On February 5, 2025, Turkish Airlines opened its largest international lounge outside Turkey. This new premium lounge at Tokyo's Narita International Airport is a significant step for the airline, which will further expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and offer its guests an exceptional travel experience. The lounge, which will cover 800 square meters in the first phase and can accommodate up to 105 passengers, will later be expanded to an area of 1.500 square meters. This positions Turkish Airlines as a major player in international air transport, not only through its flight connections but also by providing first-class services to its travelers.
The opening of the lounge at Narita Airport reflects the long-standing and close relationship between Turkey and Japan, which dates back over a century. Ümit Develi, Vice President of Sales in the Far East and Oceania at Turkish Airlines, emphasized that the new lounge represents a harmonious combination of Turkish hospitality and Japanese elegance. This cultural blend is intended to offer guests a unique experience that reflects both the high standards of Turkish hospitality and the precision and tranquility of Japanese culture.
"The lounge at Narita Airport reflects our commitment to enhancing our passengers' travel experience and further strengthening our presence in the Asia-Pacific region," said Develi. The opening of this lounge is a significant step for Turkish Airlines, which already offers a wide range of international connections. By expanding its lounge capacity, the airline aims to better serve its growing customer base while standardizing the service for which the airline is known worldwide.
The lounge was opened in two phases. The first phase covers an area of 800 square meters, which can accommodate 105 passengers. However, this capacity will be further increased once the second phase of construction is completed. In the final expansion phase, the lounge will be expanded to a total area of 1.500 square meters, which will give passengers significantly more space for rest and relaxation. The lounge is open daily from 07:30 a.m. to 21:45 p.m. Access is available to passengers who have a Turkish Airlines Elite Plus, Elite or Elite Corporate card, as well as members of the Star Alliance Gold program and business travelers in Business or First Class.
A culinary experience and modern amenities
The lounge at Narita offers passengers a variety of amenities to make their pre-flight stay a pleasant one. A highlight is the buffet, which offers a mix of Turkish, Japanese and Far Eastern cuisines. Of particular note is the Turkish pide oven, which serves freshly baked pide - a traditional dish of Turkish cuisine and the only one of its kind in a lounge outside of Istanbul. The range of culinary delights is not limited to Turkish cuisine, however, but also includes Japanese specialties, offering guests an authentic taste experience from the region.
In addition to the culinary offerings, travelers can look forward to modern amenities such as relaxation areas, daybeds and a VIP room. In addition, passengers have access to showers, barrier-free toilets and free WiFi. For business travelers, there is also a dedicated work area where passengers can comfortably complete their tasks. These facilities help make the Turkish Airlines lounge a place of relaxation and productivity before the flight.
Significance for Narita Airport and the Aviation Industry
Narita Airport has taken another step towards becoming an even more customer-friendly international hub with the opening of Turkish Airlines' new lounge. Akihiko Tamura, President and CEO of Narita Airport, highlighted that Turkish Airlines has made a significant contribution to expanding the airport's international network. The lounge will not only improve the travel experience for passengers, but will also help the airport to further increase its service and attractiveness to international travelers.
Despite the relatively limited flight frequency in February – Turkish Airlines currently flies five times a week from Narita to Istanbul – the frequency of flights is expected to increase to daily connections from March, reflecting the airline's long-term ambitions in Japan, which are underpinned by the expansion of its service offering in the region.
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