Turkish Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Cape Town and Istanbul. The daily flights were launched due to an increase in demand for direct travel between Cape Town and Istanbul, Turkish Airlines said at the official launch on Monday, 26 October. Istanbul to Cape Town – Flight TK 044 Departure: 01:15 – Arrival: 12:50 and Cape Town to Istanbul – Flight TK 045 Departure: 18:00 – Arrival: 05:00. 
Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and has a fleet of over 260 aircraft. They currently has the fourth largest flight network with 276 destinations in 110 countries. The airline’s Africa network includes 43 destinations and now Cape Town is included.
Meanwhile Lufthansa is increasing services for travelers flying between South Africa and Germany. Cape Town to Munich flights have increased from five non-stop, weekly flights to a daily schedule. The service, valid from 25 October 2015 until 27 March 2016, links the Bavarian capital to the Mother City using Boeing A340-600. Lufthansa’s intercontinental fleet has also just recently been overhauled. Passengers are now being offered a new Premium 
Economy Class, which compliments the retrofitted First and Business Class cabins. The airlines said its new cabin service also offers a seat pitch which is up to three centimeters wider depending on the type of aircraft. Lufthansa is a member of the Star Alliance frequent-flier group, which also includes United Airlines. For customers, the relationship allows fliers to buy single ticket for a connecting itinerary that involves both airlines. United and Lufthansa also offer reciprocal frequent-flier benefits.
