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A world-class runway. Futuristic architecture. Promenades for designer shopping, excellent dining, and lounges complete with relaxing spas and bustling bars.

No, these aren't the trappings of a luxury hotel or a Fashion Week locale—they’re features of Türkiye's iGA Istanbul Airport, a new global hub for every type of traveler and families of all sizes. Trust us: You’re going to want a longer layover. Every facet of the airport is designed to not only reduce the aches and pains of airline travel, but to elevate the entire airport experience and set a new standard for air travel.

Achieving that is no easy feat. Türkiye's iGA Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, hosting over 64 million visitors in 2022 to their destinations. Over the pandemic, the airport continued to operate at a rapid clip—it remained the busiest global airport in Europe for three consecutive years. iGA's diverse airline portfolio includes nearly 90 airline companies that connect passengers to Türkiye from a host of global destinations, with more routes being added constantly.

Despite the volume, lines are short, architecture is inviting, and amenities include everything a weary traveler needs, from designer boutiques to children's playgrounds to serene spas. These thoughtful details earned the title of ‘Best Airport in the World’ in the 202 Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards in 2022 (vote for iGA this year HERE) and the title of "Europe's Best Airport" by Airports Council International (ACI Europe). Here's how iGA Istanbul Airport sets the bar.

If flipping through racks is your preferred method of passing time, the terminal is lush with right-from-runway brands. Forgot to pack a purse for the evening hours? Does your beach vacation call for a colorful cover-up? Whatever you need (or simply want), the terminals are rife with luxury retailers to suit any taste.

iGA Istanbul Airport, as Türkiye's gateway to the world, unites a variety of cultural and artistic endeavors within the iGA ART, showcasing its commitment to culture and art by hosting exhibitions, workshops, live music performances, and unique projects like the airport museum and airport library. By expanding the scope of iGA ART, Istanbul Airport aims to create additional artistic venues and extend greater support to artists.

Alternatively, if your boarding time allows, you could detour through the airport's dedicated museum (yes, an airport museum) and soak in thousands of years of history, art, and culture. Exhibitions rotate but expect works to span traditional Turkish paintings, modern sculptures, and prehistoric artifacts. Past highlights include the Treaty of Kadesh, the world's first peace treaty signed in 1259 BCE.

One of the top priorities when building the iGA Istanbul Airport was efficiency, ensuring guests spend less time in lines to allow them to browse, sit, and sip. Wait times are short and walkways are optimized for efficiency.

This philosophy extends to every passenger. iGA Istanbul Airport is the first airport in the world to receive the ACI World Accessibility Accreditation, thanks to a suite of special passenger service points catered to making the travel experience equal regardless of age or accessibility needs. There are quiet spaces for autistic travelers, braille signage throughout the terminal, and video call booths for the hearing impaired to gain information via sign language. For families traveling together, dedicated child-friendly spaces are located throughout the airport.

Istanbul Airport continually strives to be a truly inclusive destination offering a range of tailored experiences: from the Children and Family Friendly Airport with playgrounds, free buggy rides, and dedicated facilities, to the Age-friendly Airport providing fast-track services, exclusive lounges, and support amenities, and the Airport for Younger Travelers with a trendy Youth Lounge featuring Wi-Fi, gaming, live performances, and affordable snacks—all designed to enhance the travel experience for every age group.

Even though the airport moves millions of passengers, the terminals are large and airy, pulling design cues from the soaring columns and lofty ceilings. Every detail has been considered and thought out, from potted plants throughout the space to Iznik-style tiling to a vaulted ceiling dotted with skylights that bring in natural light. Younger passengers get to enter the airport through a neon-hued space shuttle door and can travel through the airport on an airplane-shaped family train. Keep an eye out for the air traffic control tower when you land — it's shaped like a tulip, Türkiye's national symbol.

While airports tend to be the worst part of traveling—most are stressful, packed, and poorly laid out—the new iGA Istanbul Airport is lush with lounge space to alleviate all the woes of even your longest layover. Hundreds of thousands of feet of lounge space give travelers a tranquil place to recover from jet lag (or prepare for it). Expect sleek seating, private workstations, conference rooms, healthy snacks and warming meals, full bars, and shower spaces to freshen up.

iGA's signature lounge features an entire duty-free shop, a pool table, and its very own spa specializing in 30-minute beauty treatments. Spruce up your nails, decompress with a massage, or unclog and revive your skin. The unique lounge also offers a wide variety of amenities that earned it the number-four spot on the world's top airport lounges as selected by SkyTrax, including open-air terraces, baggage lockers, a separate bar area, and a playground area for wee ones. If traveling domestically, stop into the iGA lounge—did we mention complimentary massages?

You won't find a subpar airport sandwich at iGA Istanbul Airport. Dining areas offer options for all ages and all cravings: Dig into fresh mozzarella, sushi, or juicy burgers, or set your family up with plenty of kid-friendly dining options. Enjoy local dishes like oven-kissed pide, sesame-dressed simits, hand-formed manti dumplings, and flaky pistachio-dusted pastries. Grab a bite to go or celebrate travels with a glass of bubbly at the Bottega Prosecco Bar.

The charming city of Istanbul spans two continents and thousands of years of history, home to some of the most spectacular architectural and historical wonders of the world including the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. At the heart of Türkiye's bustling metropolis, expect the past and present to go hand in hand, evident through the city's excellent cuisine, electric nightlife, music and arts festivals, celebrations of faith, and historic structures scattered around every corner.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Istanbul by exploring the Historic Peninsula, Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and historic bazaars, while also enjoying the breathtaking views from Galata Tower, Maiden's Tower, and Princes’ Islands. Don't miss the cultural landmarks such as Atatürk Arboretum, Gülhane Park, Emirgan Park, and İstanbul's Atatürk Cultural Centre, as well as the architectural wonders of Dolmabahçe & Beylerbeyi Palace, Anatolian & Rumeli Fortress.

Elevate your journey today at istairport.com.