Bridging the gap between AI assistants and airline data through the Model Context Protocol

Empowering AI with Real-Time Airline Data

At Turkish Technology Digital Lab, we're exploring how we can enhance travel experiences. With the introduction of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) by Anthropic in late 2024, we saw an opportunity to integrate AI assistants directly with our airline systems.

The result is the Turkish Airlines MCP Server—a functional implementation that allows AI models to access live airline data and services securely and efficiently.

What is the Model Context Protocol?

Think of MCP as the universal translator between AI systems and the digital world. Before MCP, connecting an AI assistant to external services required custom code for each integration - a time-consuming and error-prone process that limited the scalability of AI applications.

MCP changes this entirely by providing:

  • Standardized Communication: A universal protocol for AI-to-service communication
  • Model Agnostic: Works with any AI model, not just Claude or GPT
  • Rich Context: Enables AI assistants to access real-time data and execute functions
  • Simplified Development: One integration works across multiple AI platforms

As Anthropic puts it, MCP enables AI assistants to have "superpowers" by connecting them directly to the systems where data lives.

Features of the Turkish Airlines MCP Server

Our MCP server offers 13 tools that provide:

  • Flight Information: Real-time flight status, schedules, and availability.
  • Booking Management: Access to booking details, check-in information, and baggage allowances.
  • Personalized Services: Miles&Smiles member profiles, flight history, and targeted promotions.

These tools are designed for developers and power users to build and test AI-driven travel solutions—and they’re available for use today.

Real-World Use Cases

Here are some scenarios where the MCP Server can be effectively utilized:

1. Flight Status and Rebooking Assistance

Scenario: A traveler wants to check the status of their flight and explore alternative options in case of delays.

AI Assistant Interaction:

"What's the status of flight TK123? If it's delayed, can you suggest alternative flights from Istanbul to New York?"

Outcome: The AI assistant retrieves real-time status for TK123 and, if delayed, presents alternative flights, streamlining the rebooking process.

2. Check-In Eligibility and Information Retrieval

Scenario: A passenger wants to know if their flight is open for check-in or access information about a completed check-in.

AI Assistant Interaction:

"Can you check if I can check in for my flight with PNR ABC123? If I've already checked in, show me my check-in details."

Outcome: The AI assistant accesses the booking details, determines if check-in is available, and retrieves check-in details if the passenger has already completed check-in through other channels. (Direct check-in and seat selection through AI are features we plan to enable in the future.)

3. Personalized Travel Recommendations

Scenario: A Miles&Smiles member seeks suggestions for their upcoming trip.

AI Assistant Interaction:

"Based on my travel history, can you recommend destinations and current promotions for a vacation next month?"

Outcome: The AI assistant analyzes the member's travel patterns and presents personalized destination suggestions along with applicable promotions.

4. Visionary & Future Use Cases

  • Proactive Disruption Handling: "If my flight is delayed, automatically alert me and suggest rebooking options." The AI assistant will soon be able to proactively monitor flights and offer instant alternatives.
  • Unified Trip Management: Imagine managing your entire journey—flights, baggage, check-ins, and even airport transfers—seamlessly through conversational AI.

Technical Highlights

  • Secure Infrastructure: Deployed on cloud-native platforms with enterprise-level security.
  • OAuth 2.0 Authentication: Ensures secure access to member-specific features.
  • Scalable Design: Supports high availability and low latency for global users.

Getting Started

To learn more about how to integrate MCP and explore the full list of available tools, visit our documentation and integration guide: https://mcp.turkishtechlab.com

Claude now supports Remote MCP servers via Integrations. If you are on Pro plan, you can now integrate remote MCP servers directly.

Developers can integrate the MCP server with AI assistants like Claude Desktop:

{
    "mcpServers": {
      "turkish-airlines": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": [
          "-y",
          "mcp-remote",
          "https://mcp.turkishtechlab.com/mcp"
        ]
      }
    }
  }

For testing and development, use the MCP Inspector:

Join the Conversation

We're eager to collaborate with the developer community to explore the possibilities of MCP in the travel industry. Your feedback and ideas will help shape the future of AI-powered travel services.

Please note: This project is still being cooked up in the Digital Lab! It's an evolving, hands-on initiative—not an official Turkish Airlines product or finalized strategy. We’re sharing it early to inspire collaboration, gather feedback, and explore the art of the possible together.

Contact us at: digitallab@thy.com