After a long wait, the signature Maharaja Lounge opened at San Francisco International Airport, Air India’s second biggest gateway after New York JFK. Scheduled to welcome guests on May 23, it is the first brand new Air India lounge in America. Similar to the lounge at Delhi Airport, the SFO Airport Maharaja Lounge offers a unique blend of Indian hospitality and modern luxury.
Finally, the Air India lounge network expanded from Delhi to San Francisco and made an upgrade to US-India travel for business class travelers. Spread over 3300sqft like a private sanctuary of serene space, elevated comfort, and bespoke ambience, the new SFO lounge can accommodate 80 guests at a time. The contemporary interiors blend in Indian aesthetics, and the service defines the “new Air India experience” to international guests.
New Maharaja Lounge Location at SFO Airport
The new lounge is located near Gate A1 on Level 4 within the Boarding A zone of International Terminal, SFO Airport. After clearing the TSA security, you can turn to the first left and take the escalator to reach the lounge. At San Francisco Airport, Air India onboards passengers from the Boarding A gates. Following the signage to Boarding A gates will take you to the lounge.
Inside Air India’s SFO Airport Lounge
Aviator’s Bar: Designed to the sophisticated taste of premium guests, the Aviator’s Bar features an exquisite selection of wines and whiskies, including the Maharaja Manhattan. It is “a regal twist on the classic Manhattan that honors black pepper as the Maharaja of spices.” Steeped in warm hues, this dedicated space exudes timeless elegance of Indian luxury, from the distinctive ceiling design to the seating.
Tarmac View: At SFO Airport, the Maharaja Lounge offers the delight of dining over enchanting views of aircraft taking off and landing. The seating and dining sections within the Private Zone and Business Class Zone open to the tarmac. This immersive experience is sure to make the guests feel elated.
Dining Area: An oasis of comfort and luxury, the lounge offers a delightful dining experience over a curated variety of Indian and international delicacies. This dedicated zone features live cooking stations, a hot buffet island, a cold counter, and a beverage station. Guests can be served dishes customized to their palates.
Private Zone: Exclusive to the First-Class guests of Air India flights, the private zone is a sanctuary of elevated comfort and absolute privacy. It offers an intimate setting and a calm environment for First Class passengers to work or unwind before their departure from San Francisco International Airport.
Social Zone: Air India’s SFO lounge offers a vibrant social zone where premium class guests can engage and connect. The seats are arranged in such a way as to foster a sense of community through conversation and group interaction. The social zone is meticulously designed to offer privacy and exclusivity too.
Who can access Air India lounge
- Air India First Class passengers
- Air India passengers with business flight tickets
- Maharaja Club Platinum members
- Maharaja Club Gold members
- Eligible Star Alliance Gold travelers flying on partner airlines
Why Air India chose SFO for its first lounge in USA
As of 2026, SFO Airport and New York JFK are the only major gateways in Air India’s US network. The airline chose SFO as the host of its first Maharaja Lounge in USA, while another signature lounge is under renovation at JFK Airport. In the West Coast, Air India flights connect San Francisco to New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and beyond. Nonstop SFO to DEL flights alone have 7x weekly frequency (as per the summer 2026 schedule). The SFO airport lounge is Air India’s promise to offer a new standard of on-ground hospitality, pre-departure service, and travel experience in the region.
