In May 2016, the carrier decided to cut the route amid growing security concerns from the 2016 Turkish coup and a travel warning from the US State Department. Notably, the US government banned all flights to and from Turkey on July 16th of that year amid severe tension with the nation following the 2016 coup.

As of early 2026, U.S. airlines generally do not operate direct flights to Turkey primarily due to operational logistics and competitive pressures from Turkish Airlines rather than a formal ban. While the FAA has issued various security notices in the past—most notably following the 2016 coup attempt—commercial flight restrictions have largely been lifted. However, Turkish Airlines dominates the market with its massive hub at Istanbul (IST), offering extensive connections that make it difficult for U.S. carriers like United, Delta, or American to compete profitably on the same routes. Furthermore, in March 2026, the aviation landscape in the region has been complicated by regional conflicts involving neighboring countries like Iran, which have led to temporary airspace closures and flight diversions. These geopolitical risks, combined with the "sixth-freedom" traffic advantage held by Middle Eastern and Turkish carriers, often lead U.S. airlines to rely on codeshare partnerships with airlines like Lufthansa or British Airways to serve the Turkish market rather than operating their own metal.