I had a chance to stop by the new Air India Maharaja Lounge in San Francisco (SFO) during a recent layover and enjoyed a nice Indian dinner in this small but impressive lounge.
Air India Maharaja Lounge San Francisco Review (SFO)
Air India has opened its own lounge in the A Gates area (international) of San Francisco, which makes sense when you consider what a walk it is from the A Gates to the D Gates (Air Canada Lounge) or the E, F, and G Gates (United Clubs).
Access + Hours + Location
I made that walk (it took me about 15 minutes from the D Gates) and found the lounge on level 4 in a lounge area just past the security checkpoint (there’s also a China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France lounge in the same area). Although the Star Alliance website says the lounge is open 24/7, it is not: it is open 6:00 am to 11:55 pm.
This is a Star Alliance Gold lounge so access is available to all Star Alliance Gold passengers traveling on a Star Alliance flight (plus one guest), Star Alliance First Class passengers (plus one guest), or Star Alliance Business Class passengers (no guests). Unlike United Clubs, I was able to used my United Star Alliance Gold status (and business class ticket) to enter this lounge, even though I was only traveling on a domestic itinerary.
Seating
The lounge is divided into two area, the first with a full-service bar and lounge seating and the rear area focused on dining with a buffet and dining tables. At around 8:30 pm, the lounge was quite crowded (with many passengers apparently on an EVA flight to Taipei that was departing at a gate near the lounge).
Food + Drink
A buffet contains almost exclusively Indian dishes. I was hungry and enjoyed several courses for dinner including”
- Dal Makhani
- Chicken Tika Masała
- Aloo Palak
- Malabar fish curry
There was also a salad bar, soup (tomato coriander bisque), and desserts like fruit and pudding.
The “Aviator Bar” includes a cocktail menu and I tried an Air India “Signature Cocktail” called “The Limitless:”
This vibrant Red cocktail captures the bold spirit of Air India. The infusion of rose and hibiscus flowers symbolizes the beauty of diversity, while a delicate saffron crown evokes the luxury and premium experience Air India delivers.
How’s that for marketing verbiage, lol?!
Unfortunately, this cocktail had raw egg yolk in it and I wasn’t a fan…
Finally, there were also soft drinks, water, coffee, tea (including a special chai tea carafe), and a soft drink machine with Pepsi products:
Showers + Restrooms
Four individual restrooms are available, including one with a shower (that was occupied). An attendant was waiting outside the restrooms to clean them after each use.
First Class Section
I did not even peak into the first class section, but there is a dedicated area of this lounge for Air India First Class passengers that features a la carte dining.
CONCLUSION
I enjoyed my Indian dinner in this lounge and I am certain the presence of a Star Gold lounge is a big benefit to the Star Alliance carriers that use the A gates at SFO. I’d certainly return here again and United Star Gold flyers now have two great options for lounge access at SFO whenever they fly: both the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and the Air India Maharaja Lounge.
After Ulaanbataar and Nuuk, I was fully expecting Timbuktu!
Hhhhwoopsie. Meant that for the United post.
Do you mean raw egg whites in the drink? No cocktail I know of would use raw egg yolks in the US – thats a big food safety no no.
Hi. Mon. Raw egg whites were used in a prohibition cocktail called a Pink Lady ( and it looks similar to the Limitless. At home on Christmas we make eggnog with our own unrefrigerated raw egg whites but remind folks of the risks.