Turkish Airlines debuts its 12th US gateway: Seattle
Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance member, launched nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul (IST) today, May 27, debuting the 12th U.S. gateway for the flagship carrier of Turkey.
"We are proud to open our new Seattle gateway, the first in the Pacific Northwest, as we continue to expand our U.S. presence and global route network," said Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat.
Gate-side festivities and the official, traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new service will not take place until mid-June. But the important news-you-can-use for travelers is that there are now nonstop flights between the Pacific Northwest and Istanbul four times each week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, on a 300-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Business-class on this aircraft has 1-2-1 seating with a 76-inch seat bed length and was favorably and extensively reviewed by The Points Guy when it debuted. Economy seating on this plane has a 3-3-3 layout.
Flight TK204 leaves Seattle at 5:45 p.m. and arrives at Istanbul Airport (IST) at 3:25 local time. The flight time is 11 hours and 40 minutes in that direction. Flight TK203 leaves Istanbul at 2:05 p.m. local time and arrives in Seattle at 4:15 p.m., with a flight time of 12 hours and 10 minutes.
Inflight, passengers can enjoy menus that include meals and beverages prepared by the airline's Flying Chefs, recently profiled in TPG's Airplane Mode video series. There is also an option to dine by (battery-operated) candlelight in business class, which Turkish Airlines says is a first for any international airline.
The carrier also just introduced new long-haul amenity kits by Italian fashion brand Coccinelle and sporty British brand Hackett for business class and, in economy, by Mandarina Duck.
Related story: 10 things to know about flying Turkish Airlines
Passengers arriving in Seattle on this new Turkish Airlines flight – or any international flight – now enter the United States through SEA's stunning new international arrivals facility (IAF).
After crossing an 85-foot-high, 780-foot-long steel-and-glass walkway that is the longest aerial walkway over an active runway, passengers make their way to a grand, art-filled hall to collect their luggage and go through customs and immigration.
Travelers making their way from Seattle to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines arrive at the carrier's home base, Istanbul Airport, the biggest built-from-scratch airport terminal in the world. The Turkish Airline's business class lounge at Istanbul Airport is an impressive bonus perk, with daybed suites, shower and bathroom facilities, elaborate kids play area, staffed cooking stations and virtual golf and flight simulators.
Turkish Airlines also recently reinstated its stopover program, which gives passengers time to spend in Istanbul and "catch up on lost travel time," says Ahmet Olmustur, Turkish Airlines' chief marketing and sales officer.
As part of this program, Turkish Airlines provides vouchers for a complimentary one-night stay in a four-star hotel for economy class passengers and vouchers for a complimentary two-night stay in a five-star hotel for business-class passengers. The vouchers are provided on request once tickets are purchased.
Los Angeles and San Francisco are also West Coast gateways for Turkish Airlines. But "Seattle is one of the fastest diversifying regions in the country, with over a quarter of our residents foreign-born," notes Lance Lyttle, SEA airport managing director. So, it is significant that Turkish Airlines' service will expand connections from SEA to destinations throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, he said. "On top of that, Istanbul is an exciting city and a must on any traveler's bucket list."
Seattle has been one of Turkish Airlines' focus markets for a while, says the company's Olmustur, but in 2020 the carrier had to postpone the inauguration of service to several destinations due to market conditions. "With our rapid recovery in the Americas, we are now launching flights to Seattle," he said.
While it is always cause for celebration when a new route launches, as the world works its way out of the depths of the pandemic, each new service takes on an added meaning.
"The startup of new airlines and destinations to SEA, even during the pandemic, is a testament to the strength of this region's economy, and the confidence of airlines and visitors," says SEA's Lance Lyttle. "In addition to providing direct flights to new destinations, and new connections, each new international service brings approximately $89M in economic impact to the State of Washington."
Turkish Airlines becomes the 22nd airline to offer international service at SEA and is one of three new airlines launching service at SEA this year. Next week Finnair will inaugurate its Seattle–Helsinki service, and this fall Air Tahiti Nui will launch flights to Tahiti.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.