We had a very long layover in Istanbul — we landed from the Seychelles before 4AM, and departed for Los Angeles at 1PM, as flights to both cities are only offered at most once per day. Personally I didn’t mind having such a long layover since it would allow me to get work done between…
Continue reading: Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul Airport
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Priority Pass shows several lounges in IST. Would any of the others be preferable?
@Kirk - I did a bit of a lounge hop of all the PP lounges at IST a couple of months ago, and all I can say is that all of these lounges are as crowded as the TK lounge, and all of them has very bad food offerings. If you have access to the TK lounge, then you should use the TK one by all means (unless you are like me who gets too bored during long layovers...).
Since you had such a long layover I believe you may have qualified for the private room at the lounge.
One thing to consider: the lounge is LOUD. The floors are very creaky and you hear a lot of echoing noise from within the lounge and the airport due to the high ceilings and hard surfaces. Rolling suitcases make a ton of noise as well. If you intend to be awake and working, it’s not so bad. But if you’re trying to nap, forget it.
A couple of points about your review: outlets actually are often below the seats on a stalk next to the chair legs. And the racetrack thing is slot-car racing. Lots of fun!
I like this lounge a lot, but am excited to see what they come up with for the new airport.
What time does this lounge open? Star alliance lounger finder says 5am. Is this really true? Will arrive at 1am and next flight will depart at 6am.
@ Mirco -- It was definitely open when we arrived, so that's not accurate. As far as I know the lounge is open 24/7, but I could be mistaken.
@ airjus -- I'm sure there are some other great ones I'm forgetting, but I'd say the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Heathrow and Air Canada's Signature Suite Toronto are two of the best.
@Lucky Thanks for the prompt reply. Glad to hear. Would be awful to spend 5 hours during the night only at the gate area.
Having spent the 'night' there July 15th, 2016 this gives me some scary flashbacks... Would fly TK J again for the right price but can't imagine going back to the (previously fantastic) lounge
The parking lot view can be quite interesting as it’s adjacent to the airport’s VIP entrance. I’ve seen the Pres and various celebs enter/exit through there.
If you had a 9 hour layover and were traveling in Business Class, you would have been entitled to a complimentary hotel room (or city tour if you preferred) instead of being stuck airside in the lounge for the whole morning. Business Class usually gets assigned to the Radisson Blu or Marriott.
@lucky @ airjus My vote for best business class lounge is The Wing (Cathay Pacific) in HKG
"While I do think the lounge is solid"....how can you use "solid" when you are used to poor lounges in the US and if things work out well, you end up in bad Korean lounge at TBIT...Anyway I agree the wifi gets poor and I miss some sleepers there too although it is not probably much worth it due to instantly overcrowded times over there.
It must be the last year this lounges is open. Will there be a new big TK-lounge at the new airport?
Same issue here with the TK lounge at IST -- the internet is basically useless once it starts to get busy. I now avoid IST if I have to do a layover, since I know I won't be able to get any work done.
Lucky,
Since your flight was US bound and had a second security screening at the gate, were they confiscating/ limiting liquids, like water bottles? Cheers
Very bad food offering at midnight, they where closing all, nothing fresh anymore.
Not a good experience for me.
Looks like The Atomium meets The James Bond Villain's lair meets the Teletubbies. Not unattractive, however.
You were lucky to get quickly through security in Istanbul. I transit through there a few times a year and it is normally very overcrowded, chaotic and resulted in almost missing onward flights a few times. The remote stands are exactly that, with it often taking 45 from touchdown to getting off the the bus, then a long walk to the transfer area. If it wasn't for Turkish Airlines very competitive fares from the Middle East transiting through Istanbul to Europe, I would definitely avoid this airport. I haven't been to the Turkish Air lounge, but have been to a few of the others, which are at best mediocre with disinterested and sometimes downright unhelpful staff, which is a similar experience with much of the other staff in Istanbul airport. I hope they do some basic customer service training along with the move to the new airport.
@Fin - The transit security lines are long but there is a special line for Business Class / Elite Plus which moves relatively quickly and bypasses the majority of the crowds. And at departures, you don't need to go through the regular security line as there is a direct lounge entrance with its dedicated security/immigration checkpoint.
Does anyone happen to know when this lounge opened? I flew TK in 2010 and don’t remember the lounge being this big, but looking at Lucky’s description I’m wondering if I just didn’t go far enough into the lounge to explore.
Quite a few people miss the lower level, believe it or not, so that may be why it feels smaller than it is to some people. Not sure if that applies to your case, but I know it has happened to others.
FWIW, I actually prefer the lower level, as it is sometimes less crowded.
My advice to anyone wanting to take a shower in the lounge, make an appointment first thing as soon as you get to the lounge. More often than not, you can eat while you wait your turn.
@Aaron
Agree, definitely less crowded downstairs. Maybe people don't notice that it is on 2 levels and consequently stay upstairs.
It does get too crowded and that's something that will need to be addressed in the new location.
when do u think they will transition from this lounge to the new one this year?
I think the circular items are their take on pendentives, which are how you put a dome over a square area. They are not recessive in the lounge, but you can see a really good picture of one in the Hagia Sophia on Wikipedia.
I have a trip coming up from the U.S. to Cape Town, South Africa. Will have 8 hours layover in IST. so I really want to know what's my options. I have business class for this trip.
U.S. to IST Turkish Airlines.
IST to Cape Town Ethiopian Airlines.
Since my departure boarding pass in Istanbul will be Ethiopian Airline, I am not sure if I will get to use this lounge. Both airlines are Star Alliance partners, will I be able to get access to the lounge? Over night hotel? I am NOT a Star Alliance GOLD member.
Thank you