Is Traveling by Turkish Airlines Safe?

Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Turkey, has been recognized as the safest airline in Europe due to its modern fleet and high level of safety. Known for Turkish Airlines’ safe reputation, the airline has earned numerous safety honors and recognitions, and it adheres strictly to safety norms and standards to maintain its excellent record.

When it comes to booking a flight, passengers’ primary concern is usually safety. Turkish Airlines, one of the world’s largest and most regarded airlines, is a convenient option for international passengers, particularly those flying to Turkey.

As Türkiye’s national flag carrier, it operates flights to 352 destinations across 129 countries, including 53 domestic locations, and carries approximately 85.2 million passengers annually.

In the following section, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the airline’s safety record, safety rating, crash history, security procedures, certifications, and travelers’ experience.

Turkish Airlines Safety Record

Turkish Airlines has an outstanding safety record and is ranked highly among international airlines. It is well-known for innovative aircraft safety systems and for implementing sophisticated flight safety procedures. The airline’s emergency response protocols, safety rules, and ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures all reflect the airline’s dedication to safety.

Additionally, the airline adheres to international safety standards and regulations established by agencies. These agencies include the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The safety policies, emergency response protocols, and ongoing attempts to enhance safety measures all demonstrate Turkish Airlines’ dedication to safety.

Turkish Airlines Incidents and Accidents

Since its founding in 1933, Turkish Airlines has had only 19 significant incidents. Regretfully, in those nine incidents, 938 people have lost their lives as a result. Turkish Airlines hasn’t experienced a fatal accident since 2009, when a Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Even though it flies to more destinations than any other airline in the world, Turkish Airlines has experienced fewer major accidents and fatalities in recent decades. However, given that the airline transports millions of people annually, the chance of an incident occurring is nearly zero, which is a good safety record.

Turkish Airlines Fleet and Aircraft Maintenance

With an average aircraft age of about eight years, the airline’s fleet is among the youngest and most advanced in the world. It consists of more than 350 aircraft, mostly from top manufacturers, including Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330, A350, and Boeing 737, 777, and 787 Dreamliner. For short- and medium-haul flights, the airline operates aircraft from the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series.

According to Airfleets.net, Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER fleet has an average age of approximately 10.6 years, while its Airbus A330 fleet averages about 12.2 years as of May 2025.

In addition to passenger aircraft, Turkish Airlines has a cargo fleet that comprises Airbus A330-200F and Boeing 777F freighters. Furthermore, these aircraft are subject to more effective fuel management, which may significantly improve operations’ general safety and sustainability.

To maintain this level of safety, Turkish Airlines regularly retires older aircraft from service and replaces them with newer models. Turkish Airlines’ consistent fleet renewal action assures customers that they are flying on some of the most modern aircraft available in commercial aviation today. As a leader in the industry, Turkish Airlines stands out to passengers worried about the airline’s fleet modernization and safety.

IOSA Certification and Star Alliance Membership

• Turkish Airlines holds an IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification. The audit is optional and determines if an airline has the essential systems and processes in place to ensure safety.
• According to the US and EU, the airline is not on any blacklists.
• Turkey scored well in the ICAO Country Audit, which analyzes a nation’s airline laws from a safety perspective.

In addition to the aforementioned, Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, one of the three main airline alliances. Although it isn’t a safety certification, it is nonetheless a noteworthy reference.

Passenger Reviews and Industry Ratings

• Skytrax: The airline-ranking company Skytrax recently named Turkish Airlines the sixth-best airline in the world. It has received a 4-Star rating for the quality of its airport and onboard product, as well as its customer service.
• Forbes Ranking: Turkish Airlines is ranked 16th on Forbes’ list of the top 25 airlines in terms of airline safety.
• AirlineRatings: With a flawless 7/7 safety rating, Turkish Airlines ranks as the first safest airline in Europe and ranks 13th out of the top 25 safest airlines worldwide, as per AirlineRatings.com.
• ATW Awards: The Air Transport World (ATW) Awards, one of the most prominent accolades in the industry, have previously recognized Turkish Airlines for its operational efficiency, safety, and inventiveness.

The high safety rating received from aviation safety organizations reflects the airline’s dedication to operational and passenger safety.

Summing Up…

Turkey’s national flag airline, Turkish Airlines, is renowned for its extensive worldwide reach and excellent safety record. It is one of the biggest airlines in Europe and flies to more places worldwide than any other airline. While the airline doesn’t have a spotless safety track record, it has reported fewer fatalities than several other big carriers. Its extensive safety procedures, demanding pilot training, and strategic emergency preparedness have earned it a reputation for safety and dependability.

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