The Most Crowded Online Flight: 9 Million Virtual Passengers Fly Turkish Airlines

Simple Flying

By Joanna Bailey

Published May 25, 2020

SAMSUN, TURKEY - MAY 19: An airport official waves Turkish flags as a sign for parking of Turkish Airline's plane, flight number "TK1919", with 9 million symbolic passengers, following it's arrival at Samsun from Istanbul following special flight route on the 101st anniversary of Ataturk's landing at Samsun, during the celebration of the" 19th May Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day" at Carsamba Airport in Samsun, Turkey on May 19, 2020. (Photo by Fatih Mehmet Kurkcu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Turkish Airlines has once again broken barriers with an epic historical flight. With planes grounded and a lockdown still in place, Turkey's celebrations of 101 years since the start of its War of Independence were set to be a somewhat muted affair. However, Turkish Airlines stepped up with a unique flight, patronized by a record-breaking nine million virtual passengers.

Meet the world's most crowded online flight

In the current climate, an overcrowded flight is a big no-no, but for Turkish Airlines, getting nine million passengers on board a Boeing 737 was a huge cause for celebration. On the back of its fabulous drawing of the Turkish flag in the skies for National Sovereignty and Children's Day on April 23rd, the airline operated a groundbreaking online flight on May 19th for the Commemoration of AtatÃ¼rk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey.

May 19th is an important day in Turkish history, as it was the day that kicked off the Turkish War of Independence 101 years ago. Specifically, it was the day that Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal AtatÃ¼rk arrived in the Black Sea province of Samsun from Istanbul, to organize the war which ultimately led to the formation of modern Turkey as it is today.

AtatÃ¼rk dedicated this day as the nation's Youth and Sports Day. It has become a national holiday, usually filled with sporting and cultural events as well as official ceremonies across the country. With the COVID lockdown still in place, this year's celebrations were somewhat muted, but Turkish Airlines was keen to celebrate anyhow.

As such, the airline organized what was possibly the most significant online flight in history.

Nine million passengers on a 737

Turkish Airlines offered tickets on its huge online flight for people throughout the nation and abroad. A staggering nine million passengers signed up for the flight, all seated in the appropriately numbered position of seat 19A.

The virtual passengers took to social media to proudly share their tickets for the flight.

The flight itself was numbered TK1919, marking the 101 years after AtatÃ¼rk started the National Struggle. It was captained by 29-year-old Boeing 737 captain Selin Sevimli, the youngest captain pilot of Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines TK1919 — Turkish Airlines' crew will be wearing PPE. Photo: Getty Images

Setting off from Istanbul Airport (IST), the Boeing 737 departed at 12:38 local for the one hour journey to Samsun. Millions followed the flight online, sharing their thoughts and virtual tickets with the world using the hashtags #TK1919 and #TarihiYolculuk.

TK1919 took just over an hour to complete the historical flight. Photo: FlightRadar24

A glorious landing

To finish the historic flight, the aircraft flew low over the Tobacco Pier and BandÄ±rma Ferry. It landed at Samsun Airport to a water cannon salute.

After an hour and nine minutes in flight, the aircraft touched down at 13:47 local. The governor of Samsun, Osman Kaymak, presented a commemorative plaque to captain Sevimli and first officer DoÄŸukan Demir at the airport.

Although Turkish does not expect to begin flights again until mid-June, the airline is clearly keen to keep the avgeek spirit alive. Did you get a ticket for the historical flight? Let us know in the comments.