Everyone raves about the wonderful Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge in Istanbul, but that is not the only lounge in Istanbul worth visiting. For arriving international business class passengers on Turkish Airlines, an Arrivals Lounge offers a mini-version of the acclaimed lounge upstairs.
Located just outside baggage claim (take a left) on the arrivals level, the lounge is open from 5am to 1pm daily and offers the following amenities:
- A “wide range” of food and beverage
- Free Wi-Fi
- A “wide selection” of “leading” papers and magazines
- Showers
- Charging station for electronic devices
- Ironing service
Access is granted only to business class passengers or Miles&Smiles Elite Plus members arriving on a Turkish Airlines international flight. No Star Gold access.
Having just arrived from Dar Es Salaam in business class, we were granted access.
It was about 11:30a when we arrived and the lounge was virtually empty — there was only one other passenger who soon left.
Turkish Airlines Arrivals Lounge Layout
The lounge itself looks like the lounge upstairs with rounded doorways, bright colors, and an elaborate food station.
There is room for about 100 in the lounge, if every seat was occupied. There is no sleeping area, but there are a handful of deeply-reclining lounge chairs.
Across from the entrance is a computer area with two iMacs.
A library offers book and daily newspapers.
Showers and bathrooms are in the center of the lounge.
Turkish Airlines Arrivals Lounge Dining
Several hours had passed since we had eaten on our flight so we had a second breakfast. I had an omelet with plain yogurt.
I also had a try at making Turkish coffee myself, but it turned out far too muddy (for even Turkish coffee).
The buffet included a number of cold items and in addition to eggs made to order, waffles, pancakes, and paninis were also available.
Turkish Airlines Arrivals Lounge Showers
I counted six shower rooms, all beautifully-designed with showers and toilets. The showers in the arrivals lounge are nicer than the departures lounge upstairs.
CONCLUSION
This is a great lounge. If you are terminating your travel in Istanbul, make time to visit this lounge, especially if it means extra sleep on your Turkish flight into Istanbul.
As most of TK’S flights from North America/Canada arrive in the afternoon, e.g (ORD,ATL,IAH,IAD,YUL,YYZ,LAX,SFO and some JFK flights), I find it strange this arrival Lounge is CLOSED at 1pm!
I certainly agree.
How long we can stay in the lounge? Are there any limited time?
No limits.
For a long transit, can actually go through transit security to use the main lounge upstairs, and then come down to arrival area to pass customs to join the transit tour?
Correct.
I am flying from Bahrain to Ataturk. I have to wait my girlfriend who is coming from Italy for 5 hours at the airport and I would rather wait within the security area than the outside part of the airport. I will travel with Turkish airlines, yet I have an economy class seat. Would it be possible to grant access with payment? Or is any way by which I could be admitted in?
Hi Alessandro, unfortunately you cannot purchase access to the arrivals lounge, though you could still wait in that baggage claim area without exiting to the busy arrivals hall.
I am flying into Istanbul on Turkish AIrlines BUsiness class, but connecting to an Economy flight (only because Business was sold out). I have a 7 hour layover, so would like to use the lounge. Layover is from 5pm-midnight. Can i use the transit lounge, or does my connecting flight need to be in BUsiness class for access to that one?
The new airport is so much larger, yet there is NO arrival lounge. What were they thinking?