First Look: Inside the swanky Air India’s Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 International

For a long time, that is about four years give or take, people have been waiting to see the change that the press releases from Air India HQ have promised over time. As I’ve always said, things and turnarounds in aviation take time. Given the extremely safe environment, there is a focus on screening everything before delivering it. Also, the post-COVID resurgence in aviation, coupled with supply chain shortages have just landed airlines in a mess. But for Air India, things have started to turn around. The airline inducted its long-awaited “Made-for-Air India” Boeing 787-9 into the fleet in January 2026, and in February, it cut the ribbon on the first of its flagship lounges.

Air  India opens the Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Terminal 3 International

Air India has finally given its flagship ground product the sort of polish frequent flyers have been waiting for. The carrier’s Maharaja Lounge at the international pier of Indira Gandhi International Airport is less a typical airline waiting room and more a compact luxury hub — a place designed to reset expectations about what an Indian flagship lounge can feel like. The earlier version opened in 2014, when IGIA T3 opened, and with the privatisation, that lounge was closed in April 2024. This new one was under construction for about 14 months.

The new Maharaja Lounge at Delhi’s Terminal 3 is not just a lounge opening; it is a statement of intent. For years, Air India’s ground experience lagged behind its ambitions in the air. Walking through this space, you realise the airline is now obsessing over something it once treated as functional: how a passenger feels before boarding.

Stepping in: First Impressions

The lounge is located adjacent to the Encalm Lounge (the credit card one) on the Mezzanine floor in the International Pier, right above the Duty Free Shopping Area of Delhi Airport (right where the earlier lounge used to be). As you walk in, a massive 256 sq.ft. screen playing a large, massive welcome, with three people manning the reception as you arrive at the lounge.

This lounge is designed to be experienced as a journey in itself rather than a single room with food and seats. Everything here has been thought through as zones with different “energies”, and it turns out to be the best way to understand the space. The lounge spans roughly 16,000 square feet, with the airline securing more space at Delhi Airport than under the earlier lease between Air India and the Airport operator GMR.

The colour palette immediately sets the tone: warm browns, deep reds, brass accents and soft lighting. The visual language keeps returning to Air India’s new Vista pattern, subtly embedded in walls, screens, flooring and even windows. You notice it subconsciously, which is exactly the point.

Business Class lounge: high energy, high comfort

You turn left to enter the Business Class section, which is the most vibrant part of the lounge. This is where movement, conversation and dining are encouraged.

Seating here is varied and practical: loungers for those who want to stretch out, dining tables near the buffet, high chairs for short stops, and clusters that work equally well for solo travellers and families. Every seating style corresponds to how people intend to use the lounge.

This section is accessible to Business Class passengers, as well as Gold and Platinum members of Air India’s frequent flyer programme and eligible Star Alliance Gold elites, even if they are flying Premium Economy or Economy.

The Aviator’s Bar: nostalgia, shaken not stirred

The Aviator’s Bar is where Air India’s heritage becomes tactile. This space is a tribute to J. R. D. Tata, India’s first commercial pilot and the founder of Air India. The bar’s ceiling design mimics a jet engine in motion. The high seating references the aircraft JRD once flew, designed in the shape of the Puss Moth’s Engine propellers. Even the storytelling panels around the bar trace India’s aviation journey from mail flights to global long-haul operations.

The bar menu is playful but rooted in identity. The signature cocktail, “Limitless”, is a gin-based drink with hibiscus and rose (and the unmissable gold foil), giving it Air India’s unmistakable red hue. It represents the airline’s belief that its future possibilities are, quite literally, limitless. There’s also a Maharaja Manhattan, a classic Manhattan reinterpreted with peppercorn bitters sourced from South India, leaving a gentle spice on the finish. I tried both, and both were punchy.

Oh, and there are drinks based on the most hated vegetable in the world as well. Apart from this, there are all sorts of spirits available, including a collection of Indian spirits such as Gin, Whiskey and Rum.

Both cocktail and mocktail versions are available, and the bartenders are clearly trained for volume without losing theatre. This bar is designed to be lively without getting loud.

For the traveller in a hurry: the Quick Bite zone

Scattered across the lounge, especially near the bars, are refrigerator-style “Quick Bite” stations. These are for the passenger who does not have too long to spend in the lounge, maybe just 15 or 20 minutes. Think pre-packed salads, sandwiches and smoothies you can grab without breaking stride.

It’s a small detail, but an important one. Some lounges forget that not every premium passenger wants a full sit-down experience.

Lower energy zones: quiet, but not dull

As you move deeper into the lounge, the energy deliberately softens. The Globetrotter’s Study is a library-style space for quiet work and calls. Bookshelves line the walls, stocked with titles on Indian crafts, music, dance, spices and global culture. Powerpoints are everywhere, Wi-Fi is stable, and the seating encourages you to sit upright and focus.

Artwork here has meaning, too. Some pieces are created using old electrical boards and bolts from Air India’s Boeing 747s, subtly weaving aviation history into the décor. This is the kind of detail you miss unless someone points it out, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

There’s also a charming postcard concept here. Inspired by India’s first-ever flight being a mail flight, guests can pick up postcards, write them, and have them sent from the lounge. It’s delightfully old-school in an era of instant messaging.

Serenity Pods: sleep before boarding

At the far end of the Business Class lounge are the Serenity Pods. This is a low-light, low-noise zone with twelve recliners designed specifically for rest. Lights dim automatically, phone calls are discouraged, and the atmosphere changes instantly. If you’ve just eaten well, had a cocktail, and still have hours before departure, this is where jet lag goes to negotiate terms. For Indian hubs, where red-eye departures dominate, this is a genuinely valuable feature. This also plays into Air India’s attempt to become a SE Asia-to-Europe crossover via Delhi, and, of course, to bring in people from the rest of India to fly via Delhi.

Food philosophy: India to the world, and back again

Air India’s food narrative here is clear and refreshingly confident. The team describes it as “India to the world, and world to India”, and it shows. Instead of a single overwhelming buffet, the lounge is divided into clearly defined culinary stations.

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian live counters are kept strictly separate. This is not a token gesture; it’s a serious operational choice that will matter to a large segment of Indian travellers. Vegetarian guests never have to negotiate space with non-vegetarian dishes, and vice versa.

On the day of the walk-around, the vegetarian live counter featured Mongolian rice with paneer satay and kebabs, while the non-vegetarian counter served chicken satay and shami kebabs. The shami kebab comes with a story: its roots in Syria (historically called “Sham”), its journey into India, and how Delhi’s version is deliberately more rustic and textured than the softer Lucknow style. This is storytelling through food, not just plating.

The wider buffet pulls from across India and beyond. You’ll find Kerala-style fish curry, Chettinad flavours, Punjabi staples, Kashmiri kahwa, and global dishes layered thoughtfully. When Air India launches a new international route, the team plans to introduce dishes from that destination into the lounge. Manila flights, for example, have already inspired chicken adobo to make an appearance.

There’s also a proper cold platter section with temperature-controlled displays, a dedicated salad bar, and a dessert station that quietly steals the show. Traditional Indian desserts sit alongside international pastries, including a standout banoffee pie tart. And then there’s the revolving ice cream machine, complete with vegan flavours, cones and toppings. Children will orbit this thing, but adults won’t pretend they’re not tempted.

Tea, thoughtfully curated

Air India has also paid attention to tea culture, given that it is India’s national drink. Business Class guests are served Organic India teas, including blends with moringa and other wellness-focused ingredients. First Class guests are offered the premium 1868 tea selection. Both tea brands are part of the Tata Group. A tea cart comes to you to prepare the tea for you, a la what we’ve seen in Encalm’s Xenia lounge.

There’s even a rotating “tea of the month” concept, with a signature masala chai designed to change periodically. It’s a small ritual, but it’s what will turn amenities into memories.

First Class: The tone changes completely

The transition into the First Class section is unmistakable. The champagne bar here is anchored by a dramatic chandelier made from over 1,500 crystals that runs from ceiling to floor. Air India appropriately calls it the Crystal Bar. The drinks selection steps up accordingly: premium champagnes, sparkling wines, whiskies, gins and bespoke cocktails. One highlight is “Full of Passion”, a cocktail built around passionfruit purée and sparkling wine, served in crystal glassware that reinforces the sense of occasion. Champagne is from Moet & Chandon. Access to this area is only for First Class customers, not even Platinum Tier members of Air India.

First Class dining: à la carte, with theatre

First Class dining is entirely à la carte, with seating for 32 guests. Italian marble tables, leather upholstery and curated artwork make this feel closer to a luxury restaurant than a lounge, as it should be.

There’s a live show kitchen where chefs finish dishes in front of guests and are open to last-minute customisation. Want less spice? You can ask the chef directly. This level of interaction is rare in airport lounges and speaks to how Air India is taking the First Class ground experience. And don’t miss the new show plates and the new silverware, where the Maharaja is all over.

For the aviation nerds, there is a table right by the tarmac, in case you just wanted to sit and watch planes go around.

Desserts here include a standout Motichoor Cheesecake: a New York–style cheesecake base topped with motichoor laddoo pearls soaked in syrup and finished with fresh berries. It sounds indulgent because it is, and it works.

In line with the belief that not everyone likes to come in for a long while, and some might be in a rush, there is also a quick grab-and-go section for drinks (hot and cold). Some food will also be available for collection without waiting.

Pods, Suites, showers and the final polish

First Class guests also have access to private Sleep Suites designed for short naps or quiet work. One suite features a full bed; the other, a recliner, both with minibars, work desks, and screens. These are not hotel rooms, but for a pre-flight reset, they’re about as close as you’ll get airside in India.

There are also side pods, about 4-5 of them, where you can take calls, write emails or finish tasks or relax, in solitude.

Shower rooms and washrooms continue the design language, with Vista-patterned windows, custom lighting and materials that feel more boutique hotel than airport facility. It’s telling that the design team spent as much time here as they did in the dining spaces.

Bottomline

The new Maharaja Lounge at Terminal 3 is one of Air India’s most convincing expressions yet of its transformation story. This is not a cosmetic upgrade. It’s a ground experience built around how passengers actually travel: some in a rush, some hungry, some tired, some celebrating, some simply wanting quiet.

For Business Class travellers, it offers space, a variety of food, and genuine rest options. For First Class passengers, it offers a lounge experience that feels worthy of the ticket (never mind that the new First Class experience is far away from ideal for now).

More importantly, this lounge feels Indian without being kitsch, luxurious without being cold, and ambitious without shouting. If this is the benchmark Air India intends to set across its network, the Maharaja is no longer just a mascot. He might just be back in residence.

The lounge opens on February 16, 2026, to everyone eligible to access it.

What do you think of the new Air India Maharaja Lounge?

---

Liked our articles and our efforts? Please pay an amount you are comfortable with; an amount you believe is the fair price for the content you have consumed. Please enter an amount in the box below and click on the button to pay; you can use Netbanking, Debit/Credit Cards, UPI, QR codes, or any Wallet to pay. Every contribution helps cover the cost of the content generated for your benefit.

(Important: to receive confirmation and details of your transaction, please enter a valid email address in the pop-up form that will appear after you click the ‘Pay Now’ button. For international transactions, use Paypal to process the transaction.)

We are not putting our articles behind any paywall where you are asked to pay before you read an article. We are asking you to pay after you have read the article if you are satisfied with the quality and our efforts.