Delta Halts NYC to Istanbul Routes

Delta Halts NYC to Istanbul Routes

Purchasing direct Business Class flights from New York to Istanbul may soon be impossible. Lately, there have been major safety concerns worldwide due to terrorism attacks. In an effort to increase security, the European Union is now going to be gathering passengers’ information, who are flying to and from Europe. Due to recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris, the State Department has issued a travel warning, advising tourists to be vigilant while staying abroad. Hence, Delta is terminating its JFK-IST route, with changes taking place in May 2016.

Even if we are still in April, a quick search on Delta’s website for a flight from JFK to IST already does not show a direct flight option. The only most direct flight options available will require you to take a stop in either Paris or Amsterdam.

There are no U.S. airline carriers that offer direct flights from the States to Istanbul. The only option is to take a flight on Turkish Airlines, who are a Star Alliance member, which offer direct routes from New York and Atlanta (active May 16), Boston, Chicago, Washington, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you must travel to Europe in this unsettling time, please sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows U.S. citizens to record their travel information with the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for free. This will be helpful to your loved ones in case of an emergency.

Even if purchasing direct New York to Istanbul Business Class Flights through Delta may not be an option soon, we hope that the world terror crisis will be over soon and Delta will put the direct route in service again.