The Airbus A350’s crew tried to revive the 59-year-old after he lost consciousness, but he was confirmed dead before the plane landed. A spokesperson said he had no known prior health problems.
A plane was forced to make an emergency landing after its pilot died on board.
The Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul was diverted to New York after the man lost consciousness shortly after take-off.
The crew gave the 59-year-old emergency treatment on board and tried to revive him, but he died before the aircraft landed.
It is believed the co-pilot safely landed the plane.
Flight tracking data showed the Airbus A350 took off from Seattle on Tuesday night before flying north over Canada.
However, it then abruptly diverted south and landed at John F Kennedy International Airport just before 6am local time on Wednesday.
The airline named the captain as Ilcehin Pehlivan.
Spokesperson Yahya Ustun said he had worked at the airline since 2007 and had no known health problems.
He also passed a medical earlier this year.