Turkish Airlines Opens First European Lounge at Edinburgh Airport: Luxury Gateway to Istanbul

Turkish Airlines has opened its first European lounge outside Türkiye at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), a spacious 673sqm facility operated with Plaza Premium Group, seating up to 149 guests amid runway views and abundant natural light. Positioned on Level 2 near Gate 16 (open 4am-10pm daily), it welcomes Business Class passengers, Miles&Smiles elites, Star Alliance Gold members, and flyers on partners like Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways. Zoned for Turkish hospitality, it includes premium loungers, VIP privacy pods, a dedicated prayer room with ablution facilities, nursing area, showers, and the Loch Lomond Bar serving local whiskies alongside global drinks.​

The culinary focus celebrates Halal-certified offerings: hot/cold buffets with Turkish pide flatbreads, Central Asian pilafs, Mediterranean mezes, Middle Eastern grills, Balkan specialties, and sweets like baklava, paired with Turkish tea/coffee. This enhances pre-flight luxury for Turkish Airlines’ twice-daily Edinburgh-Istanbul (IST) flights, connecting Scotland to 350+ global destinations via its Istanbul hub. Turkish Airlines COO Akif Konar hailed it as a “milestone” for Europe’s leading airline (its 8th international lounge), while PPG’s Bora İşbulan emphasized service innovation and Edinburgh Airport’s Stephanie Wear lauded premium passenger commitment.​

The lounge strengthens Turkish Airlines’ UK footprint amid rising Scotland tourism, drawing business/leisure traffic through seamless IST connections. It reflects the carrier’s 2025 expansion, including new routes and fleet growth, positioning EDI as a key gateway for transatlantic/European explorers.​

This addition elevates EDI’s premium offerings, competing with lounges from Emirates and Qatar, and supports local economy via increased high-yield passengers spending on Scottish whisky trails, Highlands tours, and Edinburgh festivals.​

Key Points:

• Europe’s first Turkish lounge (8th abroad): 673sqm, 149 seats, 4am-10pm at EDI Gate 16 area.

• Turkish Halal menu: pide, mezes, pilafs, sweets; Loch Lomond Bar with local whiskies.

• Access: Business, elites, Star Alliance Gold, partners (VS, QR).

• Zones: VIP pods, prayer/ablution, nursing, showers for full comfort.

• Serves 2x daily EDI-IST flights to 350+ destinations.

• Boosts Scotland tourism via IST hub; reflects TK’s UK growth.

• Competes with EK/QR lounges; aids EDI’s premium hub status.