Luxury Airport Lounges: A Traveler’s Refuge
After taking 119 flights last year, the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at the Istanbul Airport became my favorite place to spend a layover. Airport lounges offer a welcome luxury to just about any traveler. They provide an exclusive enclave boasting free Wi-Fi and cocktails, which can alleviate the woes of even the most lengthy layovers. What’s not to love? However, the food is usually where lounges fall short. Although you’ll likely see plenty of options, including wilting greens and lukewarm proteins of indeterminate origin, quantity is no substitute for quality. Fortunately, if you find yourself at Istanbul Airport, you can indulge in an airport dining experience like no other at the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge.
Exquisite Turkish Cuisine at the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge
As its primary hub of operations, Turkish Airlines operates two exclusive lounges at IST: the Business Lounge and the Miles & Smiles Lounge. Together, they spread across a remarkable 103,333 square feet of elevated mezzanine, overlooking the cathedral-like terminal. Moreover, Turkish Airlines has crafted a culinary experience that offers an array of options which vividly showcase Turkish culture.
Upon entering, you’ll encounter more than a dozen food stations, each presenting a different facet of Turkish cuisine. Chefs in toques stand ready, often preparing delicacies to order, such as manti (Turkish ravioli), baked simit (sesame bread rings), and börek (savory pastries). Additionally, servers at a particularly busy counter push out a ceaseless parade of fresh pide, a Turkish flatbread topped in various vegetarian-friendly and meat-heavy versions. With a glistening layer of olive oil, it is cut into strips for each diner to enjoy.
Behind this bustling area, a kiosk features over 40 different mezzes sourced from all corners of Turkey. Highlights include marinated olives, seasoned cheeses, and fresh-pressed juices. It might be difficult to save room for dessert in such an enticing environment, but it’s worth it. Warm and flaky baklava, revani, tulumba, and Turkish delight are sure to satisfy even the sweetest tooth. These delightful treats pair perfectly with robust pours of Turkish coffee and cappuccino.
Commitment to Quality: The Heart of Turkish Airlines
The elaborate nature of this culinary experience didn’t come together overnight; it took over a year to develop. Mustafa Can Aydogdu, a chef for Turkish Airlines, shares that they aimed for their food and beverage selection to reflect Turkish culture, providing travelers with traditional dishes. They strive to cater to a wide variety of international passengers while accommodating any dietary restrictions.
The attention to detail doesn’t stop there. Onboard, Turkish Airlines implements the Flying Chefs program, where culinary stars from Turkey meticulously prepare in-flight menus that changes with the seasons, trends, and flight routes. Aydogdu has been integral to this process for over a decade.
If you’re flying in business class, the exquisite cuisine is presented by a chef and enjoyed under faux candlelight. It all begins with a quartet of mezzes, which might include traditional favorites like artichoke braised in olive oil, imam bayildi (stuffed eggplant), and locally known cheese puff pastries. As Aydogdu explains, aboard the aircraft, the service aims to replicate the ambiance of a high-end restaurant, albeit at over 35,000 feet.
Back at Istanbul Airport, this same commitment to quality makes the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge, in my estimation, the world’s best airport lounge. You’ll be pleased to know that you needn’t be a business-class traveler to enjoy its offerings. Day pass entry starts at €75 ($82) plus tax, representing tremendous value considering you can feast on cuisine that rivals esteemed eateries outside the airport. Consequently, layovers have never tasted so good.
