• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home  >  Turkish Airlines  >  Turkish Airlines Elitism at IST
Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Elitism at IST

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 14, 2017January 14, 2017 2 Comments

Flying Turkish Airlines business class out of Istanbul has many advantages, but one benefit stands out even more so than the acclaimed lounge.

Airlines understandably treat their own passengers and elite members better than others. That goes without saying. Some airlines take this to the extreme, though. Lufthansa and Singapore only allow first class passengers on their own flights into their first class lounges. This, they assert, is to protect the integrity of their product. Incredibly, SWISS won’t let you into its first class lounge even if you are flying SWISS unless you bought the ticket directly from them!

In Istanbul, Turkish Airlines takes it own stab at “elitism” via an exclusive passport control and security check area. Hidden on the far side of the terminal, the special entrance might easily be confused for an employee or crew entrance.

Turkish Airlines Private Security

But a prominent sign states the entrance requirements–

Entrance is only for Turkish Airlines Business Class and Elite Plus (top-tier) members. Star Alliance Gold? Take a hike. Flying on a Star Alliance partner like Lufthansa or Singapore in business class? This line is not for you.

Turkish Airlines Private Security

Turkish Airlines Private Security

turkish-airlines-istanbul-lounge-63

This is such a convenient way to clear security and passport control. I’ve never seen a line here and you can literally walk from the check-in desk to the lounge in under two minutes.

Your boarding pass is carefully verified as you enter, you pass through security, then hand your boarding pass and passport to a dedicated immigration agent. Once stamped out, you walk out directly into the lounge:

turkish-airlines-istanbul-lounge-31

Practically, that cuts your “commute” time by at least 80% from check-in to the lounge.

Were we flying on Lufthansa back to Germany, we would have proceeded to the normal security and immigration queue. Centrally located in the terminal, wait times often exceed 30 minutes to get through and from there it is a five minute walk to the lounge.

CONCLUSION

Turkish treats its own well, especially in Istanbul. If you’re ever deciding between options out of Istanbul, keep in mind this added benefit of flying Turkish in business class.

Previous Article Review: Hyatt Regency Istanbul Ataköy
Next Article Review: Istanbul to Hamburg in Turkish Airlines A320 Business Class

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts After Passenger Commits Suicide Onboard

    July 28, 2023
  • Deplorable Turkish Airlines Economy Class

    A Deplorable Turkish Airlines Economy Class Review…

    July 10, 2023
  • Turkish Airlines Lounge Nairobi Review

    Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge – Nairobi (NBO)

    May 13, 2023

2 Comments

  1. ken Reply
    January 14, 2017 at 11:17 am

    so this is inside the airport? Meaning you still have to go to the main entrance to the airport and pass the security with everybody else in the first round to reach the check-in desks? Or is there a difference entrance for elites to enter the airport and pass the first security faster and enter directly to a special check-in area for elites and business class pax?

    • Matthew Reply
      January 14, 2017 at 11:55 am

      Correct, this is inside the check-in area. With increased security, there is indeed a security check entering, though that took just a few seconds. I didn’t even think about it.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for September

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Flight Attendant Pet Peeves
    Three Things I Want From Flight Attendants September 23, 2023
  • American Airlines Overhead Bin
    American Airlines Economy Class Passenger Kicked Off After Using First Class Overhead Bin September 23, 2023
  • Lufthansa A321-200 Economy Class Review
    Review: Lufthansa A321-200 Economy Class September 23, 2023
  • Delta A350-900 LAX
    Delta Adds More Transpacific Service From LAX September 22, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Dine And Dash Shame
    Genius: Florida Restaurant Owner Shames “Dine And Dash” Customers September 6, 2023
  • British Airways Galleries Lounge South London LHR Review
    Review: British Airways Galleries Lounge South – London (LHR – T5) September 2, 2023
  • Pervert American Airlines Flight Attendant
    Update: Teenage Girl Found Hidden Camera On American Airlines Aircraft Toilet (Photo) September 18, 2023
  • Rumor: United Airlines Will Debut New 787 Polaris Business Class Seat This Month September 7, 2023

Archives

September 2023
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  
« Aug    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss

Privacy Policy

© Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.