Air India isn’t hiding its cards anymore. The carrier just dropped its first signature international lounge in San Francisco.
It opens May 23. The location is SFO’s International Terminal, right near the A gates. Roughly 3,300 square ft of space that tries something different. It doesn’t scream “airport.” It whispers.
This is part of the airline’s massive overhaul. They want premium to feel like… well, India. Not just a airport holding cell with chai.
The Walk There Is The First Test
Get through security. Turn left. Ignore the urge to rush. You walk past the Air France lounge, then up one escalator level. Follow the signs. Two right turns later. Boom.
There it is. On your right.
The lounge feels open. Too open, sometimes, for how crowded airports get.
It runs daily. roughly 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.? No wait. 10 p.m. Flight schedules dictate the actual curtain call. But generally. That’s the window.
Champagne, Red, and Turmeric
Design by Hirsch Bedner Associates. That name means nothing to most. To hospitality people. It means money. Taste.
The palette is warm. Champagne tones. Ivory. Deep reds. It matches Air India’s new branding, which feels less like 1970s nostalgia and more like modern luxury. There are subtle “Vista” logos woven into walls. Furniture. It’s there. If you look for it.
The art does the heavy lifting.
Some pieces come straight from India. One wall feature uses pigments. Not paint. Spices. Turmeric. Cinnamon. Dried roses. You are looking at culinary history mounted on drywall.
Local artists mixed it up. Upcycled airplane parts become decor. It’s clever. It bridges the gap between “where you’ve been” and “where you are.”
Power outlets everywhere. Windows overlooking the tarmac. You settle in. The plane taxis past. Suddenly. You’re back in reality.
The Speakeasy Called “Aviator’s Bar”
Separate zone. Separate vibe.
It’s called the Aviator’s Bar. Think speakeasy. Low light. Intimate.
The stools are retro. Stitched to match seats from Air India planes in the 1930. Yes. Really. 1932 founded. 1930 style. It works.
The ceiling? Lighting shaped like propeller shafts. Evokes the propeller age. Before jets. It’s a nod to speed. Or perhaps just motion.
Walls are a canvas for history. Archival photos. Postcards. Models of planes that likely never flew out of SFO.
The drinks match the theme.
Maharaja Manhattan. Classic. But with black pepper.
Limitless. Gin. Rose. Hibiscus. Saffron. Fancy. Expensive tasting.
I drank the Mixed Emotions. Cranberry. Passion fruit. Lime. Soda. Mint. It’s refreshing. Because air is dry.
The Maharaja Mule is a thing too. Gin. Lime. Ginger. Mint. Indian twist on a Moscow Mule.
It feels considered. Not random. A balance of heritage and high-end mixology.
Eating Before You Fly
Buffet style. But rotate menus. Smart move. Frequent flyers see the same chicken tikka every week otherwise.
The spread leans hard on Indian food.
Dal Bukhara. Slow cooked lentils. Comfort in a bowl. Chicken tikka masala. Vegetable biryani. Paneer moringa. Beet and fig kofta. That sounds weird until you eat it. Grilled salmon too. For those who prefer fish to spice.
Cold side has cheese. Cracker. Fruit. House dips. Tikka achari. Mango habanero. The last one bites. In a good way.
Appetizers include fish croquettes. Szechuan paneer. And a modern gajar ka halwa. Carrot dessert. Butter. Milk. Nuts. Served in a tart form. Bite size. Elegant.
Most food is mild to medium heat. But they give you extras. For the brave. Or the addicted.
Drinks are self-serve for juice, coffee, soda. But the bar handles alcohol. Separated. Keeps the buffet moving. Keeps the chaos at bay.
First Class Gets Its Own Quiet Corner
75 seats in the main hall.
Eight in the Private Zone.
If you’re First Class, you get the eight. Quiet. Serene. Elevated.
You get an à la carte menu. Not buffet lines. Plus, a reserved stash of cognac. Whiskey. Better stock.
It’s exclusivity as a product. You pay more. You sit away. It works for some. Alienates none, really, unless you’re jealous of the seat.
The Good. The Bad. The Missing Shower
Wi-Fi is fast. Free. Charging ports on every armrest. USB-C. USB-A. AC outlets.
Comfortable seating. Modern design.
No showers.
Read that again.
No showers.
For a long-haul route? That’s odd. Most premium international lounges offer them. This one doesn’t. A slight miss. Maybe to save space? Maybe to save maintenance? Either way. You won’t shower.
The compact size helps keep it from feeling cavernous. Light floods in. Layout makes sense. It’s polished. Even without the wet amenities.
Who Actually Gets In?
It’s not open to everyone.
- Air India First Class.
- Air India Business Class.
- Star Alliance premium passengers.
- Maharaja Club Gold and Platinum holders.
First Class folks get that private corner mentioned above.
Others get the main room. The bar. The food.
Why It Matters
Air India didn’t try to build a hotel. Or a casino. Or a park.
They built a gateway. A specific one.
It leans into heritage. Spices. History. Aircraft.
Is it perfect? Probably not. No showers hurts the ultra-premium feel.
But for people flying from SF to India. It’s an upgrade. Noticeable.
The art from turmeric. The propeller lights. The black pepper in the Manhattan. It’s all there for a reason.
It’s intentional.
You might not like every dish. Or every cocktail.
But you won’t forget the space. And that’s the point of a brand refresh, isn’t it.
