Last week Turkish Airlines opened a lounge in Miami, making it only their fifth lounge outside of Turkey (complementing their lounges in Bangkok, Moscow, Nairobi, and Washington). This is exciting because it’s a Priority Pass lounge, making it the only traditional Priority Pass lounge location in American’s terminal.
I decided to check out the lounge prior to a flight this morning. My flight was only at 9AM, but naturally I got to the airport at 4AM so that I could review the lounge when it was still pretty empty. Ford was obviously delighted.
“What time do you need to get up tomorrow?”
“How about 3:15AM?”
“Isn’t your flight at 9?”
“Yes…”
“Oh, is there something at the airport you’re reviewing?”
He’s catching on, and is so understanding. Winston, on the other hand, wasn’t as forgiving, wondering why we were waking up so early, and why I had a bag (and yes, that’s a painting of Winston in the background… don’t judge!).
“Where do you think you’re going, dad?”
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Location
The Turkish Lounge Miami is located in Concourse E, which is in the North/Central Terminal. Concourses D & E are connected airside, meaning that this lounge is accessible by everyone flying American, as well as those flying on select oneworld partners.
Rather bizarrely, Turkish Airlines doesn’t leave from this concourse, and their terminal isn’t even connected airside. So as far as I know Turkish has built a lounge that they don’t intend to use for their customers. Strange, eh?
If you clear security in Concourse E (which has the benefit of having CLEAR) then you should see the entrance to the lounge immediately ahead and on the left, one level above the concourse.
If you’re coming from Concourse D (as I was), just follow the signage towards gates E1-E35.
Walking to Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami
At the end of the terminal connector turn left, and you’ll see the entrance to the Turkish Airlines Lounge on the right.
Walking to Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami entrance
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami entrance
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Hours
The Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami is open 24/7, which is, once again, completely bizarre. In Concourses D & E there aren’t any flights that I know of that are scheduled to depart between about 12AM and 5:30AM, so I have no clue why they stay open.
I mean, I guess the hours are useful if you were on last night’s delayed flight from Miami to New Orleans… ouch!
2:52AM flight? Ouch!
When I arrived at the lounge I tried to make small talk with the attendant, though she wasn’t having it.
“When do you guys open?”
“We are open 24 hours.”
“Oh… wow! Do people visit overnight? Because there aren’t any flights, are there?”
“There are three people in the lounge right now.”
THIS IS ALL SO WEIRD. Is this lounge a front for something? One has to wonder! 
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Priority Pass Access
As mentioned above, the Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami belongs to Priority Pass. The only noteworthy restriction is that members can stay for at most four hours. Oh, there’s also a very strict dress code — shirts and shoes are required for entry.
I don’t know if they’re also contracting the lounge out to some oneworld partner airlines, though in practice any premium passenger would also have access to American’s lounges.
My guess is that Turkish opened this lounge simply because they saw huge Priority Pass demand, and they can make money operating it purely for that. It just happens to be that the lounge with the most Priority Pass demand isn’t in the terminal out of which they operate.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Review
Past the initial entrance to the lounge is a long hallway, which leads to the lounge’s reception desk.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami entryway
There I was promptly admitted after presenting my Priority Pass card and boarding pass, and giving a quick signature.
Turkish Lounge Miami Seating
The Turkish Lounge Miami isn’t big, though it has a decent layout at least. Just inside the entrance is a table with six chairs, as well as a variety of magazines.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami business center
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami business center
There was even a model plane, in this case of an A340… which is interesting, because Turkish no longer flies the A340.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami model plane
There was also a partitioned off area with two iMacs.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami computers
Further into the lounge was the main room. This isn’t a big lounge at all, though I’m guessing this was the only space they could get.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
On one side of the lounge were over a dozen dining tables, each of which could seat two people.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
Then on the other side of the lounge were a handful more dining tables, as well as high-top seating looking out over the apron.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
There were then some more traditional lounge seats, and in the back were three leather chairs with ottomans.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Airport
Turkish Lounge Miami Food & Drinks
The Turkish Lounge has an impressive food and drink selection, at least when you consider that this is a Priority Pass lounge. Along the wall closest to the entrance was the self serve drink selection.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami drink selection
This included four types of wine (two whites and two reds), tea, a coffee machine, hard liquor, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami wine
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami liquor
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami beer
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami coffee
There were also some peanuts in this area.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami nuts
Then in the center of the lounge was the buffet, which had finger sandwiches, croissants, toast, cereal, cake, fresh fruit, salad, yogurt, cheese, and veggies.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
There were also three hot options — scrambled eggs, sausage, and french toast.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami buffet
Turkish Lounge Miami Bathrooms & Showers
The Turkish Lounge has three individual bathrooms — there’s one for men, one for women, and then a family bathroom. They were nice, though a single toilet per gender seems like it’s not quite enough.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami bathroom
The lounge also has four shower suites, which are at the far back of the lounge. The location of these is a bit confusing, since you have to go through a door that says “exit.” On the plus side, the shower suites were quite nice.
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami shower room
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami shower room
Turkish Airlines Lounge Miami Bottom Line
The Turkish Airlines Lounge is a fantastic addition to Miami Airport, and is an excellent new option for Priority Pass members. Previously American’s terminal only had Priority Pass restaurants, so it’s nice to have a “traditional” Priority Pass lounge. For what it’s worth, the three Priority Pass restaurants are Viena, Air Margaritaville, and Corona Beach House.
The lounge has reasonably nice decor and solid food and drinks.
Nonetheless I do find this lounge fascinating. I have no clue why the lounge is open 24/7, and their decision to open a lounge in a terminal from which they don’t fly is also unconventional. I don’t believe Turkish is switching terminals, so this is the only airline lounge I can think of that doesn’t even serve passengers of that airline, even though the airline flies to that airport.
While this isn’t the most exciting lounge in the world, it’s an excellent addition.
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