Turkish Airlines started as the State Airlines Administration on May 20, 1933, with a small fleet of five aircraft and a focus on domestic flights. It began international flights in 1947 to Athens and was renamed Turkish Airlines in 1955, later joining IATA. Since then, it has expanded its network to be a major international carrier, becoming the airline flying to the most countries in the world. 

Early years (1933-1955)

• Founded on May 20, 1933, as the State Airlines Administration, a division of the Ministry of National Defense.

• Initially, the fleet consisted of two Curtiss Kingbirds, two Junkers F 13s, and one Tupolev ANT-9.

• It operated domestic routes, with its first international flight from Istanbul to Athens in 1947, expanding to include Nicosia, Beirut, and Cairo by 1951. 

Growth and expansion (1955-1990s)

• The airline was renamed Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları A.O.) in 1955 and joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

• It began adding new aircraft, including the DC-3 in 1945 and the first jets in 1967.

• International expansion continued, with operations reaching more European destinations by 1970. 

Modernization and global reach (1990s-present) 

• The 1990s saw the airline shift towards a more business-oriented model with investments in systems and customer experience.

• It has grown significantly, quadrupling its fleet and more than sevenfold its passenger numbers over the last two decades.

• In 2008, Turkish Airlines became a member of the Star Alliance.

• Today, it is the airline that flies to the most countries in the world, operating from its hub in Istanbul.