Following the completion of its relocation to its new hub, the new Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines revealed details of its luxuriously revamped airport lounges at the 2019 Arabian Travel Market.
The ‘great move’ – as the relocation has been called – is one of the most significant developments in Turkish aviation history. The newly expanded airport lounges align with the Turkish Airlines’ brand of luxury and offer travellers a more rewarding airport experience. When flying with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul Airport, Business Class passengers and Economy passengers with Miles&Smiles membership can make use of one of the two international lounges, the Business Lounge or the Miles&Smiles Lounge, depending on their eligibility, or they can use the Domestic Lounge for domestic flights. The 5,800-sq-m Business Lounge seats 765 guests. With 13 private suites, shower cabins, a Turkish museum, a movie hall, and a variety of delicious Turkish food, the lounge offers world-class refinement and promises a one-of-a-kind experience. The Miles&Smiles Lounge, designed for Turkish Airlines’ frequent fliers, also offers a diverse range of entertainment which make the transit between cities the best part of the journey. Open 24 hours, passengers can spend their downtime at the cinema, console gaming or use the spacious children’s playground where the fun never ends. Meeting rooms and a library are also available. The Domestic Lounge is accessible through a special entrance gate located outside the terminal and is designed to help passengers relax and revive. With a brand-new children’s play area equipped with game consoles, and an interactive gaming experience, the lounge offers parents a chance to enjoy a stress-free experience as the play corners are overseen by a dedicated Turkish Airlines supervisor. “The new, spectacular airport lounges are an extension of our brand and reinforce our commitment to provide our travellers with exceptional hospitality and customer service. By continuing to drive the customer experience forward – on and off ground, our aim is to deliver the best possible options in terms of new destinations and world-class amenities,” commented Ahmet Olmuştur, Turkish Airlines chief marketing officer. “When we reflect on our global fleet and network expansion so far, it’s been an incredible year for Turkish Airlines. Our move to a new global travel hub in Istanbul was another pivotal step in meeting our growing demand in all markets, including the UAE and the wider GCC,” he added. The new Istanbul Airport is designed to initially welcome over 90 million passengers annually. With eventual capacity for 200 million people, the airport is poised to become the biggest in the world. With the global aviation industry set to grow to 5.3 billion passengers by 2023, Turkish Airlines’ passenger figure is also predicted to rise rapidly, reaching an estimated 120 million travellers by 2023. Istanbul Airport will be instrumental in meeting this growing aviation demand and connecting Turkey to an ever-expanding number of destinations across five continents.