Chengdu (Shuangliu) to Istanbul (CTU–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
CTU–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Air China leads the route. The flight covers 4,143 miles in approximately 10h 15m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Air China | 4 | 33F | 10h15 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Chengdu (Shuangliu)
| Metric | CTU→IST | TFU→IST |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from CTU | – | 34 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 4 | 21 |
| Flight time | 10h 15m | 9h 55m |
Travel Essentials
CTU: CST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Chengdu (Shuangliu), it's 1:00 PM in Istanbul.
Chinese passport holders enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, effective January 2, 2026. No advance authorization is required. Passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of stay. Work, study, and media assignments still require separate Turkish permits or long-stay visas.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
CTU–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from CTU to IST
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Air China. With 4 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
CTU to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CTU to IST is about 10 hours 15 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,143 miles (6,668 km).
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Almaty, Ürümqi Tianshan and Beijing Daxing. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Chengdu (Jianyang) (TFU).