Air India has been undergoing a transformation over the past four years, since being privatized. For a long time, it felt like the carrier’s improvements were only coming at a glacial pace. In recent times, progress is finally being made, between taking delivery of new wide bodies, and starting to retrofit existing wide bodies.
Along those lines, recently the airline revealed plans to open its new flagship lounge at Delhi Airport, which has been under construction for quite some time. That lounge has opened as of today, so I’d like to provide an update, as the airline has also shared some additional pictures.
In this post:
Details of the new Air India Maharaja Lounge Delhi Airport
The Maharaja Lounge is the name of Air India’s new flagship lounge at the international pier of Delhi Airport Terminal 3, which has opened as of today (February 16, 2026).
The 16,000 square foot lounge has the capacity to handle over 300 guests at a time, with a separate section for first class and business class passengers. The lounge is open 24/7 and follows standard Star Alliance lounge access rules, so is also open to Star Alliance Gold members.
The business class section of the lounge has features like The Aviator’s Bar (with a speakeasy vibe), The Globetrotter’s Study (a place to work or read), and The Serenity Area (an area with recliners).
The business class lounge also has a huge buffet with Indian and international favorites, with a live cooking station. In addition to the bar, there’s also a “Beverage on Wheels” program, whereby guests can enjoy cocktails served at their seats, with each signature cocktail having a unique story rooted in Indian culture. There’s also a tea program, whereby guests can select freshly brewed tea along with assorted snacks, presented on a tea trolley.
The first class section of the lounge has views of the apron, private bedrooms, an a la carte dining area, and The Crystal Bar (a contemporary luxury styled bar).
Here’s how Air India CEO Campbell Wilson describes the new lounge:
“The Maharaja Lounge at Delhi airport is a significant milestone in our transformation journey. It is a tangible and proud representation of the ‘New Air India Experience’. We endeavour to set a benchmark in aviation hospitality, and this is just the beginning. Our strategic expansion plans include substantial investments to build more such platforms across countries that we fly to that will redefine luxury and comfort for our guests.”
This lounge looks great, good job Air India!
I’m really impressed by what Air India has come up with here, as the new Maharaja Lounge looks like a lovely facility. A few things stand out.
First of all, one thing Air India has done so well with in its transformation is embracing its Indian roots, and I think this lounge is a perfect reflection of that. The design is really great, and feels like it was really designed for India’s flag carrier.
Next, I love how much thought went into the various amenities. I like the idea of cocktails being served at your seat, along with there being a tea trolley. It really feels like the airline wants to create a memorable facility, rather than something that’s simply “good enough.”
I also appreciate how the airline has a dedicated first class section with additional amenities, including sleep rooms — that’s a useful feature! It does look like the business class section doesn’t have much in the way of natural light, which certainly isn’t ideal. But I also understand the constraints with designing lounges.
Bottom line
Air India’s new international lounge has opened at Delhi Airport, and it looks like it’s really well done. It’s named The Maharaja Lounge, and it covers around 16,000 square feet, with seating for around 300 guests. I look forward to checking out this lounge!
What do you make of Air India’s new Maharaja Lounge Delhi Airport?
Is it possible to access the lounge when arriving at T3 and having to change to T2 for connection?
The old lounge required an Indian mobile phone number to access the internet! I hope that this problem has now been solved?
I can already imagine the slop posts from VFTW and OmaaT about passengers shitting on the floor or being barefoot.
In DEL right now, and the lounge is not yet "open". Or as the friendly AI employee stated "it's technically open, but not operational". 2 or 3 days for more paint and it should be ready to go ... Encalm Privee is still it for now
Is there anything new planned also for BOM?
Looks really nice! Wonder if they’ll serve as delicious a masala dosa as the Encalm Prive lounge… because those are yum-yum!
No thanks - no Air-India for me . Just flew out of Ahmedabad and driver wanted to show us where the plane that crashed into the warehouse - hmmm we will give that a miss thanks
Looks really nice! Especially that bar.
Honestly, it looks really good and definitely one of the better looking Star Alliance lounges out there… BUT, given how this Air India lounge is in… India… really not sure how the experience is going to be. I’m tempted to visit along with flying on one of the new 787s, but I can’t help but feel pessimistic about it.
Also… what the hell is up with that cheesy and tacky looking cartoon being plastered everywhere? It needs to freaking go.
Hard pass for me. Looks like from 1980s
Many of the airports in India are actually nicer than most of the U.S. airports.
That looks lovely
Anyone feel like it resembles a cigar bar?!
Yes, except cigar bars smell better.
So a gaudy brothel with the smell of cigars :D
Better than your home
Definately a matter of opinion. The aroma of great Indian dishes combined with cigar smoke would be uniquely nauseating.
I will try to check out these lounges without actually flying Air India. Might be difficult for the first class lounge.
Nicer than any lounge in the US. Hope to try Air India once they get more of the newer planes in service.
The design reminds me of a Plaza Premium Lounge--but more gaudy
Swanky, with one too many "S"es.
India has well over 1 billion people yet zero top ranked academic research institutions, consumer product companies, or professional services organizations. Everybody with a modicum of aptitude (and many with none whatsoever) in India gets the F out as soon as they can to immigrate to the US. So I’m not looking to visit this lounge anytime soon.
You shouldn’t. I’ve heard rumours that it also smells of Indian food.
Everybody with a modicum of aptitude (and many with none whatsoever) in India gets the F out as soon as they can to immigrate to the US.
Wrong. 2024-2045 the US was #4 on a per capita basis for skilled Indian migrants after 1) Canada, 2) Australia, 3) UK.
why would you factor in the population of the destination country when you're discussing the migration patterns in Indians from India? Only total migration matters, not per capita.
Tata consultancy services.
Dumb class American.
IIT is a top ranked institution.
Beautiful spaces. Still a very bad airline.