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 19, 2021, 3:08 pm
#661
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 have a domestic ticket IST-ADB on TK business class coming up, and I'm arriving on QR in economy. Because I'm self-connecting, I'm leaving 6hrs of buffer (and, worst case, rebooking and paying for an entirely new flight isn't that expensive).
1-Is there any way to visit the international business lounge? I know you need to be in the international arrivals hall...Is it possible to go through immigration just for the lounge, then re-enter Turkey after?
2-Is the domestic lounge any good? I'm paying a $50 premium over economy, so it's cheap (although too bad there's no service on domestic routes). Was hoping to get some food and have wifi that won't kick me out after an hour like the rest of the airport.
3-Any other recommendations on how to spend 6hrs in IST? Keeping in mind I'm arriving on QR and departing TK domestic business.
Thanks in advance!
1-Is there any way to visit the international business lounge? I know you need to be in the international arrivals hall...Is it possible to go through immigration just for the lounge, then re-enter Turkey after?
2-Is the domestic lounge any good? I'm paying a $50 premium over economy, so it's cheap (although too bad there's no service on domestic routes). Was hoping to get some food and have wifi that won't kick me out after an hour like the rest of the airport.
3-Any other recommendations on how to spend 6hrs in IST? Keeping in mind I'm arriving on QR and departing TK domestic business.
Thanks in advance!
2- Not exactly with the COVID pre-cautions, the TK domestic lounge only has pre-packaged food and beverages are limited to water, mineral water, juice, tea & coffee. If you have PriorityPass, I would highly suggest you to visit the iGA Domestic Lounge which has more decent food & beverages; however, you would have a time limit over there.
3- It would be pretty boring, just be prepared in advance and maybe download watch movies, TV shows, etc... from your computer. You could leave the airport to a nearby shopping mall but the taxi costs might not justify it. Using public transportation is very risky when leaving the airport on a 6h connection.
Jul 20, 2021, 12:06 pm
#662
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Virtuoso Luxury Travel Agent; Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 664
We have a flight arriving into IST at 01.30, connecting to IST-JFK at 07.45. 6 hour connection. All in C. Any thoughts on whether slumming it at the lounge would be fine or if we should do the Aloft at the hotel?
Jul 20, 2021, 12:24 pm
#663
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
I stayed in the lounge and the connection was a few hours more than yours will be, if there are no delays. While on my stay, there was only dozen people during the night, my friends who stayed there before told that lounge were crowded with limited amount of free seats. The actual time in lounge would be less, boarding starts an hour before departure and in my case there was a 10 minutes transit time from plane to lounge and 5 minutes to gate. I would not spend any money for airside transit hotel.
Jul 20, 2021, 1:08 pm
#664
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
).Both the Miles & Smiles / Business (which is closed) Lounges are very open and not so private, which makes it hard for me to relax late at night.
That also goes if there is not that many people, or I am in the rest areas. I simply find it hard to charge the batteries there, so if that is what you are looking for go to the Yotel.
Jul 20, 2021, 4:25 pm
#665
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
With the faff around landing, finding the lounge and getting settled there, then leaving in good time for the departure gates .... those 6hours will shrink to something you can easily fill with a doze in a chair then a bite or two for breakfast.
Jul 20, 2021, 10:52 pm
#666
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
01:30 Turkey time would be 18:30 ( 6:30pm ) NY time, thus to adapt to the destination time-zone, I would have stayed awake and went to the TK M&S lounge ( or the iGA Lounge if you have PP ).
There is no logic to throw $150 for a hotel for 4 hours. You would have plenty of time to sleep on your IST-JFK flight.
Jul 21, 2021, 5:37 am
#667
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,278
You can easily knock an hour off taxiing to the gate
Jul 21, 2021, 5:46 am
#668
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MUC/RJK
Programs: SQ G, LH FTL, UA S, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,442
With a 6-hour connection in C, you're entitled to the Private Suites (sleeping rooms in the M&S lounge). Was there 10 days ago in the evening, they were open.
Jul 21, 2021, 6:12 am
#669
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
To clerify a bit more with a C to C connection exclusively on TK, with a layover time between 4 and 9 hours you are intitled to the Private suites.
Jul 21, 2021, 6:26 am
#670
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MUC/RJK
Programs: SQ G, LH FTL, UA S, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,442
Wow, good to know that they are also available in the M&S lounge, didn`t know that. I thought it was only in the Business lounge
To clerify a bit more with a C to C connection exclusively on TK, with a layover time between 4 and 9 hours you are intitled to the Private suites.
To clerify a bit more with a C to C connection exclusively on TK, with a layover time between 4 and 9 hours you are intitled to the Private suites.
Layovers over 9 hours are supposedly entitled to a hotel room, but since those are landside in downtown Istanbul, I'm not sure how exactly that works in Covid times...So, after you enter the M&S lounge, dont go left into the lounge, but take a sharp right towards the lockers, the Suites desk will be just behind.
Jul 21, 2021, 6:32 am
#671
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
That's correct Layovers over 9 hours are supposedly entitled to a hotel room, but since those are landside in downtown Istanbul, I'm not sure how exactly that works in Covid times...
So, after you enter the M&S lounge, dont go left into the lounge, but take a sharp right towards the lockers, the Suites desk will be just behind.
Layovers over 9 hours are supposedly entitled to a hotel room, but since those are landside in downtown Istanbul, I'm not sure how exactly that works in Covid times...So, after you enter the M&S lounge, dont go left into the lounge, but take a sharp right towards the lockers, the Suites desk will be just behind.
Jul 21, 2021, 7:24 am
#672
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
Wow, good to know that they are also available in the M&S lounge, didn`t know that. I thought it was only in the Business lounge
To clerify a bit more with a C to C connection exclusively on TK, with a layover time between 4 and 9 hours you are intitled to the Private suites.
To clerify a bit more with a C to C connection exclusively on TK, with a layover time between 4 and 9 hours you are intitled to the Private suites.
Jul 21, 2021, 7:33 am
#673
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
That sought of got lost in all of this and I agree with you, even though I have never had a Dom. to Int. flight on TK.
Would be nice know if one are intitled!
Edit: Just read the post again I can`t see where OP is origining from before arriving at IST? am I missing someting?
Last edited by Stil; Jul 21, 2021 at 7:39 am
Jul 21, 2021, 10:50 am
#674
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
Good point!
That sought of got lost in all of this and I agree with you, even though I have never had a Dom. to Int. flight on TK.
Would be nice know if one are intitled!
Edit: Just read the post again I can`t see where OP is origining from before arriving at IST? am I missing someting?
That sought of got lost in all of this and I agree with you, even though I have never had a Dom. to Int. flight on TK.
Would be nice know if one are intitled!
Edit: Just read the post again I can`t see where OP is origining from before arriving at IST? am I missing someting?