--- title: "Review: Air India Maharaja Lounge (SFO)" site: "The Quiet Vacationer" site_url: https://quietvacationer.com/ url: https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/30/review-air-india-maharaja-lounge-sfo/ date_published: 2026-06-30 date_modified: 2026-07-09 author: "The Quiet Vacationer" categories: - "Lounge Reviews" - "Reviews" tags: - "Air India" - "Star Alliance" - "United States" --- # Review: Air India Maharaja Lounge (SFO) After visiting the [United Polaris Lounge](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/26/review-united-polaris-lounge-san-francisco-sfo/) earlier that afternoon, I made my way over to the A Gates side of San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal to check out the brand new Air India Maharaja Lounge, which had just officially opened that same day, 23 May 2026. I had been in this part of the terminal back in January 2026, and the lounge did not appear on the directory then. On opening day itself, there was no fanfare or ribbon-cutting ceremony that I could see. If there had been one, it probably happened the day before. This is Air India’s first overseas Maharaja Lounge [to feature its new design language](https://www.airindia.com/in/en/newsroom/press-release/Air-India-debuts-its-first-signature-Maharaja-Lounge-at-San-Franciso.html), and only the second in the network after the flagship lounge in Delhi. I’ve also read that Air India Maharaja Lounge in JFK is [currently undergoing a much-needed renovation](https://skift.com/2026/06/03/air-indias-premium-reset-in-north-america-isnt-finished-yet/). Also, for Singapore Airlines passengers who shifted to the A Gates earlier this year, it is also the most relevant new option at SFO. More on access below. ## Location and access The Maharaja Lounge is on the fourth floor of the International Terminal at SFO, near the **A Gates**. If you are arriving from the G Gates side, you have two options: a very long walk through the terminal landside, or clearing TSA separately and making your way over airside. I had TSA PreCheck with CLEAR, which made the landside route quick enough. Without that, it would be more of a trek. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-1.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco* ![Walkway leading to the Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-2.jpg) *Walkway leading to the Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco* Access is open to Air India First and Business Class passengers, and Platinum and Gold members of the Maharaja Club. It also accepts Star Alliance Gold members, which is the relevant point for Singapore Airlines passengers. Since Singapore Airlines moved its SFO departures to the A Gates in early 2026, this is now the most convenient Star Alliance lounge option on this side of the terminal. That matters for KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club members, especially after access to the United Polaris Lounge was removed for Singapore Airlines passengers in April 2026. For those with Star Alliance Gold status who want more options, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is also accessible at the B Gates, which is worth keeping in mind if time allows. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco exterior](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-3.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco exterior* ## Layout At 3,300 sq ft with a capacity of around 80 guests, the Maharaja Lounge is small. To put it in perspective, the United Polaris Lounge nearby is just over 28,000 sq ft. This is roughly one-tenth the size, and it definitely feels like it. For a lounge this small, the space is put together quite well. The design is by Hirsch Bedner Associates, the same firm behind Air India’s Delhi flagship lounge and [Singapore Airlines’ Terminal 3](https://hba.com/projects/singapore-airlines-lounges/) lounges in Singapore, which is a fun bit of overlap for anyone familiar with the Changi Airport lounge ecosystem. Champagne, ivory, and deep red tones run through the space, with Air India’s Vista pattern appearing on the walls and furniture. It feels more intentional than the usual contract lounge template. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco reception](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-4.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco reception* Upon entering, you walk into the Social Zone, with the Aviator’s Bar immediately to your side. Both areas have tarmac views, and the views are genuinely good, with a clear sightline onto the apron with aircraft coming and going. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco main hall consisting of a Social Zone and the Aviator’s Bar](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maahraja-sfo-5.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco main hall consisting of a Social Zone and the Aviator’s Bar* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Social Zone with some art installations made using upcycled aircraft components](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-6.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Social Zone with some art installations made using upcycled aircraft components* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Aviator’s Bar](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-7.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Aviator’s Bar* Towards the end is the Private Zone, reserved for First Class passengers only. It is a quieter, more enclosed room with lounge sofas, separated from the main floor. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Private Zone for First Class passengers](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-19.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Private Zone for First Class passengers* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Private Zone for First Class passengers](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-20.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Private Zone for First Class passengers* Beyond the Aviator’s Bar is the Dining Area, with a small cluster of dining tables and the buffet setup. Only a small part of the Dining Area has windows facing out to the tarmac. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-10.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-11.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-17.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Dining Area* ## Food and drinks I visited at lunchtime, so what was on offer was a mix of lighter all-day items and a buffet spread that was almost entirely Indian. On the cold side, there were biscuits, bread, juices, and milk, along with a wall fridge stocked with salads, dressings, fruit, and a Greek yoghurt parfait. The main buffet island in the centre had **gajar ka halwa**, **crispy garlic basmati rice**, **aloo kulcha**, **butter chicken**, and several other Indian dishes. There was not much on offer for anyone looking for non-Indian options. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-12.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-13.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-14.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-15.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-16.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco buffet spread* The Aviator’s Bar has a solid cocktail menu with four signature cocktails: **The Limitless**, **Maharaja Manhattan**, **Holy Land**, and **Golden Gate**. The names are a tribute to both India, the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. I do not drink much, so I cannot give you a proper verdict, but the bar itself is nicely done and the menu looks well thought-out. Standard wines, spirits and beer are also available. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco bar menu](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-8.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco bar menu* ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco bar menu](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-9.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco bar menu* ## Amenities There are no shower suites or sleep rooms here, just washrooms on the smaller side. For a lounge of this size, that is not surprising, but it is worth knowing before a long-haul flight. If you have time and really want a shower, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge over at the B Gates may be the better option. ![Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco washrooms](https://cdn.quietvacationer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/air-india-maharaja-sfo-18.jpg) *Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco washrooms* ## Concluding thoughts The Air India Maharaja Lounge at SFO is a good-looking, thoughtfully designed lounge, and it is encouraging to see Air India putting real effort into its overseas ground experience. The tarmac views are good, the Aviator’s Bar looks the part, and the design has more personality than you normally get in a lounge of this size. The issue is that this is still a very small lounge. For Singapore Airlines passengers, it is hard not to see this as a downgrade from the [United Polaris Lounge](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/26/review-united-polaris-lounge-san-francisco-sfo/), which previously offered a much stronger food and drinks setup, showers, and far more space. The Maharaja Lounge is pleasant, but it is not built to replace that experience. If you are departing from the A Gates and just want somewhere decent to sit before your flight, this would probably work. If you have more time, want a shower, or prefer a broader food selection before a long flight, I would still consider walking over to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. --- *Originally published on [The Quiet Vacationer](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/30/review-air-india-maharaja-lounge-sfo/)*