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
Jun 22, 2022, 8:23 am
#1021
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Jun 23, 2022, 2:31 am
#1023
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Night food options
As this question is asked frequently:
The other day (or rather night
) the following food options were still available when I was leaving he lounge at 00.45:
- Turkish pizza station (guys were still preparing new pizzas)
- Toasted sandwich station (next to pizza)
- Salad bar
- Pretzel station
Both 'stone' kitchens (located in the middle of the lounge were already closed as were pasta and Far Eastern food stations.
The other day (or rather night
) the following food options were still available when I was leaving he lounge at 00.45:- Turkish pizza station (guys were still preparing new pizzas)
- Toasted sandwich station (next to pizza)
- Salad bar
- Pretzel station
Both 'stone' kitchens (located in the middle of the lounge were already closed as were pasta and Far Eastern food stations.
Jun 23, 2022, 5:29 am
#1024
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
I believe they are only open from the morning (from around 7 or 8 if I remember correctly) and during the day. They were also closed when I was at lounge at night last month.
For a night snack before boarding there were more than enough for me.
For a night snack before boarding there were more than enough for me.
Jun 23, 2022, 8:31 am
#1025
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Two weeks ago roasted sandwiches and fresh pretzels were prepared and available at 5:30 in the morning, so was fresh baklava and other Turkish sweets.
Jun 23, 2022, 8:46 am
#1026
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
Jun 24, 2022, 3:12 am
#1028
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
Jun 24, 2022, 4:41 am
#1029
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: IST,DAC,KTM,DEL
Programs: Life
Posts: 304
Jun 24, 2022, 5:48 am
#1030
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
The Business and M&S lounge is in the sterile area of the airport so you will have to pass the exit (immigration) which is towards gates A&B down the escalators to your right (might be other exits but that is the one I use for hotels?)
Jun 28, 2022, 4:20 pm
#1031
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
We arrive at IST at 5am from MNL next week, traveling in J.
We have a hotel reserved in Kadikoy but we could have up to 8 hours or so to wait for our room to be ready. Obviously, I will check with the hotel about early checkin.
Are there any options for us to get showers and freshen up at the airport upon arrival, paid or otherwise?
We have a hotel reserved in Kadikoy but we could have up to 8 hours or so to wait for our room to be ready. Obviously, I will check with the hotel about early checkin.
Are there any options for us to get showers and freshen up at the airport upon arrival, paid or otherwise?
Jun 29, 2022, 2:41 am
#1032
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
If the hotel rate is reasonable, I would book the night before and inform the hotel that you will do "late check-in"/check-in in the morning. Then you can go straight to your hotel from the airport and check-in into your room.
Jun 29, 2022, 7:31 am
#1033
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
Upon further reflection, that's what I did. Traveling with the family, so the ability to immediately shower, nap, and or have breakfast at the hotel is well worth the cost of an extra night.
Jun 29, 2022, 8:09 am
#1034
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: PA
Programs: EB Diamond (SK*G), Accor Platinum
Posts: 71
Until when is the live kitchen open (that cooks meat and stuff)? Last year I think it was until midnight. Arriving in Istanbul at 11pm and boarding the next flight at 1am. It's quite a short time but I wanna enjoy the lounge.. very well.
Jun 30, 2022, 12:03 am
#1035
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, TK Elite+
Posts: 2,663
Not too sure if this was mentioned before, but there are no more pre-packaged food in the lounge. No more 3 half-sliced cherry tomatoes in a cup