Air India has announced the opening of its signature lounge “The Maharaja Lounge,” at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in International Terminal A. This marks the carrier’s very first signature lounge outside of India, serving as the flagship international gateway for the “New Air India.”
According to a press release, this lounge has been designed by the award-winning global hospitality firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). The airline said the space “moves away from legacy airline aesthetics, blending modern luxury with unique Indian heritage elements.”
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The lounge features art made from upcycled aircraft components, and a cocktail lounge with a dramatic, custom architectural ceiling and a hand-picked cellar of premium whiskies and wines. There is also a private “lounge within a lounge” for first-class passengers, offering elevated hospitality and panoramic tarmac views. The lounge also has dynamic live cooking stations and curated culinary spaces.
The airline said the launch of the Maharaja Lounge in San Francisco follows the debut of its flagship lounge in Delhi and represents the start 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,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO and managing director of Air India.
“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,” Wilson added.
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The company also noted that the lounge has been designed to “evoke the essence of quintessential Indian hospitality, creating an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and understated luxury for guests.”
Meanwhile, Wilson has been talking about finding a successor to take on after his four-year term as CEO. He said on Thursday that his successor will have his or her “hands full,” as the carrier deals with a ban on the usage of Pakistan’s airspace, fallout from the Iran war and a strong U.S. dollar.