Turkish Airlines is Turkey's flag-carrying powerhouse, jetting passengers to over 340 destinations in 130 countries with a fleet of more than 400 planes, making it the airline that connects Istanbul to basically everywhere worth going. Founded in 1933 as a modest outfit with just five aircraft, it survived wars, expansions, and Star Alliance membership since 2008 to become Europe's busiest carrier by passenger numbers, hauling folks on everything from quick Euro hops to long-haul adventures complete with award-winning meals and lounges that feel like a sultan's palace. Today, it's all about bridging East and West, with a hub in Istanbul that's a gateway for globe-trotters dodging layover boredom.
Turkish Airlines keeps its nose clean of the rainbow circus, famously ditching a partner over a rogue Pride Month email because who needs forced festivities when you're busy flying high on actual hospitality? Zero BLM bows, no DEI deep dives beyond basic gender balance nods (thanks to an aviation industry push, not some equity grift), and their ESG chatter sticks to green engines and zero-waste vibes without the social justice sermons that turn boardrooms into therapy circles. Owned by the Turkish government, it's refreshingly immune to Western virtue-vomiting.
