Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST) opened in 2019 on the European side of the city, replacing the former Atatürk Airport, and is now Turkey's main gateway and the primary hub of Turkish Airlines. It is built around a single, very large terminal — one of the biggest in the world — and moves tens of millions of passengers a year. At peak hours the wait at the departures security checkpoint can grow quickly, and Fast Track — access to a priority security lane — lets you clear that bottleneck in a few minutes, with exactly the same regulatory checks as the standard queue.

How Fast Track works at Istanbul Airport

Fast Track at Istanbul Airport is access to a dedicated security lane, separate from the general queue. The screening itself is identical (bag scanner, body scanner): only the waiting time changes. You book online, choose your date, and receive a QR voucher by email to show at the entrance of the priority lane.

At Istanbul, access starts from €15 per person. The exact price and availability are shown live for your travel date and time slot at the moment of booking.

Where to use it at the terminal

Istanbul Airport is built around a single, very large terminal that handles both domestic and international flights, so there are no separate terminal buildings to worry about. Departures are organised into distinct areas, and the priority lane is located at the departures security checkpoint shown on your voucher.

Check whether your flight is domestic or international and follow the airport signage to the departures security control. If in doubt, arrive with your usual margin: Fast Track cuts the wait at security, not the time needed for check-in, bag drop or — for international departures — passport control.

How much time you save

As one of Europe's busiest airports, Istanbul can see long queues at the departures security checkpoint during the morning and evening peaks and in high season, sometimes stretching to half an hour or more. With the priority lane, clearing security usually drops to a few minutes. The gain is greatest on the busiest days — early departures, weekends and holiday periods.

VIP lounges at Istanbul Airport

Beyond the priority lane, Istanbul Airport offers VIP lounges you can access regardless of your airline or ticket class: a quiet space, wifi, drinks and food before your flight. It is the natural companion to Fast Track, turning dead time into useful time — especially valuable on long layovers, which are common on Turkish Airlines connections. Available lounges and their prices are shown with the other services at booking.

Meet & Greet and VIP assistance

For an even smoother passage, Istanbul Airport also offers Meet & Greet — a personal assistant meets you at an agreed point and guides you through the airport formalities. Given the terminal's size, this is especially useful for families, first-time visitors, tight connections, or anyone who simply wants a hands-off transit. Availability and pricing appear alongside Fast Track and lounges when you book.

Tips for your trip through IST

• Book ahead: priority slots are limited at peak hours.
• Keep your QR voucher available offline (screenshot): the network can be congested at the airport.
• Allow extra time inside: the terminal is vast and walking distances to the gates can be long.
• Fast Track does not exempt you from security rules: liquids and electronics are presented as in the standard queue.

Connecting through another hub? See also our guides to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) and Vienna (VIE), or read how Fast Track works in general.