matched, and added the same route.

One thing is for sure — there’s no way Delta will match Turkish Airlines on this route. Delta simply can’t compete with Turkish Airlines’ cost structure, and without connectivity beyond Istanbul, the route just wouldn’t make sense.

Bottom line

Turkish Airlines plans to make Minneapolis its next destination in the United States, with flights expected to launch in April or May of 2025. I imagine flights will be on sale soon, and that locals in Minnesota will appreciate some added competition. I’ll be sure to provide an update once the flight is on sale.

What do you make of Turkish Airlines adding Minneapolis flights?