Denver to Istanbul flights start in June

Turkish Airlines recently announced that starting on June 11, it will offer nonstop flights between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Denver International Airport (DEN).

Operations will include three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Beginning July 9, an additional weekly flight will take off on Sundays.

Flights are slated to depart Denver’s airport at 7:35 pm and arrive in Istanbul at 4:15 pm the following day — which totals to an 11-hour and 40-minute commute.

Return flights are 12 hours and 45 minutes in length, scheduled to leave Istanbul at 1:55 pm and reach Denver at 5:40 pm.

Spanning 6,130 miles, this nonstop route will be the longest flight to operate from DEN. Passengers bound for Istanbul will board an Airbus A350-900 featuring 316 seats, including business class service with lie-flat seating, plus a gourmet menu prepared onboard.

Plan your trip with Travel Lemming’s guide to where to stay in Istanbul.

Here’s Why Türkiye is Worth the Trip

View of the people wandering around the Pamukkale travertine mineral formations in Türkiye — *Pamukkale hot springs and mineral formations*

Earlier this year, Travel Lemming named Türkiye one of the top 50 places to travel in 2024.

The publication’s senior travel writer Katie Neufeld wrote of the destination, “East meets West in this historic country, home to some of the world’s earliest settlements, religious sites, and Greek ruins.”

She recommends visiting several historic attractions in Istanbul, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. The Grand Bazaar is another highlight, as are dining and entertainment in many of the city’s modern neighborhoods.

Travel Lemming founder Nate Hake, smiling for a photo outside the iconic Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul — *Travel Lemming founder Nate Hake outside Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia mosque*

Neufeld adds that while Istanbul and Cappadocia are popular for good reason, lesser-known Türkiye destinations are also worthwhile stops. “My favorite sites were the ruins of Ephesus, the thermal pools in Pamukkale, and the Mevlâna Museum,” she recalls of her recent trip.

While these hidden gems may not be on every traveler’s radar, the allure and growing popularity of Türkiye is no secret. Per industry data sourced in Turkish Airlines’ statement, passenger demand between Denver and Istanbul has increased by 50 percent since 2019.

Other US Cities Where Turkish Airlines Currently Operates

View of the sightseeing cruise with the Fatih Mosque in the background — *A sightseeing cruise with Istanbul’s Fatih mosque in the background*

“The Denver expansion represents our first-ever endeavor in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States,” commented Turkish Airlines VP Sales of the Americas Fatih Durmaz in a written statement.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its US presence in recent years and currently, it services non-stop flights between Istanbul and 13 US cities, including: