Airports aren't much fun. They give travelling a bad name. I had a 5 hour stopover in Istanbul yesterday, not long enough to get out into the city but a very long time stuck on uncomfortable seats. So I found myself a comfy armchair. I had to pay 15 Euros (39TL) for the privilege of sitting on it but it came with 2 hours free internet, unlimited tea, coffee, beer, wine, rolls, soup, cake, salad and newspapers so well worth the outlay. I don't have any posh credit cards, so I just paid up at the door. If you find yourself at Sabiha Gökçen Airport and are travelling with Pegasus or Turkish Airlines, I suggest you head upstairs for the lounges too. The escalator is a bit of a tease - it only starts to move as you approach, so make sure you head for the one on the right hand side! The lounge in the domestic side is 29TL but alcohol free.
That is well worth knowing....
ReplyDeleteI've used it a couple of times and found it good value.
Delete. . everything is commodified! Airports are ergonomically designed to look great and be a 'right pain in the proverbial' - sorry, feeling grumpy just now, rubbed onion juice and red pepper into my eyes half an hour ago and I'm trying to read, type and deflect the dribbly stuff!
ReplyDeleteRed pepper in the eye . Been there several times - ouch.
Deletesounds like excellent value to me....hope you enjoyed your stop over as much as is possible.
ReplyDeleteCompared with the rest of the journey it was fine
DeleteWhat we needed was a 'selfie' of you in your comfy chair tucking into your unlimited tea, coffee, beer, wine, soup, cake and rolls! x
ReplyDeleteI was tempted, but you know I'm shy.
DeleteDear Annie, thanks for this info. I may never be in Istanbul, but who knows if there are any other airport terminals that provide the same service. From now on I'll check! Peace.
ReplyDeleteMost airports have them I think.
DeleteWell worth the outlay and something I will definitely be doing in future. Although my trip on the 18th to the UK is courtesy of my airmiles and when I booked there was a promotion running which used less miles per booking, so I'm business class all the way and will get my first taste of the comfortable lounges.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip. I've never worked out how to get miles.
DeleteYou need to get a form from THY, fill it in and send it off then you will get a card. Every time you book a flight you add your membership number and your airmiles are accrued. They send a monthly statement by email. Fortunately I joined about 15 years ago so have my airmiles have increased over the years. Some expire though if you don't use them within 2 years. I think other airlines have similar programmes.
DeleteFree wine? A bargain!
ReplyDeleteI had 1 light beer!
DeleteAnnie, Thanks for the tip! We will most definitely keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteIf the stop over had been a bit longer, I could have come to your for a coffee
Delete5 hour overlay is never fun but that comfy chair looks promising, will remember, many thanks for that :) Ozlem
ReplyDeleteThe lentil soup was very tasty too.
DeleteHmm, but we can well remember the days when getting to the airport early was all part of the holiday. Now they're just one great big pain! Wherever possible, we travel by land these days because I can't be doing with how uncomfortable everything is in airports, and all the security, too. Nice armchair, though. :)
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