Your bags will be checked all the way unless when you booked it said this:
11:15 Birmingham (BHX) 17:15 Istanbul (IST)
22:45 Istanbul (
SAW) 00:05 Samsun (SZF)
I hope you booked to connect at Attaurk. So check your ticket. If you did then you are fine, if not, you're in for a surprise.
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
Transfer / Transit Passenger
Transfer Passengers:
(
International Transfer Passengers With A Domestic Connection Flight)
Passengers arriving from abroad are subject to visa and passport controls to enter the country at the Arrivals Floor before they proceed for their domestic connection flight. The passenger then proceeds to the Domestic Terminal and finalizes his/her transfer procedure in the relevant lounge by presenting his/her boarding card issued in the country of origin. If a boarding card is not issued at the origin airport then the passenger needs to go through check-in at the Domestic Terminal. If your journey continues on a different airline, please ensure that you have the relevant information on whether or not you need to claim your luggage and check your ticket. According to their procedures, some airlines transfer the luggage automatically onto the connection flight. Therefore, the passenger does not have to claim their luggage in between flights. Please ensure that your luggage is labeled until your final destination to ensure that it is not left in the terminal.
Note:
Should you have time prior to your flight, we recommend that you visit our shopping facilities.
Click for detailed shopping information.
Transfer Passengers
International Transfer Passengers With An International Connection Flight) A boarding card is issued for the passenger (if not issued in the country of origin) at the transit desk of the relevant handling company on the Arrivals floor. The passenger does not go through passport control. Instead, he/she directly proceeds through the transit area into the International Departures area. Baggage will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight.
Note:
Should you have time prior to your flight, we recommend that you visit our shopping facilities.