- Introduction: A Quick African Adventure
- Review: British Airways First Lounge New York JFK
- Review: British Airways Pre-Flight Dining New York JFK
- Review: British Airways Business Class A318 New York To London City
- Review: The London EDITION
- Review: British Airways First Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 3
- Review: British Airways First Class 747 London To Nairobi
- Review: Four Points By Sheraton Nairobi Airport
- Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: Kenya Airways Pride Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: Kenya Airways Simba Lounge Nairobi Airport
- Review: RwandAir Business Class CRJ-900 Nairobi To Kigali
- Review: Marriott Kigali
- Review: Pearl Lounge Kigali Airport
- Review: RwandAir Business Class A330 Kigali To Brussels
- Review: RwandAir A330 Business Class Brussels To London
- Review: Hilton London Gatwick
- Review: No1 Lounge London Gatwick South Terminal
- Review: Norwegian Premium 787-9 London To New York
My flight from Nairobi to Kigali was departing at 3:15PM, though I arrived at the airport at around noon so I’d have time to do some lounge hopping.
The first order of business was checking out the Turkish Airlines Lounge. This is the lounge British Airways business class passengers have access to, but it was so full when I visited in the middle of the night last time that I didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures. Fortunately it’s also a Priority Pass lounge, so I’d be able to visit it this time around thanks to several credit cards with lounge access.
Nairobi Airport has a confusing terminal structure, in my opinion.
Terminal 1 has sections 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, and they’re all sorta kinda connected airside, but not really. That confusing setup is presumably because in some areas security is at each individual gate, while in other areas there’s a single security checkpoint.
Nairobi Airport exterior
First I tried to enter through terminal 1A, though I was told I needed to enter through 1C instead if I was flying RwandAir. That’s a bit odd, since later on I was able to access 1A to use the Kenya Airways Lounge (entering 1A requires going through security, but I’m not sure why that would be an issue).
Nairobi Airport check-in hall
So I walked back across the outside roadway to Terminal 1C.
Nairobi Airport exterior
Since I had a mobile boarding pass I headed straight to immigration, where there was no wait. Security at many gates at Nairobi Airport is at each individual gate, so I didn’t have to go through security at this point.
Once past immigration I headed in the direction of the low gate numbers and Terminal 1D, where the Turkish Lounge is located.
Walking to Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi
The lounge is located in the part of the terminal that looks a bit like a warehouse (I assume this is due to the fire at the airport a few years ago). I’m not sure if that’s better or worse than the rest of the terminal, which is largely outdated.
Walking to Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi
The Turkish Lounge is located near gate 4A, and is open 24 hours a day. Despite the terminal looking like a warehouse, the Turkish Lounge has the same signature exterior as their other lounges.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi exterior
At reception I presented my boarding pass and Priority Pass card. As a reminder, here are some of the popular US credit cards that come with a Priority Pass membership:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Turkish has pretty consistent lounge decor at their outstation lounges (like their lounge in Washington Dulles), and this lounge was no exception. The lounge consists primarily of one room. I imagine for 21 hours per day the lounge is nice and quiet, while late at night it really fills up prior to all the redeyes to Europe.
While the lounge has one main room, there are arches that sort of separate the room into three different seating areas.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi seating
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi seating
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi seating
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi seating
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi seating
That entire main room has nice views of the apron, where several planes are parked at remote stands throughout the day.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi view
In addition to the main room there’s a quiet room that I think is intended as a relaxation space, though it has one bright window, which takes away from the vibe. One benefit of the room is that this room stays nice and cool (presumably both due to the darkness and the air conditioning unit in the corner), while the rest of the lounge tends to be quite warm.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi quiet room
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi quiet room
The lounge’s buffet is just inside the entrance and to the left.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi buffet
There was an extensive drink selection, including bottled sodas, water, and beer.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi drink selection
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi drink selection
There was also a large selection of self serve wine and liquor.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi liquor selection
My favorite drink feature was that the lounge has a barista service, so I loved being able to order a proper cappuccino. Yum!
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi cappuccino
While I didn’t eat anything, the food selection was extensive, with several types of salad, fresh fruit, finger sandwiches, cereal, popcorn, chips, egg rolls, and several other hot dishes.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi food
At the far right of the lounge are the bathrooms, which were in fairly good order, as well as a shower room. While these facilities are more than sufficient during the day, the lounge is so crowded at night that I imagine there must be a line for the bathrooms and showers.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi bathroom
Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi shower
Do note that this lounge is a 10-15 minute walk to the gates of many of the airlines that use the lounge, so be sure you leave plenty of time before your flight, especially since security is still at the individual gates.
I spent just about 20 minutes in the lounge before continuing my lounge hopping.
Turkish Lounge Nairobi bottom line
Given the condition that Nairobi Airport is otherwise in, I’d say the Turkish Lounge is excellent. It’s nicely furnished, has good views, and the food and drink selection is solid (in particular the made to order cappuccinos).
The only thing I’d note is that it gets really full at night, so don’t expect the lounge to be as calm at that time. You’ll be lucky to even find a seat.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).
I spent a morning there alone - no other passengers. Location: Terminal 1E. Shifted my seat several times so that the cleaner could mop the floors. Priority Pass welcomed at reception, barista made me a cappuccino (rang a bell for me to fetch once ready). A gentleman told me to leave or re-enter exactly 3 hrs after entry, so start the timer. A minimal breakfast buffet was offered, cleared at exactly 10:30. Fridge full of...
I spent a morning there alone - no other passengers. Location: Terminal 1E. Shifted my seat several times so that the cleaner could mop the floors. Priority Pass welcomed at reception, barista made me a cappuccino (rang a bell for me to fetch once ready). A gentleman told me to leave or re-enter exactly 3 hrs after entry, so start the timer. A minimal breakfast buffet was offered, cleared at exactly 10:30. Fridge full of drinks and lots of spirits. WiFi was decent, bathrooms ok. The quiet room was being used as a lounge by the staff so couldn’t sleep there as hoped. I’d been advised that this would be way better than the Aspire Lounge, and yes, it is a long walk.
Im not sure what has changed if anything since the last review.
The lounge is indeed a hike and a half away from the gates.
It is small and dated.
It was stifling at the time I visited, the only cooling seemed to come from the stand alone air conditioning units in the corners of the room.
The food was okay, but nothing special.
There was a decent bar, but no sparkling wines/champagne.
The staff were friendly and accomodating.
I heard they have moved to a temporary space and the lounge has seriously deteriorated. Has anyone visited the lounge in 2022?
I’m at the lounge today and FYI, it’s been temporarily relocated to a much smaller space in T1A due to construction in the T1B/C
It’s maybe a quarter of the former size
I've spent the night in this lounge in that smaller room with the AC unit. Didn't cost too much to overnight in there, would definitely recommend! The lounge surprisingly wasn't that crowded when I got there.
I was in Kenya when the Queen Mother died. Made me miss the Empire.
I watched the Royal Wedding here in May! Fond memories...
@Lucky Terminal 1A was added as the new terminal for KQ international flights and Skyteam and they decided to go with a single security screening which is why when going from 1B/1C you need to clear security to enter so there are 2 screening points to get into 1A and thus 1B/1C being the original gates still have individual gate security
The area with the TK lounge is an addition built over 1D thus it's...
@Lucky Terminal 1A was added as the new terminal for KQ international flights and Skyteam and they decided to go with a single security screening which is why when going from 1B/1C you need to clear security to enter so there are 2 screening points to get into 1A and thus 1B/1C being the original gates still have individual gate security
The area with the TK lounge is an addition built over 1D thus it's out of place appearance. I do wish they had done a less warehouse finish with it and integrated it better into the original structure. The TK is the best non KQ lounge at JKIA. The Aspire lounge is nice but far too tiny for the amount of passengers that used it prior to the TK lounge opening so it was quite a welcome addition.
My wife and I basically traveled the same journey as you through the airport to find this lounge. We also agreed it's one of the best lounges we've ever had access to. Great article!
@Karl, that's not saying much!!!
Looks better than BA lounges m. The bathrooms look better than BA first class bathrooms at Heathrow!
Lucky, did you go on safari in kenya?
Looks like a great lounge! TK definitely is a good way to fly from Europe/US to Africa.
Terminal 1A is entirely new - Kenya Airways KLM & SkyTeam and quite modern
Seams you have not heard about the big fire at NBO few years ago. Thats why the airport looks like a wearhouse