Air India is betting big on the ground experience in Delhi, unveiling its new flagship Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 3 and positioning it as a game changer for long haul flyers, especially those traveling between India, the United States and the United Kingdom. Opening to eligible passengers from February 16, 2026, the expansive, design led space is intended to put Delhi firmly on the map as a premium transit hub that can rival the best Gulf and Southeast Asian airline lounges.
A New Flagship for the “New Air India” Era
The Maharaja Lounge at Delhi’s Terminal 3 is the first fully realized expression of the carrier’s refreshed brand identity on the ground. Occupying roughly 16,000 square feet at the international pier, the lounge replaces Air India’s earlier facility, which was closed and completely rebuilt after 2024. The result is a significantly larger, more coherent space, designed from the outset as a global flagship rather than a generic contract lounge.
Conceived by renowned hospitality design studio Hirsch Bedner Associates, the interior leans into a contemporary Indian aesthetic, with marble flooring, curated artworks and ambient lighting that nods to the airline’s iconic Maharaja mascot without lapsing into nostalgia. The space is configured to seat around 300 guests across a main Business Class area and a more intimate First Class section, with an emphasis on generous sightlines and a clear separation between quiet, working and social zones.
For Air India, now firmly under Tata Group ownership, the lounge is also a tangible symbol of its wider transformation strategy. The carrier has committed major investment to refitting cabins, expanding its long haul fleet and overhauling service standards; a world class hub lounge at Delhi is a logical cornerstone of that effort. It is also the first in a planned network of new Maharaja Lounges at hubs in India and abroad, signaling that a consistent premium experience is now central to the brand.
Where It Is and Who Gets In
The new Maharaja Lounge is located on the mezzanine level of Terminal 3’s international pier, just beyond immigration and security and above the main duty free shopping area. That positioning is deliberate: Air India wants premium passengers to transition quickly from formalities into a calm, branded environment, particularly during the dense wave of late night departures to Europe and North America.
Access is tightly targeted at higher yielding travelers. From February 16, 2026, the lounge will progressively open to passengers traveling in First and Business Class on Air India, as well as Gold and Platinum members of its Maharaja Club frequent flyer program and eligible Star Alliance customers. Economy passengers without elite status will not be able to pay at the door, underlining the airline’s intent to preserve an exclusive, less crowded feel even at peak hours.
For U.S. and U.K. travelers, that means anyone booked in a premium cabin on key routes such as Delhi to New York, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago or London Heathrow, along with connecting itineraries via Delhi, can expect lounge access as part of the journey. Star Alliance Gold members flying in economy on Air India or partner airlines are also expected to be admitted, aligning Delhi with the alliance’s global lounge standards.
Design That Marries Indian Heritage and Modern Comfort
Step past the reception, and the first impression is meant to be one of understated theatre. A wide lobby with a large digital screen featuring the Maharaja mascot sets the tone, while staff greet arriving guests with a traditional namaste. Underfoot, the airline’s signature vista pattern is worked into the marble in a subtle, almost hidden detail that rewards a second glance.
The overarching design language balances clean lines and contemporary furnishings with layers of Indian craft. Jharokha style latticework, brass detailing and textiles echoing regional motifs appear throughout the lounge, but they are used sparingly, more as accents than as dominant themes. The aim is to feel unmistakably Indian without overwhelming frequent global travelers who may be looking for a sense of calm neutrality between time zones.
Lighting plays a quiet but crucial role. Rather than a one size fits all wash of bright LEDs, the lounge uses warmer, zoned lighting, with softer pools over relaxation areas and crisper, more functional light at workstations and dining tables. Artwork, much of it commissioned from Indian artists, is curated to reflect themes of journey, sky and landscape, adding narrative interest to what might otherwise be generic corridor walls.
Signature Zones: From Aviator’s Bar to Serenity Area
Within this design envelope, the Maharaja Lounge is broken into a series of named zones, each with a distinct mood and purpose. One of the headline spaces is the Aviator’s Bar, a speakeasy inspired corner that pays tribute to J.R.D. Tata’s pioneering 1932 flight from Karachi to Bombay. Here, a ceiling feature recalling a propeller blade anchors the room, while the drinks list focuses on a curated cellar of wines and whiskies tailored to the tastes of international business travelers.
For those who treat the lounge as an office between continents, the Globetrotter’s Study serves as a dedicated working enclave. Lined with bookshelves and equipped with plentiful power outlets and high speed connectivity, it is designed to feel more like an upscale library than a conventional airport workroom. Semi enclosed desks and armchairs allow passengers to take calls or catch up on presentations with a degree of privacy, but without being shut off in claustrophobic cubicles.
When sleep is the priority, the Serenity Area comes into play. This quiet zone features recliners and softer lighting, with an emphasis on acoustic damping to shield guests from the constant movement of the main lounge. For First Class passengers, the retreat theme goes further with private sleep suites, effectively miniature bedrooms that allow for genuine pre flight rest before ultra long sectors such as Delhi to San Francisco or Delhi to New York.
First Class Exclusivity and Tarmac Views
Air India has set aside a separate First Class section within the Maharaja Lounge, acknowledging the expectations of its most premium customers on trunk routes to the United States and the United Kingdom. Accessed through a discrete entrance, this area layers additional privacy and service over the already high standard of the main lounge.
At its heart is the Crystal Bar, a compact yet visually striking counter where champagne and crafted cocktails are the order of the day. Subtle Indian motifs appear in the bar’s fittings and glassware, but the overall aesthetic is contemporary and international, conceived for pre flight toasts rather than heavy meals. Seating here and throughout the First Class enclave is oriented toward large windows overlooking the tarmac, turning aircraft movements into a kind of live theatre for avgeeks and casual observers alike.
Beyond the bar, seating ranges from plush armchairs arranged in small clusters for couples and families to more secluded corners for solo travelers. The dedicated sleep suites sit adjacent, giving First Class guests the option of a short nap followed by a quiet drink and a snack, all without setting foot in the main Business lounge. For passengers who have paid or redeemed heavily for their tickets, those little layers of calm and separation can make a multi sector journey far more bearable.
Dining, Live Kitchens and Beverage on Wheels
Catering is a central pillar of the Maharaja Lounge proposition, reflecting both Air India’s ambitions and India’s own culinary heritage. Rather than relying solely on static buffet layouts, the lounge incorporates live cooking stations branded as a kind of Chef’s Studio, where rotating regional Indian menus are prepared to order. On one visit that might mean freshly made chaats and kebabs; on another, a focus on South Indian specialties or coastal flavors.
Alongside these stations, a more traditional spread of international fare ensures that Western travelers who prefer something familiar before a long night flight can find salads, pastas and continental style hot dishes. The intention is not to mimic the elaborate multi course offerings of some Middle Eastern rivals, but to provide a smaller selection of well executed, frequently refreshed dishes that reflect restaurant style standards more than mass catering.
One of the more eye catching service innovations is a Beverage on Wheels concept. Instead of forcing guests to queue at a fixed bar for every drink, staff circulate with a trolley offering bespoke cocktails and spirits directly at the seat. This adds an element of ceremony and personal attention that frequent flyers typically associate with top tier Asian and European lounges, and it dovetails nicely with the lounge’s emphasis on lingering rather than simply refueling and leaving.
Tea, unsurprisingly, has its own dedicated program. A trolley service presents a range of freshly brewed Indian teas, from robust Assam blends to delicate Darjeeling and regional specialties, paired with snacks and savories. For U.S. and U.K. travelers who associate India with tea as much as with curry, this offers a quietly authentic moment before boarding.
Work, Wellness and a Seamless International Transit
Beyond design flourishes and food, the Maharaja Lounge has been engineered as an efficiency tool for global business travelers. High speed Wi Fi is standard and widely available, while soundproof work pods offer spaces for video calls or confidential discussions that would be impossible in the main seating areas. A private boardroom is on hand for last minute meetings or small corporate briefings, a feature aimed squarely at multinational executives shuttling between Delhi, London and New York.
On the wellness side, the lounge incorporates shower suites and a small spa area, vital amenities for passengers breaking long journeys or arriving from overnight flights before heading into city meetings. For U.S. travelers connecting from the West Coast to onward destinations in South or Southeast Asia, a quick shower and massage can make the difference between arriving refreshed or exhausted.
Air India is also working with airport authorities and the Bureau of Immigration on a dedicated immigration desk linked to the lounge, expected to be operational by March 2026. Once fully launched, this service will allow eligible premium passengers to complete formalities directly from the lounge during the busiest departure banks. In practical terms, that could shave precious minutes off tight connections and reduce time spent queuing in the main terminal, further tipping the scales in favor of routing via Delhi instead of other hubs.
Why U.S. and U.K. Flyers Might Reroute Through Delhi
For years, many travelers between India, North America and Europe have gravitated to Gulf and Southeast Asian carriers whose lounges and ground services were perceived as superior to anything available with Indian airlines. With the Maharaja Lounge, Air India is signaling that it intends to compete head on for that premium traffic, and the implications for U.S. and U.K. flyers are significant.
Delhi sits naturally on the great circle routes between cities like San Francisco, New York or Chicago and destinations across the Indian subcontinent, as well as much of Southeast Asia. As Air India grows its long haul network and upgauges to new wide body aircraft, the combination of convenient nonstop flying and a genuinely appealing hub lounge may persuade travelers who once reflexively chose a one stop itinerary via Dubai, Doha or Singapore to reconsider.
For passengers originating in the United States or United Kingdom with onward connections deeper into India, the calculus is even more compelling. A same terminal transfer in Delhi, punctuated by a few hours in a calm, well resourced lounge that reflects the culture of the destination, can be more attractive than a long detour through an offshore hub. Add in the ability to earn and redeem points through Air India’s Maharaja Club and Star Alliance partners, and the proposition becomes stronger still.
Ultimately, what the Maharaja Lounge offers U.S. and U.K. travelers is not just another place to sit and snack, but a cohesive, premium experience that links ground and air. If Air India can sustain the same attention to detail in its onboard service and maintain high standards in the lounge over time, Delhi may soon feel less like a transit point to be endured and more like a destination in its own right, one that many passengers will be in no hurry to leave.