Airfare to Sicily

Have you looked at flying just into major cities in Italy? Then look at the flights going to Palermo or Catania.

Turkish air was excellent when I flew it and gets positive reviews more than not from what I have seen. I think it can make sense to take advantage of their great fares if you want to do a stopover in Istanbul of at least 24 hours. But I would not take a flight that long just to save some money, now way it is worth it to be on a plane that long for so little payoff. But don't not do it because of the airline or the city. I would keep checking, it's early to purchase a fall fare. Or, break up your trip with a stopover on each end and change airlines.

It might be more cost effective to fly into, let’s say, Rome from Chicago and then take a low-cost airline from Rome to Catania or Palermo, depending on how you decide to go. I just did a search on Skyscanner. Chicago to Rome in September for a 10 day stretch and found direct flights for $690 each RT then Ryanair from Rome to Catania for $60 RT each which is a lot less than $1100! I only use Skyscanner to search for flights.

Air is ridiculously high coming from Chicago ($1100 & up) except for Turkish Air which is ridiculously cheap ($650-$700).

Except for during the "off season," which is becoming shorter every year - if it exists at all - $1,100 RT Chicago to Palermo may be the new normal.

The risk in using Skyscanner or Google Flights to shop for fares is that they always show the lowest available economy fare [when you specify economy] which is usually basic economy/economy lite, with typically no checked bag, no seat selection, and not changeable. Plus the lowest fares they offer may be from vendors of questionable integrity. So you really have to go to the airline's dedicated website to see the true cost - or shop initially on Expedia, which does make the full range of economy fares readily available.

ITA Airways now offers nonstops Chicago to Rome [although not daily], with good connections to Catania or Palermo, and if you value your time, probably shorter duration flights. Turkish does consistently get positive mentions here, but keep in mind the overall travel times of between 20 - 30 hours - which may make their layover offers in Istanbul seem attractive.

Maybe airfares won't look so bad if one looks at inflation adjusted cost.

First trip Seattle to Florida, I paid $325 r/t coach. Inflation adjusted that is $1277 now.

$1100+ to fly from Chicago to Sicily really isn't " ridiculously high"

I fly Turkish Airlines often. In fact I go out of my way (both literally and figuratively) to do so, and try to fly them whenever I can. We flew Turkish Airlines home (to Seattle) from Zurich last fall. This fall we will do the same from Budapest.

Backtracking to go via Istanbul? Heck, yeah. Even if it adds a couple more hours to the flight? Absolutely. Stopping over in Istanbul is wonderful. Even just connecting there is good (if you have access to their lounge). My spouse winces and complains if our connection in Istanbul isn't long enough ("Just 2 hours in the lounge? Can't we find a longer connection?" - yes, really). Big fan of Turkish Airlines here, especially their international business class. (Chef's kiss)

Another positive experience here with Turkish Air. I booked flights for my first trip to Italy with them last Sept/Oct. I was very pleased, and did not hesitate in booking flights with TA for my return to Italy in Sept 2025. I was in awe of the excellent customer service at gate and onboard, delicious in-flight meals, clean planes, ease of being escorted to the gate during one short connection leg, pampering even in economy class, and I felt safe.

Sure, the flight is longer/further distance from Italy and there’s a layover in Istanbul which some would consider an inconvenience. I’ve never been one that must book a nonstop only flight. As a budget conscious traveler, their low airfares allowed me to afford a trip to Italy.

FWIW, $1100 is about what I paid open jaw from Chicago-Catania > Palermo-Chicago on Lufthansa back in 2021. What was wild booking that one was round trip was higher. Also, flying into Palermo and out of Catania was significantly more expensive than into Catania and out of Palermo.

Thank you everyone that sent me a post here. I will consider all your suggestions and see what works best.

I feel good now about Turkish Air, but didn’t realize the huge stopover in Istanbul. Guess we can always sleep in the airport till the next very early flight going to Palermo..
I know I don’t want to fly to a major Italian city like Milan or Rome. There would be a stopover to get there, then to take a 3rd flight to Palermo is a bit much. And to hope all 3 planes connect… only encourages us to stay overnight in that city before hopping on the small plane to Palermo the next morning. Staying overnight defeats the savings I’m trying to get flying.

And the worst (but probably the best choice) is bite the bullet and pay the $1100 r/t tickets to Palermo.

Thanks all! Appreciate you taking the time to write.