Pegasus Airlines (ICAO: PGT) is a Turkish low-cost carrier, headquartered in Kurtköy, Pendik, Turkey. It was founded in December 1989 as a joint venture with Aer Lingus and commenced operations as a charter airline in April 1990. A significant transformation occurred in January 2005 when ESAS Holdings acquired Pegasus Airlines, subsequently relaunching it as a scheduled low-cost airline. This strategic shift led to the commencement of scheduled domestic flights in November 2005, followed by international services the following year.
The airline's main operational base and primary hub is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). Pegasus Airlines also maintains other significant bases in Turkey, including Ankara Esenboğa, Antalya, and Izmir Adnan Menderes, along with Ercan in Northern Cyprus. Its route network is extensive, serving 156 locations, comprising 38 domestic and 118 international destinations across 54 countries as of September 2025. As of November 2025, it covers 39 domestic and 121 international destinations in 52 countries, focusing on Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region. Pegasus operates using a hub-and-spoke model, utilizing Istanbul's advantageous geographical position to facilitate transit flights between continents.
Pegasus Airlines is not a member of any major global airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. However, it has established codeshare agreements with several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Flynas, ITA Airways, KLM, Nile Air, and Qatar Airways. Additionally, it holds interline agreements with Air Transat, Emirates, and Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline primarily operates a single-class (economy) cabin configuration across its fleet. Passengers can choose from various fare packages such as Basic, Essentials, Advantage, and Business Flex, which offer different inclusions regarding baggage and services. In-flight services include a "Flying Cafe" where food and beverages are available for purchase, and streaming entertainment to personal devices is also offered.
Traveler reviews for Pegasus Airlines present a mixed, often critical, sentiment, with affordability being a primary draw but operational inconsistencies and customer service frequently highlighted as pain points.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment leans towards negative, with many travelers stating they would only fly Pegasus if absolutely necessary due to the frustrations encountered. While the low cost is a clear advantage, it often comes at the expense of reliable service and efficient problem resolution, especially concerning flight schedules and customer support.
Pegasus Airlines maintains a notably young fleet and has received recognition for its modernization efforts, though its safety record includes a few significant incidents.
On February 5, 2020, Pegasus Airlines Flight 2193, a Boeing 737-800, overran the runway upon landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, resulting in three fatalities and 179 injuries. The aircraft's fuselage broke into three sections. This marked the first fatal accident in the airline's history. Investigations attributed the accident to pilot error and air traffic control error, compounded by windshear during landing. Prior to this, on January 7, 2020, another Pegasus Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway at the same airport without reported injuries. In January 2018, a Pegasus 737-800 also experienced a runway excursion at Trabzon, again without injuries. Other notable incidents include an Airbus A320-251N landing with its nose landing gear rotated 90 degrees at Basel Mulhouse-Freiburg EuroAirport on January 26, 2021, and a captain incapacitation event on a B737-800 on February 11, 2020.
While specific details on IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification or FAA compliance were not found, Pegasus Airlines operates extensively into European airspace, implying adherence to stringent international safety standards. The airline has its own licensed maintenance facilities. Pegasus Airlines is recognized for operating a very young fleet; as of September 2025, its fleet of 127 aircraft has an average age of 4.9 years. More recently, in March 2025, ch-aviation awarded Pegasus Airlines the "World's 2nd Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2025" in the category of airlines with over 100 aircraft, a significant improvement from its 4th place ranking in 2024. This commitment to modern aircraft contributes to fuel efficiency and sustainability, aligning with its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Based on available data, Pegasus Airlines maintains a modern fleet, a factor generally associated with enhanced safety. However, the occurrences of runway excursions, including the 2020 fatal accident, indicate areas that required and likely received further safety scrutiny and improvements. Its continuous investment in next-generation aircraft and recognition for fleet age underscore its dedication to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLM → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
354 | 291 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TZX → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
253 | 547 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ADB → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
241 | 214 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| COV → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
239 | 415 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| COV → ECN |
Ercan Int'l
Nicosia
|
149 | 149 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TBS → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
147 | 814 mi | A321 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SSH → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
147 | 939 mi | A321 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| HRG → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
146 | 983 mi | A321 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SZF → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
137 | 379 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| EBL → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
125 | 854 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SAW → AYT |
Antalya
Antalya
|
107 | 288 mi | A321 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| DIY → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
105 | 618 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GZT → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
102 | 517 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TIA → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
98 | 500 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PRN → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
98 | 442 mi | A320 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| ASR → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
93 | 360 mi | A320 | Nov 8, 2025 |
| COV → ADB |
İzmir Adnan Menderes Int'l
İzmir
|
89 | 444 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ECN → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
89 | 458 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| ADB → ECN |
Ercan Int'l
Nicosia
|
89 | 413 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CGN → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
89 | 1263 mi | A321 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| AYT → SAW |
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l
Istanbul
|
89 | 288 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SAW → ADB |
İzmir Adnan Menderes Int'l
İzmir
|
86 | 214 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SAW → TZX |
Trabzon
Trabzon
|
78 | 547 mi | A321 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| ADB → IST |
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul
|
77 | 222 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SAW → COV |
Çukurova
Tarsus
|
73 | 415 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.