I used to think airline lounges were a luxury not worth the price, but after spending several hours waiting for flights at both the Centurion Lounge at Phoenix Skyport and the Strata Lounge at Auckland International Airport, I’ve changed my mind.
While I’m not afraid of flying and have been traveling since I was a small child, airports still always stress me out. However, I found waiting for my flight in a lounge with a glass of wine and a snack was much more relaxing than sitting at the gate.
Since that realization, I’ve been keen to visit more airline lounges. Unfortunately, we usually fly out of San Jose Mineta Airport, which doesn’t have the best airport lounge options. Recently, we flew internationally out of SFO, and I had heard about the new Maharaja Lounge, Air India’s first signature lounge outside of India.
Inside the Maharaja Lounge: The Aviator’s Bar and Cocktails
Our flight left at 9 pm, but we arrived as early as possible to avoid Bay Area rush-hour traffic. I purchased day passes via Dragon Pass, and when we arrived, the host checked us in.
The lounge has several spaces: the Aviator Bar and the adjacent lounge with tarmac views, a separate dining room, and a private first-class lounge. We were seated at a pair of armchairs with a low table adjacent to the bar.
The Aviator’s Bar is the lounge’s showstopping feature. The aviation-inspired design is meant to evoke propeller planes of the past. The bar made me feel as if I was in a hotel lobby bar instead of the airport.
While I usually drink wine, I had read about their signature cocktail selection and looked forward to trying one. The bar menu features their signature cocktails along with classic mixed drinks, beer, wine, and mocktails. We ordered the signature Maharaja Manhattan, which is the lounge’s take on a classic Manhattan with a black pepper twist.
Food Options at the Maharaja Lounge
We were seated in the bar, but the adjoining dining room featured a hot self-serve buffet of Indian cuisine with a few other choices, as well as fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers. I love Indian food, and I was really excited for the Butter Chicken and the Dal curries. I went back for seconds.
The lounge also had self-serve soft drinks, coffee, and hot tea. I wanted to try some of their tea selection, but with a 9 pm flight, I decided to avoid caffeine.
Lounge Seating, Amenities, and Atmosphere
I liked that there was a mix of seating options throughout the lounge, from bar seating to tables and armchairs. I noticed plenty of outlets to charge electronics, and some seating options also featured USB ports.The lounge had some beautiful design details and artwork inspired by Indian craftsmanship throughout. There is an additional Private Lounge for first-class passengers, but we didn’t visit that area. One thing I did notice, which didn’t affect our visit, was that there weren’t any showers in the lounge.
Would I Visit the Maharaja Lounge at SFO Again?
I found the overall ambiance was really relaxing. When we arrived, the lounge was almost full, but it didn’t seem too loud or crowded. Towards the end of our visit, the lounge cleared out, and we were some of the only people there.
I really enjoyed our visit to the Maharaja Lounge; it almost felt like we were in a hotel lobby bar and was far more relaxing than waiting at the gate or sitting at a restaurant. It made the start of our trip feel special. I look forward to visiting again soon.
