A new lounge has recently been added to Miami International Airport's excellent collection of upscale pre-departure areas.
Around the holidays, the new Turkish Airlines flagship lounge opened, and it is a pleasant addition for Priority Pass members and Star Alliance travelers.
The area, which is decorated in a similar style to the airline's mega-lounge in Istanbul, has a nearly 10,000-square-foot floorplan with seating for 420 customers.
Let's go straight into the details since there is much to love.
Place and accessibility
The lounge is initially accessible to a huge number of travelers.
Anyone with Star Alliance Gold status, whether traveling domestically or internationally, is permitted entry to the lounge in addition to greeting Star Alliance business class customers.
A United Premier Gold, Platinum, or 1K member can utilize the Turkish Lounge prior to a three-hour journey to Newark as a result.
The doors to the Turkish Lounge can be unlocked with the proper credit card even if you are not a Star Alliance elite member.
Many of the credit cards we highly suggest come with a free Priority Pass membership.
No matter whose airline you're traveling with or what elite status you have, as long as you have a Priority Pass, you can enter the lounge.
For travelers of Delta, Southwest, and United, the lounge's prime location on the top level between Concourses H and J makes it particularly convenient.
Currently, the new lounge is open from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., but after a pandemic, it will be open all the time to passengers.
The airline with its base in Istanbul now provides two lounges in Miami.
The airline also opened a smaller room in Concourse E in late 2019 in addition to this new one, however it is now closed because to the pandemic.
Layout
Flyers are welcomed by a front desk representative positioned behind plexiglass as soon as they enter the area.
There are two primary chambers inside: a bigger, rectangular one farther in, and a smaller, circular one closer to the entrance.
The smaller portion has a rotunda in the middle with benches, a small business center with a printer, a television room, and a play area for children.
Due to COVID, the lounge can only hold 50% of its intended audience. There are also stickers on the floor and chairs that mark the boundaries of acceptable social distance.
Numerous sitting options are available in the main space, including benches integrated into the walls, couches, recliners, and freestanding circular dining tables.
You nearly get the impression that you've entered an upscale bazaar thanks to the dark wood, cream leather motifs, and gold accents, which are reminiscent of the carrier's network-wide Arabic and Mediterranean theme.
But don't fall for it.
The two surfboards and tiny boardwalk in teal color serve as a reminder that you are still in Miami.
The abundance of natural light that pours into the room from all directions is one of its best features.
Of course, my particular favorite is the unimpeded views of Concourse J's west side, which make for excellent jet watching throughout rush hour in the afternoon and evening.
Despite the lounge's open-seating design, the floor-to-ceiling partitions allow everyone feel like they have their own place.
Food and drink
Due to the pandemic, lounge staff members serve all food and beverages.
The rectangular freestanding buffet also offers food selections that are individually wrapped.
Breakfast is available from the time the hotel opens until 11 a.m. and features a variety of classic American dishes such scrambled eggs, yogurts, muffins, and more.
At noon, the buffet is transformed into an all-day dining option with food with an Arabic flavor.
Although I was unable to sample any of the food, it all appeared to be delicious and fresh, which was a notable improvement above the typical American airline lounge.
Traditional lentil soup and kofta kebabs are offered upon request in addition to the cold meal selections.
Turkey's national beverage, raki, as well as classic favorites like Bacardi rum and Beefeater gin are among the complimentary spirits available at the fully equipped bar.
Cocktail menus have been reduced in order to decrease touch points, but the accommodating bartender will happily make your preferred beverage upon request.
Additionally, a variety of red and white wines, Heineken, Yuengling, and Mahou beers are available on a rotating basis.
Individual cans of soft drinks bearing the Coca-Cola name are offered, along with Turkish tea and coffee.
Amenities
The area is well-stocked with facilities but lacking a spa like the adjoining Amex Centurion Lounge.
The designated kids' area will be appreciated by families with young children.
Additionally, there is a six-seat rest room with recliners.
For distinguished guests and other top-tier Turkish Airlines travelers, the lounge offers a designated VIP space.
Throughout my stay, the marble-covered, gender-specific restrooms were spotless.
The lounge was equipped with standard electrical outlets and USB connections.
The Wi-Fi speeds were pretty impressive for Miami Airport, which typically provides one of the worst internet connections among domestic airports, at 100 Mbps download and upload.
In conclusion
The new Turkish Airlines lounge in Miami is a wonderful location with an Arabic-themed interior, lots of seats, and excellent food and drinks.
It's without a doubt one of the best Priority Pass lounges in the country, therefore I'd certainly suggest visiting.
Just be mindful of the passing time to avoid skipping flight boarding.
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