American Airlines Flights from San Diego to Istanbul

American Airlines on this route

American Airlines serves SAN–IST through its hub network, usually with one connection. The nonstop flight time is about 13h 49m.

Fare classes available: Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy / First / Flagship. American does not charge change fees on Main Cabin and above for travel within the US, and on most international itineraries originating in North America. Fare difference applies.

The lowest one-way fare we have on record for this route is $1,199 on American. Fares like that usually show up on off-peak days and for travel booked a few weeks out; an agent can check whether a similar fare is available for your dates.

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines are the airlines to compare on SAN–IST. Prices between them can differ by more than a hundred dollars on the same day, so it pays to have an agent check every option.

This is a 6,883 miles journey, about 13h 49m in the air on a nonstop, which puts it firmly in long-haul territory: baggage allowances, seat selection fees, and stopover options change the real cost of the ticket as much as the base fare does.

When to fly

For long-haul travel, mid-January to March and the shoulder months of October and November usually bring the lowest fares; June through August and the December holidays cost the most.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures are usually the cheapest days on long-haul routes; Friday and Sunday are the most expensive. Early-morning and late-evening flights are often priced below the midday departures.

For international travel, booking two to five months ahead usually gets the best fares; inside three weeks, prices rise sharply. Peak-season travel in summer and over the December holidays should be booked as early as possible.