Air India Opens Maharaja Lounge At San Francisco Airport

India-West News Desk

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –Air India has opened its signature Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport.

The 3,300-square-foot lounge, located near Gate A1 in the airport’s International Terminal, will officially open to guests on May 23. The facility has seating for 80 passengers and is accessible to Air India’s First and Business Class travelers, along with Platinum and Gold members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty program.

A separate section within the lounge has been reserved for First Class passengers, offering a more private space before departure.

“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,” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said in a statement issued by the airline.

Wilson said North America remains an important market for the carrier and added that the airline is working to provide a more consistent travel experience across its network while combining modern amenities with Indian hospitality.

The San Francisco facility is the second in a planned series of signature Maharaja lounges being developed by the airline. Air India said the design follows the approach used for its recently opened flagship lounge in Delhi.

The lounge was designed by hospitality firm Hirsch Bedner Associates and incorporates contemporary interiors alongside Indian-inspired design features. According to the airline, the space uses champagne, ivory and deep red tones drawn from Air India’s branding. “Vista” design motifs have also been incorporated into the walls, furniture and furnishings throughout the lounge.

The facility includes multiple seating and hospitality sections, including the Aviator’s Bar, a dining area, social seating spaces and a private zone for First Class travelers.

Air India said the Aviator’s Bar features a selection of wines, whiskies and signature cocktails. One of the featured drinks, the “Maharaja Manhattan,” includes black pepper-inspired flavors.

The dining area offers both Indian and international cuisine and includes live cooking stations, hot and cold buffet counters and beverage stations.

Seating and dining areas in both the business and private sections overlook the airport tarmac, providing views of arriving and departing aircraft.

The airline said the lounge also includes artwork reflecting regional heritage, along with select installations created using repurposed aircraft components.

Air India, which returned to Tata Group ownership in 2022 after decades under government control, is currently undergoing a multi-year transformation program. As part of that effort, the airline has placed orders for new aircraft, begun retrofitting older planes and expanded upgrades to airport and onboard services.

The Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express, operates more than 300 aircraft and serves domestic and international destinations across five continents.