TURKISH AIRLINES: To reverse decision on Premium Economy?

Turkish Airlines could be seriously exploring the return of premium economy to its aircraft cabins. That would fit with the carrier plans to operate some of the longest flights in its history, including nonstop services between Istanbul and Sydney. That’s a development worth the attention of Australian travellers. Premium Economy could provide long-haul comfort at a reasonable price on these ultra-long-haul sectors.

The evidence comes from a Miles & Smiles frequent flyer survey distributed in late 2025 according to the ET website. The survey asked passengers to rank priority features in a potential Premium Economy cabin, what would influence their decision to buy a premium economy ticket, how meals should be served in that cabin, and how much extra they would be willing to pay for more legroom and wider seating on flights of various lengths, from 2.5 up to more than 8 hours.

The airline also sought feedback on other carriers’ premium economy products and on what travellers expect from this class. While a survey isn’t a guarantee that premium economy will be rolled out, it indicates that Turkish Airlines is gauging interest and customer expectations before a formal product decision.

Turkish Airlines once had it

From 2010 to 2016, Turkish Airlines offered a ‘Comfort Class’ premium economy cabin on Boeing 777s. It featured wider seats, more legroom, increased recline and multi-course dining with proper tableware. The product that won praise and passenger awards while it was available.

That product was withdrawn as it was operationally challenging: Comfort Class was available on only a fraction of the fleet, forcing many travellers on connecting flights to downgrade to standard economy. It also affected the purchase of business class seats on some routes. Even with high-quality service, the configuration proved difficult to sell profitably on only a subset of the network.

Now, market trends suggest Premium Economy is both a revenue driver and a relatively standard offering on long-haul routes. Turkish competitors including Japan Airlines, Emirates and others already offer strong premium economy cabins. Some carriers are expanding those products because of their profitability.

Already in the fleet?

There’s also chatter among frequent flyers suggesting an informal premium economy experience is already occurring. Some aviation forums describe instances where Turkish Airlines has sold or offered ‘premium economy’ seating on Airbus A350s originally configured for Aeroflot (so-called “Turkoflot” aircraft), with passengers getting wider seats, deeper recline and more space than standard economy. These seats have sometimes been priced at a premium, despite not being a formal cabin class.

This could be a deliberate test or an operational quirk. The presence of these seats in some A350s suggests that retrofitting or deploying a formal premium economy cabin is logistically feasible.

Why this matters for Australian travellers

First, Turkish’s hub at Istanbul Airport is increasingly its profile as a major connecting point for one-stop travel between Australia and Europe, the Middle East or beyond. More comfort at a traveller friendly price, which Premium Economy often represents is a real drawer of passengers on ultra-long connections.

Second, as Turkish continues to expand its long-haul network, including a planned non-stop Sydney–Istanbul, without stops via Asian ports, a stop between Economy and Business Class, with more space, comfort and better service becomes attractive. Especially so on these 15–17 hour flights.

Finally, if Turkish reintroduces Premium Economy correctly, that cabin class might follow global trends and account for a growing share of long-haul revenue.

2PAXfly Takeout

I’m planning on a trip with Turkish Airlines later in 2026, so I have a special interest in this news. My trip will be too early to take advantage of this new class, however.

With most international airlines either having, planning, or expanding their Premium Economy offering, this news is no surprise. More surprising was the previous decision of Turkish not to install Premium Economy throughout its international fleet.

If you’re watching booking options later this year or planning future trips via Istanbul, keep an eye on Turkish’s announcements. Premium Economy might be announcing its comeback.