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 30, 2019, 8:38 am
#601
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 96
Sure you can leave the airport.
Last edited by amigoflyer; Mar 30, 2019 at 9:09 am
Mar 30, 2019, 11:45 am
#602
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
Can Biz passenger (without *A Gold) invite a guest traveling with him/her? I'll be traveling with my mom and she'll be flying Biz (no status) and I'll be flying Y (E+), hopefully we can both use M&S Lounge if Biz passenger can't guest 1.
Also at this point does anyone know if you can leave the departure airside (entering Turkey)? I'll be sending off my parents for 1am flight and mine isn't until 2pm the same day so I'd prefer getting out the departure area. I'm trying to avoid using Airside Yotel at all cost.
Also at this point does anyone know if you can leave the departure airside (entering Turkey)? I'll be sending off my parents for 1am flight and mine isn't until 2pm the same day so I'd prefer getting out the departure area. I'm trying to avoid using Airside Yotel at all cost.
In normal circumstances a J class pax with no status can't invite a guest; however, you could invite your mom to the Miles&Smiles Lounge because of your status (Elite Plus).
Mar 30, 2019, 1:17 pm
#603
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Actually just to be accurate, despite what went up in TIMATIC last October, as of right now they did not in fact yet stop issuing VOA's at IST. I can attest to the fact that as of 3 days ago the machines and window are still open. That being said online only is SUPPOSED to occur when the new airport opens and Ataturk closes
Mar 30, 2019, 1:44 pm
#604
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
Actually just to be accurate, despite what went up in TIMATIC last October, as of right now they did not in fact yet stop issuing VOA's at IST. I can attest to the fact that as of 3 days ago the machines and window are still open. That being said online only is SUPPOSED to occur when the new airport opens and Ataturk closes
Mar 31, 2019, 5:51 am
#606
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London/Norwich
Programs: Lost all status due to flying less to tackle the climate emergency
Posts: 132
Turkish lounge info is up. The Business Class lounge is just for those travelling in business on Turkish or Star Alliance. All status passengers are to use the Miles and Smiles lounge.
Hard to tell what the differnces will be, the hard product seems similar, it might be food and drink that differs. Or it could be pretty similar and they just seperate people for a bit of capacity control on the business side.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-s...ess/index.html
Hard to tell what the differnces will be, the hard product seems similar, it might be food and drink that differs. Or it could be pretty similar and they just seperate people for a bit of capacity control on the business side.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-s...ess/index.html
Mar 31, 2019, 7:00 am
#607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043
Turkish lounge info is up. The Business Class lounge is just for those travelling in business on Turkish or Star Alliance. All status passengers are to use the Miles and Smiles lounge.
Hard to tell what the differnces will be, the hard product seems similar, it might be food and drink that differs. Or it could be pretty similar and they just seperate people for a bit of capacity control on the business side.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-s...ess/index.html
Hard to tell what the differnces will be, the hard product seems similar, it might be food and drink that differs. Or it could be pretty similar and they just seperate people for a bit of capacity control on the business side.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-s...ess/index.html
Who can benefit from Turkish Airlines Lounge Miles&Smiles?
- All passengers flying in Business Class
- Turkish Airlines Economy Class passengers, Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus members with extra allowance of 1 guest or family member (partner or child)
- Turkish Economy Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members with extra allowance of 1 guest
- Turkish Airlines passengers, Turkish Airlines Corporate Club members and 1 guest
- Star Alliance member airlines Economy Class passengers, Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus members with extra allowance of 1 guest
- Star Alliance member airlines Economy Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members with extra allowance of 1 guest
Which suggests to me that Business will be the better lounge, especially since there are no guesting privileges there. We shall see...
Mar 31, 2019, 8:57 am
#608
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Miles and Smiles access rules read like its open to all economy passengers.
Mar 31, 2019, 10:19 am
#609
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
I have a TK J flight in August and will definitely try them both, just for the experience. It would be rude not to try some food from every food station in both, too. For comparative purposes 
Mar 31, 2019, 10:26 am
#610
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
Go for it; no one is stopping you. I hope you enjoy both. If you hold an Elite Plus status at that time, don't forget to add the Exclusive Lounge to your visit places at Istanbul Airport.
Mar 31, 2019, 2:23 pm
#611
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: Oneworld Sapphire (QR Gold), SkyTeam Elite Plus (ITA Volare)
Posts: 100
Against a fee, perhaps? (lets hope not)
Last edited by pineapple_juice; Mar 31, 2019 at 2:23 pm Reason: typo
Mar 31, 2019, 2:24 pm
#612
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
Mar 31, 2019, 5:31 pm
#613
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 272
Yes the Turkish version of the access rules indicate the same. However, I don't think you would have success entering the lounge after showing this website to the lounge dragon at the entry if you're not actually eligible. If I didn't have status I would have tried it.
Go for it; no one is stopping you. I hope you enjoy both. If you hold an Elite Plus status at that time, don't forget to add the Exclusive Lounge to your visit places at Istanbul Airport.
Go for it; no one is stopping you. I hope you enjoy both. If you hold an Elite Plus status at that time, don't forget to add the Exclusive Lounge to your visit places at Istanbul Airport.
Last edited by manhattan92; Mar 31, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Mar 31, 2019, 7:07 pm
#614
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
There would be an Executive Lounge that would open in an unspecified future date. The eligibility for the lounge is not precise yet and there is no certain information about how to access this lounge. The only thing we know is that passengers holding Elite Plus status and traveling in Business Class on TK would be eligible for this lounge.
Apr 1, 2019, 1:55 am
#615
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
I'm not Elite Plus, but the Exclusive Lounge will go on to my bucket list. One day...