We know that Air India is currently trying to reinvent itself, including improving every aspect of the passenger experience. We’ve seen the airline roll-out factory fresh wide body planes with new interiors, start to reconfigure existing planes, and even open a new flagship lounge at Delhi Airport (DEL).
There’s now another exciting development, as Air India has formally announced the opening of its own lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and it looks like it’s quite nice!
In this post:
Basics of the new Air India Maharaja Lounge SFO
Air India has opened a lounge at SFO, which covers 3,413 square feet, with a capacity for 80 guests. Specifically, the lounge is located in the lounge complex at the A Gates, near gate A1, on the fourth floor, between the China Airlines Lounge and Golden Gate Lounge. The lounge is open daily from 6AM until 11:59PM, so it clearly covers more than just Air India departures.
Here’s how Air India describes the design inspiration for the new lounge:
Thoughtfully curated, the space brings together distinctive elements of the brand and Air India’s rich cultural legacy, creating an atmosphere that is warmly familiar yet exquisite. The hues of champagne, ivory, and deep reds mirror the brand’s colour palette. Brand motifs are integrated throughout the interiors, including the ‘Vista’ patterns on the walls and furniture. The lounge has been designed to evoke the essence of quintessential Indian hospitality, creating an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and understated luxury for guests. To honour the airline’s historical connection to the arts, the space features works by local artists that showcase regional heritage. Select installations also incorporate upcycled aircraft components, thoughtfully reimagined into contemporary art pieces.
Despite its small size, the airline promotes several key features, including the Aviator’s Bar (with cocktails prepared by a bartender), a dining area, a social zone, and even a private zone, available exclusively to first class passengers. The lounge also boasts views of the apron.
Below you can see some pictures that the airline has shared of the lounge.
Here’s how Air India CEO Campbell Wilson describes the new lounge:
“The opening of the Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco builds on the recent launch of our flagship lounge at Delhi, marking the beginning of a new generation of signature lounges for Air India. North America has long been a key pillar of Air India’s network, and our continued investments reflect both, this commitment and our ambition to introduce a new standard of travel experiences in the region in time to come.”
“As Air India continues to transform into a world-class global airline, we are focused on delivering a consistent, elevated experience across our network, blending modern luxury with the warmth and timeless appeal of Indian hospitality.”
I’ve gotta say, the lounge looks super elegant, so this should be a nice facility. However, at just over 3,400 square feet, this is one of the smaller outstation lounges out there, and I imagine it’ll get quite busy prior to Air India departures. At least Air India has a staggered schedule at the airport, so there’s never more than one Air India flight departing at a time.
Air India has massively grown its presence at SFO since starting service to the airport roughly a decade ago. The airline now operates up to 14 weekly flights to the Bay Area, so with double daily service, you can start to see merit to operating a lounge.
This is Air India’s second lounge location in the United States, with the other lounge being in New York (JFK). That lounge is undergoing a major and overdue renovation, so maybe it’ll have a similar design template to the SFO lounge.
Why has Air India opened its own lounge at SFO?
With SFO being a hub for Star Alliance partner United, some people might be surprised to see Air India opening its own lounge at the airport. Well, there are a couple of points worth making.
First of all, United international flights generally depart from the G gates, while Air India flights generally depart from the A Gates. While these terminals are technically connected airside, it’s a really long walk between them. For example, prior to this lounge opening, Air India has been sending its premium passengers to the Golden Gate Lounge (and before that, the Air France Lounge).
Furthermore, the timing of this lounge opening is sort of great. In the past, those traveling in Air India business class could use the United Polaris Lounge at SFO. Yes, it was a hike, but at least access was allowed, if someone was interested. However, with the recent rule changes, Air India business class passengers can’t actually use Polaris Lounges anymore.
Given the number of flights Air India operates from SFO per week, having the airline operate its own lounge makes sense from both a cost and brand perspective. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the lounge monetized outside of those hours, and open to Priority Pass, as is the case at the carrier’s JFK lounge (though as of now, the SFO lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass).
Also, thanks to Star Alliance lounge access rules, many premium passengers should also have access to this lounge, including Star Alliance Gold members on other airlines.
Bottom line
Air India has just opened its new lounge at SFO. The roughly 3,400 square foot lounge can accommodate 80 guests, and is located in the A Gates. The lounge looks very nice, though it’s definitely on the small side, so expect crowding to be an issue. The timing of this opening is great, given the recent changes to United Polaris Lounge access.
What do you make of the new Air India Lounge SFO?
Seems there is no other start alliance lounge at A gates.
Ben: The airline's Press Release announcing the opening says "The lounge is available to Air India’s First and Business Class guests, and Platinum and Gold members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty program." No mention of *G. Oversight or conscious choice limiting access to all others, given the recent rule changes where certain SA passengers/airlines can’t actually use Polaris Lounges anymore?
Also, can anyone share more details on why more *A carriers are now...
Ben: The airline's Press Release announcing the opening says "The lounge is available to Air India’s First and Business Class guests, and Platinum and Gold members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty program." No mention of *G. Oversight or conscious choice limiting access to all others, given the recent rule changes where certain SA passengers/airlines can’t actually use Polaris Lounges anymore?
Also, can anyone share more details on why more *A carriers are now using the A terminal vs. G where United is? It's almost easier to just cut across the check-in lobby and enter security again for a 2nd time instead of walking all the way around airside. It's like walking from one tip of the horseshoe to the other (for those that haven't been there). Has United taken up all the gate space?
Nice to see Parle-G cookies there
Given its somewhat shaky reputation I would only fly them for its non stop routes to DEL, BLR, BOM. But all non stopes I believe have been curtailed due to closure of airspace over Pakistan. In any case I have not flown to India from the US in over two decades and if I had to would rather take the one stopper SQ
Please STOP passengers from India in Taking Baths in the sinks.
At least they're taking a bath.
No review of the food or drinks?
Looking forward to the return of the BOM and BLR flights.
I don’t understand this lounge being “finally open”? I visited this lounge 2-3 weeks ago
Anything Air India is not officially open until the golden shower blessing from a Wells Fargo executive.
WTF, Eskimo...
This is from 6th April. When Ben edits articles, they seem to reappear at the top of the page. It would be preferable if this didn't happen, or, failing that, if edits were marked.
In this case, I think the edit was to mention that AI passengers can no longer attend the Polaris lounge, but I may be mistaken.
The design language is consistent with the newly opened lounge in DEL.
Now DEL had some really decent quality of spirits and a very unique list of spceicality cocktails. Hopefully SFO offerings are more along that line.
With United orphaning some Star Alliance partners of Polaris lounge access, think the list included SQ, BR, TK and maybe one more airline, these airlines now have an option. Won't be surprised if the International A Star...
The design language is consistent with the newly opened lounge in DEL.
Now DEL had some really decent quality of spirits and a very unique list of spceicality cocktails. Hopefully SFO offerings are more along that line.
With United orphaning some Star Alliance partners of Polaris lounge access, think the list included SQ, BR, TK and maybe one more airline, these airlines now have an option. Won't be surprised if the International A Star Alliance carriers end up in the AI lounge. Don't think this will be a complimentary PP lounge.
There are still a lot of things wrong about Air India's SFO ops, but a welcome addition.
I'm curious. Like what exactly?
There are no direct flights. The route to DEL stops in ICN for refuelling
Ok, so it's improved from last year, but still quite bad (some outside their control because of supply chain and Pakistan airspace, some inside their control).
The three main things are: the legacy 777s, refueling stops and OTP (improved from last year).
BLR and BOM were scrapped because people stopped flying them (above 3 reasons). It should all be sorted out in 2027, when they have A35Ks and Pakistan airspace, surely has to be open.
I stopped by this lounge right after it opened after visiting the Polaris lounge on the other side, it was very quiet at the time (being so new and likely the lack of AI flights around noon). I tried a little bit of the buffet and it was good, but no cocktails (they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet). Would certainly stop by again if I had another *A departure from the A gates.
For what it's worth, the same catering contractor operates all of the lounges at SFO. Set your expectations.
Is the low-bid caterer from India ?
It's a US-based mega catering firm.
The sodexofication of American catering is an insidious blight on the country
"The sodexofication of American catering is an insidious blight on the country"
The bigger insidious blight is the corrupt child-rapist in the White House, LuftstaNazi.
Because US airport food standards were just so great before Sodexo came along? You’re talking about the country that believes if you can make it ultraprocessed and extend the life of the ingredient, you should, I think you’re very much misdiagnosing the problem…
This doesn't necessarily mean the quality will be similar - the same contractor provides catering for TK and BA.
How are 'brand moths' integrated throughout the interior ?
If it becomes a PP lounge it will be overcrowded and loose its appeal
I can't see it becoming a PP lounge - given the size and the quality it would be absolutely rammed.
Hoping I can be a dufus and visit for a domestic United flight
The lengths people will go to get some free mediocre buffet food never fail to impress.
Better than paying 500$ for a stale sandwich and a beer at one of the airport outlets, no?
For those who have PP with the restaurant benefit, there are two in United's neck of the woods at SFO.
This space is the former JAL business class lounge on the 4th floor. The staff were always very nice, but it was kind of priority-pass grade in the past in terms of food and space ("Udon with clear broth! Rice crackers!")
Space wise, it always felt cramped. Hopefully with some good design and furniture from sometime in the last 3 decades, it will be better than before.
Well we all know for sure that this lounge will not be offering shower facilities or hand soap. Lol
I thought there was limit on the age people had to be to comment on this blog. But your juvenile, low hanging fruit of a comment confirmed to me that there could not have been And judging by the “lol” at the end you not only thought it out and typed it, you figured you’d add a lol at the end to soften the blow. Do better.
Dave's joke is actually very funny and I wish we had more of it on this blog, the limit on age should be for decrepit old fossils like you that have ruined this country.
Dave........you are correct.
The sinks are there so passengers will be able to wash their clothes and vegetables before the flight, which will hopefully limit the toilet clogging incidents.
This looks thematically in sync with the new DEL lounge. Air India has clearly chosen a design language. The DEL lounge looks super swanky. So hopefully this translates to the SFO lounge.
Which also means not having to trek to the Intl G terminal Polaris lounge.
Is this a priority pass lounge
Great timing...I have a long layover in SFO and was planning to visit the Polaris lounge for my TK flight (I've never visited one before), but since it sounds like TK flies out of the A gates, I will hopefully stop by the Maharaja lounge before I depart.
Great timing for me, too - I'm flying out of SFO for the first time today. I'm tempted to try to take in the Maple Leaf, Polaris and Maharajah lounges but it sounds like the distances involved might make this tricky.
If you do stop in, report back and let us know if it's worth the visit. I'm flying on Friday so you'd beat me to it.
The internet gave me the impression that the previously excellent Polaris lounge has fallen from grace, and that the Maple Leaf was a fine alternative. This wasn't the impression I got - the former was far less busy than the latter, which, besides being pleasant in its own right, meant I was able to get a table in the restaurant immediately. I thought the food served there was excellent.
The Maharajah has the best ambience...
The internet gave me the impression that the previously excellent Polaris lounge has fallen from grace, and that the Maple Leaf was a fine alternative. This wasn't the impression I got - the former was far less busy than the latter, which, besides being pleasant in its own right, meant I was able to get a table in the restaurant immediately. I thought the food served there was excellent.
The Maharajah has the best ambience and perhaps the best buffet of the three lounges. The staff were also very helpful indeed, including helping me with the buffet when I was short of hands.
A few things are still works in progress - there's no alcohol yet, the coffee machine is out of order, and the bidet in (at least) one of the cubicles appears to have been connected to the hot water.
The mocktails in the Maharajah were decent - I didn't drink in either of the other two lounges.
@mickyb - I went there last year and it was as you describe. I would prefer the Maple Leaf Lounge due to space and peace. I think the SFO United Polaris lounge has a kind of hardscrabble feel where the entire airports' worth of business class pax need to cram into an admittedly large lounge. Feels like sitting in a crowded classroom where all the seats are routinely taken and/or in disrepair.
I don't throw...
@mickyb - I went there last year and it was as you describe. I would prefer the Maple Leaf Lounge due to space and peace. I think the SFO United Polaris lounge has a kind of hardscrabble feel where the entire airports' worth of business class pax need to cram into an admittedly large lounge. Feels like sitting in a crowded classroom where all the seats are routinely taken and/or in disrepair.
I don't throw rocks at UA only. BA over in the A gates is also in a sorry state. I prefer going to the Alaska lounge since it's just such a nicer facility.
Interestingly, the TK agent told me to go to Club SFO despite the Maharajah being more convenient. When I told her I was going to go to the Maple Leaf first, she tried to dissuade me from going through the G-gate security, saying I would need to go through TSA twice. This, of course, was not the case, although I understand why she didn't expect me to walk a loop of the whole airport.
@mickyb thanks for the impressions. No alcohol at the Maharaja it’s a bit disappointing, as I don’t plan to eat much (I want to save my stomach for the food on the flight). Still may try to stop by. I wasn’t thinking to visit the Maple Leaf, but maybe I’ll do the full tour while I’m there.
To be clear: I found the Polaris to be better (much less crowded) than the Maple Leaf. This was around 1530-1600 - there were several AC flights on the departure boards.
I asked the Maharajah if they'd have alcohol by Friday, but they didn't seem to have any idea.
@mickyb sounds like my original plan will work: spend most of my time at the Polaris lounge during my layover, then fly by the Maharaja before boarding my flight (assuming it is at the A gates, I never know reading online about TK). Maybe make a visit to the Maple Leaf if I get a little bored.
Coincidentally, Singapore Airlines (with 14 flights per week) just moved to the A Terminal and have at the moment no lounge offering for premium passengers. Their morning and evening flights depart at similar times to Air India’s so I assume the lounge can not handle both.
I wonder if it smells of Indian food…
Hope so. Would be delicious. Save some palak paneer and garlic naan for the rest of us.
@GB
Why do you hate Indians?
@Aaron, interesting how you conflate smelling Indian food with something negative enough, as to incur hate. Perhaps you should self-reflect
I would pay extra for that.
Hopefully the JFK lounge will look this good too.
Long-overdue.
Great lounge for those taking the long journey to London via DEL
Is there anyone besides you (and maybe bloggers looking to review multiple Air India flights) who does that?