Covid test while connecting domestic to international in IST
Dec 1, 2021, 11:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Go west young man!
Posts: 549
Covid test while connecting domestic to international in IST
I'm planning to fly DNZ - IST - USA in TK Business, with an 8h 20m connection in IST. I would like to get a Covid antigen test done at IST airport for my entry to the US.
1. Would I be allowed to board my flight in DNZ for IST without the Covid test required by the US? Will I be checked in all the way through to the US? At what point does TK check my Covid test results?
2. Is there a Covid testing facility at IST airside? If so, is it in the domestic or international area? Would I be able to wait for the results in the TK lounge?
3. I assume the sleeping rooms in the TK lounge are first come, first served. Is there typically a wait for them?
1. Would I be allowed to board my flight in DNZ for IST without the Covid test required by the US? Will I be checked in all the way through to the US? At what point does TK check my Covid test results?
2. Is there a Covid testing facility at IST airside? If so, is it in the domestic or international area? Would I be able to wait for the results in the TK lounge?
3. I assume the sleeping rooms in the TK lounge are first come, first served. Is there typically a wait for them?
Dec 2, 2021, 2:04 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Unless things have changed recently you would only be able to check in as far as IST and that includes collecting your luggage at IST as that will not get checked through. I don't think there is any testing airside.
Dec 2, 2021, 9:21 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Some time back I was permitted to travel to my stopover at IST where I took a test to get into my final destination. I could not check my luggage beyond IST though.
Dec 2, 2021, 10:56 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Go west young man!
Posts: 549
Thank you for the advice. I think I will switch to an earlier flight from DNZ to IST and overnight at a hotel in IST. Then there should be no problem checking in for DNZ - IST? (The issue is I haven't found tourist-friendly test sites in Denizli.)
Jan 31, 2022, 10:10 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Go west young man!
Posts: 549
I've booked a hotel for the overnight in IST and plan to get the test upon arrival in IST. Did the check in agent give you a hard time or just automatically check you in to IST? I'm a little nervous about not being able to board.
Jan 31, 2022, 10:39 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
It is a while ago, but there was no problem checking in as far as IST.
Jan 31, 2022, 5:23 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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
TK would allow someone to travel to IST if the passenger is planning to take at IST. I haven't seen or heard negative experiences regarding this with TK but I've seen or heard multiple positive experiences which includes some of them in FlyerTalk.
So for the OP's questions:
1- You would be allowed to board your DNZ-IST flight although your bags would be short checked to IST and you wouldn't be given your IST-USA boarding pass at Denizli.
2- There is a testing facility airside but that's for passengers whose COVID tests have been expired during transfer or for those who test for purposes which are not a requirement such as some countries allowing to skip quarantine when you have a negative test but indeed that country does not mandate COVID-19 tests from everyone. So, you wouldn't be able to use that facility as US requires COVID tests from all international arrivals via air, thus you would be directed to the landside COVID-19 testing area and you would be waiting landside until you check-in for your flight to the USA.
3- It's first come first served. I can't answer anything regarding wait times but I could tell that domestic -> international transfers would not qualify for the sleeping rooms.
So for the OP's questions:
1- You would be allowed to board your DNZ-IST flight although your bags would be short checked to IST and you wouldn't be given your IST-USA boarding pass at Denizli.
2- There is a testing facility airside but that's for passengers whose COVID tests have been expired during transfer or for those who test for purposes which are not a requirement such as some countries allowing to skip quarantine when you have a negative test but indeed that country does not mandate COVID-19 tests from everyone. So, you wouldn't be able to use that facility as US requires COVID tests from all international arrivals via air, thus you would be directed to the landside COVID-19 testing area and you would be waiting landside until you check-in for your flight to the USA.
3- It's first come first served. I can't answer anything regarding wait times but I could tell that domestic -> international transfers would not qualify for the sleeping rooms.