After arriving on Mahan Air A340-600 from Kuala Lumpur, I went to the CIP Terminal at Imam Khomeini Int'l Airport (IKA) for a few hours of transit instead of going to the passenger terminal.
The CIP Terminal access can be purchased around USD $44 from this website.
Currently all Business Class passengers of Iran Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates have access to this terminal. You simply skip the main passenger terminal and come here to check-in.
Here are some photos I took during my 4 hours transit. The CIP Terminal has 2 floors. The terminal was quite busy at 3am as many flights are leaving IKA at this hour.
The service was excellent and attentive. I ordered a cup of Iranian tea upon arrival.
There is a duty free shop at the terminal, sells high end Iranian goods such as Iranian caviar, high graded pistachios, souvenirs and Persian carpets.
There ie an extensive buffet and live cooking station (Omelet in the morning). Also many Iranian sweets were on offer.
The CIP terminal also have private shower and bedroom available. I took a rest for 2 hours.
Before boarding time, passengers go through a separate immigration and security screening before boarding by limo or mini-bus to the plane. My next ride is a Mahan Air A340-300 to Dubai.
Video
Sam’s Travel Hacks
