The IGA Lounge in Istanbul remains an excellent Priority Pass lounge, with a wide selection of food and drinks as well as plenty of space to spread out. IGA Lounge Istanbul Review My comprehensive review from 2019 (below) is...
Turkish Airlines Cancels Over 1,000 Flights After Blizzard Closes Istanbul Airport
A blizzard in Istanbul forced the closure of Istanbul Airport as crews worked around the clock to clear up accumulated snow. An airport roof also collapsed under the weight of the snowfall. Turkish Airlines was forced to cancel over...
How To Obtain A Visa On Arrival In Istanbul
Despite its new e-visa regime, it is still possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Istanbul. Where To Obtain A Visa On Arrival In Istanbul (IST) When Turkey transitioned to an e-visa system in 2013, numerous reports suggested...
My First Impressions Of New Istanbul Airport
It’s too early to say how well Istanbul’s new international airport will age, but as of now it looks great. Behemoth yet strangely tranquil, I found both the arrival and departure areas quite painless…albeit a tad annoying. Arrival I...
Review: Grand Hyatt Istanbul
I’ve stayed at the other Hyatt properties in Istanbul, so I decided to try out the Grand Hyatt during my last visit. It proved to be a great two-night stay. Istanbul is one of my favorite cities in the...
Great Coffee In Istanbul
I was in Istanbul recently and as I always do now, sought out great coffee. I found two great places that I want to share with you. #1: Espresso Lab Şahkulu Mahallesi İstiklal Caddesi Tünel 233 34421 Beyoğlu, İstanbul...
Is New Istanbul Airport Already In Danger Of Failing?
Will Istanbul’s beautiful new airport fail on account of clouds and fog? Some experts fear the answer is yes. Last week, flights to Istanbul from the following cities were diverted to Çorlu, an airport 60 miles west of the...
Trapped in Istanbul Airport!
I had a very pleasant flight to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, but I’m not pleased with them now… My flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul was delayed by over two hours (mechanical), causing me to miss my connection to...
Yerevan to Istanbul in Armavia Economy Class
Armavia was Armenia’s flag carrier, but entered bankruptcy on March 29, 2013 and suspended all operations on April 1, 2013. I got in just in time, for I doubt there would have been a refund if my flight had...
Istanbul to Baku in Azerbaijan Airlines Economy Class
I arrived into Istanbul with about seven hours between flights and was informed at the transit desk that it was too early to check in for my Azerbaijan Airlines flight to Baku. I headed upstairs to the lounge where...
Review: Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas
Much has changed since my last vacation to Istanbul. Five years earlier, I journeyed to the crossroads of east and west for the first time with my younger brother. We had a great time, though our accommodation—a small hostel...
Turkish Airlines: Not All Star Alliance Golds Are Created Equal
I really do love Turkish Airlines. Their catering is tops, longhaul aircraft new, and their world-class lounge in Istanbul is quite likely the best Star Alliance Gold Lounge on the Earth. Yet getting to that lounge at Istanbul’s Attaturk...
Standing Up to Cab Drivers in Istanbul
For the few readers who have wondered about my absence the last several days, I just returned from a wonderful trip to Istanbul. Istanbul is a fascinating city–where east meets west like no other place in the world. This...
Photo Tour: Turkish Airlines Star Gold/Business Class Lounge in Istanbul
I’ll cut to the chase: the newly-renovated Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul is amazing and easily the best business class and best Star Alliance Gold lounge I have ever been in. The last two months I have connected in...
Trading a Free Hotel Room for Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul Lounge
While not a widely published benefit, Turkish Airlines offers extended transit passengers in Istanbul the choice of a free hotel room or free tour of Istanbul during their wait. In order to take advantage of this, you must be...
