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About Stockholm
The Scandinavian city of Stockholm is the capital of the country, Sweden. Located on the coast touching the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is part of the archipelago which also connects the city to 14 more islands. The islands are brilliantly connected with more than 50 bridges. The city of Stockholm is a known political, cultural, economic and media hub of Sweden. In fact, over the years, they have also found prominence to contribute to the climate change movement with staunch leaders and innovative methods. The city thrives with lively streets, nightlife and food establishments.
Best time to visit Stockholm
As a Scandinavian city, the summers in Stockholm are pleasant and alluring. The city witnesses cold winters almost throughout the year with summer temperatures reaching a maximum 22 degree Celsius. You can imagine how the place is cold for most of the year. The summers also mean a call for celebration for the locals, which brings about a massive crowd on the streets. Mid-July sees the hottest days in Stockholm and is quite pleasant, especially if you're travelling from a hot region. June to August is undoubtedly the best time to visit Stockholm as the city witnesses its summer peak. The temperatures might be hot for the locals, but to travellers, it is nothing short of pleasant. Summers do bring a surge in their hotel accommodations though. Even flight bookings to Stockholm turn expensive as the city springs up to life. During this season, there are many festivals celebrated in the city such as A Taste of Stockholm, Popaganda, Stockholm Pride and the most famous, Midsummer Festival. The festival takes place in the June month every year and brings all the Swedes together to create fancy wreaths, drink up to the heart's content under the bright sun and dance by around the maypole.
With skyrocketing hotel prices in Stockholm, the trip might get super expensive. However, if you can handle the winters or even the fall season in Stockholm, you should definitely opt to go between September to November. The brisk wind might give you chills, but the city is pleasant. In fact, flights to Stockholm during this season is quite cheap, as are the accommodations. You can book your hotel in Stockholm without having to worry about the exorbitant rates of the peak season. Plus, the city also celebrates Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival in these months, much like the rest of the world. If not Germany, you can ring in the OktoberFest right here in Stockholm. To snag the best of flight and hotel deals to Stockholm will need you to plan a trip in their winters. Despite the cold winters, the Christmas celebrations and a trip from the city to witness the Aurora Borealis views are some of the highlights. You can make the most of their snow and cool weather. Stockholm does close up early in winters because not many people step out and it might get a tad bit boring.
Places to visit in Stockholm
Stockholm is a haven for an urban tourist to relax and unwind. The whole vibe of the city is calm and composed, adding to one's need to escape from the noise. Some of the fun touristy things that you can do in the city are to visit Gamla Stan. It is basically an old neighbourhood which gave birth to Stockholm. The area is windy and has a lovely landscape that matches perfectly with the weather. You can take a trip to Djurgården island, which is located very close to the city. Just take up a ferry ride to the island and soak in all the traditional Swedish countryside without having to venture to the interiors. You should also check out Vasa Museum, Rosendals Garden, Fotografiska and the Royal Palace (also known as Kungliga Slottet). These places are classic tourist destinations. For the real fun in Stockholm, though, go for the outdoorsy activities.
Things to do in Stockholm
As part of an archipelago, the Swedes of Stockholm are very much invested in sailing and cruising. You can actually take up a cruise ride to island-hop and check out the surroundings of Stockholm. You can further visit the Djurgården island and indulge in various activities such as biking, strolling, going on a picnic, visiting more than 21 museums and chilling at an amusement park. The air of Stockholm is so clean that you would want to settle forever to enjoy the tranquillity. Do not miss out on engaging in the city's nightlife. It certainly is a vibrant kind that would help you meet new people. The Swedes are really sweet and friendly people so on your way back from the city, you will have some beautiful memories to look back at.
Food and Restaurants in Stockholm
The city of Stockholm has international cuisine for all kinds of travellers. Thanks to the same, you wouldn't feel like you're stranded in a place where you cannot eat what you want. While they do have variety, it is recommended that you try the Swedish cuisine. Their cuisine mostly has meat and potato in abundance as well as proteins and starches. Basically, theirs is a wholesome food that is rich in proteins and starch. Stockholm also has a lot of focus on seafood as it is in proximity to the Baltic coast. With so much variety available in the Swedish cuisine alone, you wouldn't need to check out other international meals. From herring to Jansson's Temptation, you should try some of the traditional Swedish meals. In seafood, you could also give crayfish a try. They are popular, especially among the upper-class citizens and come at an expensive price. If you do wish to make some exorbitant indulgence, you should order for this scrumptious meal. While you're at it, do not miss out the marinated salmon which comes with dill potatoes as sides.
You should know that the Swedish love meatball and you will find many variations to the same. They make sure to add them in all their dishes from spaghetti to macaroni, the meatballs go with all. The side with their meals is always mashed potatoes, which only accentuate the flavours. Chives and sour cream also play a pivotal role in adding more colours and texture to the meal. Not just the spread of meals but even their desserts and savouries are lip-smacking. From the delectable cinnamon buns to the princess cake, these items would be the best way to round up wholesome dining experience. You should visit Frantzen, Gastrologik, Tapas 28, Glashuset, Stockholms Gastabud and Agrikultur, to name a few. These places serve the best meals, and they also have an amazing service. You will be happy with the way the Swedes treat their customers. Since they are soft-spoken people, to begin with, they often have a very polite way of communicating with people.
How to reach Stockholm (Transportation)
Flight connectivity to Stockholm from India is quite decent as there are many available airlines offering services. However, there are no direct flights to Sweden, and often, you will need to either deal with extended layovers or will have to run for connecting flights in foreign airports. There are a few airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Finnair, Vistara, Lufthansa, that have regular flights connecting with Stockholm. You will be met with at least one layover or require to opt for one connecting flight from international cities to Stockholm. As a Scandinavian country, much of the international route to Stockholm is via Europe. A majority of the flights to Stockholm actually require you to take a connecting flight from European countries. Out of these, the most popular route to Stockholm is from Germany, Munich and Frankfurt, to be specific. There are stops at Helsinki and Zurich as well, however, those require changing of multiple flights as opposed to the one you can get from the German cities. It takes approximately 11 hours to 14 hours to travel from Mumbai to Stockholm.
You should make note of applying for a Transit Schengen Visa when travelling to Stockholm from Mumbai. The visa basically gives you permission to enter the Schengen territory, basically to wait at the airports and change flights. The visa only allows you to be in the airport premise and you cannot step outside to the main city. If you've chosen the international route to Stockholm from Germany or France, you will need a Transit Schengen Visa. The flight tickets to Stockholm from India are quite cheap and affordable. Even round trips would amount to a cheaper deal. It is recommended that you book round trip tickets to Stockholm. Also, you'll get bonus deals for booking your flight and hotels in Stockholm together. Various online flight deals also have accommodation offers. However, if you want to wing it and book a hostel or do couch-surfing, make sure to book these in advance. It would be essential for a traveller to make prior bookings for everything as it would only help reduce the cost of the trip. You will have enough kronas to splurge on sailing trips.
About Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the popular cities in Turkey which has been split by the Bosphorus Strait to have parts of it in Europe as well as Asia. The old city is known for its rich Byzantine heritage, which can still be witnessed in a majority of the monuments and tourist attractions. Istanbul is the financial, economic, historical and cultural hub of Turkey and witnesses a great turnover of tourists every year, especially during peak seasons.
Aside from being one of the largest cities in the world, Istanbul's population is quite high for a European city. The city is always crowded and can often get overwhelming with the excess crowd. There are various ways to reach the city, such as flights to Istanbul and cruises to the city's port from the Mediterranean Sea.
As a tourist hub, the city witnesses tourists flocking over from all directions. While their airport is busy with a plethora of flights flying in and out of Istanbul, even their sea routes see the same fervour. Ships and cruise voyages are a big hit among tourists who have the luxury of time and who also enjoy the luxe lifestyle. Many cities such as Barcelona, Nice, Athens, Sardinia, and more, have regular cruises heading to the port of Istanbul.
Some of the major highlights of the city are the Byzantium structures such as the Basilica Cistern, Chora Museum, to name a few. Accommodation prices fluctuate depending on the travel season.
Best time to visit Istanbul
Istanbul witnesses the best climate between March to May and September to November. As the city faces tremendous humidity to the point of annoyance, the summers and winters are also not ideal for travelling to Istanbul. However, Istanbul still receives an extensive crowd between June to August, summer. Even with the temperatures soaring high, many folks from the cold countries flock over to enjoy the hot sun and humid weather. It might be taxing to the ones already living in hot and humid atmospheres. The demand for Istanbul's summers is surprisingly high. The peak season comes with high-priced tags on hotel rooms in Istanbul. Even flights to Istanbul during the summer months are expensive. However, if you're planning a trip from India, which already enjoy its share of hot and humid weather, summer is definitely not the best time for you.
Months leading to winter and summer though, they are really pleasant and favourable for travelling and engaging in touristy activities. September to November bring the city's temperatures down as the roads are blessed with a cold breeze and quaint environment. Even the flight tickets to Istanbul drop, and there are cheap and affordable flight deals that you can acquire. These months usually witness rain showers, due to which, the tourism is put at a standstill. For a budget-traveller though, it is the best time to visit. The accommodation prices drop exceptionally in the city during this season, paving way for booking hotels in Istanbul for cheap. Another perk of this season is how various cultural festivals take place. Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul International Puppet Festival, Istanbul Theatre Festival, Contemporary Istanbul and Akbank Jazz Festival, are some of the festivals organised by the city to entertain the locals as well as the tourists. The March to May months are just as pleasant before summer takes over. Despite the humidity in the air, the spring and fall season caters to the tourism industry by keeping the heat and stickiness at a bare minimum.
Places to visit in Istanbul
Istanbul exquisite palaces and ornate religious structures have always been a fancy for history enthusiasts and tourists driven by cultural relevance. The city's major tourist attractions are centrally located, making traversing to the place convenient. However, thanks to the proximity, this has led to the city of Istanbul being excessively noisy, crowded and chaotic. That shouldn't stop you from exploring the streets of the city though You should visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum. These two attractions are known to be the most important ones in Istanbul and should not be missed. Istanbul's Faith district's another pearl is the Süleymaniye Mosque, which is known to be one of the perfect architectural structure in Ottoman-style. The Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul is a natural wonder on its own with the strategic waterways that connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and simultaneously, dividing the city of Istanbul into two separate continents. This is easily one of the best sights and definitely worth checking out. You can even find fancy restaurants that overlook the strait.
The Basilica Cistern (also called Yerebatan Sarnici) is the largest Byzantine cistern that has managed to survive all through centuries. It is a beautiful site with an underground water reservoir, which is roughly calculated to be the size of two football fields. Another relic from the Byzantine period is the Chora Museum, which was originally a church from the old era. There are some modern structures too that add to Istanbul's charm with the Istanbul Modern museum being one of them. It is a private museum which collects and exhibits artwork that has contemporary significance.
Things to do in Istanbul
Located very close to the Blue Mosque is the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the oldest and massive shopping markets across the globe. With over 5,000 shops and 60 streets, the bazaar tends to overwhelm tourists with its colossal size. Not to mention how the place is constantly bustling with overzealous salesmen. The bazaar also has many quaint cafes and restaurants where you will find a lovely amalgam of cuisines ranging from the Mediterranean to Turkish to Middle Eastern. Many tourists have advocated that simply opting for a stroll around the city streets is the best kind of tourist activity one can indulge in when in Istanbul. Interacting with people and learning new stories about the place is definitely something people would enjoy. Plus, it would also be a good learning experience as you will have many more stories to return with from Istanbul.
Food and Restaurants in Istanbul
Istanbul's dreamy scenic landscapes and cityscapes are not the only marvels that would steal your heart. The city's lovely melange of cuisines from Turkish to the Mediterranean is quite impressive and will go down well with you. The fusion food from the Middle East and Asia further add to the charm of the exquisite delicacies sold on the streets of Istanbul. You will particularly enjoy their kebabs and mezes (tapas-like plates), a popular dish known across Turkey as well as other Middle Eastern countries. The cuisine comprises meat, beans, vegetables and nuts, which combine to make quite the flavour that to get your attention. Another important ingredient for the Turkish is yogurt, which is used as a companion for a majority of their meals. The street food is just as marvellous with döner and simit, to name a few staple dishes. Besides, if the food expedition gets too heavy and makes you conk off, you can also down some impeccable Turkish coffee and feel rejuvenated.
To experience some of the high-end luxe restaurants in Istanbul, visit Ulus 29 which faces the famed Bosphorus, Râna Meyhane for some lip-smacking Ottoman and Mediterranean cuisine. You can take this food expedition further by visiting Banyan to savour some Asian delicacies and St. Regis Brasserie to indulge in some French food. These places are fancy and have some of the best views of the city's Bosphorus Strait. To resort to a more fun and noisy backdrop, head to some meyhanes, located in every nook and corner of the city. Babel Cafe and Restaurant would give you one of the best Turkish dishes.
How to reach Istanbul (Transportation)
Istanbul's international airport, also known as Ataturk International Airport, is the city as well as Turkey's busiest airport. As a city that attracts a lot of tourists, the international airport is well-connected with several major cities in the world. Flight connectivity to Istanbul from India is exceptional. There are direct flights that fly to Istanbul from major cities in the country, including, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, Aeroflot, Ukraine International Airlines are some of the major airlines that have services for direct flights to Istanbul from Indian cities. The distance from India to Turkey is quite decent and can be covered in about seven to ten hours. Depending on whether you choose a connecting flight or a flight with a layover, the duration to reach Istanbul from India would differ accordingly. Turkish Airlines offer direct flights without any layovers and connecting flight business from Mumbai, which takes only seven hours to reach. Direct flights come with a setback of burning a hole in your pocket.
As long as you don't mind paying extra money and spending less time on the flight, you can opt for direct flights. However, if you wish to snag cheap flight tickets to Istanbul, you will either have to pick the flights with longer durations or the ones with layovers. While booking your flight tickets, ensure to book your hotel room in Istanbul as well. You might receive some online flight deals for booking Istanbul flight and accommodation.
About TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal, headquartered at its hu, Lisbon Airport, is the flag carrier airline of Portugal. The airline operates at least 2500 flights a week to 90 destinations in 34 different countries. The airline began its operation in 1946, and the inaugural flight was from Lisbon to Madrid. Since its inception, the airline has been dangling between getting privatised and then getting nationalised again. In 2015, the airline became semi-privatised and finally became a flag carrier for Portugal. TAP Air Portugal has won several awards for being the best engine, best airline and much more. TAP Air Portugal also has subsidiaries under it to save the airlines from diving into any further loss. TAPExpress, Groundforce Portugal, TAP Services, TAP Maintenance and Engineering, now you know why I ask mouthful? The airline is gaining quite the popularity in Europe. The airline has managed to survive and get through the most difficult days with the whole uncertainty of whether or not it will shut down. The airline has also gone through rebranding several times. The airline also has many codeshare agreements with a few other airlines. These include Aegean Airlines, All Nippon Airways, EgyptAir, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, LAM Mozambique Airlines.
TAP Air Portugal has been the recipient of several accolades for its contribution to the aviation industry as well as for providing the industry and its customers with excellent facilities and services. In 2007, the airline was honoured by NATO for Best Engine/Aircraft Source of Repair for its AWACS Maintenance Programme. The airline also won several such awards for conducting and managing the best repair centre for big aircraft and maintaining its fleet. British Condé Nast Traveller even called TAP Air Portugal the World's Best Airline Award.
Fleet size of TAP – Air Portugal
As of 2020, TAP Air Portugal's fleet size stands at 87 aircraft with 25 in order and yet to be delivered. The aircraft that are currently being used by the airline include 18 Airbus A319-100, 19 Airbus A3290200, seven Airbus A320neo, four Airbus A321-200s, six Airbus A321LR, seven Airbus A321neo, seven Airbus A330-200 and 19 Airbus A330-900neo. Out of these, the airline has ordered for eight more of Airbus A320neo, six Airbus A321LR, five Airbus A321neo and six Airbus A330-900neo. TAP Air Portugal turned up as the launch customer of Airbus' latest aircraft model, A330-900 when it was revealed back in 2018. The airline instantly opted to invest in the said aircraft and make it part of Tap Air Portugal's fleet. TAP Air Portugal has made the order for the said type of aircraft, ten of which will be directly delivered by the manufacturing company, Airbus, meaning the others will be leased. They have also estimated that they will be controlling a fleet that will accommodate 133 aircraft, by 2025.
Baggage Allowance
TAP Air Portugal has certain baggage allowance policies for passengers to follow, and these are mandatory. According to TAP Air Portugal's baggage allowance rules, Your hand luggage cannot weigh more than 8 kg, whether you are in the economy class or the business class. Your check-in baggage cannot exceed 32 kg. However, the maximum limit may vary depending on the cabin class and ticket type. It also depends on whether it is a long haul or a short-haul. However, if your baggage is going to exceed the limit, make it a point to inform the airline before your flight so necessary arrangements can be made. You will have to pay extra depending on what the weight of the added luggage is. The dimension of the baggage cannot exceed 158 cm as it comes as an aircraft
Inflight Services
You can easily do a web check-in before reaching the airport unless you want to pick your seats carefully. TAP Air Portugal's in-flight services might be limited to a few, but it is worth every penny spent. The airline has WiFi for all passengers up in the air, you can choose the best seats depending on your type of ticket, the in-flight meals are simply delicious, and you choose from whatever you wish to eat. TAP Air Portugal's in-flight entertainment services, however, are only accessible entirely to the Business Class passengers and not everyone. They have a variety of sources of entertainment like music, television, movies and so on. Now, everything is not available everywhere. Only certain aircraft, like the A330 and A340 or A330, A330neo and A321LRneo.
One of the best TAP Air Portugal in-flight services is that they help you lose your fear of a takeoff. Make sure you head to their website and give it a read before you leave for the trip. If you are travelling by the economy class, make sure you bring your blanket and earplugs with you. However, if you are travelling by the business class, an entire kit will be provided to you. The airline also has its frequent flyer program. You can either use your miles to get a free air ticket, or you can use the points for any other ongoing offers. Make sure you use it for an expensive upgrade.
Popular routes and top cities for TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal was founded in 1946 as a means to play the nation's flag carrier. The airline initially only had operations on the Lisbon - Madrid route and used the Douglas DC-3 for the same. Soon, a new route was introduced by TAP Air Portugal between Angola and Mozambique. The same aircraft was used for the same. The Angola - Mozambique route turned out to take in a lot of praise for being the world's longest route that a DC - 3 has been used for. By 1957, TAP Air Portugal started dropping Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations for their Lisbon - London route as well as Lisbon - Paris. The same year, the airline started to add more destination to it's kitty and fleet to the company. They started flying the TAP Air Portugal to a specific route that connected Portugal with Portuguese Mozambique and Portuguese Angola. In 1957, the airline further added a new route to connect Lisbon to a long haul route be taken for this. It operated from Lisbon to Kano - Leopoldville - Luanda, Lourenço Marques routes and also accommodated medium-haul routes in the same line. Further, the airline also started a new route to connect Lisbon to London.
As of 2012, Portugal was named and recognised as the only European airline that has the most connectivity in Brazil. In the same year, TAP Air Portugal was also recognised as the third-largest airline to serve Latin America, with respect to passenger traffic. In recent years, TAP Air Portugal has made a few domestic routes and international route expansions. A majority of their expansions took place in eastern Europe along with a few other. These are Gothenburg, Panama City, Belgrade, Saint Petersburg, Bogota, Nantes, Hanover, Oviedo and Tallinn. As of 2020, TAP Air Portugal has expanded its horizons to accommodate about 84 destinations, in 35 varied countries. The airline also launched a TAP Express.
Some of the big cities include Algiers, Luanda, Vienna, Brussels, Maceió, Belém, Brasilia, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Boa Vista, Sal, Praia, Prague, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Accra, Hamburg, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Abidjan, Venice, Luxembourg City, Maputo, Oslo, Warsaw, Funchal, Lisbon, Porto, Santa Maria Island, Cape Town, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Zurich, London, Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Why travel by TAP Air Portugal?
TAP Air Portugal has managed to maintain a good reputation in the aviation industry across Europe. The European continent is blessed with some of the finest airlines in the world. Right from the illustrious legacy of Netherlands' KLM - Royal Dutch Airways to the innovative and visionary Austrian Airlines, the airline's sector in Europe has many stalwarts who have ensured to bring the best experience to the passengers as well as develop the aviation industry for the better. TAP Air Portugal also finds itself in the hall of fame as one of the most sought-after airlines in the European continent. The airline has grown tremendously in all its years since inception. From bringing forth some of the world-class in-flight services to adding more comfort to a passenger's journey, TAP Air Portugal has managed to stay ahead of the game. Unlike how a majority of European airlines have their international route connectivity predominantly within the European Union, TAP Air Portugal has extended its wings to go transatlantic to attract more international routes and presence in a diverse market.
The airline has also enhanced its services to the customers and loyal flyers. With the world turning digital, TAP Air Portugal also took its market to the internet and has been doing quite well for itself. They have made web check-in facilities possible for customers. Not to mention how updates on the flight status as well as TAP Air Portugal's flight schedule can also be found on their site. Passengers can book TAP Air Portugal tickets on their website and avail some great benefits too.
About Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is one of the biggest airports in Turkey and serves as an international airport. The airport is situated on the Arnavutköy district, which falls on the European side of the city. Istanbul Airport is reserved for passenger use and should not be confused with Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The airport previously served for commercial flight services. However, the passenger flights were shifted to Istanbul Airport. Istanbul Atatürk Airport is closed for passenger flights, and only Istanbul Airport serves to allow operations of commercial flights.
Istanbul Airport is currently working on expansion plans. Some of the phases of infrastructural development and upgradations are yet to be completed. In fact, the airport authorities have segregated the expansion plans into various stages to enable consistent work. The eventual aim is to accommodate a whopping number of 200 million passengers in a year.
Istanbul Airport has four runways with one terminal that caters to both domestic and international flight movement. While there is only one terminal, the airport as been divided into five concourses and lettered alphabetically, A, B, C, D, F and G. Further with respect to the airport security, they have about 3,500 security personnel. These include 1,850 police, 750 immigration officers, providing airport security.
About Airport Terminals
Currently, the Istanbul Airport has one functioning terminal which services domestic and international flight activities. There are four runways that are operational and made of asphalt. The terminal does have a total of five concourses lettered A, B, D, F and G along with 143 total boarding bridges for passengers alphabetically. Since the one terminal takes care of both, domestic and international flights, the concourses divide the passengers flying from within Turkey and internationally. The Istanbul Airport has 3,500 security personnel dedicated to keeping the vicinity safe. Not to mention how a total of 1,850 police along with 750 immigration officers who are expected to join the airport security. The Istanbul Airport does have extensive plans to expand the terminals from the functional ones. The main terminal is known to have the capacity of passenger 90 million annually. It poses a tough competition with Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, which also boasts a large floor area. Istanbul Airport's runways are quite large, with one of them being 4,100 metres long.
About Airport Authority
Istanbul Airport is owned by General Directorate of State Airports Authority. However, it is being operated by Istanbul Grand Airport. The General Directorate of State Airports Authority is primarily a Turkish government body that takes care of the smooth functioning of a majority of airports in Turkey. They are also responsible for the regulation and overseeing the air traffic in the airspace that falls under the Turkish territory. Although the authority takes care of operations of many airports, the exceptions include Istanbul Airport, Milas-Bodrum Airport, Antalya Airport and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The operations of Istanbul Airport are undertaken by Istanbul Grand Airport. They have been working extensively on enabling the airport to be one of the best in the world.
Much recently, the authority came up with a project called Istanbul Airport City, which is set to bring about an intriguing urban development design. The airport city's design has since been enhanced with provisions for world-class amenities to support the Istanbul Airport's functions. The Airport City's unique concept has been undertaken by Perkin+Will, a renowned international design company. Istanbul Airport City model's location is parallel to the Istanbul Airport. The best part about the project's design is how it resembles the city of Istanbul. IGA aims to make the Istanbul Airport City as the cultural and economic hub for Turkey. The Istanbul Airport City will have four main zones which would be directly connected to the core zone of Terminal 1. The Istanbul Airport City is also slated to have an aviation academy and university, retail, hotels, hospital facility and more. IGA is also planning on bringing sustainable practices to enable a positive approach to environmental management.
Top airlines flying from Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is gifted with great airlines connection. There are many flights that fly to and from the Istanbul Airport and have dedicated park bays too. In fact, the airport also sees Indian airlines, IndiGo. It is the only Indian airline that is available at the Istanbul Airport. In fact, the airline has devoted direct flight to IndiGo. Along with the Indian airline though, the Istanbul Airport further sees a lot of international connections too. With Turkish Airlines taking the majority of air traffic, the airport does witness flights of airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Albania, Air Astana, Air France, Air Moldova, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Jazeera Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Libyan Airlines, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Tunisair, Sichuan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. The Istanbul Airport does lack cargo operations as a majority of the operations are being taken up by Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Facilities at the Istanbul Airport
ATM and foreign exchange - ATM kiosks and forex counters are available at regular intervals at the airport. In fact, you can find the forex counters at the arrivals section of all terminals. It would be best to go through the airport's website if you need to know the exact location of the forex counters. The information desk would also perfect place for you to visit.
Baggage - The airport offers a slew of baggage-related facilities such as baggage delivery, baggage wrapping, porter services and more. These services are perfect as they would help you with all your luggage woes.
Prayer rooms - Dedicated multi-faith rooms have been installed at the airport. They can be availed by visitors, and there are 44 rooms in total. Half of them serve men, and the other half serve women. You must know the ones that you can enter.
Restaurants and cafes - Food courts, establishments and upscale restaurants are also present at the airport terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals spaces. In fact, many of the lounges in the airport also cater to an exquisite culinary experience.
Lounges - The Istanbul Airport accommodates a slew of airline lounges, including VIP rooms and business conference halls. These make it convenient for the passengers who are travelling with first-class and business-class tickets. The lounge also has spas and upscale restaurants to make it a good experience for travellers.
Medical services - Medical services such as emergency teams and pharmacies are also available at the airport. You can visit the information desk to find out more about their paramedic services. Pharmacies are also present at the departures and arrivals sections of the terminals. This is to ensure that an emergency situation is catered to immediately.
Nursing rooms - For new mothers with infants, dedicated nursing rooms have also been installed. The rooms are perfectly hygienic and sanitized to ensure that the mothers feel safe about the environment. The area also has baby products and essentials such as baby powders and diapers.
Special assistance - Special assistance and porter services are also offered at the airport. In fact, you can inform your airlines about the services you require which need special assistance and the airport would provide you with the same.
Smoking zone - To keep the air of the airport fresh, they have restricted smoking in public. There are dedicated smoking rooms in the airport lounge that you can visit. In case you do not have any on you. Provisions to purchase the same is also available.
How to reach Istanbul Airport
Public Transport
Much recently, the Istanbul Airport worked on bringing forth a dedicated public transportation link that would be connected to the city. There are many scheduled rides that would reach you to the Istanbul Airport as well as the city. There are taxis and other public transportations that are available at the airport. Not to mention how you can find them from anywhere in the main city too. You can find bus routes to take to reach the Istanbul Airport on their website.
Rentals and taxis
You can find taxis and rental cars that would reach you to Istanbul Airport. It might be nice to take up cars and taxis for a relaxed departure. It is essential for you to plan your route in advance to make sure that you reach the Istanbul Airport on time. Maps would guide you perfectly to the airport. It is essential that you keep a check on the traffic that the Istanbul city possesses. Since Istanbul is known to be extremely crowded and busy at all times, it would be best to plan a route in advance to reach the Istanbul Airport without any delay in the schedule. The airport does offer 24/7 taxi service that can be found at several counters. You can book a ride from the departures as well as the arrivals.
About Stockholm
The Scandinavian city of Stockholm is the capital of the country, Sweden. Located on the coast touching the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is part of the archipelago which also connects the city to 14 more islands. The islands are brilliantly connected with more than 50 bridges. The city of Stockholm is a known political, cultural, economic and media hub of Sweden. In fact, over the years, they have also found prominence to contribute to the climate change movement with staunch leaders and innovative methods. The city thrives with lively streets, nightlife and food establishments.
Best time to visit Stockholm
As a Scandinavian city, the summers in Stockholm are pleasant and alluring. The city witnesses cold winters almost throughout the year with summer temperatures reaching a maximum 22 degree Celsius. You can imagine how the place is cold for most of the year. The summers also mean a call for celebration for the locals, which brings about a massive crowd on the streets. Mid-July sees the hottest days in Stockholm and is quite pleasant, especially if you're travelling from a hot region. June to August is undoubtedly the best time to visit Stockholm as the city witnesses its summer peak. The temperatures might be hot for the locals, but to travellers, it is nothing short of pleasant. Summers do bring a surge in their hotel accommodations though. Even flight bookings to Stockholm turn expensive as the city springs up to life. During this season, there are many festivals celebrated in the city such as A Taste of Stockholm, Popaganda, Stockholm Pride and the most famous, Midsummer Festival. The festival takes place in the June month every year and brings all the Swedes together to create fancy wreaths, drink up to the heart's content under the bright sun and dance by around the maypole.
With skyrocketing hotel prices in Stockholm, the trip might get super expensive. However, if you can handle the winters or even the fall season in Stockholm, you should definitely opt to go between September to November. The brisk wind might give you chills, but the city is pleasant. In fact, flights to Stockholm during this season is quite cheap, as are the accommodations. You can book your hotel in Stockholm without having to worry about the exorbitant rates of the peak season. Plus, the city also celebrates Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival in these months, much like the rest of the world. If not Germany, you can ring in the OktoberFest right here in Stockholm. To snag the best of flight and hotel deals to Stockholm will need you to plan a trip in their winters. Despite the cold winters, the Christmas celebrations and a trip from the city to witness the Aurora Borealis views are some of the highlights. You can make the most of their snow and cool weather. Stockholm does close up early in winters because not many people step out and it might get a tad bit boring.
Places to visit in Stockholm
Stockholm is a haven for an urban tourist to relax and unwind. The whole vibe of the city is calm and composed, adding to one's need to escape from the noise. Some of the fun touristy things that you can do in the city are to visit Gamla Stan. It is basically an old neighbourhood which gave birth to Stockholm. The area is windy and has a lovely landscape that matches perfectly with the weather. You can take a trip to Djurgården island, which is located very close to the city. Just take up a ferry ride to the island and soak in all the traditional Swedish countryside without having to venture to the interiors. You should also check out Vasa Museum, Rosendals Garden, Fotografiska and the Royal Palace (also known as Kungliga Slottet). These places are classic tourist destinations. For the real fun in Stockholm, though, go for the outdoorsy activities.
Things to do in Stockholm
As part of an archipelago, the Swedes of Stockholm are very much invested in sailing and cruising. You can actually take up a cruise ride to island-hop and check out the surroundings of Stockholm. You can further visit the Djurgården island and indulge in various activities such as biking, strolling, going on a picnic, visiting more than 21 museums and chilling at an amusement park. The air of Stockholm is so clean that you would want to settle forever to enjoy the tranquillity. Do not miss out on engaging in the city's nightlife. It certainly is a vibrant kind that would help you meet new people. The Swedes are really sweet and friendly people so on your way back from the city, you will have some beautiful memories to look back at.
Food and Restaurants in Stockholm
The city of Stockholm has international cuisine for all kinds of travellers. Thanks to the same, you wouldn't feel like you're stranded in a place where you cannot eat what you want. While they do have variety, it is recommended that you try the Swedish cuisine. Their cuisine mostly has meat and potato in abundance as well as proteins and starches. Basically, theirs is a wholesome food that is rich in proteins and starch. Stockholm also has a lot of focus on seafood as it is in proximity to the Baltic coast. With so much variety available in the Swedish cuisine alone, you wouldn't need to check out other international meals. From herring to Jansson's Temptation, you should try some of the traditional Swedish meals. In seafood, you could also give crayfish a try. They are popular, especially among the upper-class citizens and come at an expensive price. If you do wish to make some exorbitant indulgence, you should order for this scrumptious meal. While you're at it, do not miss out the marinated salmon which comes with dill potatoes as sides.
You should know that the Swedish love meatball and you will find many variations to the same. They make sure to add them in all their dishes from spaghetti to macaroni, the meatballs go with all. The side with their meals is always mashed potatoes, which only accentuate the flavours. Chives and sour cream also play a pivotal role in adding more colours and texture to the meal. Not just the spread of meals but even their desserts and savouries are lip-smacking. From the delectable cinnamon buns to the princess cake, these items would be the best way to round up wholesome dining experience. You should visit Frantzen, Gastrologik, Tapas 28, Glashuset, Stockholms Gastabud and Agrikultur, to name a few. These places serve the best meals, and they also have an amazing service. You will be happy with the way the Swedes treat their customers. Since they are soft-spoken people, to begin with, they often have a very polite way of communicating with people.
How to reach Stockholm (Transportation)
Flight connectivity to Stockholm from India is quite decent as there are many available airlines offering services. However, there are no direct flights to Sweden, and often, you will need to either deal with extended layovers or will have to run for connecting flights in foreign airports. There are a few airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Finnair, Vistara, Lufthansa, that have regular flights connecting with Stockholm. You will be met with at least one layover or require to opt for one connecting flight from international cities to Stockholm. As a Scandinavian country, much of the international route to Stockholm is via Europe. A majority of the flights to Stockholm actually require you to take a connecting flight from European countries. Out of these, the most popular route to Stockholm is from Germany, Munich and Frankfurt, to be specific. There are stops at Helsinki and Zurich as well, however, those require changing of multiple flights as opposed to the one you can get from the German cities. It takes approximately 11 hours to 14 hours to travel from Mumbai to Stockholm.
You should make note of applying for a Transit Schengen Visa when travelling to Stockholm from Mumbai. The visa basically gives you permission to enter the Schengen territory, basically to wait at the airports and change flights. The visa only allows you to be in the airport premise and you cannot step outside to the main city. If you've chosen the international route to Stockholm from Germany or France, you will need a Transit Schengen Visa. The flight tickets to Stockholm from India are quite cheap and affordable. Even round trips would amount to a cheaper deal. It is recommended that you book round trip tickets to Stockholm. Also, you'll get bonus deals for booking your flight and hotels in Stockholm together. Various online flight deals also have accommodation offers. However, if you want to wing it and book a hostel or do couch-surfing, make sure to book these in advance. It would be essential for a traveller to make prior bookings for everything as it would only help reduce the cost of the trip. You will have enough kronas to splurge on sailing trips.
About Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the popular cities in Turkey which has been split by the Bosphorus Strait to have parts of it in Europe as well as Asia. The old city is known for its rich Byzantine heritage, which can still be witnessed in a majority of the monuments and tourist attractions. Istanbul is the financial, economic, historical and cultural hub of Turkey and witnesses a great turnover of tourists every year, especially during peak seasons.
Aside from being one of the largest cities in the world, Istanbul's population is quite high for a European city. The city is always crowded and can often get overwhelming with the excess crowd. There are various ways to reach the city, such as flights to Istanbul and cruises to the city's port from the Mediterranean Sea.
As a tourist hub, the city witnesses tourists flocking over from all directions. While their airport is busy with a plethora of flights flying in and out of Istanbul, even their sea routes see the same fervour. Ships and cruise voyages are a big hit among tourists who have the luxury of time and who also enjoy the luxe lifestyle. Many cities such as Barcelona, Nice, Athens, Sardinia, and more, have regular cruises heading to the port of Istanbul.
Some of the major highlights of the city are the Byzantium structures such as the Basilica Cistern, Chora Museum, to name a few. Accommodation prices fluctuate depending on the travel season.
Best time to visit Istanbul
Istanbul witnesses the best climate between March to May and September to November. As the city faces tremendous humidity to the point of annoyance, the summers and winters are also not ideal for travelling to Istanbul. However, Istanbul still receives an extensive crowd between June to August, summer. Even with the temperatures soaring high, many folks from the cold countries flock over to enjoy the hot sun and humid weather. It might be taxing to the ones already living in hot and humid atmospheres. The demand for Istanbul's summers is surprisingly high. The peak season comes with high-priced tags on hotel rooms in Istanbul. Even flights to Istanbul during the summer months are expensive. However, if you're planning a trip from India, which already enjoy its share of hot and humid weather, summer is definitely not the best time for you.
Months leading to winter and summer though, they are really pleasant and favourable for travelling and engaging in touristy activities. September to November bring the city's temperatures down as the roads are blessed with a cold breeze and quaint environment. Even the flight tickets to Istanbul drop, and there are cheap and affordable flight deals that you can acquire. These months usually witness rain showers, due to which, the tourism is put at a standstill. For a budget-traveller though, it is the best time to visit. The accommodation prices drop exceptionally in the city during this season, paving way for booking hotels in Istanbul for cheap. Another perk of this season is how various cultural festivals take place. Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul International Puppet Festival, Istanbul Theatre Festival, Contemporary Istanbul and Akbank Jazz Festival, are some of the festivals organised by the city to entertain the locals as well as the tourists. The March to May months are just as pleasant before summer takes over. Despite the humidity in the air, the spring and fall season caters to the tourism industry by keeping the heat and stickiness at a bare minimum.
Places to visit in Istanbul
Istanbul exquisite palaces and ornate religious structures have always been a fancy for history enthusiasts and tourists driven by cultural relevance. The city's major tourist attractions are centrally located, making traversing to the place convenient. However, thanks to the proximity, this has led to the city of Istanbul being excessively noisy, crowded and chaotic. That shouldn't stop you from exploring the streets of the city though You should visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum. These two attractions are known to be the most important ones in Istanbul and should not be missed. Istanbul's Faith district's another pearl is the Süleymaniye Mosque, which is known to be one of the perfect architectural structure in Ottoman-style. The Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul is a natural wonder on its own with the strategic waterways that connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and simultaneously, dividing the city of Istanbul into two separate continents. This is easily one of the best sights and definitely worth checking out. You can even find fancy restaurants that overlook the strait.
The Basilica Cistern (also called Yerebatan Sarnici) is the largest Byzantine cistern that has managed to survive all through centuries. It is a beautiful site with an underground water reservoir, which is roughly calculated to be the size of two football fields. Another relic from the Byzantine period is the Chora Museum, which was originally a church from the old era. There are some modern structures too that add to Istanbul's charm with the Istanbul Modern museum being one of them. It is a private museum which collects and exhibits artwork that has contemporary significance.
Things to do in Istanbul
Located very close to the Blue Mosque is the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the oldest and massive shopping markets across the globe. With over 5,000 shops and 60 streets, the bazaar tends to overwhelm tourists with its colossal size. Not to mention how the place is constantly bustling with overzealous salesmen. The bazaar also has many quaint cafes and restaurants where you will find a lovely amalgam of cuisines ranging from the Mediterranean to Turkish to Middle Eastern. Many tourists have advocated that simply opting for a stroll around the city streets is the best kind of tourist activity one can indulge in when in Istanbul. Interacting with people and learning new stories about the place is definitely something people would enjoy. Plus, it would also be a good learning experience as you will have many more stories to return with from Istanbul.
Food and Restaurants in Istanbul
Istanbul's dreamy scenic landscapes and cityscapes are not the only marvels that would steal your heart. The city's lovely melange of cuisines from Turkish to the Mediterranean is quite impressive and will go down well with you. The fusion food from the Middle East and Asia further add to the charm of the exquisite delicacies sold on the streets of Istanbul. You will particularly enjoy their kebabs and mezes (tapas-like plates), a popular dish known across Turkey as well as other Middle Eastern countries. The cuisine comprises meat, beans, vegetables and nuts, which combine to make quite the flavour that to get your attention. Another important ingredient for the Turkish is yogurt, which is used as a companion for a majority of their meals. The street food is just as marvellous with döner and simit, to name a few staple dishes. Besides, if the food expedition gets too heavy and makes you conk off, you can also down some impeccable Turkish coffee and feel rejuvenated.
To experience some of the high-end luxe restaurants in Istanbul, visit Ulus 29 which faces the famed Bosphorus, Râna Meyhane for some lip-smacking Ottoman and Mediterranean cuisine. You can take this food expedition further by visiting Banyan to savour some Asian delicacies and St. Regis Brasserie to indulge in some French food. These places are fancy and have some of the best views of the city's Bosphorus Strait. To resort to a more fun and noisy backdrop, head to some meyhanes, located in every nook and corner of the city. Babel Cafe and Restaurant would give you one of the best Turkish dishes.
How to reach Istanbul (Transportation)
Istanbul's international airport, also known as Ataturk International Airport, is the city as well as Turkey's busiest airport. As a city that attracts a lot of tourists, the international airport is well-connected with several major cities in the world. Flight connectivity to Istanbul from India is exceptional. There are direct flights that fly to Istanbul from major cities in the country, including, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, Aeroflot, Ukraine International Airlines are some of the major airlines that have services for direct flights to Istanbul from Indian cities. The distance from India to Turkey is quite decent and can be covered in about seven to ten hours. Depending on whether you choose a connecting flight or a flight with a layover, the duration to reach Istanbul from India would differ accordingly. Turkish Airlines offer direct flights without any layovers and connecting flight business from Mumbai, which takes only seven hours to reach. Direct flights come with a setback of burning a hole in your pocket.
As long as you don't mind paying extra money and spending less time on the flight, you can opt for direct flights. However, if you wish to snag cheap flight tickets to Istanbul, you will either have to pick the flights with longer durations or the ones with layovers. While booking your flight tickets, ensure to book your hotel room in Istanbul as well. You might receive some online flight deals for booking Istanbul flight and accommodation.
About TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal, headquartered at its hu, Lisbon Airport, is the flag carrier airline of Portugal. The airline operates at least 2500 flights a week to 90 destinations in 34 different countries. The airline began its operation in 1946, and the inaugural flight was from Lisbon to Madrid. Since its inception, the airline has been dangling between getting privatised and then getting nationalised again. In 2015, the airline became semi-privatised and finally became a flag carrier for Portugal. TAP Air Portugal has won several awards for being the best engine, best airline and much more. TAP Air Portugal also has subsidiaries under it to save the airlines from diving into any further loss. TAPExpress, Groundforce Portugal, TAP Services, TAP Maintenance and Engineering, now you know why I ask mouthful? The airline is gaining quite the popularity in Europe. The airline has managed to survive and get through the most difficult days with the whole uncertainty of whether or not it will shut down. The airline has also gone through rebranding several times. The airline also has many codeshare agreements with a few other airlines. These include Aegean Airlines, All Nippon Airways, EgyptAir, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, LAM Mozambique Airlines.
TAP Air Portugal has been the recipient of several accolades for its contribution to the aviation industry as well as for providing the industry and its customers with excellent facilities and services. In 2007, the airline was honoured by NATO for Best Engine/Aircraft Source of Repair for its AWACS Maintenance Programme. The airline also won several such awards for conducting and managing the best repair centre for big aircraft and maintaining its fleet. British Condé Nast Traveller even called TAP Air Portugal the World's Best Airline Award.
Fleet size of TAP – Air Portugal
As of 2020, TAP Air Portugal's fleet size stands at 87 aircraft with 25 in order and yet to be delivered. The aircraft that are currently being used by the airline include 18 Airbus A319-100, 19 Airbus A3290200, seven Airbus A320neo, four Airbus A321-200s, six Airbus A321LR, seven Airbus A321neo, seven Airbus A330-200 and 19 Airbus A330-900neo. Out of these, the airline has ordered for eight more of Airbus A320neo, six Airbus A321LR, five Airbus A321neo and six Airbus A330-900neo. TAP Air Portugal turned up as the launch customer of Airbus' latest aircraft model, A330-900 when it was revealed back in 2018. The airline instantly opted to invest in the said aircraft and make it part of Tap Air Portugal's fleet. TAP Air Portugal has made the order for the said type of aircraft, ten of which will be directly delivered by the manufacturing company, Airbus, meaning the others will be leased. They have also estimated that they will be controlling a fleet that will accommodate 133 aircraft, by 2025.
Baggage Allowance
TAP Air Portugal has certain baggage allowance policies for passengers to follow, and these are mandatory. According to TAP Air Portugal's baggage allowance rules, Your hand luggage cannot weigh more than 8 kg, whether you are in the economy class or the business class. Your check-in baggage cannot exceed 32 kg. However, the maximum limit may vary depending on the cabin class and ticket type. It also depends on whether it is a long haul or a short-haul. However, if your baggage is going to exceed the limit, make it a point to inform the airline before your flight so necessary arrangements can be made. You will have to pay extra depending on what the weight of the added luggage is. The dimension of the baggage cannot exceed 158 cm as it comes as an aircraft
Inflight Services
You can easily do a web check-in before reaching the airport unless you want to pick your seats carefully. TAP Air Portugal's in-flight services might be limited to a few, but it is worth every penny spent. The airline has WiFi for all passengers up in the air, you can choose the best seats depending on your type of ticket, the in-flight meals are simply delicious, and you choose from whatever you wish to eat. TAP Air Portugal's in-flight entertainment services, however, are only accessible entirely to the Business Class passengers and not everyone. They have a variety of sources of entertainment like music, television, movies and so on. Now, everything is not available everywhere. Only certain aircraft, like the A330 and A340 or A330, A330neo and A321LRneo.
One of the best TAP Air Portugal in-flight services is that they help you lose your fear of a takeoff. Make sure you head to their website and give it a read before you leave for the trip. If you are travelling by the economy class, make sure you bring your blanket and earplugs with you. However, if you are travelling by the business class, an entire kit will be provided to you. The airline also has its frequent flyer program. You can either use your miles to get a free air ticket, or you can use the points for any other ongoing offers. Make sure you use it for an expensive upgrade.
Popular routes and top cities for TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal was founded in 1946 as a means to play the nation's flag carrier. The airline initially only had operations on the Lisbon - Madrid route and used the Douglas DC-3 for the same. Soon, a new route was introduced by TAP Air Portugal between Angola and Mozambique. The same aircraft was used for the same. The Angola - Mozambique route turned out to take in a lot of praise for being the world's longest route that a DC - 3 has been used for. By 1957, TAP Air Portugal started dropping Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations for their Lisbon - London route as well as Lisbon - Paris. The same year, the airline started to add more destination to it's kitty and fleet to the company. They started flying the TAP Air Portugal to a specific route that connected Portugal with Portuguese Mozambique and Portuguese Angola. In 1957, the airline further added a new route to connect Lisbon to a long haul route be taken for this. It operated from Lisbon to Kano - Leopoldville - Luanda, Lourenço Marques routes and also accommodated medium-haul routes in the same line. Further, the airline also started a new route to connect Lisbon to London.
As of 2012, Portugal was named and recognised as the only European airline that has the most connectivity in Brazil. In the same year, TAP Air Portugal was also recognised as the third-largest airline to serve Latin America, with respect to passenger traffic. In recent years, TAP Air Portugal has made a few domestic routes and international route expansions. A majority of their expansions took place in eastern Europe along with a few other. These are Gothenburg, Panama City, Belgrade, Saint Petersburg, Bogota, Nantes, Hanover, Oviedo and Tallinn. As of 2020, TAP Air Portugal has expanded its horizons to accommodate about 84 destinations, in 35 varied countries. The airline also launched a TAP Express.
Some of the big cities include Algiers, Luanda, Vienna, Brussels, Maceió, Belém, Brasilia, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Boa Vista, Sal, Praia, Prague, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Bordeaux, Nice, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Accra, Hamburg, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Abidjan, Venice, Luxembourg City, Maputo, Oslo, Warsaw, Funchal, Lisbon, Porto, Santa Maria Island, Cape Town, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Zurich, London, Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Why travel by TAP Air Portugal?
TAP Air Portugal has managed to maintain a good reputation in the aviation industry across Europe. The European continent is blessed with some of the finest airlines in the world. Right from the illustrious legacy of Netherlands' KLM - Royal Dutch Airways to the innovative and visionary Austrian Airlines, the airline's sector in Europe has many stalwarts who have ensured to bring the best experience to the passengers as well as develop the aviation industry for the better. TAP Air Portugal also finds itself in the hall of fame as one of the most sought-after airlines in the European continent. The airline has grown tremendously in all its years since inception. From bringing forth some of the world-class in-flight services to adding more comfort to a passenger's journey, TAP Air Portugal has managed to stay ahead of the game. Unlike how a majority of European airlines have their international route connectivity predominantly within the European Union, TAP Air Portugal has extended its wings to go transatlantic to attract more international routes and presence in a diverse market.
The airline has also enhanced its services to the customers and loyal flyers. With the world turning digital, TAP Air Portugal also took its market to the internet and has been doing quite well for itself. They have made web check-in facilities possible for customers. Not to mention how updates on the flight status as well as TAP Air Portugal's flight schedule can also be found on their site. Passengers can book TAP Air Portugal tickets on their website and avail some great benefits too.
About Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is one of the biggest airports in Turkey and serves as an international airport. The airport is situated on the Arnavutköy district, which falls on the European side of the city. Istanbul Airport is reserved for passenger use and should not be confused with Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The airport previously served for commercial flight services. However, the passenger flights were shifted to Istanbul Airport. Istanbul Atatürk Airport is closed for passenger flights, and only Istanbul Airport serves to allow operations of commercial flights.
Istanbul Airport is currently working on expansion plans. Some of the phases of infrastructural development and upgradations are yet to be completed. In fact, the airport authorities have segregated the expansion plans into various stages to enable consistent work. The eventual aim is to accommodate a whopping number of 200 million passengers in a year.
Istanbul Airport has four runways with one terminal that caters to both domestic and international flight movement. While there is only one terminal, the airport as been divided into five concourses and lettered alphabetically, A, B, C, D, F and G. Further with respect to the airport security, they have about 3,500 security personnel. These include 1,850 police, 750 immigration officers, providing airport security.
About Airport Terminals
Currently, the Istanbul Airport has one functioning terminal which services domestic and international flight activities. There are four runways that are operational and made of asphalt. The terminal does have a total of five concourses lettered A, B, D, F and G along with 143 total boarding bridges for passengers alphabetically. Since the one terminal takes care of both, domestic and international flights, the concourses divide the passengers flying from within Turkey and internationally. The Istanbul Airport has 3,500 security personnel dedicated to keeping the vicinity safe. Not to mention how a total of 1,850 police along with 750 immigration officers who are expected to join the airport security. The Istanbul Airport does have extensive plans to expand the terminals from the functional ones. The main terminal is known to have the capacity of passenger 90 million annually. It poses a tough competition with Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, which also boasts a large floor area. Istanbul Airport's runways are quite large, with one of them being 4,100 metres long.
About Airport Authority
Istanbul Airport is owned by General Directorate of State Airports Authority. However, it is being operated by Istanbul Grand Airport. The General Directorate of State Airports Authority is primarily a Turkish government body that takes care of the smooth functioning of a majority of airports in Turkey. They are also responsible for the regulation and overseeing the air traffic in the airspace that falls under the Turkish territory. Although the authority takes care of operations of many airports, the exceptions include Istanbul Airport, Milas-Bodrum Airport, Antalya Airport and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The operations of Istanbul Airport are undertaken by Istanbul Grand Airport. They have been working extensively on enabling the airport to be one of the best in the world.
Much recently, the authority came up with a project called Istanbul Airport City, which is set to bring about an intriguing urban development design. The airport city's design has since been enhanced with provisions for world-class amenities to support the Istanbul Airport's functions. The Airport City's unique concept has been undertaken by Perkin+Will, a renowned international design company. Istanbul Airport City model's location is parallel to the Istanbul Airport. The best part about the project's design is how it resembles the city of Istanbul. IGA aims to make the Istanbul Airport City as the cultural and economic hub for Turkey. The Istanbul Airport City will have four main zones which would be directly connected to the core zone of Terminal 1. The Istanbul Airport City is also slated to have an aviation academy and university, retail, hotels, hospital facility and more. IGA is also planning on bringing sustainable practices to enable a positive approach to environmental management.
Top airlines flying from Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is gifted with great airlines connection. There are many flights that fly to and from the Istanbul Airport and have dedicated park bays too. In fact, the airport also sees Indian airlines, IndiGo. It is the only Indian airline that is available at the Istanbul Airport. In fact, the airline has devoted direct flight to IndiGo. Along with the Indian airline though, the Istanbul Airport further sees a lot of international connections too. With Turkish Airlines taking the majority of air traffic, the airport does witness flights of airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Albania, Air Astana, Air France, Air Moldova, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Jazeera Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Libyan Airlines, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Tunisair, Sichuan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. The Istanbul Airport does lack cargo operations as a majority of the operations are being taken up by Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Facilities at the Istanbul Airport
ATM and foreign exchange - ATM kiosks and forex counters are available at regular intervals at the airport. In fact, you can find the forex counters at the arrivals section of all terminals. It would be best to go through the airport's website if you need to know the exact location of the forex counters. The information desk would also perfect place for you to visit.
Baggage - The airport offers a slew of baggage-related facilities such as baggage delivery, baggage wrapping, porter services and more. These services are perfect as they would help you with all your luggage woes.
Prayer rooms - Dedicated multi-faith rooms have been installed at the airport. They can be availed by visitors, and there are 44 rooms in total. Half of them serve men, and the other half serve women. You must know the ones that you can enter.
Restaurants and cafes - Food courts, establishments and upscale restaurants are also present at the airport terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals spaces. In fact, many of the lounges in the airport also cater to an exquisite culinary experience.
Lounges - The Istanbul Airport accommodates a slew of airline lounges, including VIP rooms and business conference halls. These make it convenient for the passengers who are travelling with first-class and business-class tickets. The lounge also has spas and upscale restaurants to make it a good experience for travellers.
Medical services - Medical services such as emergency teams and pharmacies are also available at the airport. You can visit the information desk to find out more about their paramedic services. Pharmacies are also present at the departures and arrivals sections of the terminals. This is to ensure that an emergency situation is catered to immediately.
Nursing rooms - For new mothers with infants, dedicated nursing rooms have also been installed. The rooms are perfectly hygienic and sanitized to ensure that the mothers feel safe about the environment. The area also has baby products and essentials such as baby powders and diapers.
Special assistance - Special assistance and porter services are also offered at the airport. In fact, you can inform your airlines about the services you require which need special assistance and the airport would provide you with the same.
Smoking zone - To keep the air of the airport fresh, they have restricted smoking in public. There are dedicated smoking rooms in the airport lounge that you can visit. In case you do not have any on you. Provisions to purchase the same is also available.
How to reach Istanbul Airport
Public Transport
Much recently, the Istanbul Airport worked on bringing forth a dedicated public transportation link that would be connected to the city. There are many scheduled rides that would reach you to the Istanbul Airport as well as the city. There are taxis and other public transportations that are available at the airport. Not to mention how you can find them from anywhere in the main city too. You can find bus routes to take to reach the Istanbul Airport on their website.
Rentals and taxis
You can find taxis and rental cars that would reach you to Istanbul Airport. It might be nice to take up cars and taxis for a relaxed departure. It is essential for you to plan your route in advance to make sure that you reach the Istanbul Airport on time. Maps would guide you perfectly to the airport. It is essential that you keep a check on the traffic that the Istanbul city possesses. Since Istanbul is known to be extremely crowded and busy at all times, it would be best to plan a route in advance to reach the Istanbul Airport without any delay in the schedule. The airport does offer 24/7 taxi service that can be found at several counters. You can book a ride from the departures as well as the arrivals.
