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Istanbul Airport (IST)

Hub Overview

Passengers

76.0M

Destinations

340

Connectivity

96/100

Transit

excellent

Hub Airlines

TK Turkish Airlines
primary

Alliance Presence

Star Alliance

Terminal & Lounges

Terminal Overview

IST has one enormous terminal building with a capacity of 90 million passengers. International and domestic flights share the same building.

Lounge Highlights

The Turkish Airlines Lounge (Miles&Smiles) is one of the world's largest airline lounges, featuring a library, cinema, and sleep suites.

Transit Tips

  • Turkish Airlines offers free Istanbul tours for transit passengers with layovers of 6-24 hours.
  • The airport has a single massive terminal; walking between extreme gates can take 15-20 minutes.
  • Transfer passengers go through a dedicated security checkpoint after landing.
  • The CIP Lounge (business class) includes a cinema, sleeping rooms, and a golf simulator.
  • Turkish citizens and many nationalities can transit without a visa for up to 24 hours.

Ground Transport

The Havaist bus service reaches Taksim Square in about 90 minutes. A metro line extension to the airport is under development.

Fun Facts

  • Istanbul Airport replaced the historic Ataturk Airport in 2019 and aims to be the world's largest.
  • Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in the world.
  • The airport is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 35 km from the city center.
View full airport profile for IST

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Istanbul Airport a major hub airport?
Istanbul Airport (IST) is classified as a mega hub with a connectivity score of 96/100. It handles approximately 76.0 million passengers annually and offers connections to 340 destinations worldwide.
How many airlines operate from Istanbul Airport?
Key hub airlines at Istanbul Airport (IST) include Turkish Airlines. The airport has presence from Star Alliance, providing extensive global connectivity through codeshare and alliance partnerships.
What destinations can you fly to from Istanbul Airport?
Istanbul Airport (IST) offers flights to 340 destinations. As a mega hub, it serves as a key connecting point for both domestic and international travelers across multiple continents.
How do you navigate Istanbul Airport?
Istanbul Airport (IST) has a transit rating of "excellent". IST has one enormous terminal building with a capacity of 90 million passengers. International and domestic flights share the same building..