Hi, first good luck on the search.... I spent a year looking at flights... just about everyday for my June 2021 trip. I recently booked Emirates, two one -way J fare from JFK - MLE (via DXB with a 4 day stopover for 235K amex points, transferred to Skyward points. It is expensive but I am getting about 5 cents of value per point. I am on waitlist for first class, will cost another 108K amex points. Emirates does have lower surcharges now so that is a benefit.
My return is on TK from IST to IAH (direct).
Incidentally TK does fly direct from MLE to IST. I am on the July 1st flight (hopefully). The November flight gets in on the 18th (TK 730), looked via TK website.
I dont have any other info as I am only a United/Star Alliance guy and Amex points holder and not overly familiar with the Aeroplan site.