Business class lounge review: `Where’s the champagne?’
In the first of a new series, we rate the layout, location, hospitality and charging options of top airline lounges.
In our first of a new series on the world’s best transit lounges, we head to the recently opened Turkish Airlines offering at Istanbul Airport.
Location
Istanbul Airport, ranked among the world’s largest, opened in 2019 on the northwest outskirts of this buzzy transcontinental city. Special treatment for Turkish Airlines’ business-class passengers starts kerbside, with a snazzy black-and-copper priority entrance to the dedicated check-in area.
Instead of the mega-lounge that occupied the now-closed Ataturk Airport, Istanbul features two near-identical facilities – the Miles & Smiles lounge for frequent flyers and the Business Lounge.
To find the latter, glide towards the mezzanine level, below the high, vaulted ceilings, on the escalator near gate E1. After scanning your boarding pass at the electronic entry gates, turn left to stow unwieldy hand luggage into clear-glass lockers, a clever design that means passengers don’t have to remember locker numbers. You will want to be free of impediments for what’s to come within this 24/7 superstar lounge.
Seating
Stroll past the grand piano to track down a lounge area to match your mood. I’m drawn to the dim, dark-toned zones at the rear known as the tea room and library room. Or plop into a soft white leather sofa in the open area to scan the comings and goings below, relax in front of the media wall or dine on timber tables in the taverna-like central space, defined by long curtains and fake stone walls. There’s plenty of choice among the 765 seats.
Food and drink
With several stations featuring chefs expertly rolling pastry, grilling meats and vegetables, and pulling delicacies from ovens, it’s hard to know where to start.
But I suggest making a beeline for the pide station, where fresh-baked flatbreads are chopped into single portions (options include minced beef or turkey with cheese, mixed vegetables with basil, and white cheese with olive paste).
Elsewhere, there’s a teppanyaki station, still-warm simit (sesame bread rings), an olive buffet, a tower of Trabzon butter, a barrel of ayran (a traditional salted yoghurt drink) and a dazzling array of salads (the aubergine option with tomato sauce is a standout). Sweet-toothed passengers can zero in on Turkish treats that include pistachio and hazelnut baklava and semolina cake, along with a Western cake selection (I scoff a slice of the raspberry meringue). Reflective of Turkish culture, food is front and centre while alcoholic drinks are more discreetly placed.
Bottles of red, white, rose and prosecco huddle on a self-pour drinks trolley. Multiple refrigerated stands offer a selection of beer, juice, water and kefir (fermented milk drink). Other counters are dedicated to tea in just about all its varieties; baristas also make coffee to order.
Work and tech
Near the lockers is a small business area with communal desks, computers and printer. Perhaps the only downside of the entire lounge is the difficulty in locating charging sockets, which turn out to be located in the floor. I opt to recharge my phone during my upcoming flight.
Refresh
With its vast expanse of marble and huge washbasins, the female bathrooms channel the vibe of a hammam, where you can slather yourself in mandarin and citrus/verbena-scented lotions and eau de cologne. It’s also possible to book a shower with the concierge (located near the business centre) and, if you meet a strict set of criteria, take a nap in one of the sleeping suites. At the lounge’s far end is a plane-themed playground and separate nursery for junior jetsetters.
Extras
While away the hours practising your swing at the golf simulator or “fly” over Istanbul by sliding horizontally into the virtual flight simulator. Did I mention there’s a roaming masseuse? I score a reviving 10-minute neck and shoulder massage.
Verdict
If you need another reason to try this airline’s business class (beyond the Flying Chefs who add pizazz to flights of eight hours or more), this lounge is the clincher.
While its serve-yourself arrangements might not suit everyone, most will appreciate this last opportunity to savour its very Turkish delights (food, food and more food).
The only unhappy faces might belong to Champagne fans whose phones are about to die.
Katrina Lobley was a guest of Turkish Airlines.
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