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
Apr 17, 2019, 8:15 am
#106
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 310
Can someone expound upon the differences between the M&S lounge and the Business lounge? Some report they are the exact same. Others report the Business lounge is better. How can they be the same? I would assume that the Business lounge would be better and I hope so-this will be our first time flying business on TK.
Apr 17, 2019, 11:17 am
#108
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
Thank you very much for this very informative post.
Now it's confirmed that the Exclusive Lounge would only accept Business Class pax holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus status. ( No information for non-TK-*G yet, but probably they won't be accepted )
Also, it's confirmed that the Arrival Lounge requirements would be same as the one in Atatürk, however, still no information about the operating hours.
Now it's confirmed that the Exclusive Lounge would only accept Business Class pax holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus status. ( No information for non-TK-*G yet, but probably they won't be accepted )
Also, it's confirmed that the Arrival Lounge requirements would be same as the one in Atatürk, however, still no information about the operating hours.
Apr 17, 2019, 11:21 am
#109
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,552
Thanks for the reminder. Yeah, it's not cheap either but I really want to have a chance to head into town and explore again. I was last in Istanbul via a cruise with an overnight stay (didn't require a visa) and I really enjoyed the city.
Apr 17, 2019, 11:59 am
#110
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Portugal
Programs: TK Elite+, FB Platinum, BAEC Gold, ALL Diamond, IHG Diamond Royal Ambassador
Posts: 293
Thanks for the great post! Very useful. One question I have is: M&S Elite+ Flying Business with another passenger (flying Business). Can I enter Exclusive Lounge? Any ideas / guesses there?
Asking because I'll be in that situation in September and hoping lounge is done by then.
Asking because I'll be in that situation in September and hoping lounge is done by then.
Apr 17, 2019, 12:01 pm
#111
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 for the great post! Very useful. One question I have is: M&S Elite+ Flying Business with another passenger (flying Business). Can I enter Exclusive Lounge? Any ideas / guesses there?
Asking because I'll be in that situation in September and hoping lounge is done by then.
Asking because I'll be in that situation in September and hoping lounge is done by then.
Apr 17, 2019, 5:40 pm
#112
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
Thank you very much for this very informative post.
Now it's confirmed that the Exclusive Lounge would only accept Business Class pax holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus status. ( No information for non-TK-*G yet, but probably they won't be accepted )
Also, it's confirmed that the Arrival Lounge requirements would be same as the one in Atatürk, however, still no information about the operating hours.
Now it's confirmed that the Exclusive Lounge would only accept Business Class pax holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus status. ( No information for non-TK-*G yet, but probably they won't be accepted )
Also, it's confirmed that the Arrival Lounge requirements would be same as the one in Atatürk, however, still no information about the operating hours.
Last edited by SFOTraveler1984; Apr 17, 2019 at 5:45 pm
Apr 17, 2019, 10:07 pm
#113
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
Apr 19, 2019, 6:07 pm
#116
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Let’s see what happens.
Apr 19, 2019, 6:14 pm
#117
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
Apr 19, 2019, 8:27 pm
#118
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 85
here is the email from priority pass:
Unfortunately, we currently do not have any lounges located at New Istanbul Airport. We are looking for opportunities to expand our program in both new and existing location and this will be updated on our website and we will also send e-newsletter once we have lounges on board at this location.
Hope the above is in order.
Unfortunately, we currently do not have any lounges located at New Istanbul Airport. We are looking for opportunities to expand our program in both new and existing location and this will be updated on our website and we will also send e-newsletter once we have lounges on board at this location.
Hope the above is in order.
Apr 19, 2019, 9:27 pm
#119
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
here is the email from priority pass:
Unfortunately, we currently do not have any lounges located at New Istanbul Airport. We are looking for opportunities to expand our program in both new and existing location and this will be updated on our website and we will also send e-newsletter once we have lounges on board at this location.
Hope the above is in order.
Unfortunately, we currently do not have any lounges located at New Istanbul Airport. We are looking for opportunities to expand our program in both new and existing location and this will be updated on our website and we will also send e-newsletter once we have lounges on board at this location.
Hope the above is in order.
Apr 22, 2019, 5:57 am
#120
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 26
Currently in the miles and smiles lounge. Lounge feels much better then the old one because it is seperated in dedicated areas.
find atttached general overview of the lounge area.
all food options frpm before are there.
some really good improvements;
asian style meat vegetables (soja souce cooked)
italian noodle dishes
classic turkish oven dish
quite more selections on the sweet/cake, fresh lemonade.
salad bar has improved alot
find atttached general overview of the lounge area.
all food options frpm before are there.
some really good improvements;
asian style meat vegetables (soja souce cooked)
italian noodle dishes
classic turkish oven dish
quite more selections on the sweet/cake, fresh lemonade.
salad bar has improved alot
Last edited by freetgy; Apr 22, 2019 at 6:07 am