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)
Feb 7, 2019, 8:23 am
#316
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
UPDATE: The official meeting has officially ended.
The authorities had decided to give a public speech on the 20th of February. For now, there is no change for the planned movement date.
However, if they won't be able to prepare everything until the 3rd of March, they would consider to postpone the movement to April.
The authorities had decided to give a public speech on the 20th of February. For now, there is no change for the planned movement date.
However, if they won't be able to prepare everything until the 3rd of March, they would consider to postpone the movement to April.
Last edited by ISTFlyer; Feb 7, 2019 at 9:40 am Reason: vocab error
Feb 7, 2019, 4:47 pm
#318
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 228
Star gold lounge at new Istanbul airport
Hi
Does anybody know anything/have any pictures of the star gold lounge at the new airport? Their current one is my favourite lounge and wondering if they will beat this.
Thanks in advance
Does anybody know anything/have any pictures of the star gold lounge at the new airport? Their current one is my favourite lounge and wondering if they will beat this.
Thanks in advance
Feb 7, 2019, 5:50 pm
#319
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 the international lounge hasn't opened yet, there are no pictures of it. However, on the 15th of February the lounge would be opened to service but for now on, nobody does know which lounge would open to service as TK would have three different international lounges. Although, the Miles&Smiles lounge which would accept Elite & Star Gold pax would be the lounge having the lowest tier. The other two lounges would be the Business Lounge ( J class pax and Elite Plus ) and the exclusive lounge ( which no one has information about it ).
Feb 7, 2019, 6:36 pm
#320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
What a surprise.........You saw my post about 'by 17th of Feb' for the announcement? It is not going to be April. In April you are going to see another 10-20 flights, mostly added legs, then you have elections, et al, and it will go on the back burner because they do not want to jeopardize the summer schedule. It should be after the summer at the very earliest for full operations at the earliest, and could easily go into 2020. There is a reason why they allowed the gate expansion at IST 2-3 years ago, there is a reason they extended TV through late 2022 at IST, and there is even a reason that they seemingly repaved over 30% of the roadways at ISt over the last two weeks...............Because there are actually many pragmatic airport/aviation officials in Turkey that have known the realities of what was and is really possible. The shame is that had they just said and done late 2019, or sometime in 2020 as their real goal, as opposed to several dates in 2017, then 2018, now 2019, they would have seemed far more credible, and it would have been just as impressive a feat.
Feb 7, 2019, 9:29 pm
#321
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Hi there... quick what I believe is airport-move related question. We have flights from ATL-IST and IST-CMB on March 3/4/5. Both flight are no longer for sale (Says no seats if you try to book), but when I look at seat maps they are wide open with 80%+ looking empty. I'm concerned they have stopped selling the flights, but have not cancelled them yet. It looks like the flights on both legs are blocked out for about 7 days, including the flights I'm currently on.
We have about a month now until our trip. I'm concerned that as it gets closer our other options for rebooking on another airline get more limited. Any advice or suggestions from the group?
We have about a month now until our trip. I'm concerned that as it gets closer our other options for rebooking on another airline get more limited. Any advice or suggestions from the group?
Feb 7, 2019, 11:15 pm
#322
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Istanbul
Programs: QR Privilege Club
Posts: 137
What a surprise.........You saw my post about 'by 17th of Feb' for the announcement? It is not going to be April. In April you are going to see another 10-20 flights, mostly added legs, then you have elections, et al, and it will go on the back burner because they do not want to jeopardize the summer schedule. It should be after the summer at the very earliest for full operations at the earliest, and could easily go into 2020. There is a reason why they allowed the gate expansion at IST 2-3 years ago, there is a reason they extended TV through late 2022 at IST, and there is even a reason that they seemingly repaved over 30% of the roadways at ISt over the last two weeks...............Because there are actually many pragmatic airport/aviation officials in Turkey that have known the realities of what was and is really possible. The shame is that had they just said and done late 2019, or sometime in 2020 as their real goal, as opposed to several dates in 2017, then 2018, now 2019, they would have seemed far more credible, and it would have been just as impressive a feat.
As for the limited flights option: At peak season Istanbul Ataturk sees (an average of) 1400 daily movements. What percentage of these can be shifted to ISL? For safety reasons (on the ATC side...), they need to keep it by 10%, so at some point of time ISL has to handle say max. 140-150 movements daily. So far all ISL outbound flights have been "additional flights" and not "transferred flights" from current IST. Say they add constantly 20 flights (in and out) every month and assuming they have around 40 as of today, in 7 months' time that quota will be utilised. But can these be any "transferred flights" from IST to relieve some pressure off from IST and also feed some blood to ISL? That is: March-April-June-July-August. So they have to make the full move in October, the very latest.
For what valid reason, TK still doesn't fly regular wide bodies out of ISL (even for domestic routes)? On 26th Jan (a Saturday) I flew from ISL to ESB in the morning and came back the same day on late afternoon. Both flights were practically 90% full in the economy section. Yes some of the prices are darn cheap, that may be one reason for the high load factor. But even if TK breaks even (hopefully) on those cheap prices, why don't they add a third service to ESB, a second service to ADB? After Jan 10th, they changed the schedules for the domestic flights to some odd hours simply to utilise a minimum number of aircraft (in conjunction with the international flights): is TK short of planes and/or crew?
And, after all, for which credible reasons will this movement be delayed until September 2019?
Many more questions can be asked...
Feb 8, 2019, 1:02 am
#323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Feb 8, 2019, 5:12 am
#325
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Istanbul
Programs: QR Privilege Club
Posts: 137
This "valid reason" may not necessarily be due to the construction side of the business or due to the hardware/software being employed. My two wild guesses:
a) There's still some valid resistance from THY side for a multitude of sub-reasons,,
b) There's something wrong regarding Uncle Sam's TSA Inspection (either this inspection is further delayed, or it has been already done but with negative results. So corrections have to be made, which will take some time. Let's be realistic: If TK cannot fly to North America from ISL, they cannot move out from Ataturk AP. Period!)
Feb 8, 2019, 5:14 am
#326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I have no wishes regarding IST/ISL other than an orderly, secure, clearly indicated and well-executed hand-over.
I'm pointing out in a tongue in cheek way that giving themselves some breathing space might help achieve these goals.
It's unfortunate that financial constraints and imperatives seem to be driving messy month by month push-backs, confusion and sinking credibility.
Feb 8, 2019, 8:35 am
#327
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 59
Hi there... quick what I believe is airport-move related question. We have flights from ATL-IST and IST-CMB on March 3/4/5. Both flight are no longer for sale (Says no seats if you try to book), but when I look at seat maps they are wide open with 80%+ looking empty. I'm concerned they have stopped selling the flights, but have not cancelled them yet. It looks like the flights on both legs are blocked out for about 7 days, including the flights I'm currently on.
We have about a month now until our trip. I'm concerned that as it gets closer our other options for rebooking on another airline get more limited. Any advice or suggestions from the group?
We have about a month now until our trip. I'm concerned that as it gets closer our other options for rebooking on another airline get more limited. Any advice or suggestions from the group?
Feb 8, 2019, 4:23 pm
#328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
Mafaky, we have discussed before, but it is my understanding that 1) IGA is getting some compensation, since October 29th, as the airport is "open". I understand that it is not everything, but it is something. 2) It is also my understanding that all those restaurants and shops that are open are fully stocked and ready not because they really expect business for quite some time, but to fulfill their contracts and precisely to demand compensation. If there is compensation that needs to be paid, it will be paid. I am sure that the remaining IGA consortium will find some magical way to extend or expand their financing in the same way that everyone seems to have done for this entire project thusfar.
As for those domestic flights that are "full", yes of course they are/were, 59TL each way? About $10 for many of the flights? Of course they were full. Also I had assumed by now that they had tested some widebodies, if they have not, that means that there are certain visual approach guidelines still not met at the new airport (similar to why RTE flew in for the first flight on a narrow body). This could mean a bunch of things, having to do with ATC equipment, or even approval from the Turkish air authorities, not clearing these types of planes. I do agree with another thing. NO ONE is talking, up until a month ago people "in the know" were quite free with their real opinions, and facts, now these same people will not comment.
Ultimately no one wants to kill or damage the "Golden Goose" which is Turkish Airlines. Which is fine, I like Ian want to see it all done well and not badly.
As for those domestic flights that are "full", yes of course they are/were, 59TL each way? About $10 for many of the flights? Of course they were full. Also I had assumed by now that they had tested some widebodies, if they have not, that means that there are certain visual approach guidelines still not met at the new airport (similar to why RTE flew in for the first flight on a narrow body). This could mean a bunch of things, having to do with ATC equipment, or even approval from the Turkish air authorities, not clearing these types of planes. I do agree with another thing. NO ONE is talking, up until a month ago people "in the know" were quite free with their real opinions, and facts, now these same people will not comment.
Ultimately no one wants to kill or damage the "Golden Goose" which is Turkish Airlines. Which is fine, I like Ian want to see it all done well and not badly.
Feb 8, 2019, 6:33 pm
#329
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
Lufthansa has removed the name of Atatürk Airport for journeys after the 3rd of March;
This is how it looks on the manage my booking section. Only "Istanbul (IST)" is written instead of "Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST)"
This is the screenshot from my e-mail confirmation. I have booked this ticket last week.
British Airways has also posted this two days ago ( Thursday ).
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...s/public/en_tr -> Click New Istanbul Airport
However;
This flight still seems as Atatürk.
These are my remarks for the moment.
This is how it looks on the manage my booking section. Only "Istanbul (IST)" is written instead of "Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST)"
This is the screenshot from my e-mail confirmation. I have booked this ticket last week.
British Airways has also posted this two days ago ( Thursday ).
https://www.britishairways.com/trave...s/public/en_tr -> Click New Istanbul Airport
However;
This flight still seems as Atatürk.
These are my remarks for the moment.
Feb 9, 2019, 1:06 am
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
And in December various airlines for it wrong at various times, BA was almost comically large in getting its information wrong. SQ canceled flights late and kept them canceled, etc. It seems that some are worse informed than any of us.