Hello from India, as I’m in the middle of a review trip. After my Turkmenistan Airlines 777 and 737 business class adventure, it’s time to fly Air India’s 777 first class from Delhi (DEL) to Frankfurt (FRA).
Okay, I must admit, my primary motive for flying Air India wasn’t the flight as such (since I’ve heard… not great things), but instead, to check out the new Air India Maharaja Lounge Delhi, which has both a first class and business class section.
While I’ll publish a full review of both sections of the lounge soon, I’d like to share some initial musings on my visit to the first class lounge (hint: I think this will make my updated rankings of the world’s best first class lounges).
In this post:
The Air India first lounge Delhi is small but impressive
The new Air India first class lounge is a lovely little facility. It’s worth pointing out that the carrier’s first class network is quite small, so very few people actually have access to this lounge. So the lounge is small but super high quality.
The lounge consists of a dining area with four tables, and an open kitchen across from it.
Then there’s an area for lounging around, with sofas.
There’s also an elegant bar area with some banquettes.
And then there are several little semi-private nooks.
The lounge has individual, private bathrooms that are meticulously cleaned, literally after every use (in the sense that the toilet paper is always in a perfect triangle, there are always two cloth hand towels next to the sink and none in the bin, etc.).
The lounge also has rather luxurious shower suites.
Oh, there’s also a proper bedroom, plus a second room for lounging around, with both rooms having desks (also making these good spaces if you have to make a voice or video call).
The lounge’s soft product is what impressed me most
The dining and service in Air India’s first class lounge are really what makes this exquisite, in my opinion. The food is legitimately great, though admittedly I love Indian food. I opted for “The Maharaja Thali,” with small portions of the signature dishes (and I had the veg version).
I was proactively brought a delicious Indian twist on a cheesecake.
Later in my layover I also had some chaat.
The food was phenomenal, as were the drinks. For one, I love how imaginative and local the drink selection was.
As an example, I had the Pancha Taara cocktail, meaning “five stars” in Sanskrit, blending ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, with cognac, representing the five traditional tastes. How incredibly fun!
I also loved the tea trolley service, where they’d prepare tea tableside.
Honestly, the lounge has a great hard product, but it’s the soft product, service, and the attention to detail that really sets it apart. For one, the staff in the lounge are incredibly proud and professional, as you’d expect, given that there are typically more staff than guests.
Beyond that, I love when it’s obvious that an airline puts effort into incorporating its brand and culture into the passenger experience, and that’s exactly what the Air India lounge does, from the food and drinks, to the background music, to the art. For example, I missed it the first couple of times I walked by, but there’s art on the wall that includes fuselage parts of former Air India aircraft.
It’s fantastic to see the evolution of Air India, and how good the airline can be, when it actually puts in the effort. Unfortunately the issue remains that taking delivery of new planes and installing new seats is very much a slow (and expensive) process, so it’s quite a contrast to go from this lounge to stepping onboard an Air India 777 in first class…
Bottom line
I don’t remember the last time we’ve seen an airline have quite so much of a lounge glow-up as Air India has, with its new Maharaja Lounge Delhi. In particular, the first class section is phenomenal, with delicious a la carte dining and imaginative cocktails, nice design, a private bedroom, luxurious shower suites, and very friendly staff.
In particular, the lounge has such a great sense of place, and really reminds you at every turn that you’re in India. Well done, Air India!
So delighted and happy to see this.
Does AI also have a new Maharaja business class lounge? I'm not sure if its now open to all *A passengers, as most *A airlines were sending passengers to the Encalm lounge even after the AI lounge opened. Its not even listed on the *A website.
@Nate. Air India does have a new Business lounge that opened in Feb 2026. It's better than pretty much every other Star Alliance J lounge in the world baring the Polaris lounge offerings by UA at EWR.
I visited seven days after it opened and at that time was told it was only for Air India business class passengers. So no access to any other Star Alliance carriers.
Thanks BBT. I tried to visit in March, but was denied because I was traveling LOT. But at that time, it was appearing on the *A website and labeled as temporarily not available to alliance travelers. Now it's just gone from the *A website. I wonder how AI gets away with this.
Does AI also have a new Maharaja business class lounge? I'm not sure if its now open to all *A passengers, as most *A airlines were sending passengers to the Encalm lounge even after the AI lounge opened. Its not even listed on the *A website.
Nate, I asked this of an AI lounge staff supervisor at the entrance a few weeks ago. I was told that the reason they cannot host Star Alliance Gold members is because GMR, the current owner of the Delhi Airport operating entity, hasn't cleared them for that. Most likely - and this is my conjecture - that may be because Encalm Hospitality, which has acquired near monopoly status with operating lounges at Delhi Terminal 3,...
Nate, I asked this of an AI lounge staff supervisor at the entrance a few weeks ago. I was told that the reason they cannot host Star Alliance Gold members is because GMR, the current owner of the Delhi Airport operating entity, hasn't cleared them for that. Most likely - and this is my conjecture - that may be because Encalm Hospitality, which has acquired near monopoly status with operating lounges at Delhi Terminal 3, doesn't want to take away customers from its Encalm Prive lounge offering. While Encalm also appears to part operate the Air India Maharaja lounge, its possible that they prefer dealing with SA Gold passengers directly via those other airlines.
Very nice lounge. Hope I can visit it
Just odd that you can fly AI's best seat on its premier routes (A350 to LHR, JFK...) but not get access to this lounge. Kind of like Qatar in that respect I guess? Not that there is not international first on AI, but presumably they want to showcase this lounge to convince quasi-wealthy domestic travelers to keep taking AI versus IndiGo. With a crack in the IndiGo reliability armor showing, could be an opening for AI here to retake some premium domestic spend.
Looks gorgeous. Is it still being restricted to AI F only? I flew Swiss F DEL-ZRH in April and was not permitted access. I was instead directed to the Encalm lounge (where I paid up to the much nicer Xenia lounge).
Isn't the Xenia lounge (4th floor?) the one that has a 'Guest Room' (sleeping area with actual bed), but it's 'first come, first serve'? I'm surprised Swiss F only included Encalm. They had offered $75 upgrade (otherwise, $125 out-of-pocket); was that about what you paid; did you think it was worth it?
Yes, it's restricted to AI F only, not unlike LH in FRA and MUC, AF in CDG, LX in ZRH, SQ Private Room SIN, etc.
SQ first class pax are directed to the Encalm Privé lounge in DEL (I was escorted there last week by one of the first class check-in agents). On the whole, it wasn't terrible - lots of different kinds of food, etc., but it was CROWDED (likely due to the...
Yes, it's restricted to AI F only, not unlike LH in FRA and MUC, AF in CDG, LX in ZRH, SQ Private Room SIN, etc.
SQ first class pax are directed to the Encalm Privé lounge in DEL (I was escorted there last week by one of the first class check-in agents). On the whole, it wasn't terrible - lots of different kinds of food, etc., but it was CROWDED (likely due to the evening bank of int'l departures). That said, there were still plenty of seats available.
Weirdly, to get a voucher for high-speed internet, one has to scan their passport, after which an ID and PW are spit out. Sort of big brotherey, so if you have a VPN, be sure to use it.
Nice! (Don't forget the newly-renovated CX 'The Wing' at HKG on that list; only true F, no OWE, they're relegated to F at the Pier). I've also been to Encalm Privé (agreed on food and crowds). Speaking of 'big brotherey' have you experienced the QR-code-for-everything (Alipay, WeChatpay, etc.) in mainland China? I'd say that's as 'big brotherey' as it gets.
The Prive lounge usually gets crowded only for 2 hours a day. That is the late night departure hours from 11 PM to 1 AM. And usually the overcrowding is around the area around the large buffett and the bar. Even during hours there are very comfortable seats to be had if you walk a little further back from the main area.
The rest of the time it's actually a very great facility, probably one of the best in the world.
@Ben - just a narrative observation. Using “In particular” should generally be used once to highlight something in particular. Otherwise it loses its gravity. Just thought I’d point it out.
“In particular, the first class section is phenomenal, with delicious a la carte dining and imaginative cocktails, nice design, a private bedroom, luxurious shower suites, and very friendly staff.
In particular, the lounge has such a great sense of place, and really reminds you...
@Ben - just a narrative observation. Using “In particular” should generally be used once to highlight something in particular. Otherwise it loses its gravity. Just thought I’d point it out.
“In particular, the first class section is phenomenal, with delicious a la carte dining and imaginative cocktails, nice design, a private bedroom, luxurious shower suites, and very friendly staff.
In particular, the lounge has such a great sense of place, and really reminds you at every turn that you’re in India. Well done, Air India!”
Otherwise, glad to see you enjoyed the lounge. I’ve visited the business section and thoroughly enjoyed it, although not quite as intimate as the First. Hope you can stay next time and enjoy some of the fine hotels India has to offer!
People forget that AI set the standard for luxurious travel back in the 60s through the 80s. I recall the experience as a kid, seated in the plush first class recliner on their 747, when my parents had to relocate from Rome to Delhi for work. The service and glamor was unlike anything offered on major European carriers at the time. The DNA is there and has been emulated by the likes of SQ and...
People forget that AI set the standard for luxurious travel back in the 60s through the 80s. I recall the experience as a kid, seated in the plush first class recliner on their 747, when my parents had to relocate from Rome to Delhi for work. The service and glamor was unlike anything offered on major European carriers at the time. The DNA is there and has been emulated by the likes of SQ and EK. It’s time AI found it and used it to project the strength of the Indian tiger. I call India my second home, although being a Brit, that may have some negative connotations.
No one has forgotten that. It's just that AI has also set the standard for bottom tier travel in the past decade
@Julia
I wouldn’t say it has set the standard, as there are airlines far worse than AI.
If AI continued that level of service past the 80s, Delhi could have been the connecting hub that DXB and DOH are today. Of course, DEL airport didn't become great until ~10 years ago.
It’s a lovely facility. I’m based in SFO so need to make this journey once every two months. I’ve made three visits so far. The lounge, since it opened, has been consistently charming and lovely. Glad to see that you viewed the various aviation themed art works.
Only had one unpleasant experience when a foreign (I think European) tourist overindulged themselves with the free alcohol, makings a scene and disturbing the calm, and had to...
It’s a lovely facility. I’m based in SFO so need to make this journey once every two months. I’ve made three visits so far. The lounge, since it opened, has been consistently charming and lovely. Glad to see that you viewed the various aviation themed art works.
Only had one unpleasant experience when a foreign (I think European) tourist overindulged themselves with the free alcohol, makings a scene and disturbing the calm, and had to be eventually escorted away until the flight. In the States, cops world have been inclined, but the staff took care of them tactfully. Not sure where they were taken but they appeared on the flight during boarding and the FAs were clearly instructed not to serve them alcohol by the looks of things.
"I’m based in SFO so need to make this journey once every two months." Huh, I didn't realize that residency in the Bay Area required a bi-monthly visit to the subcontinent. Safe travels!
@1990 I have businesses based in India and the Bay Area. The intent was to point out that I frequent on AI's DEL-SFO flight, now flying with a stop in CCU since the incidents in the Gulf.
Why is it that Europeans don’t shower?
We do, and sometimes at least twice daily.
@Icarus - not based on the French and German roommates I had in college.
New, you say? Being India it won't stay that way for long until it looks-not-so-new, stained, frayed, worn, and damaged, like the way their aircraft go!
What like the Imperial Hotel Delhi or the Taj in Colaba Mumbai? They’re so worn out aren’t they?
@K4 - glenn t is a tool who has never made it past his county line. Check out his other dimwitted comments!
Dave Stafford - type your full name, chump. Why you hiding?
You continue to show why, while not all Republicans are racist…IF you are a racist, you most definitely are a Republican.
Wow! That meal looks delicious (and here I was salivating recently over the masala dosas at the mere Encalm lounge, psh). The shower seems nice! Looking forward to your full-review for more details (like, how many of those 'nap rooms' are there, how long you get to use it for, how 'booking' it goes, if it's a long wait, etc.)
The racism in these comments is out of control. Looking forward to the full review; I'm particularly wondering about the specific access requirements. I have BOM-EWR in F coming up, and my understanding is the BOM lounge isn't nearly as good. Curious if they'd let me into the DEL F lounge with a separate DEL-BOM J ticket.
The racist comments have been crazy lately and there's been zero moderation from Ben, really disappointing.
I second that. Anything India seems to attract the racist trolls. There should be some degree of moderation.
You're not wrong. Yet, Ben isn't gonna micromanage, especially not while he's literally traveling. My advice: ***Be the 'moderation' you want to see in the world.***
Can you point out which ones are the racist comments?
Well, Ben is “German,” so…
Mumbai has a common First Class lounge for all first class passengers. So be it LH F class or an AI F class passenger.
It's been awhile, but last time I was there they had a la carte dining, which was very good.
@ breathesrain -- I'm stepping up moderation wherever I can, and am banning people on the spot for racism. Dave S just got banned. And I'm going to keep doing that. I'm sorry, I was asleep, and sometimes it's hard to keep up with this when traveling. And I understand how people think there might not be any moderation, but you'd be surprised how many comments I manually block/remove that aren't seen by others.
@ Ben - I imagine it's a lot to keep up and appreciate you doing your best with it. One question though: does the Report button do anything? Does someone get notified when someone reports a comment? I reported some stuff a few days ago (a wildly racist comment from a well known character on this site in the Turkish lounge incident topic) and as of now it is still there.
Dave s must be living like a frog in the well
@Dave s
Why would they?
Have you even left the county line?
Only at your home airport when you fly. Not sure it helps, though
RD... got'em!!!
Yawn
Hey Ben if you're being held hostage by a foreign government blind twice.
Could you maybe not “blind” anyone, let alone, “twice,” please and thank you…
What was the wine selection?
Hopefully, you don't have Bombay Belly tomorrow after eating that food.
Nick ... what wine selection ?
Why would you assume he would be getting “Bombay Belly”?
For the same reason I see Indian tourists in Bali forums inquiring how worried they need to be about catching Bali belly.
Sure, Jan.
Hey Nicky - he landed in Delhi and not in Mumbai. I know Americans are poor with geography but at least make an attempt.
He won’t be getting anything cause they don’t grow their crops in literal turd fields, like us.
That Thali platter dish looks delicious!
Exactly what I thought!