Why so many airlines fly to Turkey from the UK
Turkey sits at a genuinely rare intersection for UK travellers: a short flight of around four hours, warm Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines, one of Europe's busiest city-break destinations in Istanbul, and a huge British holidaymaker base drawn to Antalya, Bodrum and beyond. That combination of leisure and city-break demand has pulled in eight competing airlines — full-service, hybrid and budget — all fighting for the same UK passengers. For travellers, that competition is genuinely useful, because the right airline choice can be worth well over £100 on the same route and dates.
This guide compares each airline in detail: their UK departure airports, which Turkish cities they serve, typical baggage allowance, and where each one fits best, whether you're chasing the cheapest flights to Istanbul from the UK, comparing flights to Antalya from the UK, or simply looking for the best airline to Turkey for a family holiday. If you'd rather skip straight to live pricing, compare fares on the flights to Turkey page.
Airlines flying to Turkey from the UK — quick comparison
The table below summarises each airline's UK departure airports, main Turkish destinations, service type and typical included baggage, so you can shortlist before comparing live fares.
| Airline | UK Departure Airports | Turkey Destinations | Service Type | Typical Baggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh | Istanbul, plus onward domestic Turkish network | Full-service | 20–23kg Economy included |
| British Airways | London Heathrow | Istanbul, seasonal Antalya/Dalaman | Full-service | 23kg Economy included |
| Pegasus Airlines | Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham | Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen), onward domestic | Budget / low-cost | Hand baggage included; hold bags priced separately |
| SunExpress | Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted | Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum | Hybrid leisure carrier | Hand baggage included; hold bags priced separately |
| Wizz Air | Luton, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham | Istanbul, seasonal coastal routes | Ultra low-cost | Small cabin bag included; all else priced separately |
| easyJet | Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Bristol | Istanbul, seasonal Antalya/Bodrum | Low-cost | Small cabin bag included; hold bags priced separately |
| Jet2 | Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow | Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman | Leisure / package-friendly | Hold baggage typically included on package fares |
| TUI Airways | Widest UK regional network of any Turkey carrier | Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman | Leisure / package-friendly | Hold baggage typically included on package fares |
Routes, baggage policy and seasonal availability can change. Get a live fare check before booking.
Best airlines to Turkey from the UK
Here's a closer look at how each of the eight airlines flying to Turkey from the UK actually compares in practice.
Turkish Airlines flights
Turkish Airlines is the natural starting point for most UK to Turkey searches, and for good reason. It flies from more UK airports than any other carrier on this route, connects into an enormous domestic Turkish network via its Istanbul hub, and generally includes a generous checked baggage allowance as standard. It's particularly strong for travellers heading beyond Istanbul, Antalya or Bodrum to smaller Turkish cities, since Istanbul acts as a genuine one-stop gateway to the rest of the country. Fares are competitive against other full-service carriers, though budget airlines will usually undercut the headline price to Istanbul specifically.
British Airways flights to Turkey
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Istanbul year-round, with seasonal services to Antalya and Dalaman during the summer coastal season. It's a strong choice for Heathrow-based travellers who want a full-service experience, included baggage, and easy onward connections through Heathrow's long-haul network — useful if your Turkey trip is part of a longer journey. As with most legacy carriers, British Airways isn't usually the cheapest headline fare, but its reliability and schedule consistency make it a solid choice for London to Turkey travellers who prioritise convenience over the absolute lowest price.
Pegasus Airlines review
Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's home-grown low-cost airline, and it's often the cheapest way to reach Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen from several UK airports. Because Pegasus also operates an extensive Turkish domestic network, it's a genuinely useful option if your final destination is a smaller Turkish city beyond Istanbul, Antalya or Bodrum. As with any budget carrier, the initial fare typically covers a small cabin bag only, with checked baggage, seat selection and meals priced as extras — factor these into your total cost before assuming Pegasus is automatically the cheapest option for your trip.
SunExpress
SunExpress, a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, focuses heavily on Turkey's coastal leisure routes rather than Istanbul, making it a practical option for beach-holiday travellers flying directly into Antalya, Izmir or Bodrum from UK regional airports. It sits between full-service and budget in terms of pricing and inclusions, often offering a reasonable middle-ground fare for holidaymakers who don't need a full British Airways or Turkish Airlines service level.
Wizz Air: the ultra low-cost option to Istanbul
Wizz Air frequently posts some of the lowest headline fares on the London to Turkey route, particularly to Istanbul from Luton and Gatwick. It operates on a strict ultra-low-cost model, so the advertised fare covers a small personal item only — hold baggage, larger cabin bags, seat selection and priority boarding are all separate add-ons. Best suited to light-packing travellers or short city breaks where minimal baggage is realistic.
easyJet: flexible short-haul convenience
easyJet serves Istanbul year-round and adds seasonal coastal routes to Antalya and Bodrum from several UK airports, with a straightforward booking process and reasonably competitive advance-purchase fares. Like Wizz Air, baggage beyond a small cabin bag is priced separately, but easyJet's flexible fare tiers make it easy to build in exactly the baggage and flexibility you need without overpaying for extras you won't use.
Jet2: the package-holiday favourite
Jet2 has built a strong reputation among UK holidaymakers for its coastal Turkey routes to Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman, particularly when booked as part of a flight-and-hotel package. Included baggage on most package fares and consistently rated customer service make it a popular choice for family beach holidays, especially from regional UK airports like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle where London-based carriers don't always fly direct.
TUI Airways: the widest regional network for coastal Turkey
TUI operates one of the broadest UK regional networks of any airline flying to Turkey's coast, making it a genuinely convenient option for travellers outside London and Manchester. Like Jet2, TUI's real strength is in flight-and-hotel packages to Antalya and Bodrum, where bundled pricing and included baggage frequently beat booking flights and hotels separately.
Head-to-head: Turkish Airlines vs Pegasus vs SunExpress vs Jet2 vs TUI vs British Airways
Choosing between these six frequently-compared airlines usually comes down to your travel style rather than one airline being objectively "best":
- Turkish Airlines vs British Airways: Turkish Airlines wins on UK airport choice and onward Turkish domestic connections; British Airways wins on Heathrow schedule reliability and long-haul connection options.
- Pegasus vs Wizz Air: both are budget-focused to Istanbul, but Pegasus's onward Turkish domestic network gives it an edge if you're travelling beyond Istanbul itself.
- SunExpress vs Jet2/TUI: SunExpress suits flight-only coastal travellers wanting a direct route without a package; Jet2 and TUI suit travellers who want flight and hotel bundled together.
- Jet2 vs TUI: Jet2 edges ahead on customer service ratings; TUI edges ahead on the sheer number of UK regional airports served.
- Full-service vs budget overall: full-service airlines (Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Jet2, TUI on package fares) include more as standard; budget carriers (Pegasus, Wizz Air, easyJet, SunExpress) show a lower headline fare but charge extras separately.
The most reliable way to decide is to compare the total trip cost — fare plus baggage plus any extras you actually need — for your specific dates and route, rather than relying on an airline's general reputation. Our team can run that comparison for you across all eight airlines on the flights to Turkey page.
Heathrow to Turkey and London to Turkey: your options
London is Turkey's best-connected UK region by some distance, with all four major airports offering direct routes. Heathrow to Turkey is served by both Turkish Airlines and British Airways, giving Heathrow-based travellers a genuine full-service choice year-round to Istanbul, plus seasonal coastal options. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton add budget and hybrid coverage through Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet, meaning London travellers can realistically choose between a premium Heathrow to Istanbul flight and a budget Luton or Stansted departure on the same week.
| London Airport | Airlines Serving Turkey | Typical Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Turkish Airlines, British Airways | Istanbul, seasonal Antalya/Dalaman |
| Gatwick | Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, easyJet | Istanbul, seasonal coastal routes |
| Stansted | Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, Jet2 | Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum |
| Luton | Wizz Air, easyJet | Istanbul, seasonal coastal routes |
For travellers outside London, Manchester and Birmingham both offer a similarly broad mix of full-service and budget carriers to Istanbul, Antalya and Bodrum, so it's worth comparing your nearest regional airport before defaulting to a London departure.
Direct flights to Turkey: which airports and airlines connect you
Direct flights to Turkey are available from a wide spread of UK airports, which is one of the reasons Turkey remains such an accessible destination compared with other long-haul-adjacent holiday spots. Istanbul is served directly by the largest number of UK airports and airlines, while Antalya and Bodrum direct routes are more concentrated around leisure carriers like Jet2, TUI, SunExpress and easyJet, particularly through the April to October season. Izmir and Ankara have a smaller but still workable direct network, mainly through Turkish Airlines and SunExpress.
- Istanbul: direct from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and more — the most airline choice of any Turkish city.
- Antalya: direct from most major UK airports, heavily seasonal (April–October) outside a handful of year-round routes.
- Bodrum: direct from a smaller set of UK airports, mostly seasonal summer routes with Jet2, TUI and SunExpress.
- Izmir: direct options more limited, with some routes seasonal or requiring a connection via Istanbul.
- Ankara: mainly served via Istanbul connections, with limited direct UK options given its role as a business rather than leisure destination.
Compare live direct flight availability for your dates on our flights to Turkey page.
Baggage allowance compared across Turkey airlines
Baggage is one of the biggest hidden cost differences between airlines flying to Turkey, and it's easy to underestimate when comparing headline fares alone.
- Turkish Airlines & British Airways: typically include 20–23kg checked baggage as standard in economy, plus a cabin bag.
- Jet2 & TUI (package fares): hold baggage is usually included on package bookings, though flight-only fares may charge separately.
- SunExpress: hand baggage included; checked baggage priced as an add-on, similar to a hybrid low-cost model.
- Pegasus, Wizz Air & easyJet: a small cabin bag is included, with checked baggage, larger cabin bags, seat selection and priority boarding all priced separately.
If you're travelling with a family for a beach holiday and expect to check bags, a full-service or package fare with baggage included can end up cheaper overall than a budget carrier once add-ons are totalled — always compare the full trip cost rather than the base fare alone.
Turkey vacation deals: getting the best value trip
Turkey vacation deals generally fall into two categories: flight-and-hotel packages, and flight-only bookings paired with a separately booked hotel. For coastal destinations like Antalya and Bodrum, an ATOL protected package with Jet2 or TUI is frequently the best value route to a genuine deal, since tour operators negotiate bulk hotel rates that are hard to match booking independently. For Istanbul city breaks, flight-only bookings with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Wizz Air or easyJet paired with an independently booked hotel usually offer more flexibility at a comparable price.
- Best for family beach deals: Jet2 or TUI package to Antalya, booked two to four months ahead.
- Best for a cheap city break: Pegasus or Wizz Air flight-only to Istanbul, paired with a separately booked hotel.
- Best for flexibility: flight-only with Turkish Airlines or British Airways, allowing you to choose your own accommodation and length of stay.
- Best for last-minute value: shoulder-season (May, June, September, October) coastal packages, when tour operators discount unsold package inventory.
Share your travel dates and party size with our team for a tailored comparison of package and flight-only Turkey vacation deals on the flights to Turkey page.
Flights to Istanbul from the UK: the most competitive route
Istanbul is served by more UK airports and airlines than any other Turkish city, with Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet all competing directly on the route. That density of competition consistently keeps Istanbul among the cheapest short-haul city-break destinations from the UK, with low-season return fares often available well under £150. See live fares on our flights to Istanbul page.
Flights to Antalya from the UK: the UK's favourite Turkish beach route
Antalya draws the widest mix of leisure-focused airlines of any Turkish destination, including Jet2, TUI, SunExpress, easyJet, British Airways and Turkish Airlines, reflecting its position as the UK's most popular Turkish beach resort. Fares are highly seasonal, so comparing across all six of these carriers for your travel dates — rather than defaulting to one airline — is the most reliable way to find the best fare. See live fares on our flights to Turkey page.
Explore flights to Turkey's most popular destinations
Every destination has its own airline mix, route density and seasonal pattern. Choose your destination below for a dedicated flight guide, or compare everything together on the main flights to Turkey page.
Visa requirements for UK travellers to Turkey
British passport holders visiting Turkey for tourism can generally stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without needing a visa in advance, regardless of which airline you fly with. Requirements can change, so it's always worth confirming current guidance before booking and before you travel on the UK Government's Turkey travel advice page.
How to choose the right airline for your Turkey trip
- Travelling light on a city break? Wizz Air, easyJet or Pegasus to Istanbul will usually be your cheapest option.
- Travelling as a family with checked baggage? Compare the total cost of a budget fare plus add-ons against a Turkish Airlines, Jet2 or TUI fare with baggage included — the difference is often smaller than expected.
- Want the widest choice of UK departure airport? Turkish Airlines and TUI between them cover the most UK regional airports.
- Booking a beach package? Compare Jet2 and TUI package deals against booking SunExpress or easyJet flights with a separate hotel.
- Need onward domestic connections in Turkey? Turkish Airlines and Pegasus both offer strong connections beyond Istanbul via their hub.
- Prioritising reliability over price? British Airways and Turkish Airlines have the strongest schedule consistency of the airlines compared here.
Still not sure which airline fits your trip best? Share your dates, departure airport and party size with our team for a tailored comparison across all eight airlines on the flights to Turkey page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airline to fly to Turkey from the UK?
There is no single best airline for every traveller. Turkish Airlines offers the widest UK network and strongest baggage allowance, British Airways is a strong Heathrow option with excellent reliability, and budget carriers like Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet often have the lowest headline fares, especially to Istanbul.
Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Turkey?
Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, Wizz Air, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI Airways all operate direct flights from various UK airports to Turkey, covering Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and other destinations depending on the airline and season.
Does British Airways fly to Turkey?
Yes. British Airways operates direct flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul, and seasonally to Antalya and Dalaman, with a full-service experience including hold baggage included as standard and access to its long-haul connection network.
Is Turkish Airlines a good airline to fly with?
Turkish Airlines is generally well regarded, offering a wide UK route network, generous baggage allowances, a large domestic Turkish network via its Istanbul hub, and consistently competitive fares against other full-service carriers on this route.
Is Pegasus Airlines a reliable budget airline to Turkey?
Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's main low-cost carrier and is a reliable option for budget-conscious travellers, particularly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. As with most budget airlines, baggage, seat selection and meals are typically charged separately from the base fare.
What is SunExpress and where does it fly in Turkey?
SunExpress is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, focused heavily on Turkey's coastal leisure routes such as Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum, making it a practical option for beach-holiday travellers from several UK regional airports.
Which UK airports fly direct to Turkey?
London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, along with Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Newcastle and several other regional UK airports, offer direct flights to Istanbul and/or Antalya, making Turkey one of the most accessible destinations from across the UK.
How long is the flight from Heathrow to Turkey?
A direct flight from London Heathrow to Istanbul takes approximately 4 hours, while Heathrow to Antalya or Dalaman typically takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
What baggage allowance do airlines to Turkey typically offer?
Turkish Airlines and British Airways typically include checked baggage as standard, often 20 to 23kg in economy. Budget carriers such as Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet usually charge for checked baggage separately, so it's worth adding this to your total cost comparison.
Is Jet2 or TUI better for flights to Turkey?
Both are strong choices for coastal package-style holidays to Antalya and Bodrum. Jet2 is well regarded for its included baggage and customer service on package holidays, while TUI has one of the widest UK regional airport networks for Turkey, making it convenient outside London.
How much does a flight to Turkey from the UK cost?
Return economy fares from the UK to Turkey typically start from around £89 to £150 in low season with budget carriers, rising to £250 to £450 or more during peak summer and school holiday periods, particularly on coastal routes to Antalya and Bodrum.
Are there direct flights from London to Turkey?
Yes. London's four main airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, between them offer direct flights to Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and other Turkish destinations across Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus, Wizz Air, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI.
Which airline has the best baggage allowance to Turkey?
Turkish Airlines and British Airways generally offer the most generous included baggage allowances in economy. Jet2 and TUI also include a reasonable checked bag on most fares, while low-cost carriers like Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet charge for baggage as an add-on.
What are the best Turkey vacation deals from the UK?
The best value Turkey vacation deals are typically found by combining flight and hotel as an ATOL protected package with Jet2 or TUI to Antalya or Bodrum, booking two to four months ahead for summer, or travelling in the May, June, September or October shoulder season.
Can I fly direct from Manchester or Birmingham to Turkey?
Yes. Manchester offers direct flights to Istanbul, Antalya and Bodrum with a mix of Turkish Airlines, Jet2, TUI and easyJet, while Birmingham offers direct routes to Istanbul and Antalya, particularly through the summer season.
Is it cheaper to fly with a budget airline or a full-service airline to Turkey?
Budget airlines like Pegasus, Wizz Air and easyJet usually show the lowest headline fare, but once baggage and seat selection are added, the total cost can come close to full-service airlines like Turkish Airlines or British Airways, which include more as standard. Comparing the full trip cost, not just the base fare, gives the clearest picture.