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.
Whiskey sour has egg white. Seen it all the time in the US. What are you talking about?
Plenty of cocktails have raw egg whites. Matthew’s post is saying that it had raw egg YOLKS, which Ive only really heard of in old timey flips.
Although to be fair, the photo certainly looks like it was egg whites and not yolks.
Pisco sour has raw egg whites. And is delicious!
Cabnet sauvgnon? The person who made this menu disabled the autocorrect, or?
I’ve seen parle g on the grocery store flyer. I’m curious to try.