Passengers arriving to Turkey from abroad are required to have taken a PCR test with a negative result with the sample given within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure. Turkish citizens are required to submit a personal HES code for domestic and TRNC flights. Passengers arriving from abroad and have a domestic transit are not required to submit a personal HES code provided that the duration between the two flights is less than 12 hours. Passenger admissions on international flights are made according to the restrictions of the destination country. In our stations where temperature measurement is allowed, measurement is made with non-contact temperature meters during boarding. If our passengers show illness symptoms and their fever is above 38°C, they may not be permitted to board to our flights.

The personal HES code is mandatory only for the domestic flights. For details, please review this page.

Since the HES code not required for infants, you will not see them listed in the HES code entry area during the ticketing process. We would like to remind you that all infants who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday are accepted as babies and all infants who are over 2 years of age are considered as children.

HES code is mandatory on all domestic flights for citizens of the Republic of Turkey and people whose Foreigner’s ID No issued by the Turkish Republic start with 97, 98, and 99. Please visit the Hayat Eve Sığar (HES) page to learn how to obtain your HES code.

Our domestic flights started operating on June 1, 2020. To board these flights, you must have a personal HES code. Please visit the Hayat Eve Sığar (HES) page for details.

The Travel Permit Document cannot be used instead of the HES code. Please visit the Hayat Eve Sığar (HES) page for details.

In accordance with the circular published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on June 27, 2021, a travel permit is not required to board the aircraft. Passengers can attend domestic flights upon showing their HES codes.

Passengers arriving to Turkey from abroad are required to have taken a PCR test with a negative result with the sample given within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure.

Wearing a mask at the airport, while boarding and during the flight is mandatory. You can only wear a medical mask (masks with one-way valves or vents are not allowed). As single-use surgical masks must be changed every four hours, you are advised to bring enough masks for the duration of your travel.

Passengers are required to wear a surgical mask at all stages during the travel process (including on-site ticket purchasing, check-in, boarding, during the flight, while disembarking, at baggage claim, and until departing the terminal). Masks should not be worn by infants (0-2 years of age) due to the risk of suffocation. Children younger than 6 years of age may not wear masks.

The HES code for passengers under the age of 18 can be obtained via the e-Government portal.

All Turkish citizens and people whose Foreigner’s ID No issued by the Turkish Republic start with 97, 98, and 99 are required to obtain the HES code. The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health is conducting ongoing studies and, if there are changes related to the application, an announcement will be made via the websites of the Ministry and Turkish Airlines.

Per instructions from the Ministry of Health, if there is a restriction notification for the HES code holder during the check-in or boarding processes, the passenger will not be permitted to board the flight and contact with the health unit will be ensured.

The HES code is not mandatory international flights. For International flights with connecting domestic flights (Trabzon-London flight via Istanbul) where there is more than 24 hours of time between connecting flights, HES code is mandatory before the domestic flights.

At this time, our practices have not changed: Transactions are made according to the passenger declaration. If necessary, a doctor's official approval for travel via plane will be requested.

Other than the airports where measuring temperatures is mandatory, passengers’ temperatures are not measured prior to boarding the plane.

Passengers are accepted according to the existing rules.

Pets are accepted on our domestic flights in accordance with our current procedures. As long as there are no country restrictions on international flights, the normal process continues.

These passengers will be expected to submit a doctor’s official report attesting to their condition (heart diease, respiratory problems, asthma, autism, etc). These passengers will be permitted to wear a visor rather than a mask.

All passengers are required to wear a mask during the flight, except for passengers with special conditions. Masks with one-way valves or vents are not allowed. Passengers can use a visor in addition to a mask.

Passengers may travel on a stretcher in accordance with our current procedures. These passengers must submit a doctor’s official report attesting to their condition, issued in Turkish or English, a maximum of 10 days before the flight. The report should also state that the passenger can travel by plane.

The Existing rules apply. Breathing apparatuses that are currently accepted may be used during this time.

Curfews are reported via circulars from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there may be different rules within the scope of each prohibition. These rules are announced on the homepage of our website when the curfew is reported.

It is recommended that you arrive at the terminal three hours before your domestic and international flights, taking into account the additional time requirements that may arise due to enhanced measures in the terminal processes.

As part of personal health measures, we recommend that you wear a mask from the moment you step out of your home. Masks with one-way valves or vents are not allowed. As single-use surgical masks must be changed every four hours, you are advised to bring enough masks for the duration of your travel.

The X-ray devices and baskets are disinfected regularly by IGA.

All passengers arriving at Istanbul Airport will pass over the disinfectant mat and enter the terminal. In addition to the metal detectors at the terminal entrance doors, body scanner devices are used. In addition, passengers’ temperatures are measured.

Istanbul Airport provides 100% fresh air circulation throughout the terminal; clean air flow is regularly checked throughout the terminal.

There are vending machines for hygiene products located within Istanbul Airport. In areas where there is direct contact with the passengers (information points, shopping areas, exchange offices, etc.), isolation is provided with protective panels.

Due to social distancing rules, only passengers and personnel may enter the airport. Family members, friends and/or staff are not permitted to enter the airport.

If the security guards at the entrance of the terminal are informed, passengers with disabilities or illnesses are assisted following the necessary checks, and their escorts or companions will be permitted to enter the airport.

The passenger check-in and boarding halls are constantly monitored and disinfected by the Airport Authority.

The Lounge Domestic and Istanbul Airport, Lounge Miles&Smiles at the International Terminal of the Istanbul Airport and the Lounge Domestic at the Ankara Esenboga Airport have started providing service. The Bangkok and Washington Lounges are also open.

Certain measures have been taken at the airports, and on and after the flight due to the pandemic. Please review this page for more information.

One piece of cabin baggage per passenger not to exceed 8 kg in the Economy Class and two pieces of cabin baggage per passenger up to 8 kg and not to exceed 16 kg in total in the Business Class, one personal item per passenger are permitted for both cabin classes.

By obtaining a mobile boarding pass or having your boarding pass printed at the counter, you can proceed to the gate contact-free. In addition, check-in kiosks have been enhanced: scanning the barcode (on the back of your TR ID card) via the laser reader on the kiosk device enables automatic contactless check-in. The kiosk device will also print your boarding card and seat assignment.

You can carry it as a personal item in maximum size of 40x30x15 cm or as hand luggage in a weight of 8 kg and not exceeding 23x40x55 cm.

At the check-in kiosks, distance lines have been placed to maintain physical distance. Protective panes are placed above the check-in kiosks to ensure safe service distance between you and our staff.

To provide a contactless experience at Istanbul Airport, passengers may print their own passes at boarding pass machines.

One piece of cabin baggage per passenger not to exceed 55x40x23 in size and 8 kg in weight and one personal item as bag per passenger not to exceed 40x30x15 in size can be taken on board in the Economy Class. Business Class passengers may carry two cabin bags if the bag sizes and weights do not exceed 55x40x23 and 8 kg (16 kg in total) and one personal item as bag per passenger, not to exceed 40x30x15 in size can be taken on board.

You can tag and send your own baggage by having your QR code on your mobile boarding pass scanned at the Self Bag Drop check-in area at Istanbul Airport.

The X-ray devices and baskets are disinfected regularly by IGA. However, this procedure is not currently conducted for the baggage delivery.

The guidelines on bringing liquids onboard are the same. In accordance with civil aviation regulations, passengers are not permitted to carry disinfectants and colognes over 100 ml into the aircraft cabin. As the cabin crew provides hand sanitizer, we kindly request that passengers refrain from bringing hand sanitizer or similar liquids.

Because of additional time requirements due to enhanced safety measures, our check-in closing times are 15 minutes earlier and check-in operations will be closed 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time on domestic flights and 75 minutes before the international flights.

It is recommended to be at the boarding gate one hour before departure for domestic flights, and two hours before departure for international flights.

Changes to these processes and procedures will be announced on our official communication channels.

In accordance with the liquid restrictions, disinfectants and colognes over 100 ml are not permitted in the cabin. As the cabin crew provides hand sanitizer, we kindly request that passengers refrain from bringing hand sanitizer or similar liquids.

There are no restrictions under the DGCA. However, we kindly request that passengers in the same row do not take off their masks at the same time. We also request that passengers be considerate of others with regard to wearing their masks.

As long as the medication is in compliance with the list of drugs and medical supplies allowed on board with the passenger, medication can be taken into the aircraft.

Small instruments like guitars, saz etc. where the total dimensions including their boxes/bags that do not exceed 118 cm (width+length+height) can be carried as cabin baggage. You can carry your cello in the cabin for a fee and please remember that the width, length and height (including the case) should not exceed 140x42x25 cm and weight should not be more than 75 kg.

Please note that you are required to make a reservation for your cello at least 48 hours before your flight.

Our business partners providing wheelchair service disinfect the equipment after each use.

If passengers are not permitted to board the flight because they exhibit symptoms of the virus, the existing rules are applied. A change or refund based on the passenger's statement is not possible but we kindly advise you to review our Flexible Changing Rights page for more information.

Bags for infant passengers and children and bags for passengers who need medical care can be taken into the cabin provided that the dimensions are suitable. In this case, the dimensions of the personel items should be 40x30x15 cm.

Only one of your personal item will be accepted in the cabin. We can only accept one of the electronic devices such as a tablet, laptop, small camera or camera inside the cabin.

Boarding standards have been redefined. Passenger boarding will take place in groups, according to seat row starting from the back of the cabin, to maintain physical distance. At Istanbul Airport, boarding pass scanner devices are available, so that passengers can scan their own boarding passes.

Aircraft boarding is conducted via passenger boarding bridges whenever possible. Social distancing rules and procedures are in effect for the apron shuttles, which are used in exceptional cases.

Boardings will be carried out via passenger boarding bridges as much as possible and necessary physical distancing measures are taken in apron buses, which will be used in exceptional cases.

The apron shuttles are disinfected daily and ventilated after each use.

If the flight crew determines that a passenger exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 during the flight, the passengers sitting in the same row and in the front and rear rows are contacted by the Ministry of Health, regardless of the afflicted passenger’s test results. The quarantine process is then initiated. This policy applies only to Turkey; other countries follow the decisions of their own health authorities.

It is mandatory to wear a mask when entering the terminal. During the flight, a hygiene kit that includes a mask and disinfectant wipes is distributed.

During the flight, the air inside the cabin is constantly cleaned with hospital-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) systems. With this filtering system, the air in the cabin is renewed every three minutes with hospital-standard HEPA filter systems. This applies to all our aircraft. HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) are a filtering system that can remove 99.97% of airborne particles (up to 0.3 microns) from the air. The systems in our aircraft transfer the fresh air from the cabin ceiling to the cabin, pull it from the bottom section, and send it to the HEPA filters and outside. Thus, the air inside the cabin does not circulate horizontally between the seats.

Cabin crews’ temperatures are measured before each flight, and masks and glasses, gloves and personal protective equipment are provided, depending on the flight status, for their use during flights.

If passengers show symptoms of the virus during the flight, they and their traveling companions are moved to reserved isolation seats.

Cabin crews are provided with masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment according to flight status for use in flights. Cabin crews change their surgical masks every four hours.

There are hygiene specialists in our aircraft. The hygiene specialist cabin crews are responsible for the implementation of all hygiene and social distance measures inside the cabin and for the delivery of hygiene and health products to the passengers.

After each flight, all contact points in our aircraft including tray tables, armrests, belts, screens, controllers, overhead bins, air vents, reading lamps, side panels, windows, lavatories, partitions, magazine racks, decorative panels and cabinets are thoroughly disinfected by special teams. Our aircraft are disinfected once again by a two-stage special disinfection procedure upon their arrival at our hub, and made ready for their next flight.

The cabin crews are responsible for the implementation of all hygiene and social distance measures inside the cabin. Also, there are hygiene specialists at each aircraft responsible for the implementation of hygiene measures and the delivery of hygiene and health products to the passengers. During the flight, routine cleaning checks of the toilets are carried out and disinfected regularly by the cabin crew.

During the pandemic, the seats and seating arrangements on our aircraft will not change.

If an incident occurs, the cabin crews will take the necessary actions depending on the situation. For this reason, we cannot change the seats as part of the hygiene measures we take. Taking the operational conditions into consideration, a seat change request will be made if there is a need.

It has been determined that the risk of in-flight contamination is low due to factors such as the flow direction of the in-flight ventilation systems, the HEPA filters used in ventilation systems, the use of masks for all our passengers, and the backrests that form a physical barrier. The verticalness of HEPA filters prevents possible particle spread. For this reason, national and international authorities do not consider an empty seat an imperative. Also, considering operational flight costs, leaving the middle seat empty will increase ticket prices. However, depending on availability, care is taken to ensure that passengers do not sit side-by-side.

Yes, the in-flight entertainment system will be available for both domestic and international flights.

The screens and remotes are sanitized with special disinfectants and color-coded microfiber cloths.

Informational videos about the COVID-19 pandemic, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, are available. The video content includes general information about the virus, how the virus spreads, its symptoms and what to do if these symptoms occur, virus protection methods, travel history, and how to most effectively wash hands.

Hygiene kits are offered to all passengers to support the personal hygiene.

Products in the hygiene set include:

• Mask and antiseptic wipes for flights lasting up to 4 hours
• Mask, antiseptic wipes, and disinfectant products are included on long-haul flights lasting more than 4 hours.

The bag in the front seat pocket can be used for all waste.

The pillow service is currently suspended for health reasons. Blankets are available on flights of more than 4 hours.

All textile products on the aircraft are washed at professional facilities in high temperatures with allergen-free special chemicals provided by the authorities, and packed by automatic packaging machines.

Products that are available for multiple use, including newspapers and magazines, have been temporarily removed to prevent them being contaminated by an infected person. You can use the PressReader app as an alternative.

We serve Denon headphones in our transoceanic business class flights, Philips branded headphones in the Business class of all other international flights, and disposable headphones in the economy class of our international flights.

All lavatories have special hand sanitizers.

Safety cards cannot be removed from the aircraft for operational reasons. They are made from special PVC-produced raw materials and, therefore, are not disposable. Like other contact points, they are also disinfected.

We provide hot towel service on our international flights.

On long-haul flights lasting more than 8 hours, slippers will continue to be available in Business class.

Passengers traveling in Business Class cabin on long-distance flights over 8 hours and flights over 5 hours* are provided with a travel kit.

*Amenity kit service may not be available on some flights depending on the arrival and flight time.

We provide catering service on all of our flights.

The new catering concept (except for Business Class passengers on transatlantic flights) has been implemented to protect the health of passengers and crews at the maximum level and to minimize additional contact with the food.

The new catering concept has been implemented to protect the health of passengers and crews at the maximum level and to minimize contact between cabin crew and passengers.

Catering is produced in hygienic kitchens in accordance with protocols and criteria published by the Ministry of Health.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health Science Board, passengers sitting in the same row should not remove their masks simultaneously. Therefore, we kindly request our passengers not to eat and drink at the same time with the passengers in the same row.

We offer tea and coffee to Business and Economy Class passengers on international flights. In accordance with the hygiene measures taken, tea and coffee are not offered at this time to Economy Class passengers on domestic flights.

Alcohol is served to Economy and Business Class passengers on international flights over 2 hours and 15 minutes and to Business Class passengers on transatlantic flights.

Distribution of menu card is continued for Business Class passengers and Economy Class passengers on transatlantic flights.

Passengers can order special meals on international flights: Diabetic meal (DBML), Gluten-free meal (GFML), Hindu Non-Vegetarian (HNML), Kosher meal (KSML), Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML), Vegan Meal (VGML), Baby Meal (BBML) and Child Meal (CHML). Please visit the Special Meal Service page for more information.

Yes, it will be.

Catering will be different for Business and Economy Class passengers.

The menu content will differ according to the food and breakfast service. We offer a warm meal (with options and from the menu) and snacks (Pringles, cake and sandwich) for Business Class passengers on transatlantic flights and snacks (taco, fruit juice and water) for Economy Class passengers on transatlantic flights.

Flying chefs are ready to serve Business Class passengers on transatlantic flights.

Baby food is available on our flights.

There is hot water supply for infant passengers.

The content of catering for Business Class passengers on international flights includes a warm meal (with options and from the menu) and snacks (cake and sandwich) depending on the flight duration. The content of catering for Economy Class passengers on international flights includes a warm meal (with options) and snacks (cake and sandwich) depending on the flight duration. Cold meal/breakfast is served to Business Class passengers on international flights less than 2 hours and cold meal/breakfast in a box is served to Economy Class passengers on international flights less than 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Hot towel service is available on international flights.

Due to hygiene rules, our service of celebration cake is suspended temporarily, including our domestic and international flights and all our flight cabins.

Welcome Drink" is served to Business Class passengers on international flights.

After announcements by the cabin crew, passengers may disembark starting from the first row. To ensure social distancing, passengers in each row are requested to wait as those in front of them leave the aircraft.

To avoid traffic in the jetways, such items are delivered to the passenger via the baggage claim.

At Istanbul Airport, distance markers have been placed on floors around the baggage claim conveyer belts to reduce physical contact.

The X-ray devices and baskets are disinfected regularly by IGA. However, there is no application at this time during the baggage delivery.

Quarantine measures and travel restrictions are determined by the official authorities of each country and are updated frequently. We recommend that you visit the IATA Travel Centre for the most up-to-date information.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test indicates whether the virus is present in a person’s body and how the body responds to the infection. 

Some countries have made it mandatory for passengers to have had a PCR test in order to enter that country. 

We strongly recommend that passengers review the PCR testing policies of the country to which they are traveling. For details regarding the test applications to be performed to passengers who are required PCR tests by the country of destination, please click here.

PCR test requirements are determined by the official authorities of the countries of origin and destination. For information about passport, visa and health requirements of the country of destination, please visit IATA's passport, health and visa requirements page. You can get detailed information from the Travel Restrictions Applied by Countries page for country-specific restrictions and other applications.

You can take a PCR test at the certified centers of the Ministry of Health (see the COVID-19 page). Tests are also performed at health centers in major airports such as Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen, Ankara, Antalya, İzmir Adnan Menderes, and the Bodrum, Adana, Malatya and Trabzon airports. As there may be delays, we advise you to take precautions beforehand.

Please click here for PCR test fees.

Passengers should bring documents related to their departure, including tickets, invitations, education certificates, petitions, etc., to the relevant provincial health directorate. The application must include proof, such as a receipt or transaction document, that the examination fee has been deposited to the specified account number.

The results are provided as printouts in the center where the PCR test was performed. Results can also be viewed in in Turkish and in English by entering the last four digits of the passport number and barcode number via e-mail or via e-Nabız. Results can be printed in two languages.

All passengers over 12 years of age arriving to Turkey from abroad are required to have taken a PCR test with a negative result with the sample given within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure. Digital test results are accepted. The tests can be in any language. Seamen, truck drivers and passengers who can submit a death report for a funeral are exempt from this application.

We offer free change rights for passengers whose test results will prohibit them from entry into the country of their destination.

PCR test requirements are determined by each country. We strongly recommend that you review the entry rules of your destination country.

Transit passengers arriving to Turkey from abroad are not required to submit a PCR test in Turkey however they are advised to review the flight restrictions applied by the destination country.

It may vary depending on the location of the test center at the airport. Please contact the airport for more information.

The PCR test center is located on the arrivals floor of Istanbul Airport

If the center is not busy, you can get your result in 2 to 7 hours.

All passengers departing from Istanbul Airport and submitting their travels documents can have a PCR test performed and the test is subject to a fee. Please click here for more details

The transfer area of the Istanbul airport does not have a test center.

As of midnight December 30, 2020, passengers arriving to Turkey are required to have taken a PCR test with a negative result with the sample given within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure in the country of departure, and the test result should be submitted during check-in. Passengers of 6 years and younger are not required to submit a PCR test result.

Please visit this page for current Country Specific COVID-19 PCR Test Entry Requirements.

Passengers of 6 years and younger are not required to submit a PCR test result.

If you are not permitted to board the flight because you did not submit a PCR test result, please review the announcements page for ticket change rights or refund transactions.

If you are not permitted to board the flight because you failed to submit a PCR test result due to a problem caused by Turkish Airlines, please review the announcements page for ticket change rights or refund transactions.

If the passengers provide proof about this situation, the refund and change request will be evaluated by the relevant departments and the passengers will be informed.