Is Turkish Airlines a Good Airline From Australia to Europe in 2026?

For many Australians flying to Europe in 2026, Turkish Airlines is a strong option, with one change of plane in Istanbul. Skytrax placed it 5th in the World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026 in its World Airline Awards, it is a Star Alliance member, and it connects through Istanbul to more than 300 destinations. Whether it is the right pick for your trip comes down to the fare rules, baggage and connection time on your dates. Compare those, then go through ShopBack before you book.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you book or shop online at thousands of stores, including Turkish Airlines and Trip.com. You open the booking site from ShopBack, book as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. The Skytrax World Airline Awards list of the World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026, and the Turkish Airlines, Trip.com and Skyscanner pages on ShopBack, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list fares, because they change daily; compare live prices for your dates.

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The short verdict

Turkish Airlines suits Australians who want one connection to a wide spread of European cities and are happy to change planes in Istanbul. Its 2026 Skytrax ranking puts it among the airlines travellers rate most highly, and its network means many smaller European cities are a single connection away. The things that decide whether it is good for you are the same as on any long-haul airline: the fare rules on the ticket you buy, the baggage allowance, and how long you spend in Istanbul.

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Turkish Airlines review: what the 2026 awards say

In the Skytrax World Airline Awards, Turkish Airlines was 5th in the World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026. Skytrax describes the list as voted for by travellers around the world.

What Skytrax says about the airline:

• History. Founded in 1933 with a fleet of 5 aircraft.
• Network. Flies to more than 300 destinations, with a fleet of more than 300 passenger and cargo aircraft.
• Alliance. A Star Alliance member.
• Reach. Turkish Airlines uses the statement "We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world".

Rank in Skytrax World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026	Airline
1	Singapore Airlines
2	Qatar Airways
3	Cathay Pacific Airways
4	ANA All Nippon Airways
5	Turkish Airlines
6	Emirates

Source: Skytrax World Airline Awards, World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026, at the time of writing.

An award ranking is a useful signal, not a guarantee of your own flight. It reflects traveller votes across the whole airline, while your experience depends on the aircraft, route and cabin on your dates.

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Flying Turkish Airlines from Australia to Europe: how the trip works

Turkish Airlines flights from Australia to Europe usually connect through its hub in Istanbul, then continue to the city you are heading to. Some flights also make a stop on the way to Istanbul, so check the full routing for your dates. That one connection is the main thing to plan around.

• The connection. Check the connection time shown for each option. A short connection keeps the total journey down; a longer one gives you more buffer if the first flight is late.
• Onward cities. Because Turkish Airlines flies to more than 300 destinations, according to Skytrax, smaller European cities can often be reached with the same single connection rather than a second change.
• Departure city. Check which Australian cities have Turkish Airlines departures on your dates; routes and schedules change, and some trips start with a flight on another airline.
• Partner flights. As a Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines works with partner airlines, which can matter if you collect points with another Star Alliance airline.

Other airlines Australians compare for Europe include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways. Price the same dates on each, and compare the total journey time and fare rules, not only the headline fare.

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Turkish Airlines review for Australia in 2026: what to check before you book

The fare you choose shapes the trip more than the airline badge does. Before you pay, check:

1. Total price in Australian dollars, including taxes and any seat or baggage charges you will add.
2. Checked baggage allowance for that fare. Cheaper fares usually come with less.
3. Change and refund rules. The fare rules shown before you pay say what you can change and what it costs.
4. Connection time in Istanbul, for both directions.
5. Seats and meals. Some fares include seat selection, others charge for it.
6. Where you book. Direct with the airline, or through a booking site such as Trip.com. Changes are handled by whoever you booked with.

Booking a trip online works best in this order: pick your dates, compare flights and hotels, go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card.

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Turkish Airlines reviews, complaints and refunds: what to look for

Reviews are most useful when you read them for patterns on your route and cabin, rather than for the overall score.

Reading reviews on Trustpilot and ProductReview

Trustpilot and ProductReview are two places Australians read airline reviews. A few tips for getting real value out of them:

• Filter for recent reviews. Airlines change aircraft, schedules and service over time.
• Look for your route and cabin. A long-haul economy review tells you more about your trip than a short regional one.
• Look for patterns, not single stories. Several reviews about the same issue, such as baggage or connections, are more informative than one dramatic post.
• Check whether the problem was a fare rule. Many complaints about change fees or refunds come down to the fare type that was booked. Choosing a more flexible fare can avoid the same situation.

Review sites tend to attract people with a problem to report, so read them alongside rankings such as the Skytrax awards for a balanced view.

How refunds and changes usually work

Refunds and changes depend on the fare you buy. The fare rules shown before you pay set whether a ticket can be refunded or changed, and what it costs. Cheaper fares are usually the most restrictive, so if your plans might move, compare the price of a more flexible fare.

Ask for a refund or change through whoever you booked with: Turkish Airlines if you booked direct, or the booking site such as Trip.com if you booked there. Keep your booking reference and the fare rules from your confirmation email handy.

Customer service

For changes, refunds or questions, contact Turkish Airlines through the official contact options on its own website or app, or the booking site you used. Use only those official channels rather than phone numbers from search ads or social media.

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How ShopBack lowers the price of a Turkish Airlines flight

Pick your dates, compare flights and hotels, go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card. Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. You can withdraw it to your bank account.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for Turkish Airlines or Trip.com.
2. Check the rate shown on that page.
3. Tap through to the site and book before you pay.
4. Part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as Cashback.

Working out the effective price. Your effective price is what you pay minus the Cashback, at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page.

Comparing fares first. Skyscanner is a handy way to see several airlines side by side. If you book through Skyscanner, start from the Skyscanner page on ShopBack before you pay.

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Promo codes, changes and ShopBack together

No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay and part of what you spend comes back. Any Turkish Airlines promo codes come from the airline itself. For changes and refunds, the fare rules you booked decide what the airline allows, so pick a flexible fare if your plans might move.

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Key takeaways

• Turkish Airlines was 5th in the Skytrax World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026.
• Flights from Australia to Europe usually connect through Istanbul; Skytrax says the airline flies to more than 300 destinations.
• It is a Star Alliance member, which matters if you collect points with a partner airline.
• Fare rules decide refunds, changes and baggage, so compare a flexible fare if plans might move.
• Read reviews for patterns on your route and cabin, not the overall score.
• Pick your dates, compare flights and hotels, go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Turkish Airlines a good airline to fly from Australia to Europe?

For many Australians it is a strong option, with one change of plane in Istanbul. Skytrax placed Turkish Airlines 5th in its World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026, it is a Star Alliance member, and it connects through Istanbul to more than 300 destinations. Whether it suits your trip depends on the fare rules, baggage and connection time on your dates, so compare those before you book through ShopBack.

How did Turkish Airlines rank in the 2026 World Airline Awards?

Turkish Airlines was 5th in the World's Top 10 Airlines of 2026 in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, which Skytrax describes as voted for by travellers around the world. Singapore Airlines was named the world's best airline in the same list.

Where does Turkish Airlines connect for flights from Australia to Europe?

Turkish Airlines flights from Australia to Europe usually connect through its hub in Istanbul, and some flights also make a stop on the way. From there it flies onward to a wide network; Skytrax notes that Turkish Airlines flies to more than 300 destinations, and Turkish Airlines says it flies to more countries than any other airline. Check the routing, stops and connection time shown for your dates when you search.

Is Turkish Airlines in an airline alliance?

Yes. Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, according to Skytrax. That matters if you collect points with another Star Alliance airline or need a connection on a partner airline, so check how your booking earns before you pay.

How do Turkish Airlines refunds work?

Refunds depend on the fare you buy. The fare rules shown before you pay set whether a ticket can be refunded or changed and what it costs, and cheaper fares are usually the most restrictive. Ask for a refund through whoever you booked with: Turkish Airlines if you booked direct, or the booking site such as Trip.com if you booked there.

How should I read Turkish Airlines reviews on Trustpilot or ProductReview?

Read recent reviews for your route and cabin rather than the overall score. Review sites tend to attract people with a problem to report, so look for patterns such as baggage, connections or refunds, and check whether the issue is tied to a fare rule you can avoid by choosing a more flexible fare.

What should I check before booking a Turkish Airlines flight from Australia?

Check the total price in Australian dollars, the checked baggage allowance for your fare, the connection time in Istanbul, the change and refund rules, and the seat and meal options. Compare the same flights on Turkish Airlines and a booking site such as Trip.com, then go through ShopBack before you pay.

Should I book Turkish Airlines direct or through a booking site?

Either can work. Booking direct keeps changes and refunds with the airline, while a booking site such as Trip.com can be handy for comparing several airlines at once. Compare the same flights and fare rules on both, and remember that changes are handled by whoever you booked with.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a Turkish Airlines flight?

Pick your dates, compare flights and hotels, go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card. Going through ShopBack Australia gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store, which works like a discount on the price rather than points or miles. The live rate is on the Turkish Airlines page on ShopBack.

Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on a Turkish Airlines booking?

Any Turkish Airlines promo codes come from the airline itself. Cashback through ShopBack works like a discount on its own, so no code is needed: go through ShopBack before you pay.

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Found your Turkish Airlines fare? Open the ShopBack Turkish Airlines page first, then book

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author.

Fares, fare rules, baggage allowances, schedules and routes are set by each airline and change often; check them with the airline or booking site before you book. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before you book.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, or travel advice.