Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Turkey
Never overpay for flights again. Use our curated Superdeals and fly to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir from all major airports in US and Canada at a fraction of the normal fare.
Free Superdeals
Why are flights to Turkey so expensive now?
Multiple factors including reduced competition, high demand, and regional instability have pushed airfares between North America and Turkey to historically high levels.
Ticket prices from major US hubs to Istanbul have indeed increased dramatically, with round-trip economy fares from New York (JFK) to Istanbul (IST) now averaging $1,200-1,500, up from typical $800-900 rates seen in previous years. Turkish Airlines’ near-monopoly on direct routes, following American Airlines’ withdrawal from the market, has eliminated competitive pricing pressure. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have forced airlines to take longer routes, increasing fuel costs and flight times.
Rising airport fees at Istanbul’s new mega-airport have also contributed to higher ticket prices. Additionally, Turkey’s growing popularity as a tourist and business destination has allowed airlines to maintain premium pricing, with load factors consistently above 90% on North American routes.
North America to Turkey: average fares
Here are the most popular flight routes between major North American cities and Turkey’s key destinations, with average round-trip economy prices from the past 12 months:
| Route | High Season ($) | Low Season ($) | Average ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) – Istanbul (IST) | 1,200 | 650 | 925 |
| Toronto (YYZ) – Istanbul (IST) | 1,350 | 750 | 1,050 |
| Chicago (ORD) – Istanbul (IST) | 1,400 | 800 | 1,100 |
| Los Angeles (LAX) – Istanbul (IST) | 1,500 | 850 | 1,175 |
| Washington DC (IAD) – Antalya (AYT) | 1,450 | 800 | 1,125 |
Average price round-trip
$1012
Average Superdeal price round-trip
$405
Cheapest Superdeal price round-trip
$253
Meet Superdeals. Save 40–80% on every flight.
You can save between 40% and 80% on your flights to APAC countries with Air Traveler Club’s Superdeals. These heavily discounted airfares appear regularly throughout the year, often without any seasonal pattern.
For example, a typical round-trip flight from Chicago to Istanbul usually costs around $900-1200. With Superdeals, you can book the same route for as low as $440. The price difference alone could cover several nights in a good hotel or let you extend your trip significantly.
Sample Superdeals to Turkey
- New York to Istanbul: $349 (regular price $925) – Turkish Airlines nonstop flight
- Los Angeles to Istanbul: $459 (regular price $1,175) – Lufthansa with 1 stop in Frankfurt
- Toronto to Antalya: $499 (regular price $1,250) – Air Canada/Turkish Airlines codeshare with 1 stop in Istanbul
Non-stop vs layover flights to Turkey
Time vs money: understanding your options
Direct flight routes to Turkey
Currently there are very limited non-stop flight options from North America to Turkey.
- New York (JFK) to Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines, 10h 15m
- Newark (EWR) to Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines, 9h 55m
- Boston (BOS) to Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines, 9h 45m
- Chicago (ORD) to Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines, 10h 35m
- Toronto (YYZ) to Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines, 9h 55m
Layover/stopover options
Frankfurt (FRA) – Lufthansa’s main hub offers reliable connections with typical layover times of 1.5-2.5 hours. Modern terminal layout makes transfers efficient. Multiple daily flights to several Turkish cities.
London Heathrow (LHR) – British Airways hub provides extensive North American connections. Minimum connection time of 2 hours recommended. Terminal transfers might be required.
Amsterdam (AMS) – KLM’s efficient hub with clear signage and quick security. Average connection times of 1.5 hours. Compact terminal design makes transfers straightforward.
Paris (CDG) – Air France hub with multiple daily connections to Turkey. Allow 2-3 hours for connections due to terminal transfers. Shopping and dining options during longer layovers.
Time vs money
Non-stop flights typically command premium prices but save 4-6 hours of total travel time. Flights with stops can offer savings of 20-40% compared to direct options, especially through major European hubs.
| Route type | Average duration | Roundtrip Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Non-stop (JFK-IST) | 10h 15m | $800-1200 |
| One stop | 14-16h | $600-900 |
| Two stops | 18-24h | $500-750 |
Tips and recommendations
- Book Turkish Airlines non-stop flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for best prices
- Consider overnight layovers in European hubs to explore additional cities at no extra flight cost
- Avoid connections through Moscow or Middle Eastern hubs due to frequently delayed connections
- Winter flights through northern European hubs have higher delay risks due to weather
- Look for “fifth freedom” flights operated by Turkish Airlines between North American cities for better deals
Smart route hacks for North America → Turkey flights
Save extra with lesser-known paths and connections
- Turkish Airlines’ new Seattle and Detroit routes offer surprisingly competitive fares, often 15-20% below market average for USA-Turkey flights. These routes, launched in 2024, feature the modern Airbus A350-900 with superior 32-inch pitch in economy and 43-inch pitch in premium economy. Seattle and Detroit passengers can also leverage Turkish’s extensive network to reach Central Asian destinations with shorter layovers in Istanbul.
- Choosing Air Canada’s Toronto-Istanbul service during shoulder season (March-April or October-November) typically saves 25-30% compared to peak fares. The route uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with above-average 32-inch pitch in economy. Canadian travelers can easily connect through Toronto from 15 domestic cities.
- For West Coast travelers, combining Emirates with Turkish Airlines through Dubai can offer better value than direct options. Emirates frequently runs sales on its USA-Dubai routes, and when paired with Turkish’s Dubai-Istanbul flights, the total fare often undercuts direct options by 20-25%, plus you get Emirates’ superior service on the longer segment.
- United Airlines’ new Washington Dulles-Istanbul route (starting May 2024) provides an excellent alternative for East Coast travelers, with introductory fares up to 30% below market rates. The route uses Boeing 787-8 aircraft with United’s latest Polaris-lite economy seats offering 32-inch pitch. Morning departure times allow convenient connections from 45 US cities.
- Lufthansa’s services through Frankfurt or Munich to Istanbul often price lower than nonstop options from secondary US cities and include free stopover options. Their extensive US network (18 cities) combined with frequent Istanbul flights allows flexible scheduling. These routes typically use A321neo aircraft with redesigned cabins featuring enhanced comfort on the European segment.
Common mistakes
How to avoid costly pitfalls that can ruin your travels
- Booking non-protected connections Many travelers opt for cheaper separate tickets through Europe instead of a single protected itinerary, risking missed connections and lost baggage with no airline responsibility.
- Flying into Sabiha Gokcen Airport by default While often cheaper, this secondary Istanbul airport is far from the city center and has fewer transport options compared to Istanbul Airport (IST), potentially leading to longer and more expensive ground transfers.
- Ignoring Turkish Airlines’ direct routes Some travelers automatically book through European carriers with layovers when Turkish Airlines offers convenient direct flights from several North American cities to Istanbul with often competitive prices.
- Visiting during peak summer season Booking flights for July-August results in the highest fares and most crowded conditions, while shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) offer better prices and weather.
- Missing out on stopover programs Many travelers rush through Istanbul on connections without utilizing Turkish Airlines’ free stopover program, which includes hotel accommodations for longer layovers.
Coming-up airline promotions to Turkey
Which carriers have sales and special offers for January, February, March, and beyond?
We track and curate genuine offers from 150+ airlines, hand-picking only the most valuable for your wallet.
See the upcoming offers for flights to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir :
Best airlines for flights to Turkey from North America
Balanced choice for service, comfort and value
Turkish Airlines
Best for: Most extensive North American route network with direct flights from 12 US and Canadian cities to Istanbul, including New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX).
Turkish Airlines delivers consistently high service quality in Economy Class with comfortable seats offering 31-32 inch pitch. Their award-winning cuisine features Turkish and international dishes served with proper cutlery. Entertainment system includes over 1,800 options. Multiple daily frequencies from major hubs provide good flexibility for connections within Turkey.
Lufthansa
Best for: Reliable and punctual service from 21 North American cities via Frankfurt or Munich, with top departures from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Washington (IAD).
While requiring a connection in Germany, Lufthansa offers well-timed transfers to multiple Turkish destinations. Economy Class provides consistent European-standard service with 31-inch seat pitch, decent meals, and professional crew. Their modern fleet and efficient hub operations make connections smooth.
United Airlines
Best for: Extensive Star Alliance connections from 7 major US hubs, primarily through Newark (EWR), Houston (IAH), and San Francisco (SFO).
United’s partnership with Turkish Airlines enables seamless connections and loyalty program benefits. Economy Class offers standard amenities with 30-31 inch pitch and basic meal service. Their Polaris lounges at US hubs provide excellent pre-departure experience for eligible passengers.
Air Canada
Best for: Convenient connections from 6 Canadian cities via Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Vancouver (YVR).
Air Canada partners with Turkish Airlines to provide comprehensive coverage from Canada to Turkey. Their Economy Class offers above-average comfort with 31-32 inch pitch and good quality meals. The airline’s modern fleet and friendly service make longer flights more pleasant, while their efficient Toronto hub facilitates smooth connections.
Using regional airlines to your advantage
Another strategy for cheaper flights to Turkey
Using APAC carriers for cheaper routes to Turkey
Savvy travelers can save significantly on flights to Turkey by leveraging Asian carriers and creative routing through major APAC hubs. This strategy often cuts costs by 20-40% compared to direct routes or European connections.
- Korean Air and Asiana Airlines frequently offer competitive rates from West Coast hubs like LAX and YVR to Istanbul via Seoul (ICN)
- Singapore Airlines provides excellent value through their SIN hub, particularly when combining with their frequent promotions
- Thai Airways routes through Bangkok can yield substantial savings, especially during off-peak seasons
Key money-saving tactics
Book separate tickets: Purchase one ticket to a major Asian hub like Seoul or Singapore, then book onward travel to Istanbul using regional carriers. This multi-ticket approach often results in better deals than single-ticket bookings.
Consider longer layovers: Many Asian carriers offer free stopover programs, effectively giving you two destinations for the price of one. Seoul and Singapore both offer free city tours for longer layovers.
Optimal booking windows for this strategy are typically 4-6 months before travel, with best deals appearing midweek.
Half-price deals within Asia
Planning to explore the region?
Save 40-80% on flights between Asian cities.
