(Commonwealth_India) Air India, which is under the Tata Group’s ownership, is planning to enhance its passenger experience with the introduction of premium lounges at key airports, beginning with a new lounge at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The first of these modern lounges is expected to be operational by mid-2025. Sources indicate that airports in Mumbai and Bengaluru will also introduce similar lounges, albeit in phases.
The inauguration of the new international lounge at Delhi Airport occurred approximately a month ago, and the facility is expected to open to passengers by June 2025. The primary objective behind this initiative is to provide an upgraded, premium experience for Air India’s passengers. As the airline continues to modernize its fleet with new aircraft and updated in-flight offerings, it recognizes the importance of offering an equally sophisticated ground service experience.
Air India has enlisted Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a renowned hospitality design firm, to oversee the refurbishment of the airline’s existing lounges at key international locations. This includes the lounge at Terminal 3 of IGI Airport in New Delhi and Terminal 4 at New York‘s John F. Kennedy Airport. The redesign aims to create a luxurious and contemporary setting, complete with refined furnishings, mood lighting, and a modern aesthetic that aligns with Air India’s new branding. The updated lounges will feature ample seating options and offer an overall elevated environment for travelers.
These new and refurbished lounges will be exclusively available to premium passengers, such as those flying in first class or business class, as well as members of Air India’s frequent flyer program (FFP) and Star Alliance members. In an effort to enhance the service quality of the existing lounge at IGI Airport, Air India has also appointed a new third-party operator, Encalm Hospitality, to manage and operate the facility. The goal of this collaboration is to uphold high service standards and guarantee a comfortable and seamless lounge experience for passengers.
Beyond India, Air India plans to expand its lounge offerings in other regions, including the US and Europe. New lounges are expected to open at airports such as San Francisco International Airport and JFK in New York, along with several other destinations where Air India operates long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights.
In a strategic move to ensure operational efficiency, Air India will design and build these lounges before transferring the operational control to third-party service providers. This approach allows the airline to focus on creating a high-quality infrastructure while leveraging experienced partners to manage day-to-day operations at these global locations.
