In 2023, Air India disclosed that they would refurbish the lounges in Delhi and New York for the airline. The lounges are dated and have not been invested in for upgrade for a long time. With the arrival of the Tata Group on the scene, the airline has upgraded the amenities at the Delhi lounges, but the New York lounge has been the stuff of discussion in the western traveller communities, and most of the stuff I’ve heard is not nice (the lounge participates in the Priority Pass network for New York JFK).

Delhi (International) Lounge shut for renovation effective April 19, 2024

Air India was left with only two lounges in India (one at Delhi Terminal 3 Domestic and one at International). The airline had announced the appointment of HBA Associates to redesign their flagship lounges. Now, Air India is moving forward with the renovation.

Air India announced that its International lounge will be shut for renovation effective April 19, 2024. This lounge used to be used by Air India, Vistara, and some other Star Alliance carriers for their elite and business/first-class guests. On reopening, Encalm will operate the Air India international lounge. The timeline for the project completion is approximately one year.

Passengers are to be accommodated at Encalm Prive Lounge.

Encalm, the sole hospitality operator at Delhi Airport for all the lounges, recently launched the Encalm Prive Lounge exclusively for airline customers. Along with the Air India Lounge (which will return), Encalm has the rights to operate all the lounges at Delhi Airport, including the Amex Lounge and the upcoming RuPay Lounge. As per Air India, their own eligible customers (Business and First Class passengers and Gold and Platinum Tier members) will now be accommodated at the Encalm Lounge.

It is a nice lounge with a tonne of F&B offerings. And I’m glad that Air India is not going to skimp on the cost of sending tonnes of customers to this lounge while their own offering is refreshed. Here is the announcement from Air India.

Attention passengers!

Starting 19th April 2024, we are renovating the Air India Maharaja Lounge to enhance your experience. During this time, First and Business class passengers and Flying Returns Platinum and Gold members can unwind at the Encalm Privé Lounge on Level 3 of Delhi Airport’s Terminal.

Encalm Privé, a newly constructed business-class lounge, provides comfortable seating, an extensive selection of food and beverages, high-speed WiFi, a business centre, and various other facilities to cater to the requirements of our premium guests. We aim to ensure a pleasant lounge experience at Encalm Privé until we are back with our new Air India Maharaja lounge.

Bottomline

Air India is putting its own lounge at the International Pier of Delhi Airport Terminal 3 to refresh, and hence, it will offer eligible airline customers the opportunity to wait at the Terminal 3 Encalm Prive Lounge for the foreseeable future. Air India staff at check-in will accordingly issue lounge passes to customers from here on.

What do you expect to see in the new Air India Lounge?

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