Using BA Lounge at Istanbul

[Alco4301]

I am a Qantas FF OWE travelling ex Istanbul to London on a British Airways flight on a British Airways ticket can I use their lounge at Istanbul prior to departure?

 

[Mal]

The BA lounge closed recently, passengers are now directed across the path to the "Prime Class" lounge, which from all reports can get very busy. The change was only last month, so not sure if many people have tried accessing that lounge.

While I haven't tried to access that particular lounge, generally as a OWE in Euro airports travelling BA you will get lounge access. Might be an idea to check at check-in and see if they need to give you an invite.

 

[JessicaTam]

Apply with TK for a status match, book a TK flight ex IST, then use the TK lounge. Problem solved.

 

[Princess Fiona]

BA has a Galleries Lounge in IST as per the OW website so you will have access to this lounge as a WP/OWE
http://m.oneworld.com/airportlounges/lounge.cfm?regionName=location_Istanbul&airport=IST

EDIT:
Just saw Mal's post so ignore above as One World site out of date

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to the forum

My understanding is yes, based on your OW Emerald status
I think it needs to be a BA operated lounge, not a 3rd party lounge
Emerald privileges - oneworld
Lounge access - oneworld

EDIT:
Just saw Mal's post so ignore above as One World site out of date

 

[Mwenenzi]

duplicate in error

 

[Mal]

Welcome to the forum

My understanding is yes, based on your OW Emerald status
I think it needs to be a BA operated lounge, not a 3rd party lounge
Emerald privileges - oneworld
Lounge access - oneworld

In Europe though, BA operated lounges are pretty rare. Executive Club - Lounge locations - British Airways and I can't recall not being able to access a lounge with my QF Platinum card on a BA flight.

BTW, BA still claim that the Istanbul lounge is operated by BA ... but it is noted elsewhere that the lounge is closed...

 

[cirqueboy]

If it is a BA operated lounge, you will have access. If it is a 3rd party lounge operated on behalf of BA, your only way of access will be on a F or J ticket or equivalent OW status with BA. 3rd party BA lounges do not allow access for OW status pax.

I tried the other day at YUL, where the BA lounge there is "Tapis Rouge Banque Nationale" operated on behalf of BA. I asked at checkin (WP flying Y+) and no, I needed status with BA to access the lounge or a J ticket (No F ex YUL).