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 24, 2022, 8:19 am
#1051
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Silver
Posts: 773
Thank you.
It’s bad manners to ask a question then doubt the answer (!) but is Northern Cyprus definitely a domestic departure from IST? When I checked it looked like the flights to ECN were departing from international gates...
It’s bad manners to ask a question then doubt the answer (!) but is Northern Cyprus definitely a domestic departure from IST? When I checked it looked like the flights to ECN were departing from international gates...
Jul 24, 2022, 9:17 am
#1052
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: got2flyfar (YouTube)
Programs: FB Silver, TK Elite/*G, ITA Premium, Hilton Gold; BW Diamond Select; Radisson Premium
Posts: 517
Oh! Sorry! North Cyprus is considered intl destination - yes, you will be able to access international lounge
Jul 28, 2022, 7:44 pm
#1054
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Programs: UA Platinum 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 632
What are the current lounge hours? We'll be flying TK business class so if the bus class lounge is open, that would be better. We arrive around midnight and leave at 10am. So that probably means about 6-7 hours to kill so it doesn't make sense to leave airport. We could stay at airport hotel airside but would prefer to avoid the almost 400 euro expense. This will be night of November 3-4. Connection is International to International (from Italy to USA). Wife and I are both Star Gold as well (on United). And we have Priority Pass as well.
Also, what time does food service end and drink service? Am I correct that people do spend night in lounge?
We do appreciate all tips and recommendations.
Also, what time does food service end and drink service? Am I correct that people do spend night in lounge?
We do appreciate all tips and recommendations.
Last edited by RobUAIntl; Jul 28, 2022 at 8:13 pm
Jul 29, 2022, 2:26 am
#1055
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
There will always be some food and drink service available - you will not get hungry
Details were covered in this thread multiple times, just scroll up.Yes - may people stay in the lounge overnight.
Aug 3, 2022, 1:05 pm
#1056
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
Was in the international Business lounge on Monday and somebody had a cat in there. I remember another poster reported the same thing not that long ago. I wonder if it was the same cat or if there are several who enjoy flying up front. I wonder if they have status...
Aug 3, 2022, 1:11 pm
#1057
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: got2flyfar (YouTube)
Programs: FB Silver, TK Elite/*G, ITA Premium, Hilton Gold; BW Diamond Select; Radisson Premium
Posts: 517
Remember that TK Elite or higher of *G or higher can bring a guest from the same flight. I think what you saw fits the access policy perfectly.
Aug 3, 2022, 1:17 pm
#1058
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
Aug 3, 2022, 3:39 pm
#1059
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,848
What are the current lounge hours? We'll be flying TK business class so if the bus class lounge is open, that would be better. We arrive around midnight and leave at 10am. So that probably means about 6-7 hours to kill so it doesn't make sense to leave airport. We could stay at airport hotel airside but would prefer to avoid the almost 400 euro expense. This will be night of November 3-4. Connection is International to International (from Italy to USA). Wife and I are both Star Gold as well (on United). And we have Priority Pass as well.
Also, what time does food service end and drink service? Am I correct that people do spend night in lounge?
Also, what time does food service end and drink service? Am I correct that people do spend night in lounge?
With a longhaul connecting TK flight you are eligible for a sleeping room inside the TK lounges?
Aug 3, 2022, 3:52 pm
#1060
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,663
Aug 3, 2022, 6:44 pm
#1061
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,278
Sure, it is very common. I did it in May. Slept comfortably on one the few loungers in the business lounge. As already stated the lounges are open 24/7. Catering is nothing to worry about.
With a longhaul connecting TK flight you are eligible for a sleeping room inside the TK lounges?
With a longhaul connecting TK flight you are eligible for a sleeping room inside the TK lounges?
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. TK in IST: Thread #3 - Transit and Stopover Hotel, Touristanbul, Sleeping Rooms
Last edited by RetiredATLATC; Aug 3, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Aug 29, 2022, 3:29 pm
#1062
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 2
Connection time?
Hi All, I'm landing on a KLM flight at 4:55p and am considering a 6:50p Turkish Airlines Domestic Flight in business- if I buy the fast pass, is there a way for me to use the expedited check-in and security from the domestic business lounge coming out of customs? Even with both, am I cutting it too close? (There is a 7:30p with economy only or 8:45p with business)
Aug 29, 2022, 3:39 pm
#1063
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Hi All, I'm landing on a KLM flight at 4:55p and am considering a 6:50p Turkish Airlines Domestic Flight in business- if I buy the fast pass, is there a way for me to use the expedited check-in and security from the domestic business lounge coming out of customs? Even with both, am I cutting it too close? (There is a 7:30p with economy only or 8:45p with business)
Aug 29, 2022, 7:21 pm
#1064
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 2
Thanks, I would be buying the fast pass to be able to make the connection,rather than to enjoy amenities. do you think 1hr55 would be enough to clear passport control, customs, recheck bags, and make flight? (I understand this lounge has the direct bus and possibly dedicated security)
Aug 30, 2022, 4:53 pm
#1065
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
Thanks, I would be buying the fast pass to be able to make the connection,rather than to enjoy amenities. do you think 1hr55 would be enough to clear passport control, customs, recheck bags, and make flight? (I understand this lounge has the direct bus and possibly dedicated security)
It would be no-sense to go out of the terminal, walk to the separate entrance domestic lounge for 5-10 minutes with bags.
I would suggest you to go upstairs to the departures level and use the Business TK desks at the regular terminal, go through security there as it would be much efficient.
Then from the domestic departures hall, if necessary, you could still access the Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge via the elevators near gate G6-G7.
A domestic J ticket would include access to the Domestic TK Lounge as the OP is flying in J.