Turkish Airlines has just opened its newest lounge, which is also the carrier’s largest lounge outside of Istanbul…
Basics of Turkish Airlines’ new Tokyo Narita lounge
Today, Turkish Airlines has opened a lounge at Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT). The lounge is located in the South Wing of Terminal 1, Satellite 4, near gate 47.
The lounge is opening in two phases. With the first phase (which has opened today), the lounge is 800 square meters (8,600 square feet), and can accommodate 105 guests. Then when the remainder of the lounge opens, it’ll be a total of 1,500 square meters (16,000 square feet).
The lounge is open daily from 7:30AM until 9:45PM, and follows standard Star Alliance lounge access policies. That means it’s open to all Star Alliance first and business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members. Turkish Airlines currently operates once daily flights from Narita Airport, which depart mid-morning.
This lounge occupies the space of the former All Nippon Airways Suites Lounge, which was vacated a while back.
Here’s how Turkish Airlines describes the design and features of this lounge:
Designed with a focus on luxury and comfort, Turkish Airlines Lounge in Narita presents an array of amenities to elevate the passenger experience. Guests can enjoy a buffet-style selection of Turkish, Japanese, and Far Eastern cuisines, with highlights including being the only lounge outside Istanbul with a Turkish pide oven to offer freshly baked pide during lunch and dinner. Additional features include relaxation areas, daybeds with apron views, and a VIP room for enhanced privacy. Practical facilities such as shower rooms, accessible restrooms and a baby care room ensure all passenger needs are met.
Connectivity is prioritized with complimentary Wi-Fi, flight information screens, and a dedicated workspace. Reflecting Turkish Airlines’ commitment to artistry and culture, the lounge’s design incorporates traditional Turkish marbling art and nods to iconic destinations, such as the local favourite Mount Fuji at the entrance.
How this fits into Turkish Airlines’ lounge network
This latest opening at Tokyo Narita represents Turkish Airlines’ seventh foreign lounge, with other locations in Bangkok (BKK), Miami (MIA), Moscow (VKO), Nairobi (NBO), New York (JFK), and Washington (IAD).
Some people may be curious about Turkish Airlines’ lounge strategy, since the locations seem a bit random. For example, Turkish Airlines has two lounges in Miami, with one being in a terminal that Turkish Airlines doesn’t even operate from.
It seems like Turkish Airlines’ outstation lounge strategy is to open lounges in markets where operating lounges is independently profitable. As it stands, most of Turkish Airlines’ foreign lounges participate in Priority Pass.
So they’re typically not very high quality lounges and are often very crowded, but at least they give travelers a space where they can use their membership.
As of now, there’s no indication as to whether this lounge will participate in Priority Pass (I’ve asked, but haven’t received a response yet). I have to imagine that it will participate, and that this is one of the primary motivations for the lounge opening. Otherwise it would be mighty strange to open a lounge at Narita Airport with just one daily flight, and a partner airline having a hub there.
If this lounge does in fact participate in Priority Pass, that would be great news for travelers, given the lack of options at the airport.
Bottom line
Turkish Airlines has just opened a lounge at Tokyo Narita Airport. The lounge is opening in two phases, and once the whole thing is ready, it’ll be the carrier’s largest lounge outside of Istanbul. This occupies the space of the former All Nippon Airways Suites Lounge.
For now, the airline has just stated that the lounge will be open to Star Alliance passengers. However, I have to imagine that it will also be accessible by Priority Pass members. I’ll report back when I know for sure.
What do you make of Turkish Airlines opening a lounge at Narita Airport?
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