Hello from Delhi. I’m currently on a review trip. First came the Turkmenistan Airlines experience, a mixed bag of 777s and 737s in business class. Now, the focus shifts to Air India. I’m preparing for a first-class flight from Delhi (DEL) to Frankfurt on their 777.
Let’s be honest. I didn’t book this ticket for the seat. I’ve heard stories. The real target? The new Air India Maharaja Lounge in Delhi. It has separate sections for first and business class. I’m here to test the former.
A full breakdown of both zones is coming soon. But these initial thoughts on the first-class section suggest one thing: the global rankings just got shaken up.
A Small Space With High-End Details
The Air India first class lounge isn’t huge. It’s compact. That’s by design. Air India’s first-class network is tiny. Very few people have access here. Consequently, the quality per square foot is exceptionally high.
The layout is specific. You enter a dining area. Four tables sit opposite an open kitchen. It feels intimate. There’s a seating area with sofas. An elegant bar offers banquettes. Tucked away are semi-private nooks for those who value silence.
Cleanliness is not an accident. The individual, private bathrooms are meticulous. Cleaned after every use. Check the toilet paper roll—it’s always in a perfect triangle. Two cloth hand towels rest by the sink. The bin stays empty. It’s a level of detail that screams luxury.
Luxury extends to the wet areas too. The shower suites are rather lavish. Need to sleep before a long haul? There is a proper bedroom. A second room serves as a lounge. Both have desks. Good for a quick video call if your schedule is brutal.
The Soft Product Steals the Show
The hard product—the furniture, the decor—is nice. But the service and food are where the magic happens. The dining experience in the Air India Maharaja Lounge is exquisite.
I’m biased toward Indian cuisine, so take that with a grain of salt. Still, the food was genuinely great. I started with “The Maharaja Thali.” It’s a set menu with small portions of signature dishes. I opted for the vegetarian version.
Then came the sweet course. A proactive waiter brought out a dessert. An Indian twist on cheesecake. Delicious.
Later in my layover, I returned for some chaat. Street food, elevated.
The drinks menu is where the imagination runs wild. They don’t do generic cocktails. They do local, conceptual blends. I tried the Pancha Taara. Sanskrit for “five stars.” It blends ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves with cognac. It represents the five traditional tastes of Ayurveda. It was incredibly fun to drink.
Tea isn’t just poured here. It’s prepared tableside by a trolley service.
Service And Symbolism
What sets this lounge apart isn’t just the champagne or the caviar. It’s the attention to detail. The staff are proud. They are professional. In fact, there seem to be more staff than guests at times. That level of staffing creates a specific atmosphere. It feels personal, not transactional.
Air India clearly wanted to infuse the space with its own identity. It works.
Listen closely to the background music. Look at the art on the walls. It’s not random modern art. Some pieces include actual fuselage parts from former Air India aircraft. I missed it the first two times I walked past. That kind of subtle branding creates a sense of place.
It reminds you constantly that you are in India.
The Contrast Problem
Seeing this lounge makes you appreciate what Air India is capable of. It’s fantastic to see an airline pull off such a glow-up. The new Maharaja Lounge Delhi is a triumph. Especially the first-class section.
A la carte dining. Imaginative cocktails. Private bedrooms. Luxurious showers. Friendly staff.
But then you step off the curb. You board the 777. The contrast is jarring. The planes are aging. New seats take years to deliver. It’s expensive. It’s slow.
This lounge proves the airline can do it. It proves the potential. The reality of the cabin just hasn’t caught up to the potential of the ground experience.
I don’t remember the last time I saw an airline elevate its lounge game so significantly. Well done, Air India. Just hurry up with the planes.
