Review of Turkish Airlines flight Gaziantep → Istanbul in Business

A very warm welcome to all Flight-Report members and visitors for this exclusive series of Flight-Report's which was an easy way having a Star Alliance Gold status. In addition, in this series I had the chance to experience the brand new Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge at Istanbul Airport on the first day of its operation. This exclusive series would include 15 flights ( 14 on Turkish Airlines & 1 on SunExpress ) and 13 of these reports are flights to/from Istanbul Airport in Business Class. The other two flights are also domestic flights which are on Economy Class and they are not reports from/to Istanbul Airport. More details could be found in the routing section. 

The thirteenth report of this serie would be one of the special ones because, it would have a small tourism bonus for Gaziantep. It would also be the first report covering the Turkish Airlines Gaziantep Lounge as well as the first report for a flight departing from Gaziantep.

The routing would look like this. All reports except #2 would include lounge reviews as well.

Pax for this flight

Business Class: %30-35
Economy Class: %65-70

ONLINE CHECK-IN

Online check-in was done 24 hours before scheduled departure time on the TK mobile app.

Before arriving to the airport I have spotted our incoming aircraft. It would be TC-JVM that I've also boarded on flight #1 on this series.

GAZIANTEP OĞUZELİ AIRPORT - GZT

The airport terminal could be seem like oldish but a newer terminal is in construction and would open in the following years.

There were three desks open for our flight. One served Business Class and one served Economy Class. As there was nobody in front of us, printing our boarding passes took less than 5 minutes.

Later on, I have headed to security checkpoint that was reserved to lounge eligible passengers. The security check took less than 5 minutes and then I have headed to the lounge.

The lounge entrance

Turkish Airlines CIP LOUNGE - GAZIANTEP OĞUZELİ AIRPORT

The lounge had the old TK concept and probably won't be refurbished as there is a new terminal construction going on. Unlike like other domestic lounges, the food and beverages were brought from a 3rd party company as Turkish Do&Co nor BTA has facilities at Gaziantep Airport.

The offering was simply sandwiches, cookies, crackers and some vegetables.

The lounge also had a small business corner.

Boarding pass

Later on, boarding was announced and the door between the lounge and gate 5 had opened and lounge passengers boarded the aircraft at gate 5 while others boarded from one of the other gates.

TC-JVM named Zeytinburnu. Even though it was raining we had a short walk to the aircraft.

TK 2219 GAZIANTEP OĞUZELİ AIRPORT TO Istanbul Airport

After being welcomed by the crew, I have taken a pillow from the overhead bins and sat at my seat.

Shortly after boarding was completed, welcome drinks were offered by the crew. This time I have opted for an orange juice.

Shortly after glasses were collected nuts were distributed. Unfortunately, there were no menus loaded onto this flight.

We had started our pushback on time and the safety video was played from the screen at the front wall.

We had took off on time

The terminal and Pegasus 737-800

And the last view of GZT

Shortly, we have reached our cruising altitude.

Unfortunately, IFE was closed during this flight. ( I have darkened the screen as it reflected my face due to the sun. )

The remote was also inactive but only opened the route map.

The literature was different than the previous flights as this one was at the beginning of a new month.

An article about the "Gypsy Girl". A reminder that the tourism bonus would also include the "Gypsy Girl" and the Zeugma Mosaic museum.

And the news that flights have started from ISL to GZT.

The meal service was done few minutes after takeoff. Today's menu included a starter and a dessert that I have experienced before but the main course kebab was new for me and it was delicious.

Later during the flight, I have asked for a linden tea.

Flying over Ankara

Route map from the remote

KCO airport

Gallery that has photos over the western part of Istanbul

Approaching ISL

And we have touch down ahead of schedule.

The ATC tower

Photos during taxi

Later on we have parked at gate G2a which is the closest gate to the exit in the domestic terminal.

ISTANBUL AIRPORT - ISL

After taking a shot of this bird, I have headed to the exit.

Left the baggage claim area

And left the terminal for a visit two days later.

This report has came to an end.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.
You could find a tourism bonus about Gaziantep below. 

Bonus : Click here display hide

As there are lots of photos from Gaziantep, I would pile them to galleries by categories. As Gaziantep is also a city of gastronomy, I didn't have taken photos of food over there, but I could help you for restaurant advises if you're going to plan a trip there. In that case, just send me a personal message from Flight-Report.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Gaziantep Archeological Museum

Kendirli Culture Centre ( was a church in the past )

Gaziantep Castle

And another thing to say, if you're visiting Gaziantep, try the local "Menengiç" coffee at Tahmis Kahvesi ( local coffee store ). This is the only gastronomic hint that I have pictured