Corendon Airlines vs Croatia Airlines

Overview

Corendon Airlines (legally Turistik Hava Taşımacılık A.Ş.) is a Turkish leisure airline. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 2004, began flying in 2005 and is a subsidiary of Corendon Tourism Group. It is headquartered in Antalya. It belongs to no global alliance. Sister carriers are Corendon Dutch Airlines and Corendon Airlines Europe.

Network and hubs

The airline flies scheduled and charter services to more than 140 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Its hubs are Antalya and İzmir Adnan Menderes, and it also has a base at Ankara Esenboğa. Most traffic is holiday flying between Turkey and European cities. It has also kept flying to Russia, including charters from Perm to Antalya announced for May 2024.

Fleet

The fleet is all Boeing 737. The Wikipedia fleet table lists 9 Boeing 737-800 and 6 Boeing 737 MAX 8, 15 aircraft in total, while Plane Finder lists 14. Counts differ between sources and change often. In September 2026, FlightGlobal reported that the Corendon group would cut its fleet from 30 to 21 aircraft this winter because of high fuel costs. Capacity and schedules may therefore be smaller than in summer.

On board

All aircraft are single-class economy. The 737-800 has 189 seats in a 3-3 layout with a pitch of about 30 inches, according to Seatlink. Kayak says there are no power sockets or Wi-Fi. Meals are generally an extra, except on the Premium fare, which includes a hot meal or snacks. Seats and meals can be pre-selected for a fee on lower fares.

Good to know

• Fares: the branded fares are Lite, Eco, Flex and Premium (All Inclusive). Premium includes a 30 kg bag, seat selection, priority boarding and flexible changes or refunds.
• Cabin baggage: the airline's baggage page allows one 10 kg bag and one 4 kg underseat bag on the Eco fare.
• Checked baggage: Flex includes 23 kg and Premium 30 kg. Extra baggage of up to 40 kg per person can be bought, and no single piece may exceed 32 kg.
• Extras: the additional services page lists seat selection, meals, priority check-in and boarding, lounge access, pets in cabin and sports equipment.
• Safety: Wikipedia lists a 2012 cockpit fire during pushback at Antalya, with injuries during the evacuation, and a 2024 bird-strike engine failure that ended in an emergency landing at Frankfurt.

Global Network and Operations

Croatia Airlines operates a well-established network primarily across Europe, serving over 50 destinations including key cities in Western and Eastern Europe. The airline’s fleet comprises 22 aircraft, mainly ATR 72 turboprops and Airbus A320 family jets, optimizing efficiency on short and medium-haul routes. Its primary hub is Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport, ensuring connectivity between Croatia and major European hubs. Croatia Airlines is a proud member of the Star Alliance, enhancing its global reach through code-sharing and alliance partnerships.

Innovation and Milestones

Since its founding in 1989, Croatia Airlines has achieved notable milestones and embraced innovations to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency:
• Modernized its fleet by introducing ATR 72-600 aircraft for regional connectivity.
• Implemented advanced digital booking and check-in systems to streamline customer service.
• Environmentally conscious initiatives including fuel-efficient operations and waste reduction programs.
• Pioneer Croatian airline in joining Star Alliance in 2004, strengthening international cooperation.

Customer Experience and Recognition

Croatia Airlines offers a comfortable travel experience featuring Economy and Business class cabins. Passengers benefit from ergonomic seating, in-flight services including complimentary meals on select flights, and attentive customer care. The airline has been recognized for its punctuality and safety record within the regional market. Efforts to enhance on-board entertainment and lounge accessibility contribute to positive passenger feedback.

Future Outlook

Croatia Airlines plans to further modernize its fleet and expand European destinations to capture growing tourism demand. The airline is committed to sustainable practices, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in line with EU environmental targets. Continued participation in Star Alliance will offer passengers greater connectivity and access to global networks, supporting Croatia Airlines’ vision of becoming a leading European regional carrier.