Apr 2, 2019, 3:31 am
Last edit by: starflyergold
Unlike like Atatürk Airport, at Istanbul Airport there is more than one international lounge. Eligibility depends on your travel of class and your frequent flyer card status. PLEASE READ THIS WIKI BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS.
For discussions and questions regarding outstation lounges ( Moscow, Nairobi, Washington DC ) and all other domestic lounges ( including SAW ) please refer to the respective forum.
For PriorityPass Lounges in Istanbul Airport (IST) please consult this thread in the Europe forum or the Istanbul Airport Master Thread for questions regarding contract lounges.
This thread covers TK Lounges at IST airport.
Chart of Eligibility for Lounges:
Thanks to DELLAS for sharing this chart.
International Lounges:
Miles&Smiles Lounge: This lounge is open to all Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus card holders and Star Alliance Gold status holders along with one of their guests when flying Turkish Airlines or another Star Alliance member. Miles&Smiles Elite Plus members are also able to guest family members regardless of the number of people (spouse and children). Also Turkish Corporate Club members are allowed to access this lounge with one fellow guest who holds a valid boarding pass on Turkish Airlines.
To access this lounge take the elevators across gate C1 to the mezzanine level.
Business Lounge: This lounge would be open for all Business Class passengers on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partners. Unfortunately, no guests are allowed to this lounge.
To access this lounge take the elevators across gate E1 to the mezzanine level.
Both lounges are non-smoking. The nearest "terrace" (IST does not advertise smoking areas) is: For the business lounge: exit via the escalators, turn left and left again, past the public rest areas, and the terrace is on the right hand side. For the M&S lounge: exit via the escalators, turn right and right again, past the public rest areas, and the terrace is on the left hand side. In both cases a 3 minute walk.
Exclusive Lounge: No details, no plans as of yet
Arrivals Lounge: No details, no plans as of yet
Both the Business Lounge and the Miles&Smiles Lounge have showers, sleeping rooms and Turkish speciality food.
To use the sleeping rooms, you must have a connection time between 4h and 9h and the duration of one of your flights must be more than 8 hours. Unfortunately, Miles&Smiles Elite card holders and Star Alliance Gold card holders traveling in Economy Class are not eligible to use the sleeping room service. For sleeping room related issues please consult the this thread.
None of the international lounges have direct lounge access from the check-in hall; however, priority immigration and security checkpoint are available both for transfer passengers and passengers starting their journey in Istanbul.
Domestic Lounges:
The domestic lounge has two sections; one for Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Classic Plus and Elite card holders, Star Alliance Gold card holders and Turkish Corporate Club members (if they have a same day onward international connection); and the other one for Business Class passengers and Miles&Smiles Elite Plus card holders.
Miles&Smiles Elite passengers, Star Alliance Gold card holders and Turkish Corporate Club members can invite one guest into the lounge. Miles&Smiles Elite Plus passengers can also guest one passenger or their family members regardless of the number of people (spouse and children). Miles&Smiles Classic Plus card holders do not have the right to guest someone.
The lounge has a separate entrance and check-in lobby from the street, along with a special valet parking drop-off point. Transfer passengers and passengers who decide to use the main terminal building can also access this lounge by using the elevators across gates G6 and G7. Be aware that there are no lounge signs within the terminal so it's advised to follow signs for gates G6 and G7.
For discussions and questions regarding outstation lounges ( Moscow, Nairobi, Washington DC ) and all other domestic lounges ( including SAW ) please refer to the respective forum.
For PriorityPass Lounges in Istanbul Airport (IST) please consult this thread in the Europe forum or the Istanbul Airport Master Thread for questions regarding contract lounges.
This thread covers TK Lounges at IST airport.
Chart of Eligibility for Lounges:
Thanks to DELLAS for sharing this chart.
International Lounges:
Miles&Smiles Lounge: This lounge is open to all Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus card holders and Star Alliance Gold status holders along with one of their guests when flying Turkish Airlines or another Star Alliance member. Miles&Smiles Elite Plus members are also able to guest family members regardless of the number of people (spouse and children). Also Turkish Corporate Club members are allowed to access this lounge with one fellow guest who holds a valid boarding pass on Turkish Airlines.
To access this lounge take the elevators across gate C1 to the mezzanine level.
Business Lounge: This lounge would be open for all Business Class passengers on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partners. Unfortunately, no guests are allowed to this lounge.
To access this lounge take the elevators across gate E1 to the mezzanine level.
Both lounges are non-smoking. The nearest "terrace" (IST does not advertise smoking areas) is: For the business lounge: exit via the escalators, turn left and left again, past the public rest areas, and the terrace is on the right hand side. For the M&S lounge: exit via the escalators, turn right and right again, past the public rest areas, and the terrace is on the left hand side. In both cases a 3 minute walk.
Exclusive Lounge: No details, no plans as of yet
Arrivals Lounge: No details, no plans as of yet
Both the Business Lounge and the Miles&Smiles Lounge have showers, sleeping rooms and Turkish speciality food.
To use the sleeping rooms, you must have a connection time between 4h and 9h and the duration of one of your flights must be more than 8 hours. Unfortunately, Miles&Smiles Elite card holders and Star Alliance Gold card holders traveling in Economy Class are not eligible to use the sleeping room service. For sleeping room related issues please consult the this thread.
None of the international lounges have direct lounge access from the check-in hall; however, priority immigration and security checkpoint are available both for transfer passengers and passengers starting their journey in Istanbul.
Domestic Lounges:
The domestic lounge has two sections; one for Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Classic Plus and Elite card holders, Star Alliance Gold card holders and Turkish Corporate Club members (if they have a same day onward international connection); and the other one for Business Class passengers and Miles&Smiles Elite Plus card holders.
Miles&Smiles Elite passengers, Star Alliance Gold card holders and Turkish Corporate Club members can invite one guest into the lounge. Miles&Smiles Elite Plus passengers can also guest one passenger or their family members regardless of the number of people (spouse and children). Miles&Smiles Classic Plus card holders do not have the right to guest someone.
The lounge has a separate entrance and check-in lobby from the street, along with a special valet parking drop-off point. Transfer passengers and passengers who decide to use the main terminal building can also access this lounge by using the elevators across gates G6 and G7. Be aware that there are no lounge signs within the terminal so it's advised to follow signs for gates G6 and G7.
TK in Istanbul Airport: Thread #2 - Lounges
Jul 6, 2020, 2:40 pm
#376
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: zurich
Programs: Miles&Smiles Gold
Posts: 509
[QUOTE=Danny Martello;32506722]The International Lounge (Smiles & Miles) was open on the 2nd July. Most likely a dry run. The information was not volunteered during check-in only when I asked about the IGA lounge.
Only a handful of people in the lounge with limited offerings but good enough for me. Definitely much better than Lufthansa lounges FRA, MUC. Lentil soup, pide - delicious, at the salad bar small pre-packaged mezze and desserts, bread, etc, non-alcoholic drinks. I thought a beginning and happy with it. The few people were remarkable disciplined masks only off while eating. When on the phone speaking with the mask on. And we better be disciplined or we will stop flying again. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't understand droplet infection - airborne infection. They don the masks and when talking - with some it is more like shouting - they take them off. It does not get more idiotic. Droplets are released through breathing, talking, singing, coughing, sneezing. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/11875
Sounds a bit off topic - but I want to create awareness.[/QUOTE
Seems you have quiet a panic of Corona.
Only a handful of people in the lounge with limited offerings but good enough for me. Definitely much better than Lufthansa lounges FRA, MUC. Lentil soup, pide - delicious, at the salad bar small pre-packaged mezze and desserts, bread, etc, non-alcoholic drinks. I thought a beginning and happy with it. The few people were remarkable disciplined masks only off while eating. When on the phone speaking with the mask on. And we better be disciplined or we will stop flying again. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't understand droplet infection - airborne infection. They don the masks and when talking - with some it is more like shouting - they take them off. It does not get more idiotic. Droplets are released through breathing, talking, singing, coughing, sneezing. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/11875
Sounds a bit off topic - but I want to create awareness.[/QUOTE
Seems you have quiet a panic of Corona.
Jul 6, 2020, 4:28 pm
#377
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: TK EL+, QR Platinum, HH Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 127
[QUOTE=northernstar84;32512484]
Not even remotely, never had. I have had Covid-19, a very mild form.Contracted it very early in the year. Was not even aware of it at the time. Recently got an antibody test,, part of a study. No it is stupidity and ignorance what gets me going and that borders will be closing again, Many still not open. I do not know where you have been these past months and whether you are aware of what it has done to the airlines and other sectors, the economy in general. Well, then....
The International Lounge (Smiles & Miles) was open on the 2nd July. Most likely a dry run. The information was not volunteered during check-in only when I asked about the IGA lounge.
Only a handful of people in the lounge with limited offerings but good enough for me. Definitely much better than Lufthansa lounges FRA, MUC. Lentil soup, pide - delicious, at the salad bar small pre-packaged mezze and desserts, bread, etc, non-alcoholic drinks. I thought a beginning and happy with it. The few people were remarkable disciplined masks only off while eating. When on the phone speaking with the mask on. And we better be disciplined or we will stop flying again. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't understand droplet infection - airborne infection. They don the masks and when talking - with some it is more like shouting - they take them off. It does not get more idiotic. Droplets are released through breathing, talking, singing, coughing, sneezing. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/11875
Sounds a bit off topic - but I want to create awareness.[/QUOTE
Seems you have quiet a panic of Corona.
Only a handful of people in the lounge with limited offerings but good enough for me. Definitely much better than Lufthansa lounges FRA, MUC. Lentil soup, pide - delicious, at the salad bar small pre-packaged mezze and desserts, bread, etc, non-alcoholic drinks. I thought a beginning and happy with it. The few people were remarkable disciplined masks only off while eating. When on the phone speaking with the mask on. And we better be disciplined or we will stop flying again. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't understand droplet infection - airborne infection. They don the masks and when talking - with some it is more like shouting - they take them off. It does not get more idiotic. Droplets are released through breathing, talking, singing, coughing, sneezing. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/11875
Sounds a bit off topic - but I want to create awareness.[/QUOTE
Seems you have quiet a panic of Corona.
Jul 12, 2020, 4:55 pm
#378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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 just found this image at Foursquare when browsing the web.
It's taken from one of the Miles&Smiles or Business Lounges recently.
https://tr.foursquare.com/v/turkish-...29a13367e350a4
It's taken from one of the Miles&Smiles or Business Lounges recently.
https://tr.foursquare.com/v/turkish-...29a13367e350a4
Jul 14, 2020, 3:14 am
#379
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: zurich
Programs: Miles&Smiles Gold
Posts: 509
I just found this image at Foursquare when browsing the web.
It's taken from one of the Miles&Smiles or Business Lounges recently.
https://tr.foursquare.com/v/turkish-...29a13367e350a4
It's taken from one of the Miles&Smiles or Business Lounges recently.
https://tr.foursquare.com/v/turkish-...29a13367e350a4
Jul 15, 2020, 2:13 am
#380
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
I think about traveling this weekend on a connection through IST, would be interesting to know. Thanks.
Jul 15, 2020, 7:03 am
#382
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MUC
Programs: TK M&S Elite+, Qatar Platinum
Posts: 108
From an environmental and sustainability perspective these single-use plastic covers and bags are extremely irritating! 
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
Jul 15, 2020, 8:05 am
#383
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,654
From an environmental and sustainability perspective these single-use plastic covers and bags are extremely irritating!
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
Jul 15, 2020, 8:07 am
#384
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: N/A
Posts: 823
From an environmental and sustainability perspective these single-use plastic covers and bags are extremely irritating!
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
There are compostable alternatives but it seems those are too expensive for the airline industry (not only Tk).
So we will all eat that micro plastic in our food soon. Bon appetite!
Jul 15, 2020, 8:13 am
#385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
In a nice post-industrial world that was an issue, now we are in a Covid world, no one cares. I remember at the beginning reading something out of Sweden about all the non-recyclable/re-usable masks and PPE and what a shame it was. That died out pretty quickly and such matters are really not at the top of anyone's concerns currently.
Jul 15, 2020, 8:27 am
#386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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
If I’m not wrong, it’s open 7/24.
Jul 15, 2020, 3:47 pm
#387
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Jul 15, 2020, 6:53 pm
#388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
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
Even at pre-COVID both lounges didn't have any difference other than the art gallery/cinema room and the number of passengers inside. The Business Lounge was just more quiet than the M&S Lounge.
Jul 16, 2020, 4:50 pm
#389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I tortured myself working out the best lounge to aim for to get a sleeping room. The friendly girl manning the "spa" reception desk said there really wasn't a difference .... and if she didn't have a room free she'd call her colleague in the other lounge to reserve one for me. The chap before me had a sleeping room RESERVED: I asked him how come, and he explained it was a corporate perk.
I guess it's going to be an even longer wait now for the Third Lounge !
