Turkish Airlines Celebrates 25 Years of Direct Flights to NYC

On Wednesday, June 19, Elite Traveler and Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the global carrier’s direct flights from Turkey to the US. More than 200 guests joined the airline and Elite Traveler, the media partner for the event, at New York City’s esteemed Metropolitan Club.

Elite Traveler’s Director of Travel & Spirits Corey Zaretsky hosted the evening, and Consul General of Turkey in New York, Hon. Alper Aktaş, Turkish Airlines Vice President of Sales for the Americas, Mustafa Dogan and Turkish Airlines General Manager for New York, Cenk Öcal spoke on the 25th anniversary of direct flights between Istanbul and New York, with videos highlighting Turkish Airlines’ milestone anniversary, the award-wining business class experience, Turkish Airlines’ new uniforms and global network. A 25th anniversary cake presentation ended the celebration on a sweet note.

Attendees included H.E. Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations; Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and representatives of the diplomatic corps in New York; Martha Stewart; major travel agencies and business leaders from the tri-state area.

A select few won business class tickets from Turkish Airlines, luxury hotel stays in Turkey and gift certificates as part of the event’s raffle. Guests also enjoyed experiential activations from embossing their initials on a Turkish Airlines-branded luggage tag and passport holder to rolling their own cigars with an expert cigar roller.

Throughout the evening, guests sipped on cocktails provided by Hennessy, Casa Noble, Hendrick’s, Absolut Elyx and Glenfiddich and enjoyed fine Turkish dishes, bites from a raw bar, Turkish delight, baklava and Turkish coffee and tea, flown in for the occasion. A live band provided entertainment for the duration of the evening and to cap off the event, attendees went home with gift bags filled with a Turkish tea and coffee set, a luxe leather business card holder from Hennessy and the latest issue of Elite Traveler featuring Turkish Airlines and Istanbul.

Click through our gallery for more from the celebration.