International Terminal
Not a separate building — IGA describes the whole airport as one terminal of 1.4 million square metres under a single roof. The international side spans piers A through F, each with its own security checkpoint, and hosts the only lounge at Istanbul Airport with an outdoor terrace.
Shared with the domestic side: 566 check-in counters across 13 counter islands, plus 36 dedicated bag-drop counters and 112 self-check-in kiosks. Arrive at least 2 hours before an international departure to check in.
Two separate checkpoints. At the terminal entrance there is no liquid restriction beyond dangerous items; the 100 ml-per-container, one 1-litre-bag rule only applies at the second, airside checkpoint before the gates — 68 passport control counters and 10 e-passport points sit between the two.
Because it is one building, moving between distant piers means walking or paying for the iGA Buggy — a 3-to-5-seat shuttle that runs from three international stops (North, near Pier D; West, opposite Gate C1; East, opposite Gate E1) to the boarding gates, free for iGA Pass members, Meet & Greet guests, travellers 65 or older, and pregnant guests.
The Sunflower Lanyard — a scheme that originated in England and is free at any information desk, no medical report needed — flags hidden disabilities to staff. Wheelchair assistance booked 48 hours ahead gets a 15-minute response at the call points near the entrance gates; turning up without a reservation can mean up to a 45-minute wait.