Review: Istanbul Turkish Airlines Business Lounge

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
Note
8/10
salon turkish featured
Lounge Business Lounge
Airport Istanbul Airport
Lounge Access Method Classe Affaires
Terminal International
Country Turkey
City Istanbul
To the point Here is our review on the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at Istanbul's new airport.

Foreword

Our visit to this lounge was rather hectic!

Indeed, when we arrived at the“Business”lounge, only 1 out of 12 showers was in operation! This involved several hours of waiting before we could get a place (and after a day of walking in Istanbul and before an 11am night flight we were really waiting for this shower!)

After discussions with the lounge supervisor, we were redirected to the“Miles and Smiles”lounge which is actually a perfect copy of the “Business” lounge:

  • same capacity (765 people in seating…)
  • same area of 5,600 m2 (60,000 p2)
  • same number of suites and showers
  • same play area for children

The only difference is the presence of a 130 m2 museum in the Business Lounge.

So we spent 2 hours in one and then 2 hours in the other before our flight to Kuala Lumpur!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Useful information about the lounge

Location

The Turkish Airlines Business Lounge is located after security near the E gates of Istanbul Airport (BCN). The Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles Lounge is close to doors C.

deux salons turkish istanbul
The two Turkish Airlines lounges

Il faut compter 7 minutes de marche entre ces deux salons, ce qui vous donne une idée du gigantisme de cet aéroport.

Les deux salons sont situés en mezzanine.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 11
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

The airport was opened in 2019: everything smells like new!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Opening hours and access

Le salon Turkish Airlines Business Lounge est ouvert 24h/24. Pour y accéder, il est nécessaire:

  • de voyager en classe affaires sur Turkish Airlines
  • ou une compagnie aérienne membre de Star Alliance sur un vol international

Si vous êtes membre Star Alliance Gold, vous pourrez accéder au salon Miles & Smiles (vous ne perdrez pas au change: les deux salons sont identiques).

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

To enter the lounge, simply scan your boarding pass.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

In front of the entrance gates, a gigantic screen that displays videos of destinations served by Turkish Airlines. To welcome me, what better than a panorama of Nice in France, my birthplace, and Paris!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

And right in, you can drop off your carry-on baggage in a secure storage space if you wish.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Amenities available

A list of the main amenities offered in this lounge is provided below:

Espace enfants

Douche

Wi-Fi

Alcool

Buffet

Rafraîchissements

The different spaces for relaxation and work

Avec près de 800 places assises réparties sur 60,000 pieds carrés, le salon Turkish Airlines Business Lounge est l’un des plus grands au monde.

Il y a donc différents espaces pour se détendre entre 2 vols.

Que ce soit un cinéma:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A “news room”:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A library with dimmed lights:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Multiple chairs:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Spaces to work in:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A museum:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

An electric car circuit:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A Golf simulator:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A grand piano (automatic):

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

With the kids?

It is of course possible to access the living room with children, especially since it has a playground dedicated to them!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Au programme:

  • une réplique d’un cockpit d’avion
  • des jeux vidéos
  • des films sur différents écrans
  • des livres de coloriage
  • divers jeux et puzzles
  • de nombreuses tables et chaises à leur taille
  • une machine à pop-corn
  • et bien d’autres choses !
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 47
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

The meal

The Turkish Airlines lounge is above all: food in abundance!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

There is an impressive variety of buffets and most international cuisines are represented, with many stations!

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

For the most part, chefs are present and prepare food in front of you.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

And Turkish specialties are of course in the spotlight.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 78
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Here is a collection of the different foods:

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

And several sections reserved for desserts.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

And alcohol, you’ll might say? Several bars are self-service throughout the lounge!

Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 84
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 53
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Showers and restrooms

Comme expliqué en introduction, nous n’avons pas pu visiter les douches et salles de repos du salon Business. Par contre, celles du salon Miles & Smiles sont identiques.

Pour obtenir une douche et une salle de repos, il est nécessaire de signaler son intérêt au Concierge du salon: à certaines heures de la journée, l’attente peut être longue.

Turkish Airlines Business Lounge IST 24
Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

I was impressed by the quality of the facilities: the thickness of the carpet to the showers, the woodwork chosen, through the soundproofing of the different rooms.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

A flawless performance from Turkish Airlines.

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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul
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Turkish Airlines Business Lounge - Istanbul

Unfortunately, all the restrooms were occupied, so we could not visit them(unlike our last visit to the old Istanbul airport).

Conclusion

Ce salon est incontournable si vous transitez par l’aéroport d’Istanbul en classe affaires. Comptez y passer au moins 2 heures pour profiter des installations !

C’est une très bonne option pour souper sur place avant d’embarquer pour son vol (souvent en plein milieu de la nuit) et d’éviter de rester éveillé pour le souper à bord !

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Series
Mini-tour du monde - Les salons
Airport lounges
Region
Turkey, Istanbul
4.1 Milesopedia Rating

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