Jan 2, 2018, 10:38 pm
Last edit by: zeer0
Lounge Location
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Video walkthrough of the lounge made on 2016-05-25
IST TK Lounge Walkthrough - YouTube
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one in the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control, Only for TK Business Class passengers or TK Elite Plus in Y, but not Elite or other *G cards, you need to go through main passport control and enter from airside). Entry in the main terminal is done by automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it, if that is not present, please ask the lounge matrons and they'll manually let you in. It is also necessary to consult the front desk if you're bringing a guest(s).
Dedicated entry from the check in area (far left side as you face security/immigration) is only open from 5am to 12am midnight, outside of those hours you must enter the main terminal first and use that entrance.
Prior noted in this wiki, was that there was three entrances, however that one is an exit only that can be found in the lower level of the lounge.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance on both floors. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travellers 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 travellers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Must travel on Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance
The lounge cannot be accessed through Priority Pass or by paying at the entrance. There are many other pay lounges at IST.
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.
To go landside from the lounge: leave the lounge on the upper level and walk straight toward the food court. Just before the food court there is a set of stairs on the left (look for signs to the mosque) that takes you down to the arrival level, and then to the immigration counters.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (you get the code by scanning your boarding pass at machines dotted around the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Upstairs:
Turkish desserts, ie baklava
Nut station
Coffee station + Demel cakes
Kofte/grill station
Pasta
Mezze
Beverages (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)
Fresh fruits
Fresh pide
Olive bar
Nut bar
Downstairs:
Turkish "special of the month"/chef's station
Coffee station + Demel cakes
Simit cart
Kofte/grill station
Manti
Pasta
Mezze
Make-your-own-tea/wellness tea station
Beverages (alcoholic/non-alcoholic), stands throughout the lounge
Fresh fruits
Fresh pide
Olive bar
Nut bar
Early morning food differences
"Turkish special of the month" chef's station serving breakfast foods instead (e.g. gozleme)
Kofte station replaced by made-to-order omelette bar/breakfast items
Mini-simits, croissants, and other breakfast pastries
Demel cakes not taken out until ~ 8am
Turkish desserts not taken out until after 8am
Mezze station replaced by muesli, yogurt station
Smoking
This is a non smoking lounge, smoking area is upstairs at the far end of the terminal.
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Golf simulator
RC car track
Self-playing piano
2x PS4 systems with FIFA and NBA
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers in Economy Class.
International to International connections only
Couches throughout the lounge.
You may be eligible for a free hotel outside the airport.
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Video walkthrough of the lounge made on 2016-05-25
IST TK Lounge Walkthrough - YouTube
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one in the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control, Only for TK Business Class passengers or TK Elite Plus in Y, but not Elite or other *G cards, you need to go through main passport control and enter from airside). Entry in the main terminal is done by automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it, if that is not present, please ask the lounge matrons and they'll manually let you in. It is also necessary to consult the front desk if you're bringing a guest(s).
Dedicated entry from the check in area (far left side as you face security/immigration) is only open from 5am to 12am midnight, outside of those hours you must enter the main terminal first and use that entrance.
Prior noted in this wiki, was that there was three entrances, however that one is an exit only that can be found in the lower level of the lounge.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance on both floors. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travellers 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 travellers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Must travel on Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance
The lounge cannot be accessed through Priority Pass or by paying at the entrance. There are many other pay lounges at IST.
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.
To go landside from the lounge: leave the lounge on the upper level and walk straight toward the food court. Just before the food court there is a set of stairs on the left (look for signs to the mosque) that takes you down to the arrival level, and then to the immigration counters.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (you get the code by scanning your boarding pass at machines dotted around the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Upstairs:
Turkish desserts, ie baklava
Nut station
Coffee station + Demel cakes
Kofte/grill station
Pasta
Mezze
Beverages (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)
Fresh fruits
Fresh pide
Olive bar
Nut bar
Downstairs:
Turkish "special of the month"/chef's station
Coffee station + Demel cakes
Simit cart
Kofte/grill station
Manti
Pasta
Mezze
Make-your-own-tea/wellness tea station
Beverages (alcoholic/non-alcoholic), stands throughout the lounge
Fresh fruits
Fresh pide
Olive bar
Nut bar
Early morning food differences
"Turkish special of the month" chef's station serving breakfast foods instead (e.g. gozleme)
Kofte station replaced by made-to-order omelette bar/breakfast items
Mini-simits, croissants, and other breakfast pastries
Demel cakes not taken out until ~ 8am
Turkish desserts not taken out until after 8am
Mezze station replaced by muesli, yogurt station
Smoking
This is a non smoking lounge, smoking area is upstairs at the far end of the terminal.
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Golf simulator
RC car track
Self-playing piano
2x PS4 systems with FIFA and NBA
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers in Economy Class.
International to International connections only
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 [2018 onwards Master Thread]
Jan 15, 2018, 12:32 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 625
It's been 2 years since passing through Istanbul and I didn't realize about the elite entrance through security and all to the lounge last time. Just so I have my bearings, we will be coming in from the metro. If I remember correctly, we'll be entering from the right side if looking at the security entry. We should pass that, heading towards the wall at the end, and there will be an entrance on our right into that elite entrance. Does that sound right? We're in biz on TK, so we can access it, but I just want to make sure we are heading the right direction so I gain points from the Mrs and Child!
Jan 29, 2018, 10:00 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,135
Was in the IST lounge this past Sat/Sun for the first time.
Arrived around 11pm Sunday for a 2am flight to Male.
My observations in no particular order:
Very busy upon entry only to get busier.
Wifi is cumbersome to get access to with the kiosks and very slow. Ended up using my data instead.
Food selection at various stations was excellent and plentiful until around 00:30 Sunday, then started to disappear.
Wine unavailable past around 00:30 as well, but hard stuff was still there.
Pool, golf, race track, TV pit all great entertainment if so inclined.
Is it a nice lounge compared to most others that I have seen? Yes.
Would I show up early just to experience the lounge? No.
Arrived around 11pm Sunday for a 2am flight to Male.
My observations in no particular order:
Very busy upon entry only to get busier.
Wifi is cumbersome to get access to with the kiosks and very slow. Ended up using my data instead.
Food selection at various stations was excellent and plentiful until around 00:30 Sunday, then started to disappear.
Wine unavailable past around 00:30 as well, but hard stuff was still there.
Pool, golf, race track, TV pit all great entertainment if so inclined.
Is it a nice lounge compared to most others that I have seen? Yes.
Would I show up early just to experience the lounge? No.
Jan 30, 2018, 11:20 am
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charlotte
Programs: AA EX PLAT
Posts: 89
Greetings all,
I am travelling on TK in J from MIA-IST-HAM in Feb. Have a 3 hour layover in IST. I assume I will have access to this lounge? What (if any) are there security or passport controls prior to accessing the lounge? Long lines? Fast Track?
Any info is appreciated.
I am travelling on TK in J from MIA-IST-HAM in Feb. Have a 3 hour layover in IST. I assume I will have access to this lounge? What (if any) are there security or passport controls prior to accessing the lounge? Long lines? Fast Track?
Any info is appreciated.
Jan 30, 2018, 12:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
Arrival from MIA is considered clean, so there are neither security nor passport checks before you can access the lounge.
Jan 30, 2018, 1:39 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC
Posts: 2,167
I had an excellent experience at this lounge, albeit I found the lounge uncomfortably warm. That said, I'm not a person to take photos of everything when traveling, but on the main floor, by the showers, there was a meat station. It was some Turkish recipe, and it was on a skewer. It was absolutely delightful. In the off chance someone knows what I'm speaking of, what is it called? It was a chicken of sorts.
Jan 31, 2018, 5:58 am
#21
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
I've never seen skewered meat in the lounge. The meat station serves small kebabs and grilled chicken breast.
Shuly
Shuly
Jan 31, 2018, 6:07 am
#22
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
Inconsistent
I visited the lounge three times earlier this week. One was around 6pm: long lines for entering (only one gate was open, not sure why, and a person was scanning boarding passes); very crowded; no locker space upstairs; food stations empty. Another was late night (around 9pm), and it was very different. When I arrived, the place was calm, lots of space, plenty of food and more was coming constantly. Before midnight, toward the early am flights east, the lounge became much more crowded and less pleasant. Finally I was there around 1pm, and it was OK.
Some things I've noticed: it was hard to find wine glasses, let alone the rare cognac glasses. The level on many of the bottles was low, sometimes almost empty. Some of the more expensive brands are gone (they used to have Woodford Reserve, didn't they?) I also recall they used to have people strolling around with canapés (cheese etc.), I haven't seen those for a long while.
It's still a very nice lounge, even if the quality is slowly deteriorating. But I wouldn't get out of my way to spend much time there. And like everything TK, the experience is very inconsistent. Looking forward to seeing what they're planning for the new airport.
Shuly
Some things I've noticed: it was hard to find wine glasses, let alone the rare cognac glasses. The level on many of the bottles was low, sometimes almost empty. Some of the more expensive brands are gone (they used to have Woodford Reserve, didn't they?) I also recall they used to have people strolling around with canapés (cheese etc.), I haven't seen those for a long while.
It's still a very nice lounge, even if the quality is slowly deteriorating. But I wouldn't get out of my way to spend much time there. And like everything TK, the experience is very inconsistent. Looking forward to seeing what they're planning for the new airport.
Shuly
Jan 31, 2018, 8:44 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
It's been 2 years since passing through Istanbul and I didn't realize about the elite entrance through security and all to the lounge last time. Just so I have my bearings, we will be coming in from the metro. If I remember correctly, we'll be entering from the right side if looking at the security entry. We should pass that, heading towards the wall at the end, and there will be an entrance on our right into that elite entrance. Does that sound right? We're in biz on TK, so we can access it, but I just want to make sure we are heading the right direction so I gain points from the Mrs and Child!
Last edited by CoweyB; Feb 2, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Jan 31, 2018, 5:45 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC
Posts: 2,167
Upon checking with my wife you are correct. She put it on a stick utensil device for me. The grilled chicken breast. Anyone have a name for that dish?
Apr 18, 2018, 12:53 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
Really lived up to my expectations. Definitely the best *A lounge I've visited. Fantastic breakfast spread, beautifully decorated, and so many fun things to spend time doing. Oh and I loved the ability to take a water bottle with me. Such a simple feature that so few *A lounges have.
I would note 2 things though. I had to show my physical *G card as my LH boarding pass would not scan. And I was unable to connect to the WiFi, even with the printed out username/password. Not sure what was going on there, but I had a Turkish sim so it wasn't too big of a deal.
I would note 2 things though. I had to show my physical *G card as my LH boarding pass would not scan. And I was unable to connect to the WiFi, even with the printed out username/password. Not sure what was going on there, but I had a Turkish sim so it wasn't too big of a deal.
Apr 25, 2018, 4:27 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
For the first time I will have a shortest possible overnight conection at IST, 8,5 hours which does not qualify for hotel (10h) and neither relaxroom (4-7hours).
I am elite+ flying Y. Ane bending of rules, experience, if I might access the relaxroom if lucky?
Any other good choices? It will be short for sleep anyway but too hard enough to dwell in the lounge all night
I am elite+ flying Y. Ane bending of rules, experience, if I might access the relaxroom if lucky?
Any other good choices? It will be short for sleep anyway but too hard enough to dwell in the lounge all night
Apr 25, 2018, 9:08 am
#30
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
The common wisdom here says that there's very little flexibility by the lounge attendants. But it never hurts to ask nicely.
An alternative would be the airside airport hotel. I've done it while ago and it's very convenient.
Shuly
An alternative would be the airside airport hotel. I've done it while ago and it's very convenient.
Shuly