I am hoping to finally (partially) knock off something that has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, and actually visit Istanbul on my way back from EY.
I originally booked a 7am flight from TLV, thinking I would take it after davening, land in IST around 9:20am and spend about 8 hours there. (would have also given me the opportunity to experience TK's A350). But then I decided that it wouldn't allow for a decent night rest before the flight, so I changed my flight to the night before, landing in IST at around midnight, hoping to get a decent nap in the TK or IGA lounge, shower and then go to the city, daven Shachris and spend the day.
When I changed my flight, the TK phone agent said this was no longer a connection, but rather a stopover (but when issuing the ticket there was no additional charge). My question is whether I will be indeed allowed to access the airside lounge as planned, or am I better off taking an even earlier flight and taking an AirBnB for the night is the Şişli area?
(another consideration when choosing the ex-TLV flight was/is airport congestion, which now has an added twist due to Sleepy Joe's visit).