The Best Airport Lounge I’ve Ever Had the Pleasure of…Lounging At

This Big Body lives a relatively unglamorous lifestyle. As I currently pen this article, I’m wearing a faded t-shirt that I ordered on Amazon for $8, athletic shorts with several BBQ sauce stains, and a pair of tan boat shoes that have holes at the bottom, letting water seep through any time it rains. 

It’s a life devoid of fancy watches and chains, Hi-So club memberships and debutante balls, and Beluga caviar and bottles of Dom. I also don’t even have curtains for my apartment, and I’ve been living there for over a year now. But it’s my life and I quite enjoy it.

But now and then, I get a thirst for how those on the other side live. I think it’s to make up for the fact that I never had a quinceañera. And because of my frugality at most points of the year, I’m able to occasionally splurge. Most recently, I kicked off my three-month stint in Europe with a flight from Hong Kong to Amsterdam via Turkish Airlines, with a six-hour-plus layover at the Istanbul Airport. Oh, and I did the same thing again for my return flight back to Hong Kong.  

Normally, I’d spend this time sitting at my gate, staring at the board, slugging a handful of Coke Zeroes, going to the bathroom every 15 minutes because of the aforementioned Coke Zero slugging, contemplating paying for WiFi, talking myself out of paying for WiFi, and wishing I brought I book. Rinse and repeat. 

But that wasn’t the case this time as I posted up in the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge for the bulk of my layover, consuming more baba ganoush and nutty rectangles of baklava than any man should in a single sitting, mixing in several power naps to rest this weary traveling soul of mine, and tossing back countless double espressos in an attempt to counter the jetlag (which I’m pretty sure was ill-advised). 

Note: If you are a tenant of the building across from me and have to see me looking like a naked Bigfoot every night, arms swinging in that distinct cryptozoological walk as I walk to the fridge for a late-night swig of water, then please feel free to shame me in the comments. 

This post is not meant to be braggadocious or self-aggrandizing, it’s simply written to provide a little nugget of information that could (possibly) make your next layover in Istanbul a memorable and less painful one. Funnily enough, this trip was booked several months prior, in a state of pure ignorance (and bliss) of what was about to come – a financial reckoning due to losing my biggest client the month before departure to the Old Continent. 

Here are 5 reasons why the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge is hands down the best airport lounge I’ve ever had the pleasure of…lounging at. 

How to Access the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge 

Completed in 2015 and now, one of the biggest (and busiest) airports in the world, you know the Turks are going to do it right when it comes to decking out such a mammoth and formidable structure. 

The result, what I can only imagine is The Points Guy’s wet dream – a cohesive, modern structure drawing on cultural influences of the former Constantinople, vaulted ceilings with sleek white decor and skylights, calming views of the Black Sea, and roughly 30 strip malls and designer kiosks packed into each terminal. It reminds me of a bigger, more theatrical ‘Bird’s Nest’, the national sports stadium in Beijing designed by Ai Wei Wei and a handful of other architects and design groups that I know nothing about. 

If this were our (mankind’s) first attempt at a habitable space station, I’d be on board. Also, if I ever need to kill time and pick up a $100,000 watch or Hermès bag, while reeking of plane food and other plane stank, then you know where I’ll be shopping. Hayyyyy!

True to its name, the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge is for those on an international flight, located on the international departures floor at the entrance of Pier D and gate E1 (roughly). I’d tell you it was not too far from a Starbucks if that didn’t apply to almost every single lounge, shop, and concourse in the Istanbul Airport. 

There are plenty of well-marked signs pointing you in the direction of the lounge once you make it to the main hall of international departures. So, instead of me trying to trace my exact steps, just know that it ain’t that hard to find.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see a small black podium next to a set of elevators that reads ‘Turkish Airlines’. It’s a ‘Stairway to Baba Ganoush’. After taking the escalator up and scanning your boarding pass and/or purchased ticket, you’ll be gently cooed in by a ghost piano that sits front in center of the departures board. The fun begins now.

Pale Ale Travel Note: I declared in an article detailing my eating excursions at The China Club in Hong Kong with my father that I would never write about a place, thing, or experience that is completely off-limits to readers. I still stand by that statement. My goal is to help you access these experiences that, at first glance, seem inaccessible but aren’t.  

I understand that I’ve only covered how to geographically access the Business Lounge so let’s take a look at who is allowed to post up at said place. 

The default way to gain entry into Istanbul Airport’s International Business Business Lounge is by…booking a Turkish Airlines business class ticket. 

However, there are still a few workarounds to get in. Everyone deserves unlimited hummus and pide (aka ‘Turkish pizza’). Everyone. 

Passengers who have booked a first class OR business class ticket on any Star Alliance member airlines, such as Lufthansa, Eva Air (a top three airline for me), Air Canada, United Airlines, and roughly 20 others (you can find the complete list here) also have access to the lounge. 

But what if you don’t have a business class ticket? That’s completely alright. 

I reached out to Turkish Airlines support to confirm and was told “It is for business passengers only, but economy passengers can still enter, if there is availability, with a fee. The availability and the entrance fee can only be checked at the lounge entrance.” 

From my research, the fee seems to clock in at roughly USD 110 (or roughly 3,700 Turkish lira). Don’t take my word on this as it may vary depending on capacity. Supply and demand, yo.  

I firmly believe that if you have a layover exceeding four hours, this is well worth the price. The beauty is that the lounge is open 24/7. Don’t quote me on this but some say you can only enter if your layover is four or more hours and your next leg of the flight is 8 or more hours. 

I imagine after reading that price, you’re doing exactly what I do – and that’s using ‘food math’ to determine how much food you could physically eat in the span of four hours that would make it worth the price tag. 

Baba Ganoush, Pide, & Kebabs, Oh My! A Food Spread Like No Other

If you love Turkish food. Scratch that. If you love food, this lounge is for you. 

From the second you enter, you find yourself in the thick of a Turkish buffet wonderland. I’m not talking about those all-you-can-eat buffets where people roll in on those electric scooters and get taken out via crane, I’m talking about a buffet that is well-rounded, classy, and authentic to the country which it purports to serve said cuisine.

From freshly made, fluffy gözleme (Turkish flatbread) and pizza-adjacent pide (aka ‘Turkish pizza’) to mouth-watering lamb and chicken kebabs grilled in front of you, fresh salads, dips, and cheeses, there isn’t much the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge doesn’t do when it comes to Turkish cuisine. 

The live cooking stations add a touch of theater, which as someone who grew up loving going to Medieval Times, the popular dinner theater with staged medieval jousting, sword-fighting, and games, I am a big proponent of. While there are no duels to the death here and chainmail armor, there are chefs in signature white coats and hats gracefully flipping sizzling hunks of meat, ladling soups, and cooking delicate flat pastries over a griddle. 

Beyond every Turkish classic under the sun, i.e. the baba ganoush that I ate like it was going extinct, there’s an eclectic mix of international fare spread. 

It’s one that I would say skews more heavily Asian. But then again, Turkey is where Europe meets Asia so I completely understand why. 

As someone who had dearly missed eating Asian food during his time in Europe, my leg back saw me crush several bowls of Asian-style noodles. While not the real thing, they did it justice and had me mentally and gustatorily ready to return to my home (Hong Kong). 

The beauty of both Turkish and Asian cuisine is that they cater to nearly every dietary preference out there, so if you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or ravenous meat eater like me, you won’t go hungry. 

One complaint I’ve read is that the food never changes at the lounge. But why would you mess with perfection? Yes, it leans far heavier towards Turkish cuisine but you’re in Istanbul after all. I’d be very skeptical of things if they specialized in sushi and Venezuelan arepas. 

Finally, it isn’t just the food spread that the lounge brings the gustatorial ruckus with, you’ll find a handful of massive ‘al-fresco’ fridges scattered around with cans upon cans of Turkish mango juice (I can’t get enough of this stuff), sodas, water, and even beers. 

Right next to the buffet, you’ll also encounter massive booze carts packed to the brim with wines, prosecco, and hard liqueurs (ex. Gin, vodka, and tequila). 

If you’re an airport boozer, you could have a lot of fun here. 

Unfortunately, I stick to tossing them back outside of airports ever since a fateful trip I took to Munich, which after drinking roughly 12 Erdinger bottles on the plane, I slept for the next 3 days and missed Oktoberfest. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’ve checked out my posts on my first month’s earnings and second months’ earnings from using the ‘premium ad network’ Mediavine Journey to monetize Pale Ale Travel, then you know the combined $70 that I’ve earned so far doesn’t have me living the life of Riley any time in the near future. 

Comfortable Couches, Chairs, & Dedicated Relaxation Rooms to Catch Some Shut-Eye

Long flights and layovers can take both a physical and mental toll even on the most seasoned of travelers. Frankly, it may seem like I travel a lot but I don’t. It’s just that when I do go on a trip, I usually post up wherever it is for several months. So, whenever I’m faced with a flight over four hours, I’m in complete and utter shambles (both mentally and physically, of course).

My most recent trip to Europe and back via Turkish Airlines wasn’t as brutal as usual thanks to the carved-out couches, chairs, and dedicated relaxation areas that can be found over all 60,000 square feet of the lounge.

The designers behind the lounge definitely took the layout brainstorming sessions very seriously and I imagine were men and women who “enjoy a good nap.” Not one of those naps you have to MacGyver out of two upright wooden chairs, several napkins, and a piece of string. 

In response, Turkish Airlines and Co. rolled out an array of plush, sleek white leather chairs and ergonomic couches which are large enough to sleep on and/or push together to form your own little ‘private pod’. 

If you require even more privacy, the lounge features designated, private rest and relaxation areas. Keep in mind that these operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each relaxation room and zone is equipped with a twin bed, television, and desk (with a chair). I guarantee you won’t miss a beat from jet lag if you hunker down in one of these for a ‘layover hibernation’., 

I was personally too paranoid to sleep in one of these because any time I fall into a slumber that’s not my bed, there’s a high probability I just don’t wake up and then end up living like Tom Hanks in The Terminal (which was based on a true story). 

This lounge is so massive and people are always coming and going, so you never run into a situation where all the white leather couches and chairs are occupied. What I especially loved and took advantage of (like many others) to get some shut-eye was pushing two of the l-shaped chairs together to form a little mini bed. 

Finally, as most of the l-shaped chairs and reclines overlook the concourse, I really enjoyed the bird’s eye view of it all and found it a great little people-watching spot while listening to music and zoning out. 

A Turkish Wonka Factory of Desserts & Other Sweets

Self-proclaimed ‘sweet tooth enthusiasts’ will find themselves in Turkish delight (zing!) paradise in this lounge after getting a glimpse of a vibrant dessert spread that ticks off all marks on the sweetness (and savory) dessert spectrum. 

Dessert stations are strategically placed near the coffee station (discussed below), the glossy exterior of delicate pastries and confection seductively calling you in like a Greek siren. 

Once again, you’re in Turkey so you’ll enjoy an array of Turkish classics like baklava (aka sticky golden nutty layers of phyllo dough, honey, and pistachios), Turkish delight (in various flavors), and tortes.

For those with more international sweet tooth indiscretions, you’ll also find an assortment of desserts like creamy cheesecakes, macarons (of all flavors), and chocolate tarts. 

Whoever is in the back baking things, this isn’t their first rodeo. Just like the buffet and specialty food stations, there’s a deliberate approach and attention to detail that leads to restaurant-quality fare and desserts. 

As someone who intermittent fasts and typically doesn’t eat anything other than dinner (and rarely dessert), for me, there’s no better place to depart from the norm and sample literally everything under the sun while doing so. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Make sure to check out the ‘gaggle’ of European content I rolled out this summer over on my newsletter’s subdomain and blog. It includes a handful of itineraries, eating guides, and restaurant/bar write-ups that span the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Germany. 

Turkish Coffee & Tea For Days

Baba ganoush, baklava, and mango juice. What more do you need in life? Oh, wait, coffee. 

And not just any old coffee either…Turkish coffee. 

The Turkish Airlines Business Lounge sports two coffee kiosks and counters serving up favorites like espressos, lattes, and other standard coffee drinks, along with the renowned Turkish coffee. 

It’s rich, complex, and of course, accompanied by a small piece of Turkish delight to balance everything (one of my father’s favorite desserts). 

While there’s usually a decent-sized line at the coffee stations, the baristas are extremely skilled and it moves very fast, so don’t fret!

For those who caffeinate and/or soothe the mind and soul with herbal remedies, there’s a handful of tea counters – all of which boast a large spread of classic teas and Turkish teas. Make sure to drink it in the tea garden, which reminds me of a tamer version of what Hugh Hefner’s smoking rooms must have looked like at The Grotto. 

What really takes your tea drinking to the next level is that it’s served in traditional, delicate tulip-shaped glasses, reminding you that you are, in fact, in Turkey, and not in your living room.

Paired with 32 pieces of baklava, you really can’t ask for a better pick-me-up after a long flight (or to wake you up before the next leg of your flight). 

Pale Ale Travel Note: I’d be remiss not to give a huge shout-out to the cleaning crew at the lounge as they work extremely hard and are on top of leaving the place spotless. 

Golf Simulator For Those Without Devastating Back Pain

I feel like I went to bed as one of the few people among my friends who played Tiger Woods’ EA Sports PGA Tour on the PlayStation 2 and woke up a 34-year-old who now has 90% of his crew spending their weekends out on the links. 

I kind of regret backing off from it over the years due to the camaraderie it does seem to breed and instill amongst the dawgz. I regretted backing off even more after first showing up at the Business Lounge and stumbling across its state-of-the-art golf simulator. 

On top of the ‘Football viewing’ memorabilia exhibit and viewing lounge, the golf simulator is the most unique feature here. One thing I need to do a better job of when traveling is to use it as an opportunity to untether from screen usage completely. This is the perfect excuse. 

It’s an engaging way to pass the time, warm up before a dawgz golfing trip, or just have a laugh with friends or family you’re traveling with as you choose from a handful of famous golf courses across the world. 

I didn’t take advantage of this as I already have a bad back and for my initial trip to Amsterdam, had already spent 11 hours sleeping in an awkward position. But once I pony up the money for physical therapy and learn what it’s like to have calloused hands again, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be out there working on my short game at the lounge (next time). 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re flying to Hong Kong, make sure to check out my comprehensive post breaking down everything you need to include in your Hong Kong packing list. As someone who has lived here for nearly 7 years, I’ve forgotten to bring plenty of things, resulting in me frantically hitting up the closest convenience store and home goods store, so I know what’s essential and what can be easily purchased here. 

Alternatives to the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge

Look, I get that the fee may be a bit steep and not worth it for many. Luckily, there are several alternatives to the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge that don’t require a business class ticket and clock in significantly cheaper (should you want to pay the entrance fee). 

While I’ve never spent time in either, the two primary alternatives at the Istanbul Airport are the:

• iGA Lounge, and 
• Miles&Smiles Lounge

iGA Lounge

Available for both domestic and international departures, the iGA Lounge is a fantastic alternative for anyone who wants to pay a more manageable one-time fee to post-up in a lounge before their next flight. 

It’s also free to access for those with select credit cards (ex. American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige) and lounge memberships like Priority Pass. 

As of the date of publication, entry for adults clocks in at a modest USD 50 (1,500 Turkish lira). However, this price may be more depending on the time of year. 

Like the Business Class Lounge, ‘loungers’ will have access to both local and international fare buffets, shower facilities, a bar, a children’s play area, high-speed WiFi, and comfortable (spacious) seating. 

I’d classify it more as ‘Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge-lite’ as it lacks the heavy cultural emphasis, robust dining options, and entertainment that the business class lounge offers.

Miles&Smiles Lounge

The Miles&Smiles Lounge is, from my understanding, nearly identical to the International Business Lounge and was launched as an option for Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance frequent flyers/elite members.  

Unlike the iGA Lounge, this is not typically a lounge that you can purchase entry to. Picture everything I described above for the Business Lounge and then apply it here. 

There are really only trivial differences, such as the Business Lounge possessing a golf simulator and the Miles&Smiles Lounge providing a dedicated ‘video game room’. 

Because access to the Miles&Smiles Lounge may be achieved through Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance loyalty members, this does mean there are typically more people in the Miles&Smiles Lounge – so just keep in mind that it may be a tad more crowded than the Business Lounge. 

On the Fence About Flying Turkish Airlines Business Class? Not Anymore

Hands down, the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge is the best airport lounge I’ve ever…lounged at. Then again, I haven’t lounged at that many lounges. 

Either way, I’d go out on a limb to say that this is one of the best airport lounges in the world based on my experience, my father’s experience, and the overwhelming praise and feedback offered up online. 

If you’re flying Turkish Airlines and are on the fence about upgrading to business class or sticking with economy and/or premium economy, this lounge would emphatically tip the scale for me. 

Also, I estimate I ate several thousand dollars worth of baklava and baba ganoush so I think I came out on top after all. 

If you have any questions about flying Turkish Airlines or getting from wherever you are to Asia and back (specifically Hong Kong), please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@palealetravel.com. 

Travel well everyone,

Big Body