Turkish Airlines is launching direct flights between Istanbul Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport from 11 November 2026, creating a new gateway between Türkiye and China’s Sichuan province.
The service operates three times a week - departing Istanbul on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays - flown by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Chengdu becomes Turkish Airlines’ fourth mainland China destination alongside Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and the carrier says the route fills a gap for travellers from southwest China who previously had to connect through one of those hubs.
What this means for visitors
The new service runs in both directions, so it equally opens Türkiye to Sichuan-based travellers. Istanbul is a natural stopover city for the route, and many Chinese visitors who arrive through the Turkish capital continue to other parts of the country. Cappadocia and the Aegean coast rank among the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists in recent years, and a direct link from one of China’s fastest-growing international airports makes those trips more accessible.
Sichuan Airlines already serves the Chengdu-Istanbul market, so the Turkish Airlines launch introduces competition on the route for the first time.
Outbound flight details
Turkish Airlines flight TK226 departs Istanbul Airport (IST) at 02:05 and arrives at Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) at 15:40 local time. The return, TK227, departs Chengdu at around 00:45 and lands in Istanbul the same morning. Flight times are subject to change, so check directly with the airline when booking.
Connecting onward
Istanbul Airport connects to dozens of Turkish destinations, including Antalya, Izmir, Ankara and Bodrum, so travellers arriving from Chengdu can continue on the same day to other parts of the country. For more on how to reach Türkiye and where to fly in, see our guide to flying to Türkiye.
Bookings are open now on the Turkish Airlines website and through standard booking channels.