What the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge in Istanbul Is Really Like

Inaugurated in 2018, iGA Istanbul Airport has quickly become one of the world’s busiest, recording more than 76 million passenger arrivals in 2023.

Thanks to its strategic position on the edge of Europe and Asia, the airport has become a hub for transit passengers, many of whom have time to kill. As such, the selection of shops and restaurants on offer in IST is seriously good: there are full-sized designer boutiques for all the big hitters like Dior, Celine, and Louis Vuitton, as well as a pop-up brand market with more niche selections—all housed in a shiny central atrium.

But one of the airport’s most impressive features is the 60,000-square-foot Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge, often listed among the best airport lounges in the world. We paid a visit during a recent stopover on the way back from Bodrum to Dubai—here’s what it's like inside.

The space

Taking over the mezzanine floor overlooking the busy central atrium of the terminal below, the chic space flows freely between live food stations and counters, with plenty of table and lounge seating dotted throughout, and quiet cosy corners for settling down away from the bustle of the terminal below. A self-playing piano greets guests on arrival, and just beyond, a slick storage room with clear lockers allows passengers to store (and locate) their luggage easily. With space to accommodate up to 1,000 passengers, the lounge is massive and never feels cramped, even at full capacity—it’s unlikely you’ll ever be hard-pressed to find a seat here.

The space is sleek, with the futuristic curves of the airport’s facade blending with touches of traditional Turkish design found throughout, intended to showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage—something Turkish Airlines likes to incorporate into every stage of passengers’ journeys.

The food

The lounge is designed around a series of live cooking stations decorated in traditional stone, each serving a traditional Turkish dish. It’s a lovely touch that adds a sense of place, and you can watch the chefs at work as they freshly prepare dishes such as filled pides, shakshuka, and Turkish ravioli. There are monthly revolving Turkish specials to try—during my visit, Gozleme, a traditional yoghurt-based drink, was served from a wooden barrel. A well-stocked salad bar has cold mezze on offer and Turkish sweets can be found scattered throughout.

There’s also a coffee bar where baristas will make your drink fresh to order—a vast improvement to the instant machines found in many airport lounges. And wine carts are dotted throughout the lounge, where guests can pour themselves a glass from an impressive selection of options.

There’s also a relaxing dimly-lit Tea Garden area, where images of tea plantations line the walls and guests can choose from a selection of blends, before winding down with a cosy cuppa.

The facilities

Whether you are traveling for business, pleasure, or with family, you will be well served here. There are a number of private meeting rooms that can be booked, as well as circular seat pods with desk space and charging ports, if you need to work in privacy.

For families, there is an extensive children’s play area with climbing frames and soft play, as well as a cloud-themed relaxation room with beanbags, books, and TVs. Meanwhile, older children (and grown-ups) can make use of the golf simulator.

During my visit, the space usually set up as an art gallery had been transformed into a Euro 2024 exhibition, with signed shirts from some of Europe’s best clubs and players, as well as video projections showing previous competitions and stats.

Those traveling on a Turkish Airlines business class ticket with long stopovers are able to book one of the private suites, which come with a desk, alarm clock, and twin bed. Those who aren’t eligible can make use of curtained-off cubicles set up with cosy day beds if you need to lie down before the next leg of your journey.

The service

Staff were friendly and helpful throughout, without being intrusive—which is vital when you are settling in somewhere for a few quiet hours before a long flight. Every time I asked for help, to find the bathrooms or the wine, I was personally escorted.

The verdict

This sprawling lounge offers comfortable respite in one of the world’s busiest airports, and its attention to detail and traditional touches help set it far above the usual airport lounge experience.

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.