Turkish Airlines has officially opened its first-ever European lounge outside its İstanbul hub at Edinburgh Airport, bringing a new dimension of its world-renowned hospitality to travellers in Scotland and further strengthening Edinburgh’s status as an international gateway.
According to a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, the lounge was unveiled at a celebratory event held at Edinburgh International Airport earlier in December. The new facility is the airline’s eighth lounge outside Türkiye.
The airline, which operates flights to more countries than any other carrier, said the new lounge reflects its strategy of exporting scaled-down versions of its five-star İstanbul facility to key global destinations, ensuring a seamless and premium experience for passengers.
Spanning 673 square metres and accommodating 149 guests, the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Edinburgh Airport offers a wide range of high-end amenities designed to enhance the travel experience.
The statement highlighted features including an open buffet with Turkish pide service available at lunch and dinner, a luxury relaxation area equipped with televisions and Wi-Fi, and two prayer rooms.
Additional facilities include an accessible restroom for guests with reduced mobility, a baby care room, and flight information screens, underscoring the airline’s focus on inclusivity and passenger comfort.
Speaking at the opening, Turkish Airlines Chief Operations Officer, M. Akif Konar, described the lounge as a significant milestone for the airline.
He said, “The opening of our new Turkish Airlines Lounge at Edinburgh Airport marks an important milestone for our airline.
“As our first lounge abroad in Europe and our eighth outside of Türkiye, this investment demonstrates our deep commitment to our European operations, where we already possess a strong presence as the best airline of the continent. Looking ahead, we will continue to build on our presence in the region and bring our award-winning hospitality closer to travellers here.”
Edinburgh International Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer, Stephanie Wear, welcomed the development, describing it as a boost to the airport’s premium travel offering.
“The opening of the new Turkish Airlines Lounge marks an exciting chapter for both us and the airline as they launch their first lounge in Europe abroad at Edinburgh Airport. It demonstrates Turkish Airlines’ commitment to the airport and to enhancing the travel experience for passengers. Open to all travellers, the lounge offers a relaxing space with fantastic runway views and some great food and beverage options whilst you wait for your flight,” Wear said.
Turkish Airlines currently operates 10 weekly flights between Edinburgh and Istanbul, providing travellers from Scotland with seamless connections to its global network of 356 destinations across 132 countries.
The launch of the Edinburgh lounge is seen as part of Turkish Airlines’ broader strategy to strengthen its European presence while delivering consistent, world-class service to passengers across key international markets.
