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Turkish Airlines has been operating a dedicated “Pet Lounge” at Istanbul Airport for pets that cannot travel in the aircraft cabin, offering cats, dogs and birds a more controlled space before departure or during transfer journeys.
The free lounge, located under Pier B of the International Departures Terminal, covers around 250 square meters and serves pets transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold under the AVIH, or Animal On Hold, category.
Turkish Airlines allows some pets to travel in the cabin if they weigh no more than 8kg with their carrier and meet the airline’s size requirements. Animals that exceed those limits may instead travel in the cargo compartment, provided they meet transport rules and breed restrictions.
The Pet Lounge was created for those animals, with separate areas for cats, dogs and birds. It can serve 32 dogs, 36 cats and 10 birds at the same time, according to Anadolu Agency.
The facility includes independent sections designed to prevent animals from seeing one another, reducing stress before flights. Hygiene, lighting and ventilation are monitored closely, while even the music played inside the lounge is selected with animal comfort in mind.
A veterinarian and veterinary technician also work in the lounge, checking the animals’ health, feeding and resting needs before they are sent to the aircraft.
The outdoor terrace allows pets to move, get fresh air and meet basic needs before travel.
Ayse Onkal, who is responsible for the Pet Lounge, said Turkish Airlines began planning the service to improve the travel experience not only for passengers but also for the animals they travel with.
“The comfort of the pets our passengers carry with them was as important to us as the comfort of our passengers,” Onkal said. “For this reason, we thought such a service would be appropriate in terms of passenger satisfaction and created the area.”
The lounge began operating on Jan. 3, 2025, after a long preparation period.
Onkal said the facility was planned in line with international aviation standards and accepts cats, dogs and birds except for restricted breeds.
“We planned this area completely by taking international standards into account,” she said. “Every detail was considered for the comfort of the animals, from cage sections to walking areas and ventilation. We manage all systems through automation. Music, ventilation and other systems operate within this scope. We are trying to ensure the satisfaction of our pawed friends.”
The lounge is used depending on waiting times. For passengers starting their journey from Istanbul, pets are brought to the lounge when the waiting period is around 60 minutes or longer. For transfer passengers, the lounge is used when the waiting time exceeds around 75 minutes.
“Our service is free,” Onkal said. “Our story begins when the passenger’s reservation process starts. We follow the animal on the aircraft according to the data. After the plane arrives, we receive the animals and bring them here. We ensure that they spend their time most comfortably until the flight.”
For animals checked in at Istanbul Airport, the process starts at the ticket and baggage counter. For AVIH pets arriving from abroad or other airports, the Pet Lounge service begins once the aircraft lands at the airport.
Veterinarian Tufe Benlioglu said she and her assistant are responsible for the animals’ health before flight.
“We meet their necessary needs here. We take care of their toilet needs, carry out health checks, and check whether their cages and, if necessary, their breed are suitable,” Benlioglu said.
She said animals are checked both when they are received and before they are sent to the aircraft.
Benlioglu also said some breeds cannot be transported because of legal or health restrictions. She cited British and Scottish breeds among cats, and pugs among dogs as examples of breeds that may pose health-related concerns, while pit bulls and kangals are among legally restricted breeds.
“These animals arrive with documents, but we carry out a second check here,” she said.
Turkish Airlines says the aim of the Pet Lounge is to reduce pre-flight stress for animals travelling in the cargo hold while improving the wider passenger experience at Istanbul Airport.
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