I am writing this post for passengers who landed in Istanbul to catch their connecting flight to Europe and other countries.

Transfer Desks

I had received my boarding passes at Karachi Airport. But on the second boarding pass, the gate number was not mentioned. I simply followed the signs, which were in Turkish and English. As I was moving forward, I stopped at the Turkish Airlines counter and asked them where I should go now. The gentleman at the counter politely told me to go to the ‘Security and Baggage Line´.

There are 16 “Transfer Desks” for Turkish Airlines.

At Istanbul Airport, all departing and transferring passengers and their luggage are screened at security checkpoints to prevent the entry of prohibited items into restricted areas and aircraft.

I moved towards the screen area and joined a queue. The officers asked me to take off my jacket and put it on a tray. He told me to use separate trays for your backpacks and luggage. I had put my cellphones, chargers, and belt in a separate tray. I smoothly passed through the security checkpoint and wore my belt and jacket. I put my mobile phones back in my jackets.

I took out my boarding pass and saw the time of departure. I saw that boarding will start at 15:00 in Istanbul and flight will depart at 16:25. I looked on the terminal monitor to find the gate number of departure. There was a message that it would be announced at 14:55.

I had two tools with me. I had downloaded the Turkish Airlines app and saved Istanbul Airport’s WhatsApp number. I opened the app and searched for information about my flight. It showed that the boarding would start at Gate No.13. However, the WhatsApp account did not display the gate number.

I decided to loiter around the airport. After moving around the airport for 20 minutes, I decided to go to gate no. B13. I went there, took a seat, and started surfing on my mobile phone. I made calls to family members in Pakistan and to my daughter in Munich.

After half an hour, I checked the WhatsApp of the airport, and it showed the gate number, which was 13. However, Terminal screen did not show the gate number. I waited till 14:55 and went to the terminal again. Now it showed gate number 13 for boarding the flight to Munich. I approached the desk where staff had arrived. The officer stamped my boarding card and allowed us to wait until boarding time. I waited and moved towards my gate at the boarding time.

I am posting important information from the Istanbul Airport’s website for my readers.

Things You Should Consider When Passing Through the Terminal Entrance Security Checkpoint

• Do not hurry at security checkpoints.
• Complying with the information and directions provided by the personnel at the security checkpoints will facilitate your safe and fast passage.
• Leave the items that can trigger the door detector’s alarm (a mobile phone, keys, coins, etc.) in plastic trays for X-ray device control.
• Take off your belt, jacket, coat, blazer, etc. at the X-ray machine preparation table and place them in plastic trays.
• Take laptops, cameras, and other large electronic devices out of their cases and place them in separate plastic trays.
• There is no restriction on liquids (except dangerous liquids) at terminal entrance security checkpoints.
• Make sure to take all your belongings before leaving the X-ray device area.

Things You Should Consider When Passing Through Airside Security Checkpoints in Domestic and International Departure Areas

• Have the passenger’s boarding pass (boarding card) ready.
• Do not hurry at security checkpoints.
• Complying with the information and directions provided by the personnel at the security checkpoints will facilitate your safe and fast passage.
• Make sure that your cabin baggage does not contain liquids that are not in compliance with liquid restrictions.
• Leave the items that can trigger the door detector’s alarm (a mobile phone, keys, coins, etc.) in plastic trays for X-ray device control.
• Take off your belt, jacket, coat, blazer, etc. at the X-ray machine preparation table and place them in plastic trays.
• Take laptops, cameras, and other large electronic devices out of their cases and place them in separate plastic trays.
• Take the 1-liter transparent re-sealable bag enclosing containers with liquids (each up to 100 ml) out of your bag and place it in a separate plastic tray.
• Make sure to take all your belongings before leaving the X-ray device area.

Hand Baggage (Cabin Baggage) Preparation

Certain items may not be carried either in the cabin or in the hold, or may only be carried in limited amounts, for the purposes of flight safety. For this reason, you should contact before your flight with the airline operator you are traveling with for any security practices that may change