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
May 19, 2022, 5:01 pm
#961
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
May 25, 2022, 11:49 am
#962
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
Star Gold with 3 guests
Hello. I am Star Gold traveling in economy internationally. My 3 siblings would like to experience the IST Lounge. Can I accompany each of them 1 at a time then exit with them and do this 3 times? Or, forbidden? Otherwise, at 04:00 or so how easy might it be to find some kind souls to guest my 3 siblings?
Thanks
Thanks
May 25, 2022, 1:55 pm
#963
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
Hello. I am Star Gold traveling in economy internationally. My 3 siblings would like to experience the IST Lounge. Can I accompany each of them 1 at a time then exit with them and do this 3 times? Or, forbidden? Otherwise, at 04:00 or so how easy might it be to find some kind souls to guest my 3 siblings?
Thanks
Thanks
I am not sure how you would find accommodating people to guest the other 2 siblings that would travel with you.
May 25, 2022, 4:42 pm
#964
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ARN
Posts: 3,471
Rules were recently changed, and now demand that a guest must be on the same flight as the Star gold. You'll probably be VERY hard pressed to find two Star golds on the same flight as your siblings, let alone two Star golds that are on the same flight and are willing to guest your siblings. If you're standing outside the lounge, asking everybody what status they have and what flight they're on, you'll probably annoy people so much that they'll call security.
May 25, 2022, 6:06 pm
#965
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Hello. I am Star Gold traveling in economy internationally. My 3 siblings would like to experience the IST Lounge. Can I accompany each of them 1 at a time then exit with them and do this 3 times? Or, forbidden? Otherwise, at 04:00 or so how easy might it be to find some kind souls to guest my 3 siblings?
Thanks
Thanks
Rules were recently changed, and now demand that a guest must be on the same flight as the Star gold. You'll probably be VERY hard pressed to find two Star golds on the same flight as your siblings, let alone two Star golds that are on the same flight and are willing to guest your siblings. If you're standing outside the lounge, asking everybody what status they have and what flight they're on, you'll probably annoy people so much that they'll call security.
May 25, 2022, 10:31 pm
#966
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: got2flyfar (YouTube)
Programs: FB Silver, TK Elite/*G, ITA Premium, Hilton Gold; BW Diamond Select; Radisson Premium
Posts: 517
This doesn’t work either because when “re-entering” on the same boarding pass for the 2nd time, you will get a green light, but the automated gates will not open amd you will have to approach the gate agent who will re-chexk tour credentials, including taking photo of your bordijf card and passport.
May 27, 2022, 8:02 am
#967
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
May 27, 2022, 11:51 am
#970
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: TK M&S, BAEC, EK
Posts: 257
I was there on Wednesday afternoon and there was a nice selection of cakes made by a company called Demel, which were also available in the old lounge at Atatürk Airport. So it seems there is still a chance of enjoying them at the new airport too.
May 27, 2022, 1:53 pm
#971
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
Sorry to hear that. It seems you were unlucky and missed out.
I was there on Wednesday afternoon and there was a nice selection of cakes made by a company called Demel, which were also available in the old lounge at Atatürk Airport. So it seems there is still a chance of enjoying them at the new airport too.
I was there on Wednesday afternoon and there was a nice selection of cakes made by a company called Demel, which were also available in the old lounge at Atatürk Airport. So it seems there is still a chance of enjoying them at the new airport too.
May 28, 2022, 4:27 am
#972
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: TK M&S, BAEC, EK
Posts: 257
It's true that the old airport had more choices in terms of cake choices such as the warm apple pie, the cherry pie and some other cake varieties never made their appearance at the old airport. However, you are right that Demel is still serving cakes at the current IST International Lounges.
The Demel strawberry mousse cake is a real afternoon tea treat 😊
May 28, 2022, 6:37 am
#973
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pune, India
Programs: United MilagePlus Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 29
Exiting the longer and then clearing immigrations and customs?
Is it possible to visit the lounge for Star Alliance Gold on arrival from one flight in transit and then exit and clear immigration and customs to visit the city before the next flight?
From what I've understood you need to go to immigrations and customs at arrival level and the lounges are the the departure level.We are scheduled to arrive from AMS at 3:35am and scheduled to depart at 8:15pm to BOM.
What I wanted to do was, on arrival from AMS go to the departure level and access the lounge to rest a little and freshen up. Then after a couple of hours, leave the lounge and clear immigrations and customs to exit the airport for the transit city tour.
I was wondering if we can leave the lounge at the departure level and then go to -1 level to clear immigrations and customs? Or will we only be able to go to -1 Level directly after arriving from AMS
May 28, 2022, 6:46 am
#974
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: got2flyfar (YouTube)
Programs: FB Silver, TK Elite/*G, ITA Premium, Hilton Gold; BW Diamond Select; Radisson Premium
Posts: 517
Is it possible to visit the lounge for Star Alliance Gold on arrival from one flight in transit and then exit and clear immigration and customs to visit the city before the next flight?
From what I've understood you need to go to immigrations and customs at arrival level and the lounges are the the departure level.We are scheduled to arrive from AMS at 3:35am and scheduled to depart at 8:15pm to BOM.
What I wanted to do was, on arrival from AMS go to the departure level and access the lounge to rest a little and freshen up. Then after a couple of hours, leave the lounge and clear immigrations and customs to exit the airport for the transit city tour.
I was wondering if we can leave the lounge at the departure level and then go to -1 level to clear immigrations and customs? Or will we only be able to go to -1 Level directly after arriving from AMS
From what I've understood you need to go to immigrations and customs at arrival level and the lounges are the the departure level.We are scheduled to arrive from AMS at 3:35am and scheduled to depart at 8:15pm to BOM.
What I wanted to do was, on arrival from AMS go to the departure level and access the lounge to rest a little and freshen up. Then after a couple of hours, leave the lounge and clear immigrations and customs to exit the airport for the transit city tour.
I was wondering if we can leave the lounge at the departure level and then go to -1 level to clear immigrations and customs? Or will we only be able to go to -1 Level directly after arriving from AMS
May 28, 2022, 7:00 am
#975
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pune, India
Programs: United MilagePlus Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 29
Exiting the lounge from departure level and then clearing immigrations and customs?
What I'm confused about is that, when we arrive and as transit passengers clear security and go to departure level to access the lounge, how do we go back to clear immigrations and customs from the departure level? Is there a clear path for that? Or will some will have to help us navigate against the regular flow?
(I remember at ZRH, for example, even from the departure level there's a way to go to immigrations and customs at the international terminal. Flights from US arrive at the departure level itself. And for flights which arrive from elsewhere you need to clear security and go to departure level from arrival level. But from the departure level you can go out again.)
Last edited by tejasjog; May 28, 2022 at 7:02 am Reason: typo