Turkish Airlines vs Lufthansa

Overview

Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları) is the flag carrier of Turkey. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 20 May 1933, is listed on Borsa Istanbul (THYAO) and has been a member of Star Alliance since 2008. Its corporate headquarters are at the former Atatürk Airport site in Istanbul. Its subsidiaries include the low-cost carrier AJet, Turkish Cargo and Turkish Technic. Its frequent-flyer programme is Miles&Smiles.

Network and hubs

The main hub is Istanbul Airport, which replaced Atatürk Airport in a phased move completed in 2019. CAPA lists Esenboğa (Ankara) and Adnan Menderes (Izmir) as secondary hubs. Wikipedia describes the airline as serving more countries than any other carrier, with about 340 to 350 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas, including a large domestic network. Most intercontinental journeys connect through Istanbul.

Fleet

Turkish Airlines Group, including AJet, had 516 aircraft in 2025, with up to 570 planned for 2026, according to its CFO (reported 5 March 2026). Third-party trackers such as Plane Finder list roughly 420 mainline aircraft, including Airbus A321neo, A321, A330, A350-900 and A320 types and Boeing 737, 777 and 787-9 types. Figures vary by source and date.

On board

Turkish Airlines operates two cabins, Economy and Business. Wego reports that every Economy fare includes a meal, checked baggage and seatback entertainment. Business class adds lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft, Flying Chef dining and lounge access. Wego also reports that Wi-Fi is free for Business passengers and Miles&Smiles members, with free Wi-Fi for all passengers being rolled out through 2026. Seat dimensions vary by aircraft type and are not given here.

Good to know

• Cabin baggage: per the airline's baggage page, Economy allows one 8 kg bag (55x40x23 cm) plus a 4 kg personal item. Business allows two 8 kg bags plus a personal item.
• Checked baggage: the allowance depends on route and fare, so check the booking.
• Lounges: The Points Guy notes two large lounges at Istanbul, one for elite members and one for Business passengers.
• Punctuality: Simple Flying reported 81.41% on-time performance for 2025, using Cirium data.
• Safety: Wikipedia records 19 incidents and accidents in the airline's history, 15 of them fatal.

Overview

Lufthansa is Germany's largest airline and the flagship carrier of Lufthansa Group. According to Wikipedia, it traces its history to Deutsche Luft Hansa, founded on 6 January 1926, and was re-established in 1953. It is headquartered in Cologne, operates hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, and is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More. The airline is still operating passenger services in 2026, its centenary year.

Network and hubs

Frankfurt and Munich are the main hubs. For summer 2026, Aviation Outlook reports that Lufthansa Group offers more than 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations in around 100 countries. That figure covers the whole group, not only the Lufthansa brand, and the same source describes a shift away from loss-making short-haul feeder flying towards long-haul growth. Lufthansa has also taken a stake in ITA Airways, with an option to acquire the remainder later.

Fleet

Wikipedia lists a mainline fleet of 274 aircraft and 229 destinations (retrieved September 2026; some infobox data may lag). Lufthansa Group as a whole had 737 aircraft at the end of 2025, with 219 more on order, according to Aviation Outlook. The long-haul fleet includes Airbus A350-900s, and Wikipedia also covers A340-600s, A380s and Boeing 747-8s, some of which are being refitted.

On board

• Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and, on selected aircraft, First Class.
• Premium Economy: introduced in 2014, with a seat pitch of about 38 inches, according to Wikipedia.
• Allegris: the airline's newer long-haul cabin product, which is being introduced across the long-haul fleet. Availability varies by aircraft.
• Meal, entertainment and Wi-Fi details vary by route and cabin. Check the airline's website before booking.

Good to know

• Baggage: a third-party guide (2025) says Economy and Premium Economy include one 8 kg cabin bag (55x40x23 cm). Economy Light includes no checked bag, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags. Business and First include two cabin bags. Rules change, so confirm on lufthansa.com.
• Lounges: Lufthansa operates lounges at Frankfurt and Munich, including First Class lounges and a First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.
• Loyalty: Miles & More has Frequent Traveller (Star Alliance Silver), Senator and HON Circle (both Star Alliance Gold) levels, with lounge access at the higher tiers.