Air India Opens 3,300 Sq Ft Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International — Second Signature Flagship After Delhi Debut

Air India has officially unveiled its newest premium ground product, the 3,300-square-foot Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), opening its doors to guests on May 23. Located near Gate A1 in the International Terminal, the facility can accommodate up to 80 guests at a time and marks the second installation in a planned network of signature lounges, following the flagship debut at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport earlier this year.

A Champagne, Ivory and Deep Red Statement

Access is reserved for Air India’s First Class and Business Class passengers, alongside Platinum and Gold tier members of the carrier’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme. A dedicated First Class zone within the lounge offers an additional layer of privacy and refined service. The design was conceptualised by award-winning global hospitality firm Hirsch Bedner Associates and mirrors the philosophy of the Delhi flagship, drawing from the airline’s brand palette of champagne, ivory, and deep reds, with proprietary ‘Vista’ patterns integrated into walls and furniture and select installations incorporating upcycled aircraft components reimagined as contemporary art.

Five Curated Zones for Premium Travellers

The lounge has been organised into five distinct zones. The Aviator’s Bar carries a speakeasy atmosphere with a curated wine and whisky list, anchored by a signature Maharaja Manhattan cocktail. The Tarmac View area gives Business Class and Private Zone guests an unobstructed view of aircraft movements while dining. The Social Zone encourages spontaneous conversation, the Dining Area features live cooking stations alongside hot buffet and cold counters of Indian and international cuisine, and a discreet Private Zone is reserved for First Class guests to work or unwind in heightened privacy before departure.

Anchoring Air India’s Long-Haul Transformation

San Francisco International Airport serves as a critical gateway for Air India’s North American operations, and the new Maharaja Lounge signals the carrier’s commitment to upgrading the entire ground experience for premium travellers on transpacific routes. Speaking on the opening, Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson noted that North America has long been a key pillar of the carrier’s network and that continued investments reflect the airline’s ambition to introduce a new standard of travel experiences in the region. He added that the SFO facility is designed to blend modern luxury with the warmth and timeless appeal of Indian hospitality as Air India transforms into a world-class global carrier.

The opening of the SFO lounge marks the second in a new generation of signature Air India lounges, with further locations expected to follow as part of the airline’s broader transformation programme. For Air India, which has been investing aggressively across cabin products, fleet renewal, and ground experience, the SFO Maharaja Lounge is one of the most visible signals yet that the Tata-owned carrier intends to compete with the Gulf and Asian heavyweights on the long-haul premium battleground.

Compiled from publicly available aviation news sources. Featured image: AI-generated by AviationShop. This article is original editorial content; facts have been verified across multiple public sources.