Air India has opened its new Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, marking a major step in the airline’s premium passenger experience strategy for the North American market. The facility is also the airline’s first international lounge launch since the Tata Group took over the carrier in January 2022.
According to Mohit Gandhi, the lounge forms part of the airline’s broader transformation plan aimed at building a “world-class airline with an Indian heart.” He stated that improving customer experience across different touchpoints has become a key focus area since the airline’s privatisation.
The San Francisco lounge has been designed by global hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates and represents the second signature Maharaja Lounge introduced by the airline. Earlier in 2026, Air India inaugurated its first Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Spread across approximately 3,300 square feet, the new lounge will cater to First Class and Business Class travellers, along with Platinum and Gold members of Air India’s loyalty programme. The facility has been developed to offer a premium pre-flight experience for passengers travelling between India and North America.
Air India currently operates around 65 weekly flights between North America and India, making the region one of the airline’s most important international markets. CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson stated that North America continues to remain a critical pillar of the airline’s global network strategy.
The launch reflects Air India’s ongoing efforts to modernise its brand image and compete more aggressively in the global premium aviation segment. Since the Tata Group takeover, the airline has focused heavily on fleet upgrades, new cabin products, customer service improvements and expansion of premium airport experiences.