Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is the second major international airport serving Istanbul, located on the city's Asian (Anatolian) side. It functions as a primary hub for numerous low-cost and full-service carriers, significantly increasing the region's aviation capacity. The airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the first female combat pilot in the world and one of Turkey's first female aviators.
- Modern Facilities: SAW is noted as a modern, single-terminal facility with various shops and eateries, some operating 24 hours.
- Cleanliness: Many travelers appreciate the cleanliness of bathrooms and toilets.
- Navigation: Some find the airport smaller and easier to navigate compared to Istanbul Airport (IST).
- Efficient Check-in/Security (for some): For certain travelers, particularly on domestic routes, check-in and security processes are relatively quick and efficient.
- Overcrowding and Limited Seating: The airport frequently experiences severe overcrowding, especially in waiting areas, with a scarcity of available seats, many of which have unmovable armrests, making rest difficult.
- High Prices for Food and Services: A pervasive complaint is the exorbitant pricing of food, beverages, and duty-free items, with some calling it "ridiculously overpriced".
- Poor Staff English Proficiency and Rudeness: Numerous reviews highlight a significant language barrier with staff, who often do not speak basic English, coupled with reports of unhelpful, impatient, and rude behavior from airport personnel, including security and passport control officers.
- Inconsistent Wi-Fi and Lack of Free Water: The free Wi-Fi is often problematic, being limited to 30 minutes, requiring a queue for access codes, or simply not functioning. Additionally, many travelers struggle to find free drinking water.
- Security and Immigration Delays: Despite some positive experiences, many report slow and confusing security and immigration lines, contributing to overall inefficiency. Current average security wait times are around 29 minutes, and immigration around 8 minutes.
- Lack of Air Conditioning/Poor Climate Control: A recurring issue is the lack of effective air conditioning, leading to uncomfortably hot terminals.
- Taxi Scams: Travelers frequently warn about scams by official airport taxi services (SAWKOOP), advising against them due to overcharging and aggressive drivers.
Bottom line: While Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport offers modern infrastructure and can be efficient for some domestic journeys, international travelers frequently encounter significant challenges including overcrowding, high costs, communication barriers, and staff unhelpfulness, suggesting a need for substantial improvements in passenger experience and services.
New & changed departures
3 changes to SAW's schedule in the last 90 days.
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Track all changesRoutes from SAW
170 nonstop destinations · 29 airlines.
Airlines at SAW
29 carriers operate scheduled departures.
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Airport routes
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) offers 355 flight routes operated by 29 airlines. Major carriers include Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AJet and others. Popular destinations from Pendik, Istanbul include Ercan Int'l, İzmir Adnan Menderes Int'l, Antalya, Ankara Esenboğa Havalimanı Int'l, Çukurova.
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Common questions about SAW
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from SAW?
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport has 355 scheduled routes to 170 destinations in 55 countries, operated by 29 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport?
29 carriers operate scheduled departures, including Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AJet.
Where is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport located?
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is located in Pendik, Istanbul, TR, at an elevation of 312 ft. Its IATA code is SAW and ICAO code is LTFJ.