Does anyone have any idea on what the minimum turn around time would be on a back to back LHR-IST run to start a DONE4? Depending on the time of year, you can get up to 1 1/2 hours in IST. Would this be enough time to get through customs and then check in to catch a flight back to LHR?

Here are some example BA flights:

July:

Out
LHR-IST Dep 09:55 Arr 15:40 BA 676
Return
IST-LHR Dep 17:10 Arr 19:10 BA 677

Turn around time above = 1hr 30 min

December:

Out
LHR-IST Dep 09:50 Arr 15:35 BA 676
Return
IST-LHR Dep 16:30 Arr 18:40 BA 677

Turn around time above = 55min

Any insight would be much appreciated.

QH

If you're not checking bags, and if you sit toward the front of the plane, I'm sure the 1h30m is enough time, but the 55m might be cutting it close.
Not sure your citizenship, but some countries (e.g., USA) need a visa, which you purchase on arrival (US$20) at these windows to the side of the passport control queues. So go there first before those lines build up and then clear immigration.

I just did IST-LHR this morning, and checked in only about 1h10m before the flight (and was probably one of the last!), but there was very little delay clearing outbound immigration. My arrival in IST a few days prior was around the same time as the BA arrivals, mid-afternoon (I came from CAI), and there were similarly few delays, but I got off the plane quickly and beat the crowds.

BTW, I might add that BA's Club Europe is a pathetic excuse for an international business class product on a 4 hour flight. Ugh. 34" pitch?? At least I had the fortune of sitting in an "A" seat.

I assume you were on a 320? For a couple traveling together, what would be your recommendation for desireable seats in CE IST-LHR? Thx.

The exIST seat would depend on the 320 or 767. If 320 then you need the A side. If 767 then either window and adjacent aisle.

The BA run to IST is about the longest that they do without it being long haul. What the hell do you want to do in 4 hours and why is 34 " not enough?

You might be able to out and back check-in. I will check if there is a transfer area without needing a visa etc in a couple of weeks.

I have never been able to get boarding passes in LHR for the return. There is a transit desk. No visa fee necessary if you stay in transit. I have been able to make the turnaround from the morning flight to IST to the afternoon return to LHR.

So I should be able to get a boarding pass in transit?

QF, do I take this so that you have your ex-IST DONE ticket in your hand before you go to IST? The reason I am interested is that I would prefer if BA @IST could send the tickets by a courier service in advance.

Cheers

You go to the transit desk, give them your ticker and passport and after anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes they come back with your boarding pass

That is what I plan to do. Not purchasing until the end of March as hope to find out some info off Spottie whilst he is in IST. Once that is sorted out will go ahead with purchase and if necessary even get them to issue the ticket and courier it over.

QH

So you're not happy doing it with BA office in IST? Or do you have plans to have it issued by another carrier?

I do plan to use BA in IST.

Right, DONE4 issued, ready for departure Am into IST on BA 676 on 26 Mar, and back out again in a more comfy seat on 677 about an hour later. Check-in will be tight, but fingers crossed should be OK -- have emailed to BA IST what I'll be doing, so hopefully they'll be prepared to hand over the tix straight away, rather than having to figure out what to do under pressure.

Thanks to Gardyloo for blazing the trail + getting the IST staff onside; very professional, courteous and helpful throughout. Can you sort out the BA NA RTW desk to be half as good???

Cheers all -- trip report when I get back to LHR in 3 weeks, assuming I'm successful.

Chris

Let us know if the turn around works out. That is the bit I am most curious about!

I just finished LHR-DXB-LHR run and got the boarding passes for both segments issued at LHR after online checkin. Easiest turnaround in any International city is DXB. You come out of the plane turn left for transit, go through security and you are in departure area IN 5 MINUTES.

I hope the same will be possible for IST as my next leg will be LHR-IST-LHR with a 100 minute transit time. Any posts about experiences for going through transit without clearing immigration are welcome Of course if BA doesnt give me return boarding pass at LHR, I have to get it at the transit desk at IST as mentioned earlier