Turkish Airlines is the flagship air carrier of Turkey, which was founded in 1933. Based in Istanbul, the airline has a large fleet comprising almost 400 aircraft, which fly to more than 300 destinations worldwide. The Turkish Airlines logo has undergone many changes since the inception of the airline. Each iteration of the logo reflects changes in design philosophy, branding strategies, and the evolution of the airline itself as it grew into a global carrier. This article delves into the evolution of the logo of Turkish Airlines and describes other relevant details about the airline.
The Genesis of the Turkish Airlines Logo (1933 –1956)
The first logo was introduced in 1933 and featured a bright yellow background with blue and red elements. It had a circular emblem with the wordmark “T.C. Devlet Hava Yolları” written in red capital letters at the bottom. This design emphasised national pride and was used for over two decades. It symbolised the early years of the airline as a state-run entity.
(1956 – 1964)
In 1956, the logo underwent a major redesign to reflect a more modern aesthetic. The new colour palette included dark blue and cream beige, along with warm pink shades. It featured a stylised bird in black with a thick wing symbol facing left above the airline’s name to represent flight. The airline’s name was displayed on a white banner below it. This design aimed to convey freedom and innovation in aviation.
(1964 – 1990)
The logo evolved again in 1964 to feature the bird turned to the right and enclosed within a thin circular frame against a white background. The colour scheme shifted to burgundy and black, with the airline’s name shortened to just “Turkish Airlines” in a sans-serif typeface. This version became iconic and was recognised globally, thereby reinforcing the brand’s identity.
(1990 – 2008)
In 1990, the logo was modernised further with the brand name placed on the left of the bird emblem in a single plane. The colour scheme was brightened to blue and scarlet red on a white background to enhance visibility and modern appeal. This iteration emphasised clarity and professionalism as Turkish Airlines expanded its international reach.
In an alternate variant, the brand name was mentioned at two levels. At the same time, the rest of the logo elements were retained.
(2008 – 2010)
The redesign in 2008 introduced a three-dimensional effect to the bird emblem. It featured a white bird on a glossy gradient-red background. The typeface was slightly refined for better readability. However, this version only lasted two years due to its complexity compared to previous designs.
(2010 – 2018)
In 2010, Turkish Airlines reverted to a flat design but retained the colour scheme of a white bird on a red background. The circular frame was removed for a more minimalist approach to convey professionalism and modernity. This design remained consistent until 2018.
(2018 – Present)
The current logo was introduced in 2018 and features an abstract representation of a bird in white with an upward curve to symbolise progress and aspiration. The words “Turkish Airlines” in bold, black capitals are presented in a strong Museo Sans typeface that conveys confidence. The colour palette remains classic, with red, white, and black to represent power, passion, and loyalty.
The Elements of the Turkish Airlines Logo
Font
The bold, uppercase logotype of Turkish Airlines is crafted in a sophisticated yet strong and distinctive sans-serif typeface. It draws inspiration from classic fonts like Novel Display Extra Bold, Mayberry WGL Bold, and FS Irwin Bold, with modernised lines and softened, rounded angles.
Colour
The colour palette of the Turkish Airlines logo features a timeless combination of red, white, and black. These three colours symbolise power, passion, and loyalty. These also reflect the brand’s confidence, transparency, and forward-thinking nature.
The History of Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the flagship airline of Turkey and was founded in May 1933. It operates regular flights to more than 315 destinations around the world. The airline was originally established as the “State Airlines Administration” (Devlet Hava Yolları) in 1933. It was a state-run entity under Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense. This marked the beginning of the aviation era in Turkey, with a fleet of two King Birds, three Junkers F-13s, and two Junkers W-33s. It symbolised Turkey’s drive toward modernisation.
By 1935, Turkish Airlines launched its first international flight, connecting Istanbul to Athens. This paved the way for more international connections. In 1947, it expanded into the Middle East and added routes to Beirut and Cairo. Thus, Turkish Airlines helped reinforce the regional influence of Turkey and strengthened trade and diplomatic ties.
In 1956, the airline rebranded itself as Türk Hava Yolları A.O. (Turkish Airlines), which reflected its global ambitions. The airline entered the jet age in 1967 by acquiring Jet DC-9 aircraft, which facilitated an expanded route network and increased efficiency. During the 1970s, Turkish Airlines continued on its growth trajectory by connecting with Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This firmly established the airline as an international carrier. By its 50th anniversary in 1983, the airline had earned a reputation for reliability and quality service.
In 1985, Turkish Airlines made its first transatlantic flight to New York, which marked its entry into the American market. Throughout the 1990s, the airline modernised its fleet with Airbus and Boeing aircraft to extend its reach to major global cities. And by joining the Star Alliance in 2006, Turkish Airlines strengthened its global partnerships and operational capabilities. Between 2008 and 2012, the airline experienced rapid growth and became one of the world’s largest carriers by the number of countries served.
In 2013, Turkish Airlines celebrated its 80th anniversary by commencing the construction of Istanbul’s new airport. By 2015, the airline achieved record-breaking passenger numbers and revenue, thereby cementing its position as a leading global carrier.
The move to the new Istanbul Airport in 2018 provided Turkish Airlines with a state-of-the-art hub, which enhanced its capacity and service significantly. In 2019, the airline continued its expansion by adding new routes and increasing frequencies to further cement its global presence.
Interesting Facts About Turkish Airlines
- Turkish Airlines was founded on 20th May 1933 as a state airline. In fact, the first fleet had 5 propeller airlines with a capacity for 7 passengers. Its headquarters is Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.
- In the beginning, Turkish Airlines operated by the name “State Airlines Administration.” It was renamed “Turk Hava Yollar” or Turkish Airlines in 1956.
- The first international flight operated by Turkish Airlines was between Ankara and Athens.
- Turkish Airlines operates in 300 destinations in 126 countries worldwide.
- Turkish Airlines has won numerous awards for performance and exceptional service. For instance, in 2015, it received the Best Airline in Europe from Skytrax for the fifth time in a row. Also, it received the “Best Economy Class Airline Catering” from Skytrax.
- Turkish Airlines offers several options for entertainment. These include movies, music, TV shows, and games on the personal screens of passengers.
- Turkish Airlines used to operate the longest flight in the world in 2016 from Istanbul to Sydney.
- Turkish Airlines operates a successful cargo division as well.
- Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, which means passengers flying in the airlines can avail of earn miles programs in Air Canada Aeroplan, United Mileage Plus, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Lufthansa Miles & More.
- Turkish Airlines runs a loyalty program called Miles&Smiles, which rewards frequent travellers clocking airmiles with exclusive privileges and benefits.
- Travelling business class on Turkish Airlines can be an extremely pleasurable experience with personalised service, gourmet dining, and luxurious seating.
- Turkish Airlines provides a “Flying Chef” in business class who prepares gourmet meals on board.
- Turkish Airlines provides a “Welcome Baby” kit for passengers flying with infants.
- Turkish Airlines sponsors Euroleague, thereby demonstrating its commitment to sports.
- Turkish Airlines has code-share agreements with other airlines. These allow the airline to expand its reach and provide seamless travel options for passengers.
- Turkish Airlines undertakes CSR activities that focus on healthcare, education, and conservation of the environment.
Finally
The Turkish Airlines logo and its various iterations not only highlight changes in graphic design trends but also reflect the growth of the airlines. Turkish Airlines has grown from a national carrier into an internationally recognised brand that is known for quality service and innovation in aviation.