You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
29 Dec 18	TK 1637	8D	TB200 Tobago XL
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Economy	90295	English ,Spanish	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Last December I had to book my return flight from IST-SFO. There were several options available and one of the most attractive ones was via ZRH on LX. i love ZRH and think it is one of the most efficient airports for connections in the world.

However as I was ready to book this connection another option popped up a the last minute. It was via MUC on LH and it gave me the chance to fly on the A380. My experiences on the A380 were limited to AF and BA so this was a welcome addition. Besides MUC is one of the best airports in Europe so it was not hard to make that decision.

But the true reason for this report is TK CIP Lounge. This was going to be the last time that I would visit the best business class lounge in the world and I wanted to create an homage to this place that has given me so much joy and memories.

I arrived from Izmir and had 6 hrs. to spend at the CIP lounge before my flight to MUC.

Plane spotting at the old IST airport.

TK fleet at the old IST airport.

Business class TK counter at the old IST airport.

We had to take a bus to the airplane.

Seats.

EMERG EXit row.

Dinner - beef or pasta.

I chose the beef and it was served with hummus and chocolate mousse.

The dinner tray.

Ephesus.

This might be the biggest attraction in Ephesus.

Ephesus - Libray of Celsus.

Izmir - Clock Tower.

Izmir - Bazaar.

I used the entrance outside security. This particular entrance had its own security and Passport Control desks.

Second level floor.

Traditional sweets.

Roving masseur.

Interior.

The Grand Staircase.

View of the two levels.

Prayer room.

Ablution room.

Shower.

TK showers always provided a robe which set them apart from other lounges.

European dessert station.

Library with billard.

Second level interior.

Manti station.

Pide station.

Pide.

Grilled meats with accompaniments.

Mantis with yogurt.

Meze simit and chickpea soup.

========== Ataturk Arpt (IST) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

========== Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge International ==========

Staff Service: 9/10

Entertainment: 10/10

Business Center: 10/10

Food: 10/10

Lounge Design: 10/10

Spa and Bathroom: 10/10

Wifi: 9/10

========== THY - Turkish Airlines - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 10/10

Crew: 9/10

Entertainment: /10

On-time performance: 9/10

Appetizer: 8/10

Starter: 0/10

Main Meal: 9/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 8/10

Desserts: 8/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 0/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Munich Intl Arpt (MUC) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 10/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

Summary:

This trip was my last visit to the TK CIP Lounge before operations move to the new IST airport. It's been a great privilege visiting this lounge on some many occasions. I have seen this lounge grow from a single floor to the addition of a lower level and it's been the best business class lounge that I have ever visited in all my travels. The food was always freshly prepared and I appreciate that TK put emphasis on serving Turkish dishes so that pax could get a sampling of what the host country had to offer - and what a magnificent display it was.

TK CIP Lounge set the standard for all business lounges..

10 Comments

Thomas — Apr 10,2019

Thanks so much Adan. The lounge will be missed and I'm afraid that the new one won't be as good as the previous one. Hard to speculate. I will arrive so late the the dinner options will be gone and I will just see the breakfast spread.
It was a masterpiece. As for the flight. Even in Y, TK out-beat any airlines.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Apr 11,2019

Thank you very much for your comments Thomas. We can always hope for the best. I will be waiting for your TR with anticipation. ;)
saraoutou — Apr 10,2019

Great lounge that I never visited. Gracias Adan
Reply

jetsetpanda — Apr 11,2019

Hopefully you will get a chance to visit the new one. Thanks Jerome.
Emile — Apr 10,2019

What an excellent read Adan. This lounge is stunning, I do prefer that one over the QR one. Thanks again for sharing !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Apr 11,2019

Indeed it was one of a kind. I agree with you about the QR one. It's very big but the catering is not as extensive as the TK one. Thanks Emile.
Capoune — Apr 12,2019

Thank you for this report.
The Lounge looks really Nice and onborad thé meal looks great top!
Great bonus.
Thank you for this report!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Apr 14,2019

Salut Capoune and thank you for your visits and comments.
GRMY — Apr 15,2019

Thank you Adan for this report.
Amazing lounge and always a good flight with TK.
Great bonus !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Apr 18,2019

Thanks for your comments GRMY. I already miss this lounge! :( Turkey is so cheap when it comes to eating. You can literally eat to your heart's content for just a few dollars (or eur) ;)

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