Turkish Airlines Lounge

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD) | © Turkish Airlines

Opened in September 2016, the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Washington Dulles airport is the Turkish flag carrier’s first lounge on US soil, and one of a handful outside Turkey (other locations include Moscow Vnukovo and Nairobi.) The club is operated by TAV, a Turkish company which operates contract lounges primarily in the Middle East under the “primeclass” brand.

The Turkish Airlines Lounge welcomes Star Alliance premium and Gold passengers, whether traveling domestically within the US or internationally. All concourses are connected airside, and, time permitting, United’s passengers can hop on a shuttle from Concourses C and D to use the lounge (allocate at least 20 minutes one way.) In addition, the club serves as a contract lounge for Saudia and welcomes members of the popular worldwide airport lounge access program Priority Pass.

Turkish Airlines Lounge IAD design

The design of the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Washington Dulles airport emulates the décor of the airline’s widely acclaimed flagship Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk airport, albeit in a much smaller footprint.

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD)

The carrier has spared to expense to replicate the experience. The alliance of fine hardwood floors, elegant marble walls, leather furniture, and wooden ceilings gives the lounge a distinctive upper-scale ambiance with a subtle oriental flair.

Ample daylight emanates from the large floor-to-ceiling windows, which reveal views of the tarmac. On the opposite side, a wall of mirrors helps distribute the light and amplifies the perception of space.

The exterior of the lounge makes a bold statement, with a large backlit logo atop a dark wood backdrop. Glass doors etched with Turkish Airlines’ signature pattern reveal an elegant but tiny reception and customer service area.

Adjacent to the lobby is the hub of the lounge; an open area with several zones tailored to work, dining, and relaxation.

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD)

Immediately to the left when entering are comfortable L-shaped seats with pillows, which are both private and conducive to conversation. The layout is compact, but consoles and lamps help foster a feeling of privacy. Closer to the windows are generously sized solo seats with ottomans facing a wall of TV screens, a fixture of Turkish Airlines lounges. (All TVs are muted and headsets are available.)

Behind is the buffet and dining area with tables for two and four. While elegantly appointed, the dining area is too tight for comfort, and patrons are likely to bump elbows at peak times.

Next to the windows are seat duos with coffee tables, in a more intimate setting overlooking the tarmac.

A shared work table with computers rounds up the seating options. Incidentally, there are relatively few places that are convenient for laptop users, and while power outlets dot the walls, they are absent from the dining area.

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD)

A hallway along the windows leads to the bathroom and then a second, more intimate room with a bar and a relaxation area.

Featuring booth seating, artwork, an electric fireplace, a chandelier, and a large planter with palm trees—an odd feature in a lounge where real estate is at a premium—the space is both eclectic and vibrant.

In the rear is a nook with four recliners surrounded by a living wall, with a water feature as the backdrop. Guests may draw the curtain for additional privacy or to block the light. The coveted spots tend to fill up fast.

VIP customers benefit from a small private area upstairs, which is accessible through an unmarked entrance next to the kitchen.

Turkish Airlines Lounge IAD amenities

Short of offering the incredible range of amenities of Lounge Istanbul at Ataturk airport, the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Washington Dulles airport boasts a strong line-up of international-grade features.

The food selection is remarkable, with a spread of snacks, appetizers, salads, and cold and hot entrees featuring both western delicacies and Turkish specialties cooked on site. There is baklava for dessert, naturally, as well as Turkish coffee available on demand. Guests may help themselves with soda and bottled water from the cooler, or head over to the bar for wine and cocktails.

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD)

Alcohol is available at all times, including prior to the departure of Saudia flights.

The Turkish Airlines Lounge offers a single shower suite, which is compact but well appointed. Less impressive is the bathroom situation, with only one stall per gender. At peak times, it might just be more convenient to use the facilities in the terminal than to line up in the lounge.

Business amenities include self-service computers, a printer, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

Other amenities include digital bag lockers in the lobby, a prayer room equipped for ablutions, and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Turkish Airlines passengers can board their flight directly from the lounge.

Turkish Airlines Lounge – Washington, DC (IAD)

Turkish Airlines Lounge IAD bottom line

A showcase piece for the Turkish carrier, the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Washington Dulles airport is one of the airport’s finer lounges.

With a gorgeous décor, tarmac views, a fine food spread, a complimentary full bar, and a shower suite, the club is undoubtedly the best option for Star Alliance passengers—The United Clubs at IAD are the airline’s worst lounges system-wide, and the Lufthansa lounges, for all their intrinsic qualities, lack the panache of the Turkish Airlines Lounge.

Unfortunately, the Turkish Airlines Lounge suffers from chronic crowding, especially ahead of the Saudia flight. The bathrooms are severely under-dimensioned, and constant traffic has already taken a noticeable toll on the hardwood floors and furniture. The generous access rules are not quite compatible with the small footprint of the space, and Priority Pass members may be turned away when the lounge reaches capacity. Outside peak times, the Turkish Airlines Lounge is a stylish haven not to be missed.