Oct 5, 2018, 9:18 am
Last edit by: ISTFlyer
Please note that this thread discusses only TK operations from the new airport. There will be no discussion of the politics involved. These can take place in OMNI PR. Anyone interested in general issue surrounding the new airport may find these in the "Europe" forum. The usual FT rules apply.
For a general discussion about the airport, not related to TK, please visit: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/1955797-istanbul-new-airport-ist-isl-master-thread.html
Lounge questions have now a dedicated thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles/1963594-tk-istanbul-airport-thread-2-lounges.html
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
-----------------
This is the list of all Istanbul Airport threads where you could find more details related to your question if it's discussed in one of the forums below.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #1 - General Discussion ( YOU ARE HERE )
This is the thread that you could ask your questions about the airport related to Turkish Airlines which doesn't have a dedicated thread. For example questions about check-in desks, the Miniport service, fast-track security, care points, etc... could be asked here if they are directly or indirectly related to TK.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #2 - Lounges
This is the thread dedicated for lounges and questions about the TK lounges at Istanbul Airport. Sleeping rooms in the lounge could be discussed in the third thread as it's mainly related to longer connections. Please do refer to the respective threads in the Europe forum for other contract lounges at Istanbul Airport and PriorityPass lounges.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #3 - Stopover Hotel, Touristanbul, Sleeping Rooms
This is the thread for passengers booked a long connection. The thread has a guide that would give basic information about the free city tour, the stopover hotel option for eligible passengers as well as the sleeping rooms in the lounges in Istanbul Airport. For issues onlyrelated hotel suggestions refer to the Europe forum.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #4 - Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Airport
This is the thread were you could ask your questions about any type of transfer at Istanbul Airport. Such as what to do within a xxx hour layover, or facilities at the transfer area directly related to transit issues. Also questions related to transfer security, immigration in single/seperate tickets could be discussed here. As well as what to do in case of misconnections. The transfer hotel where passengers could access by paying: YOTEL has a dedicated thread where you could find here.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #5 - Miles&Smiles Card Pickup at Istanbul Airport
If you want to pickup your Miles&Smiles card in Istanbul Airport, please consult this thread where you would be able to find the locations of the card print points for Miles&Smiles members.
There are also threads not only related to the TK pax but to all passengers traveling from Istanbul Airport. These take place in the Europe forum.
Istanbul Airport Master Thread
For any question related to the airport instead of TK ( facilities, pay-to-use services not related to TK, transportation, rental car services, hotel services, non-TK lounges ) please consult this thread in the Europe forum. Also please discuss, Flightradar24 related ADS-B issues, delays related to the airport here, unless it's a direct TK issue.
PriorityPass Lounges in Istanbul Airport
There is no PriorityPass Lounges at Istanbul Airport at the moment. However, I would update this thread when there is an available lounge for PriorityPass at the airport.
I (ISTFlyer) have removed the FAQ's as they are now all answered in the respective WIKI sections of the respective forums.
For a general discussion about the airport, not related to TK, please visit: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/1955797-istanbul-new-airport-ist-isl-master-thread.html
Lounge questions have now a dedicated thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles/1963594-tk-istanbul-airport-thread-2-lounges.html
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
-----------------
This is the list of all Istanbul Airport threads where you could find more details related to your question if it's discussed in one of the forums below.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #1 - General Discussion ( YOU ARE HERE )
This is the thread that you could ask your questions about the airport related to Turkish Airlines which doesn't have a dedicated thread. For example questions about check-in desks, the Miniport service, fast-track security, care points, etc... could be asked here if they are directly or indirectly related to TK.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #2 - Lounges
This is the thread dedicated for lounges and questions about the TK lounges at Istanbul Airport. Sleeping rooms in the lounge could be discussed in the third thread as it's mainly related to longer connections. Please do refer to the respective threads in the Europe forum for other contract lounges at Istanbul Airport and PriorityPass lounges.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #3 - Stopover Hotel, Touristanbul, Sleeping Rooms
This is the thread for passengers booked a long connection. The thread has a guide that would give basic information about the free city tour, the stopover hotel option for eligible passengers as well as the sleeping rooms in the lounges in Istanbul Airport. For issues onlyrelated hotel suggestions refer to the Europe forum.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #4 - Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Airport
This is the thread were you could ask your questions about any type of transfer at Istanbul Airport. Such as what to do within a xxx hour layover, or facilities at the transfer area directly related to transit issues. Also questions related to transfer security, immigration in single/seperate tickets could be discussed here. As well as what to do in case of misconnections. The transfer hotel where passengers could access by paying: YOTEL has a dedicated thread where you could find here.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #5 - Miles&Smiles Card Pickup at Istanbul Airport
If you want to pickup your Miles&Smiles card in Istanbul Airport, please consult this thread where you would be able to find the locations of the card print points for Miles&Smiles members.
There are also threads not only related to the TK pax but to all passengers traveling from Istanbul Airport. These take place in the Europe forum.
Istanbul Airport Master Thread
For any question related to the airport instead of TK ( facilities, pay-to-use services not related to TK, transportation, rental car services, hotel services, non-TK lounges ) please consult this thread in the Europe forum. Also please discuss, Flightradar24 related ADS-B issues, delays related to the airport here, unless it's a direct TK issue.
PriorityPass Lounges in Istanbul Airport
There is no PriorityPass Lounges at Istanbul Airport at the moment. However, I would update this thread when there is an available lounge for PriorityPass at the airport.
I (ISTFlyer) have removed the FAQ's as they are now all answered in the respective WIKI sections of the respective forums.
TK operations from "Istanbul Airport" aka Istanbul New Airport (ISL/IST)
Mar 5, 2019, 10:45 pm
#406
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
As you know, during the short period until the next movement date. Instead of 4x 738, 1x A320 and 1x A321; I have told previously that operations from ISL would be made with 4x A320, 1x 738 and 1x A321. However, it's strange to see more A321's instead of A320's.
Now, there are
1x Airbus A320 ( TC-JU* series )
2x Airbus A321 ( ex Kingfisher, TC-JM* series )
1x Airbus A321 ( 4 row J class configuration, TC-JR[M-],TC-JS[-M] series )
1x Airbus A321 ( 5 row J class configuration, TC-JS[N-], TC-JT* series )
1x Boeing 737-800 ( TC-JH[K-],JV*,JZ* series )
based in Istanbul Airport.
*The only Airbus A320 is mainly used in domestic routes, however, they could also be assigned to international routes depending on the density.
*The configuration of A321's could depend daily but TK mostly tries to use ex-Kingfisher A321's on domestic routes and the newer ones on international routes.
*I don't know why TK is only allowed to send 737's or smaller aircraft to Gatwick, but that is the reason why 1 Boeing 737-800 is based in ISL. I have also realized that TK operates from IST to LGW with the 170 seat 737-900ER configuration. ( If someone has further information about TK slots in Gatwick and the aircraft type restriction, I would appreciate it. )
In addition to this wide body test flights are cancelled for the moment and all wide body flights are reconverted to Airbus A321. Previously, the schedule was slightly changed for these wide body flights on the Ankara route as TK 2103 would be departing at 19:55 instead of 19:25 as wide body aircrafts needs extra time on the ground for mandatory checks and handling.
For 8 March, TK 2103 has been moved to a 19:25 departure instead of 19:55.
For 15, 22, 29 March the departure time is still 19:55, however, the aircraft is shown as an A321 and the seat map verifies the information.
This is an issue about the VDGS ( Visual Docking Guiding System ) which I have shared an interesting fact about it at the Istanbul Airport Master Thread that only the one in gate G2 works properly for wide-body aircraft. They are probably going to try docking wide-bodies to other parking positions after the issue is solved.
In addition, TK had updated their Istanbul Airport FAQ section that also indicates the movement date as 6 April 2019.
Next week, I am planning to fly ISL-ECN-ISL to test the new IGA Lounge and visit the A-B concourses that I haven't visited. I would also closely look at the progress at the Turkish Airlines Lounge's. I would share any information that I obtain here in this forum ( for TK related info ) and in the Istanbul Airport Master Thread ( for airport related info ).
Now, there are
1x Airbus A320 ( TC-JU* series )
2x Airbus A321 ( ex Kingfisher, TC-JM* series )
1x Airbus A321 ( 4 row J class configuration, TC-JR[M-],TC-JS[-M] series )
1x Airbus A321 ( 5 row J class configuration, TC-JS[N-], TC-JT* series )
1x Boeing 737-800 ( TC-JH[K-],JV*,JZ* series )
based in Istanbul Airport.
*The only Airbus A320 is mainly used in domestic routes, however, they could also be assigned to international routes depending on the density.
*The configuration of A321's could depend daily but TK mostly tries to use ex-Kingfisher A321's on domestic routes and the newer ones on international routes.
*I don't know why TK is only allowed to send 737's or smaller aircraft to Gatwick, but that is the reason why 1 Boeing 737-800 is based in ISL. I have also realized that TK operates from IST to LGW with the 170 seat 737-900ER configuration. ( If someone has further information about TK slots in Gatwick and the aircraft type restriction, I would appreciate it. )
In addition to this wide body test flights are cancelled for the moment and all wide body flights are reconverted to Airbus A321. Previously, the schedule was slightly changed for these wide body flights on the Ankara route as TK 2103 would be departing at 19:55 instead of 19:25 as wide body aircrafts needs extra time on the ground for mandatory checks and handling.
For 8 March, TK 2103 has been moved to a 19:25 departure instead of 19:55.
For 15, 22, 29 March the departure time is still 19:55, however, the aircraft is shown as an A321 and the seat map verifies the information.
This is an issue about the VDGS ( Visual Docking Guiding System ) which I have shared an interesting fact about it at the Istanbul Airport Master Thread that only the one in gate G2 works properly for wide-body aircraft. They are probably going to try docking wide-bodies to other parking positions after the issue is solved.
In addition, TK had updated their Istanbul Airport FAQ section that also indicates the movement date as 6 April 2019.
Next week, I am planning to fly ISL-ECN-ISL to test the new IGA Lounge and visit the A-B concourses that I haven't visited. I would also closely look at the progress at the Turkish Airlines Lounge's. I would share any information that I obtain here in this forum ( for TK related info ) and in the Istanbul Airport Master Thread ( for airport related info ).
Last edited by ISTFlyer; Mar 5, 2019 at 11:06 pm Reason: Grammar
Mar 5, 2019, 10:53 pm
#407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
As ricardojrsousa mentioned, it's true that there would be no direct lounge access to all 3 of the international lounges from the check-in area due to misplanning. There would be a dedicated priority lane for passport control and security but I don't think that there would be different lines for Elite Plus&Business and Elite&Star Gold. So, all passengers would be passing the central duty free area as there is one large checkpoint area for all international flights. However, I have heard rumors that there would be direct access to some of the lounges from the transfer area with a dedicated security lane, however, I don't know any information and I haven't noticed anything about this during my flights to/from ISL.
Mar 6, 2019, 2:49 am
#408
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
One of the things I love about Lounge Istanbul at Ataturk is being able to go through Security and Immigration when entering the lounge from the far end of the check-in hall. That always feels special to me. It will be a shame if they can't re-create that at the new airport.
Mar 6, 2019, 3:15 am
#409
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: VA WP, UA WP, QF LTNB.
Posts: 35
Same late April.... wanted to experience the famous lounge as a *A Gold. Or will the new lounges be even better? 
Mar 6, 2019, 12:01 pm
#410
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
I am planning a trip SFO->IST in April and have a reservation on hold which still looks "good". However, I just noticed that for the same days, the flights which I have on hold are not bookable anymore. Looks like they cancelled a bunch of SFO flights, similar cancellations also for LAX and JFK. Looks like they are adjusting the schedule for the airport move? I am wondering why they cancel so many days, e.g. up until April 11 (well after the move).
Mar 6, 2019, 1:16 pm
#411
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,591
I am planning a trip SFO->IST in April and have a reservation on hold which still looks "good". However, I just noticed that for the same days, the flights which I have on hold are not bookable anymore. Looks like they cancelled a bunch of SFO flights, similar cancellations also for LAX and JFK. Looks like they are adjusting the schedule for the airport move? I am wondering why they cancel so many days, e.g. up until April 11 (well after the move).
Mar 6, 2019, 1:44 pm
#412
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
I guess so... I am wondering what will happen if I go ahead and confirm the reservation which I currently have on hold. Would they outright cancel the reservation or would they rebook me on LH/UA/etc...
i am still very sceptical that the move happens in April...
i am still very sceptical that the move happens in April...
Mar 6, 2019, 5:29 pm
#413
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I don't want to be pessimistic but it's true that if you buy that ticket, TK won't rebook you to any airline if your flight would be cancelled in advance. They would offer you to change your booking for free to another date or cancel without any charges. However, they might rebook you to another carrier if your flight would be cancelled last minute.
Mar 6, 2019, 5:50 pm
#414
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 144
I don't want to be pessimistic but it's true that if you buy that ticket, TK won't rebook you to any airline if your flight would be cancelled in advance. They would offer you to change your booking for free to another date or cancel without any charges. However, they might rebook you to another carrier if your flight would be cancelled last minute.
Mar 6, 2019, 9:51 pm
#415
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
All those flights aren't cancelled - some are just sold out.
For the 2 day airport transition, TK needs to cancel 2 flights and reaccommodate those passengers on the following days flights. Therefore, they are proactively blocking sales on those flights..
For the 2 day airport transition, TK needs to cancel 2 flights and reaccommodate those passengers on the following days flights. Therefore, they are proactively blocking sales on those flights..
Mar 7, 2019, 9:49 am
#416
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: RIX
Programs: SAS Lifetime Gold, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, TK*G Elite+, airBaltic VIP, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,079
In addition, TK had updated their Istanbul Airport FAQ section that also indicates the movement date as 6 April 2019.
Mar 7, 2019, 10:04 am
#417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Exact Translation: After the 6th of April 02:00, all flights scheduled from Atatürk Airport would be operated from Istanbul Airport, have a pleasant flight.
After my visit to ISL next week, I would be able to comment based on reality about the airport such as the credibility of the movement date, etc... As I mentioned before, I am intending to make an overnight ECN return trip in Business Class. I would report the progress in the appropriate forums here in FlyerTalk.
Mar 7, 2019, 11:19 am
#418
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Not going to happen.........
Mar 7, 2019, 11:40 am
#419
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
After my visit to ISL next week, I would be able to comment based on reality about the airport such as the credibility of the movement date, etc... As I mentioned before, I am intending to make an overnight ECN return trip in Business Class. I would report the progress in the appropriate forums here in FlyerTalk.
Mar 7, 2019, 1:34 pm
#420
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Udon Thani, Thailand
Programs: TK E,*G, A-Club G
Posts: 869
Flying into IST 27 apr, really hoping will hit the new airport....