We are heading back to the US for some quick business and are wondering if anyone else has flown THY to the US in the last couple of weeks. Our last trip, we made it back just before the big scare and didn't have to mess with the new travel restrictions, so we're not sure what we may have to deal with. Anyone got any tips for flight either coming or going? We're flying into and out of O'Hare if it makes any difference.

Kate

Hi there! Sorry not to reply sooner, missed your post. I did my return trip to see my son in Boston. I went with Lufthansa from Izmir via Munich.
They allowed tiny plastic bags with only minute portions of handcream etc, enough medication for the journey etc. On the outward journey I was allowed to take the water I'd bought after all the checks onto the plane but in Boston my water was taken from me as I went through passport control - it was actually my mistake - I shouldn't have it with me then. On the outward trip in Germany they made us put all the cosmetic stuff in a seperate plastic bag so it was on show as we got on the plane . On all journeys we had several checks and our shoes had to go through the x-ray machine too. Jackets too.
I didn't take any deo or perfume etc and I only had a laptop type bag with all my bits in . I did have gum, biscuits, mint sweets , lip salve and wet wipes in the bag.
I found it all went very smoothly , I'd been quite het up about travelling all out there on my own .
Hope this helps . Enjoy your trip!

Update on US travel:
Security was stricter in Turkiye than in the US. We went through several checkpoints at Ataturk, right down to having our carry-ons physically searched, plus had to turn on all laptop computers. No eye drops, lip gloss, nasal spray, contact lens solution, etc. was allowed in carry on from Istanbul. We were also asked a whole bunch of questions like why we were traveling, if my daughter and I have resident permits, who packed our luggage and where (ummm . . . the butler in the library with a candlestick!), and so forth.

Coming home, flying out of O'Hare in Chicago was a bit less problematic. No bizarre questions and there was only the one search at the entrance to the international terminal, where we did have to remove jackets, shoes, belts, etc. (they are fine with patting down pregnant women, no need to go through the detector). Our carry-ons were not searched and this time we got away with the eye drops, lip gloss, and nasal spray. All of our checked luggage was searched by hand, though.

Survivable, although not exactly pleasant.

and as a result, Istanbul Atatürk airport is rated one of the safest airports in the world.

can't find the source at the moment.

Just love the regional airports in Turkey, you pass a full security check at the entrance and then a second full check when you enter the departure gate...15 from the first check point.