IST Meet and Greet Service?

[garybatz]

Hi All,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience going through the new Istanbul airport. I've been reading some online reviews and they are not very positive to say the least.

My sister and I will be finishing a cruise in Istanbul in June 2024, then flying out from the new airport on international flights. I'm Qantas Gold but may or may not be travelling on a One World airline.

My question is about how well does the new airport work, and might it be worth using the IGA Meet and Greet service for our departure? I've read a bunch of reviews about this service, some say it saved them lots of valuable time while others say it didn't make much difference time wise and wasn't worth the money. The service does include use of a lounge, but again I don't know how important that is with this airport.

We're yet to book our flights but we're likely to be leaving in the morning, either as early as 08:00 or as late as 11:00. We may end up booking in J, but don't know if that would give us access to any priority lanes etc.

Any intel about the IGA service, or what getting through the airport is like, will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[RooFlyer]

I went through IST pre covid, and it was a breeze. Some pics and notes on departure and the terminal here:

RTW to no-where in particular

After a few minutes a FA looked out and looked very surprised to see a bunch of people looking hopefully up at her! We boarded the B787-800, DOH-IST (abt 3.5 hrs) and I settled into 2E. The overhead bins are pretty small. the ones above the windows took 'normal sized' carry-ons, but wouldn't...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

There are 7 widely-spaced entrances. I wrote (note that door 1 is on the right, door 7 on the far left)

I learned later that doors 1 and 2 are domestic; doors 3 and 4 are international, including business, except for TK business; door 5 is TK business; doors 6 and 7 I'm not sure - maybe not in use yet? I went into door 3 first, seeing 'fast track' - which I could use if I was Business on another airline, but the lady directed me to door 5. So I had to go outside and walk around - not allowed to cut through the inside of the terminal.

More pics etc in the thread above.

I don't think you'd need a 'service' for departure.

I'm flying out of IST later this month and can report back. I'm staying at the YOTEL landside at the airport the night before as I have an early departure.

 

[garybatz]

I went through IST pre covid, and it was a breeze. Some pics and notes on departure and the terminal here:

RTW to no-where in particular

After a few minutes a FA looked out and looked very surprised to see a bunch of people looking hopefully up at her! We boarded the B787-800, DOH-IST (abt 3.5 hrs) and I settled into 2E. The overhead bins are pretty small. the ones above the windows took 'normal sized' carry-ons, but wouldn't...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

There are 7 widely-spaced entrances. I wrote (note that door 1 is on the right, door 7 on the far left)



More pics etc in the thread above.

I don't think you'd need a 'service' for departure.

I'm flying out of IST later this month and can report back. I'm staying at the YOTEL landside at the airport the night before as I have an early departure.

Thanks RooFlyer, that's already very useful. Will be interested to hear how you go there this month. Cheers

 

[Scarlett]

Been through IST many times and never had any issues. It’s large, modern and well designed.

Depending on where cruise ships berth, dealing with traffic in Istanbul is likely your biggest challenge. Allow at least an hour for the transit.

 

[bcworld]

I went through IST 3 weeks ago (a Sunday afternoon) travelling J on SQ...it was very, very, quick and easy to get airside. Check in > fast track passport control > fast track security. From dropping my bag to sitting in the TK lounge was about 5 minutes. A friend went through non fast track channels and his experience was not much different.

All I'll say is its a massive airport and there is the potential for a very long walk!