aulrik

The length of the queue defiantly varies through the day. Try to pass through around midnight, and the line is not exactly short

Antonio8069

I did pass through there at midnight on Feb 16, and the lineup was 3 persons - as indicated.

aulrik, what date and time were you there??

aulrik

Interesting. I'm usually passing through 4 times a month, 2 times around midnight and 2 times early morning. On the 14th of February there were at least a couple of hundred people in the line around 23:00, but I used the fast track so didn't really matter to me.

YuropFlyer

Honestly, while the queues around rush hour look insanely long, they're managed extremely well and efficient, and my "worst" in IST is _FAR_ from my worst at several other airports.

aulrik

I absolutely agree on this. You can say a lot of bad things about IST, but their transit security is very efficient. Only thing missing is a fully dedicated line for fast-track, all the way through security.

jcm55a

Flying VCE-IST-ATL in J later this year but time to connect is 1hr 15min, is this going to be a problem?

miamiflyer8

It should work. As long as you are on the same ticket, they'll re-accommodate you.

Might not be much time to explore the lounge but you might have time to pop in for a drink.

jcm55a

I see, thanks. It's all on the same PNR, so hopefully that's what you meant.

Somewhat sad about the timing though, since I was really hoping to spend some time at the lounge... but this was the only flight that I could find to fit the schedule.

miamiflyer8

Yes that's what I meant indeed.

augmon

In a few months I'm flying ATH-IST on TK in Y, then have a ~5 hour layover before flying IST-SIN on SQ in J. Flights are on separate PNRs. I've never been through IST before, so can I check my understanding of how this works is correct?

Possibility 1: TK agent at Athens is willing to interline my bags through to SIN. I should be able to get my SQ boarding pass from the transfer desk at IST without going through Turkish immigration, and can head straight to the lounge.

Possibility 2: TK agent at Athens refuses to interline my bags. I have to go through immigration, pay for a visa, collect bags, wait until SQ checkin opens, re-check, and go through passport control/security.

Am I on the money here? I'm trying to work out if I should apply for a Turkish visa in case Athens checkin lets me down.

PVDtoDEL

You are correct. Possibility 2 is more likely, but definitely doesn't hurt to ask. If you qualify for the evisa or visa on arrival, then you can just wait until after checkin to get the visa if necessary. The evisa usually gets processed within a few minutes. If you need a sticker visa, then apply now - chances are, you will need it.

augmon

Thanks! Much appreciated. I don't need a sticker visa so I'll wait and see. I've had luck interlining on separate tickets within Star Alliance before (albeit SQ>LH not TK>SQ), so fingers crossed...

SK AAR

I think there is a fair chance that TK at outstations like ATH will accept to check bags through to final destination.

I'm not aware whether SQ has transfer desk at IST, so I would check-in online/print your BP and make sure to have the luggage added at the gate (you need to show them the luggage tag you received at ATH; otherwise bags will not be loaded at IST).

nikolask

Traveling from TXL-IST-HAV and have a connection of 1:05. All booked under the same ticket. Is this doable with *A status?

Arrival time at IST is about 00:05. My friend travels MXP-IST-HAV also with an hour connection and we are a bit worried that in case of a delay one has to travel alone..

YuropFlyer

Status doesn't matter at all.

German arrivals (for the moment, could change at any time given how the Sultan feels towards Germany) are considered "clean", ie you'll be dumped directly into the departure area.

Unless your flight arrives not with significant delay, you'll make it.

MXP (ie, Italy) imho isn't considered clean, so your friends connection might be MUCH tighter.