Air India has expanded its new lounge concept beyond the domestic market for the first time.
Last week, the company announced the opening of the Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), making it the company’s first ‘signature’ lounge outside India. Located near Gate A1 of the SFO International Terminal, the 3,300-square-foot space opened May 23 and features live cooking stations, a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge, artwork made from upcycled aircraft parts, and a first-class lounge-within-a-lounge concept.
The launch marks the latest milestone in Air India’s continued transformation. Since Indian conglomerate Tata Group took back control of Air India in 2022, the airline has invested heavily in new aircraft, cabin upgrades and passenger amenities. A new Airbus A350 with upgraded business class suites has entered service, and older aircraft are undergoing cabin renovations. The company is also expanding its lounge network, with the recent opening of its flagship Maharaja Lounge in New Delhi.
The Maharaja Lounge is Air India’s first lounge of its size in the US, but it is not the airline’s first lounge in the US. The company has operated the Maharaja Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for many years. However, that outpost is closed for renovations to bring the design and service standards closer to the new SFO lounge.
The old JFK lounge also shares the same name, but it was not one of the airline’s “signature” offerings, a distinction Air India uses to describe its new generation of premium lounges in conjunction with its ongoing brand overhaul. And when the JFK Lounge reopens, Air India says it will be an “upgraded space” rather than a distinctive flagship lounge.
Here’s what you can expect at SFO’s new Maharaja Lounge.
Eating and drinking
The food program will center around buffets with an emphasis on Indian cuisine, complemented by live cooking stations (serving traditional Indian delicious pancakes, Uttapam and other dishes) and a selection of international dishes. Travelers can fill their plates with dishes like Dal Bukhara, Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Paneer Moringa, Shyam Sabela Kofta made with beetroot and figs, as well as classics like grilled salmon and roasted vegetables. A separate self-service drink station offers coffee, tea, water, juice and soft drinks throughout the day.
For alcoholic beverages, the spotlight shifts to the Aviator’s Bar, a moody bootlegger-style space with a carefully selected collection of wines and whiskeys. Signature cocktails include Limitless, a gin-based drink infused with saffron, rose and hibiscus, and Maharaja Manhattan, a black pepper-infused riff on the classic cocktail that evokes India’s centuries-old role in the global spice trade.
space and design
The lounge serves as a showcase for the airline’s ongoing renovation, and in addition to a palette of champagne, ivory and crimson tones (the same hues used in the airline’s recent rebranding), you’ll notice that the ‘Vista’ motif – the geometric logo featured throughout Air India’s new branding – appears everywhere from wall decorations to bespoke furniture.
The lounge also features artwork by Indian artists, including a mixed media installation that combines elements of Indian culture with the history of aviation. Several pieces incorporate repurposed aircraft components, including a lotus-themed artwork made from engine parts from a retired Boeing 747-400.
The Aviator’s Bar also has some subtle nods to aviation history. The ceiling takes inspiration from aircraft propeller shafts, and the bar stools recreate the stitch pattern seen on the seats of the single-engine aircraft piloted by Air India founder JRD Tata during his groundbreaking 1932 flight. Additionally, the helmets and goggles worn by aviators in the airline’s early days are on display, along with historical photographs showing the evolution of the airline, including Tata’s first flight, Air India’s first international flight to London in 1948, the era of the Boeing 747, and today’s Airbus A350.
Wi-Fi and power are available throughout the property. Large windows overlook the airfield, allowing travelers to watch planes taxi, take off, and land.
The lounge can accommodate up to 80 people and is divided into several different spaces, including a dining area, a sociable seating zone, and a calm corner designed to help you relax before your long-haul flight. There is also a private area reserved for first class travelers in a quiet corner.
How to access the lounge
The Maharaja Lounge is available to Air India’s first and business class passengers, as well as Gold and Platinum members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty program and corresponding Star Alliance travelers. Air India currently flies from San Francisco to Delhi and Kolkata in India, and Seoul in South Korea (with outbound flights to Delhi as well).
The lounge is located near Gate A1 in the International Terminal and is open daily from 6 AM to 11:55 PM.