Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Turkish Airlines | Miles&Smiles
Reload this Page >

Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Atatürk airport

Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Atatürk airport

Old May 11, 2018, 8:30 am
  #901  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,710
Originally Posted by TommyB1965
I have a TA flight into Istanbul on 25th May, arriving at 11.05am. My onward flight to Odesa leaves at 2.15pm (TA code share with Ukraine). The flight to Odesa is on a separate ticket, and based on my travel schedule I may not be able to check in online in advance. Can I check in at the terminal without having to exit immigration & security? I will only have hand luggage.

If I have to exit, I assume there is plenty of time with the 3 hour gap?
There is a transfer desk on the arrivals level. You should be able to check in and get your boarding pass there. Alternatively, three hours should be more than enough at this time of day, assuming of course that your incoming flight is on time. But flights can be delayed, park in out positions, immigration often has long queues etc. It's best to try to check in online and have your boarding pass ready. You should definitely try to get your boarding pass for the second flight as you check in for the first one; even if these are two separate tickets, TK agents should be able to do it.

Shuly
TommyB1965 likes this.
shuly is offline  
Old May 12, 2018, 3:41 am
  #902  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
Originally Posted by shuly
There is a transfer desk on the arrivals level. You should be able to check in and get your boarding pass there. Alternatively, three hours should be more than enough at this time of day, assuming of course that your incoming flight is on time. But flights can be delayed, park in out positions, immigration often has long queues etc. It's best to try to check in online and have your boarding pass ready. You should definitely try to get your boarding pass for the second flight as you check in for the first one; even if these are two separate tickets, TK agents should be able to do it.

Shuly
Thanks Shuly

BTW - is it possible to link my two tickets into a single itinerary? I booked the flights (including one leg with SAS) to Istanbul via United Airlines, but they could not book the onward flight to Odessa for me, so I booked that one directly with TA. If I can get them linked into one itinerary it would be helpful
TommyB1965 is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2018, 1:16 pm
  #903  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 222
IST connection

Quick question guys. I booked two separate flights for IST-NEV (Cappadocia, Domestic), round trip, then IST-VIE. I booked them separately because the difference in price was absurd. Everything was done through Tuekish’s Website and they’re all flying Turkish metal. My connecting time in IST-VIE is 80 minutes Monday midday. Would Turkish staff at NEV be able to combine the PNRs at the time of check in so that the bags go straight to VIE? I’m trying to make sure I make it and not having to go outside and pick up luggage and check in. Not sure how’s passport control exiting Turkey. I had originally booked 2 hours but they changed the flight and the next one is very late at night. Any thoughts? Thank you!
Basanez is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2018, 6:24 pm
  #904  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by SK AAR
I would recommend to go straight to immigration and pick-up your luggage (if short checked to IST) rather than spending time in the lounge. You may face difficulties in locating your luggage afterwards (keep in mind that English is not first language there and you may find customer service appalling if your bags are nowhere to be seen)
13579 is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2018, 11:26 pm
  #905  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by Basanez
Quick question guys. I booked two separate flights for IST-NEV (Cappadocia, Domestic), round trip, then IST-VIE. I booked them separately because the difference in price was absurd. Everything was done through Tuekish’s Website and they’re all flying Turkish metal. My connecting time in IST-VIE is 80 minutes Monday midday. Would Turkish staff at NEV be able to combine the PNRs at the time of check in so that the bags go straight to VIE? I’m trying to make sure I make it and not having to go outside and pick up luggage and check in. Not sure how’s passport control exiting Turkey. I had originally booked 2 hours but they changed the flight and the next one is very late at night. Any thoughts? Thank you!
I dont know the exact MCT for IST, but if the tickets you have bookd can be booked on thy.com as one PNR, then you will be allowed to check through.

If you dont have a *A Status and your luggage is more than 15 kg (promo) or 20 kg (flex) you will have to pay for extended luggage on the NEV-IST leg.
axxoo25 is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2018, 12:56 am
  #906  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,710
If I understand you correctly, you will transfer from the NEV-IST flight to the IST-VIE flight. As the incoming flight is domestic, you will arrive in the domestic terminal and will have to go to the international terminal for the next flight. While it's only a short distance, it means that you will have to "go outside" in any case; specifically, you will have to go through security and immigration at IST.

In principle, TK should be able to check your bags through to Vienna, assuming that the 80 minutes you have is above the minimum connection time (I don't know what the MCT for domestic->international is). But I think that 80 minutes is a very short connection time, and since you're on two separate tickets, the risk is, in my eyes, not worth it. Any slight delay of the domestic flight and you lost your international ticket as a no-show. I would definitely leave more time.

Shuly
shuly is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2018, 5:34 am
  #907  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Somewhere near Byron
Programs: QFF SG, AAdvantage, LM
Posts: 24
Dear TK specialists, I have an upcoming ECN-IST-CDG trip. All in J on TK on a single PNR. Arrival into IST is 13:50 and onward flight to CDG is 15:30, so I'm perfectly relaxed about timing assuming no significant delays on the first leg. I'm just hoping for sufficient time to visit the famous lounge.

I have two questions: Is ECN considered a 'clean' departure point for direct disembarkation into the departures area or will I most likely need to re-clear transit security upon arrival in IST? And secondly is lunchtime a relatively quiet period at IST or is there a significant bank of flights around that time?
LimaFoxtrotRomeo is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2018, 6:29 am
  #908  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 222
Thank you guys. I called two times and asked on Twitter. One phone rep seemed not very knowledgeable (perhaps just my impression) and she said I had to collect luggage and recheck it. The next rep sounded confident and looked into it and said what you guys said, the two tickets are both in Turkish and the standard procedure is to check the luggage through final destination. The Twitter team also said the same thing. I’ll risk it and run like hell because otherwise I’d waste 5-6 hours I could be in Vienna. If worse comes to show and I have to rebook on my own, I’ve been checking prices for day of departure and they’re about the same as months in advance, less than $100. Heck I’ve connected in CDG Africa to US with 45 minutes and the additional check at the gate so I’ll try my luck.

Extra questions. How much do they charge for 20-30kg one piece of luggage? I did buy their economy promo that’s Max of 15kg.

I see international economy fares are able to select seats within 100 days, and domestic 24 hours in advance. Will they accept payment to select seats in domestic class within 100 days? Just trying to get a seat upfront I guess.

Thank you!
Basanez is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2018, 10:10 am
  #909  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by Basanez
Thank you guys. I called two times and asked on Twitter. One phone rep seemed not very knowledgeable (perhaps just my impression) and she said I had to collect luggage and recheck it. The next rep sounded confident and looked into it and said what you guys said, the two tickets are both in Turkish and the standard procedure is to check the luggage through final destination. The Twitter team also said the same thing. I’ll risk it and run like hell because otherwise I’d waste 5-6 hours I could be in Vienna. If worse comes to show and I have to rebook on my own, I’ve been checking prices for day of departure and they’re about the same as months in advance, less than $100. Heck I’ve connected in CDG Africa to US with 45 minutes and the additional check at the gate so I’ll try my luck.

Extra questions. How much do they charge for 20-30kg one piece of luggage? I did buy their economy promo that’s Max of 15kg.

I see international economy fares are able to select seats within 100 days, and domestic 24 hours in advance. Will they accept payment to select seats in domestic class within 100 days? Just trying to get a seat upfront I guess.

Thank you!
If you are lucky, the CI-Agent will not charge you. In case he will, you have to pay for the NEV-IST leg something about 6 TL/kg AFAIK.
axxoo25 is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2018, 10:15 am
  #910  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by LimaFoxtrotRomeo
Dear TK specialists, I have an upcoming ECN-IST-CDG trip. All in J on TK on a single PNR. Arrival into IST is 13:50 and onward flight to CDG is 15:30, so I'm perfectly relaxed about timing assuming no significant delays on the first leg. I'm just hoping for sufficient time to visit the famous lounge.

I have two questions: Is ECN considered a 'clean' departure point for direct disembarkation into the departures area or will I most likely need to re-clear transit security upon arrival in IST? And secondly is lunchtime a relatively quiet period at IST or is there a significant bank of flights around that time?
I am not sure about ECN, but around lunch time IST is busy.
axxoo25 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2018, 12:30 am
  #911  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,115
We will be arriving on TK6 at 16:15 and departing on TK1869 (VCE) at 18:00 this Sunday (24 June). All on 1 ticket in business class. I expect that our bags will be checked through from ORD to VCE.

I assume that the transit process should be fairly easy. A trip through passport control and then a security screening or something similar. Is there a priority line for business class passengers at each area?
cheltzel is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2018, 7:32 am
  #912  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: TK E+, RJ S, AZ E
Posts: 1,868
Originally Posted by cheltzel
We will be arriving on TK6 at 16:15 and departing on TK1869 (VCE) at 18:00 this Sunday (24 June). All on 1 ticket in business class. I expect that our bags will be checked through from ORD to VCE.

I assume that the transit process should be fairly easy. A trip through passport control and then a security screening or something similar. Is there a priority line for business class passengers at each area?
Absolutely not. It’s going to be much easier. For sure no passport control and most probably no need even for screening because arriving from the US. If you do get screened then there’s a line for J pax on the right.
flyerby is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2018, 12:42 pm
  #913  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,115
Originally Posted by flyerby

Absolutely not. It’s going to be much easier. For sure no passport control and most probably no need even for screening because arriving from the US. If you do get screened then there’s a line for J pax on the right.
So we just follow the transit signs and go up the the departure level?
cheltzel is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2018, 2:51 pm
  #914  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by cheltzel
So we just follow the transit signs and go up the the departure level?
Exactly.
axxoo25 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2018, 3:29 pm
  #915  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,115
Originally Posted by axxoo25
Exactly.
Wow! With a 1:45 connection I might even get a bit of lounge time in. Especially if we are a bit early.
cheltzel is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.