Comfort Lounge

Comfort Lounge – Istanbul (IST)

The Comfort Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk airport International Terminal is an independent lounge run by Turkish operator TAV – a growing company with an expanding network of airport lounges and services worldwide, including the nearby – and larger – primeclass CIP Lounge.

The Comfort Lounge is located above the food court, on a mezzanine dedicated to passenger lounges. It is easily found at the top of the escalator, adjacent to the Millenium Lounge and across the HSBC Club Lounge, two other independent clubs. The Comfort lounge welcomes members of popular lounge access programs such as Priority Pass, as well as holders of TAV’s own lounge access pass.

Comfort Lounge ISL design

The Comfort Lounge at one of the Ataturk airport’s smallest lounges. The club is elegantly decorated and furnished with marble and hardwood floors, posh and comfortable furniture, and a few modern touches. The immaculate space is posh albeit casual, but the décor feels a bit cold, given the choice of materials and the lack of windows and daylight.

Comfort Lounge – Istanbul (IST)

The layout makes the most of the available space, while providing patrons with a comfortable amount of privacy. The bulk of the space is dedicated to an open seating area – an elegant open space, with private armchairs on the left side, and couches and clusters of seats around dining tables in the center. Power outlets are available at most seats.

The reception desk is tucked in a corner, facing a tiny business center with tree small work carousels. In the back to the right is a tiny dining area with a few dining tables and a larger communal table. Despite the large mirror, the space feels somewhat claustrophobic.

There are relatively few seats overall, and while the Comfort Lounge is often busy and noisy, the limited seating prevents excessive crowding.

A marble and wood clad bar in the back stands out as the focal point of the design, with globe like hanging light fixtures which reflect the seating area.

Comfort Lounge ISL amenities

Amenities at the Comfort lounge are limited overall, with the the food and beverage selection as the main highlight.

Comfort Lounge – Istanbul (IST)

The buffet features a selection of snacks, sandwiches, and salads, as well as a few hot dishes and desserts. The food is prepared on site by chefs in the small open kitchen area behind the bar. Feel free to approach a chef for the beverage of your choice, from cocktails to espresso drinks. A wide array of liquor and spirits, as well as Turkish coffee, are also available for self-service.

A few digital bag lockers are available, allowing patrons to store bags securely during their visit – an amenity that we wish more lounges worldwide would offer.

The lounge has a small bathroom, but no showers. Other amenities include a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Comfort Lounge ISL bottom line

The Comfort Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk airport, operated by TAV, is a small but stylish space with an essential set of amenities and a good buffet selection including hot food.

Unfortunately, the club lacks windows (and therefore daylight) and tends to be noisy. Real estate is scarce, and the bathrooms and dining area are painfully cramped. While the Comfort Lounge delivers on the basics, it is still one of the weaker clubs at Ataturk airport – especially in contrast with the high-end offerings by Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance) and SkyTeam.

Incidentally, TAV operates a second, significantly larger lounge, the primeclass Lounge, on the lower floor. Unless your airline has an exclusive agreement with the Comfort lounge, we can’t think of a single good reason to favor the Comfort lounge over an alternative. Priority Pass members may prefer the primeclass Lounge, while various credit card holders may want to use the HSBC Club Lounge which is located right across the Comfort Lounge.