Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress are both Turkish low-cost carriers that fly between Turkey and Europe, so they often appear side by side on routes to Antalya, İzmir and other holiday airports. Pegasus is Istanbul-based with a large domestic and international network, while SunExpress is a leisure airline based in Antalya and jointly owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
Quick verdict
Both are no-frills operators with no alliance, so the choice usually comes down to route, schedule and the final price once extras are added. Pegasus suits travellers who need Istanbul connections, a wider network or bundles that include a bag and a snack. SunExpress suits holidaymakers flying direct between Europe and Turkey's resort airports who are happy to pay for only the extras they need.
Choose Pegasus Airlines if…
- You want to fly via Istanbul or Sabiha Gökçen, or need a wide domestic Turkish network.
- You prefer a bundle that includes 20 kg checked baggage on international flights, seat selection and a sandwich (Saver Plus).
- You want unlimited changes through the optional Pegasus Flex, or want to spend BolBol points on extras.
Choose SunExpress if…
- You are flying a direct holiday route to Antalya, İzmir or Dalaman from Europe.
- You want a low base fare and are happy to add only the bag, meal or seat you need.
- You like the idea of a Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa-backed carrier with an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Pegasus operates from bases including Istanbul, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Ercan and İzmir, serving about 156 destinations across Europe, Asia and North Africa plus a large domestic network. In October 2026 it completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings, which are expected to keep separate brands.
SunExpress is smaller, with bases at Antalya, İzmir and Ankara, focused on Turkey–Europe leisure traffic and some domestic routes.
Cabins and seats
SunExpress flies a single economy cabin on Boeing 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s; seat map data lists about 29 in (74 cm) pitch on the 737-800. Pegasus flies mainly Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, and seat selection is sold through its bundles, with extra-legroom seats charged separately. Comfort on both is typical of low-cost short-haul flying.
Baggage and fares
Pegasus sells four fare bundles. The Saver bundle includes 15 kg checked on domestic flights and 20 kg on international and Cyprus flights, and cabin-bag rules depend on the bundle.
SunExpress fares are SunLight, SunEco and SunComfort. SunLight includes only a 4 kg underseat bag; an 8 kg cabin bag can be added from €19.99, and SunEco and higher fares include one. Its fares document lists an €80 excess hand baggage fee at the airport. Check the bag rules before comparing prices.
Food and entertainment
On Pegasus, meals are not included in the basic fare; Saver Plus adds a sandwich, and other meals can be ordered. Fly & Watch entertainment is included in some bundles.
SunExpress sells food through its SunCafé menu, and meals can be pre-ordered up to 36 hours before departure, with inclusion depending on the fare. Entertainment is streamed to your own device through an Immfly-based system introduced in 2018. Bring a charged phone or tablet.
Loyalty, flexibility and extras
Neither airline belongs to an alliance. Pegasus runs the BolBol programme, where BolPoints can pay for seats, extra baggage, Flex and meals, and Pegasus Flex adds unlimited changes to a ticket.
SunExpress has its own benefits programme and sells seat reservations, fare upgrades, the SunPriority package and lounge access with VIP service as extras. If airport lounge access matters, check SunExpress's lounge option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pegasus better than SunExpress?
Neither is clearly better. Pegasus has the larger network and Istanbul hubs, while SunExpress concentrates on direct leisure routes between Europe and Turkey's holiday airports. Compare the all-in price for your route, including bags.
Does SunExpress or Pegasus include checked baggage?
Pegasus's Saver bundle includes 20 kg checked on international flights (15 kg domestic). SunExpress's cheapest SunLight fare includes only a 4 kg underseat bag, and checked bags depend on the fare or are bought extra.
Do SunExpress and Pegasus have business class?
SunExpress flies a single economy cabin. Pegasus sells seats through fare bundles, so check the options when booking.
About Pegasus Airlines Read more
Overview
Pegasus Airlines (Pegasus Hava Taşımacılığı A.Ş.) is a Turkish low-cost carrier. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 12 January 1991 and is owned by ESAS Holding. Its shares trade on Borsa Istanbul (PGSUS). It is not a member of a major alliance. Its IATA code is PC, its ICAO code is PGT and its call sign is SUNTURK.
In October 2026, FlightGlobal reported that Pegasus had completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings. The airlines are expected to keep separate brands, and the combined fleet is more than 175 aircraft.
Network and hubs
Wikipedia lists operating bases at Istanbul, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Ercan, İzmir, Adana/Mersin, Kayseri, Samsun and Trabzon. The airline serves about 156 destinations across Europe, Asia and North Africa, as well as a large Turkish domestic network.
Fleet
Pegasus operates about 130 aircraft (Wikipedia, 2026), mostly from the Airbus A320neo family. The Smartwings and Czech Airlines aircraft are not included in this figure.
On board
Pegasus sells seats through fare bundles rather than a single all-inclusive fare. The flight bundles page says the Saver Plus bundle includes seat selection (excluding extra legroom seats), 20 kg of checked baggage, a sandwich and Fly & Watch in-flight entertainment. Other meals can be ordered. Details of cabin classes and seat pitch were not confirmed in the sources used.
Good to know
- Baggage: the Saver bundle includes 15 kg on domestic flights and 20 kg on international and Cyprus flights. Cabin Zero reports that since February 2024 international bundles have set separate limits for a cabin bag and an under-seat bag, so check the rules for the bundle you buy.
- Changes: Pegasus Flex (unlimited changes) can be added to a ticket, according to the airline FAQ.
- Loyalty: the programme is Pegasus BolBol. BolPoints can pay for seat selection, extra baggage, Flex and meals on flypgs.com and the app.
- Punctuality: Statista reported 75.07% of flights departing within 15 minutes of schedule in 2022. This figure is old, so it is not given as a current rating.
About SunExpress Read more
Overview
SunExpress is a Turkish leisure airline. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in October 1989 as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, and began flying in 1990. The two parents each own 50%. The airline is headquartered in Antalya. It is not a member of an alliance.
Network and hubs
Operating bases are Antalya, İzmir and Ankara. The airline links Turkey with Europe and the wider Mediterranean region, with holiday destinations such as Antalya, İzmir and Dalaman prominent, as described by AviTrader. It also flies domestic routes within Turkey and began flights to Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus in October 2023. In its January 2026 release the airline reported 7% passenger growth in 2025, with almost 16 million passengers carried.
Fleet
The all-Boeing 737 fleet numbered 85 aircraft in November 2025. It consists of 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s. Four new 737-8s were delivered in January 2026, after five in 2025, as part of fleet modernisation (AviTrader, 29 January 2026). Fleet totals vary between sources, so check the airline's fleet page for the current figure.
On board
- Cabin: single-class economy. Third-party seat map data lists 189 seats on the 737-800 with about 29 in (74 cm) pitch (seatmaps.com).
- Seats: the airline says its cabins use leather-covered Safran seats with the seat pocket above the tray table.
- Food: the SunCafé menu is sold on board, and meals can be pre-ordered up to 36 hours before departure. Inclusion depends on the fare.
- Entertainment: content streams to personal devices through the Immfly-based SunExpress Entertainment system, announced in 2018.
Good to know
- Baggage: the SunLight fare includes only a 4 kg underseat bag (30 x 40 x 20 cm). An 8 kg cabin bag can be added from €19.99. SunEco and higher fares include an 8 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm), according to the fares document, which also lists an excess hand baggage fee of €80 at the airport.
- Extras: seat reservation, lounge access, fare upgrades and the SunPriority package are sold as extras.
- Loyalty: the airline runs its own "your benefits" programme.
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