Jan 30, 2014, 11:28 am
Last edit by: cheesedawg
Lounge Location
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one from the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control. Automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travelers on international flights operated by Turkish Airlines,
Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members (they may invite their families or one guest),
Star Alliance Gold members (they may invite one guest),
First and Business Class travelers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Multiple Entries:
If you're connecting and want to visit Istanbul, you can enter the lounge with your connecting BP, enjoy the lounge then go back to Immigration, enter Turkey, and come back to the lounge after your visit.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (get the codes next to the computer desk or also throughout the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Self-playing piano
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers.
Couches throughout the lounge - anyone confirm?
You may be eligible for a free hotel outside the airport.
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one from the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control. Automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travelers on international flights operated by Turkish Airlines,
Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members (they may invite their families or one guest),
Star Alliance Gold members (they may invite one guest),
First and Business Class travelers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Multiple Entries:
If you're connecting and want to visit Istanbul, you can enter the lounge with your connecting BP, enjoy the lounge then go back to Immigration, enter Turkey, and come back to the lounge after your visit.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (get the codes next to the computer desk or also throughout the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Self-playing piano
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers.
You can only use them only if you are connecting to/from a longhaul Turkish Airlines flight (8+ hours) AND your layover is between 4 and 7 hours.
You may be eligible for a free hotel outside the airport.
TK's Flagship IST *G Lounge [prior to 2015 Master Thread]
Jul 22, 2011, 4:00 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Miles &Smile Elite, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 232
At Istanbul International Terminal access with Priority Pass is granted at Prime Class Lounge and HSBC Bank Lounge which are located all away to your right after passport control and upstairs by using the escalators above the food court area.
Indeed nothing compared to this new TK Lounge...
Indeed nothing compared to this new TK Lounge...
Jul 22, 2011, 4:03 am
#32
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
In comparison to the 'dim hole' that was the old CIP lounge this looks excellent. I agree that the test will come during rush hours like early morning and the barrage of late night long-haul departures. Last time the sheer mass of people on TK flights to the Central Asian Republics was a huge turnoff. I hope TK staff will manage to maintain the lounge well and not let it deteriorate quickly.
I will be there late Aug when flying IST-SIN in C so am looking forward to the new loungs and more Do&Co food even on the ground now.
I will be there late Aug when flying IST-SIN in C so am looking forward to the new loungs and more Do&Co food even on the ground now.
Jul 22, 2011, 5:11 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 827
Thanks tcm for the pictures and all of you guys for the infos and reviews.
Looking forward to a nice glass of Single Malt
Looking forward to a nice glass of Single Malt
Jul 22, 2011, 7:42 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3*G AC*nobody TK*nobody
Posts: 1,967
Jul 22, 2011, 7:56 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 926
BTW, I told one senior Do&Co staff that was present that they should prioritize Elite Plus members for the relaxation rooms when there is high demand. I feel that this is the least that they could do for us. Especially now that the new lounge passport fast track arrangement is in place.
Jul 22, 2011, 10:50 am
#36
fadynaime
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: TK Elite Miles&Smlies, Jet Blue, Platinum medallion, Marriott Gold
Posts: 550
I have to ask.
This lounge can only be accessed from the international departure floor. correct?? why is there passport control, since by that point you would have gone through all the security checks. or is there access to the lounge from international arrivals floor (avoiding the passport control) into the departure hall.
This lounge can only be accessed from the international departure floor. correct?? why is there passport control, since by that point you would have gone through all the security checks. or is there access to the lounge from international arrivals floor (avoiding the passport control) into the departure hall.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:02 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
No, as has been explained it is also accessible through a dedicated passport check from the Ground side terminal. FYI, in IST you go through security at the front door of the airport and at the gate, not in between.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:15 am
#38
fadynaime
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: TK Elite Miles&Smlies, Jet Blue, Platinum medallion, Marriott Gold
Posts: 550
I just landed on an international flight from LAX. I make my way to security before entering international departure hall, I go up the escalator and then go all the way to the end to access the lounge (across from the coffee shop). then I exit the lounge to head to my departure gate to for the BEY flight.
i guess the passport check doesn't affect me or benefit me, correct.
thanks in advance.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:20 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 827
I was afraid I would look like a nerd taking too many pics
Not from my point of view.Pics are showing us the things to look forward to or avoid if possible ^
BTW, I told one senior Do&Co staff that was present that they should prioritize Elite Plus members for the relaxation rooms when there is high demand. I feel that this is the least that they could do for us. Especially now that the new lounge passport fast track arrangement is in place.
Not from my point of view.Pics are showing us the things to look forward to or avoid if possible ^
BTW, I told one senior Do&Co staff that was present that they should prioritize Elite Plus members for the relaxation rooms when there is high demand. I feel that this is the least that they could do for us. Especially now that the new lounge passport fast track arrangement is in place.
section.I like the Pool Table but second joorinainen and hyfly it's a waste of space. Would have preferred more relax rooms.
I dread that they are absolutely insufficient considering the lounge size.
Yes.Referring to other Lounges I'm probably complaining on an upper level.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:50 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Yes, it has nothing whatsoever to do with you if you are transferring, it is for IST originating pax.
Jul 22, 2011, 1:22 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Miles &Smile Elite, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 232
I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed that there is no separate E+
section.I like the Pool Table but second joorinainen and hyfly it's a waste of space. Would have preferred more relax rooms.
I dread that they are absolutely insufficient considering the lounge size.
Yes.Referring to other Lounges I'm probably complaining on an upper level.
section.I like the Pool Table but second joorinainen and hyfly it's a waste of space. Would have preferred more relax rooms.
I dread that they are absolutely insufficient considering the lounge size.
Yes.Referring to other Lounges I'm probably complaining on an upper level.
Jul 23, 2011, 1:06 pm
#42
fadynaime
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: TK Elite Miles&Smlies, Jet Blue, Platinum medallion, Marriott Gold
Posts: 550
Jul 26, 2011, 6:26 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 926
I don't know how many extra seats can be gained by removing the pool table but the space for the projection room (cinema) might have been utilized for extra relaxation rooms (+2 maybe). With the current setup they should have a DVD library or some similar arrangement to serve the intended purpose.
Jul 27, 2011, 3:30 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Here there everywhere
Programs: AF Frequence Plus Rouge pour toujours, BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, BW Rewards Diamond
Posts: 1,041
Personally I like the pool table. Not all of us who go through IST are on longhauls 
UTA
UTA
Jul 27, 2011, 6:09 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NYC (often in Thailand, Israel and Sweden)
Programs: Turkish Elite, AA Platinum, Royal Orchid Plus Silver
Posts: 382
At last!