iGA Lounge Istanbul

We had a layover of several hours in Istanbul on our flight from Berlin to Singapore and used the time to try out the iGA Lounge Istanbul in the international departure area. The lounge is known for its large size, wide range of food and various areas. Whether the visit was really worthwhile and how well we were able to relax there quickly became apparent during our stay.

Where is the iGA Lounge Istanbul located?

The iGA Lounge Istanbul is centrally located in the international departure area, just one floor above the large duty-free area. For travellers departing directly from Istanbul, the route is straightforward. After passing through security, follow the signs to the lounge, which is located nearby. An escalator or lift will take you comfortably one floor up.

For transfer passengers like us, who came from the D gates, the route was different. Istanbul Airport is known for its long distances, so we first had to reach the entire central area with its numerous duty-free shops. On the way to the A and B gates, we finally came across the turnoff to the lounge. Here, too, we took the escalator or lift on the left, and soon we were standing in front of the entrance to the iGA Lounge. Despite the long distances, it was easy to find.

Who has access to the iGA Lounge Istanbul?

How do you actually get access to the iGA Lounge Istanbul, and which programmes or partners offer entry? The access requirements are as follows:

• iGA Pass cardholders (Plus, Extra and Premium),
• Business and first class passengers as well as frequent flyers from partner airlines, including various airlines from the Oneworld alliance and several airlines outside major alliances.
• Members of contract programmes such as Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, High Pass and LoungeMe.
• Travellers without status or lounge programme who purchase an iGA Daily Pass (available online).

There was quite a crowd in front of the entrance at first. We were able to get in thanks to our Priority Pass, which is included with American Express Platinum. The iGA Lounge is open 24 hours a day, which is particularly advantageous for long layovers or night-time connections.

What facilities does the iGA Lounge Istanbul offer?

The reception desk at the iGA Lounge Istanbul is clearly visible in front of the actual lounge area and is hard to miss. Several counters and a separate queue ensured a structured process, even though the rush was enormous. If our access had already been on the ticket, we could have gone straight through the automated gate. However, as we were using the Priority Pass, we had to show our cards. Our access was then linked to our boarding passes, and we were able to enter and exit through the automatic gates as often as we liked.

After entering, the lounge seemed huge. According to the airport's website, it covers an area of 5,150 square metres and can seat around 650 guests – a size that was necessary given the crowds. A large overview map showing the different areas was displayed in the entrance area. This helped visitors to find their way around the spacious layout.

Behind the entrance are the toilets and showers, a small duty-free area and the first seating areas, including a piano. To the right is the large restaurant area, behind which are the washing and prayer rooms. To the left, there is an outdoor terrace, a pool table and a bar serving alcoholic beverages. The outdoor terrace is primarily intended for smokers. From there, you can only see the access road, not the apron.

We first walked through the various zones before finding a quieter spot in the café area. It was like an open terrace facing the main terminal and offered a more pleasant atmosphere than many of the other seating areas, some of which were very crowded. The iGA Lounge Istanbul also offers meeting rooms, lockers for hand luggage, a TV area and a variety of seating options – from classic tables to lounge chairs, sofas and small pods. Depending on the zone, the atmosphere is either relaxed or rather bustling.

Theoretically, we could have used the Wi-Fi in the iGA Lounge, but we decided against it because we didn't want to scan our passports at one of the machines. Therefore, we cannot comment on the speed or stability of the Wi-Fi. In general, Istanbul Airport offers free Wi-Fi in many areas. You can access it by scanning your passport at one of the numerous terminals. In addition, eligible passengers can also use Turkish Airlines Wi-Fi, which we could have used thanks to our flights and our Miles&Smiles account.

What food and drinks are available at the iGA Lounge Istanbul?

The iGA Lounge offered a wide selection of food and beverages spread across several areas. The centrally located main buffet offered an extensive selection of fresh salads, Turkish specialities and several live cooking stations. Among other things, pasta with tomato sauce and various meat dishes with rice were prepared there. A real highlight was the pide station, where the popular Turkish flatbreads were freshly baked. The selection was rounded off by a range of typical Turkish desserts such as cakes and other small treats. In some of the other lounge areas, there were smaller buffets offering mainly cakes, snacks and a few additional salads. This meant that the entire food selection was spread out quite well, even though the peak times were clearly noticeable.

Various beverages were available at the numerous self-service stations. In addition to the familiar soft drinks in cans, there was also still water in bottles and coffee and tea stations. Alcoholic beverages were served exclusively at the bars, where beer, wine and various spirits could be ordered.

What bothered us a little was that the service was visibly overwhelmed by the high number of guests. Many tables were left standing around with used crockery and glasses for a long time because the staff could hardly keep up. This detracted a little from the otherwise positive overall impression – especially as the lounge was very busy.

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