Exploring the New Air India Lounge at SFO

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Exploring the New Air India Lounge at SFO

Since Air India embarked on its transformative journey, the airline has been continuously enhancing the passenger experience. We've witnessed the introduction of brand-new aircraft, updates to existing interiors, and recently, the opening of a new lounge at Delhi Airport. Now, there's more exciting news as Air India has launched its own lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and from a quick glance, it looks like a fabulous spot!

General Information About the New Lounge

As of late March 2026, Air India has opened a 3,413-square-foot lounge at SFO. Located in Terminal A on the fourth floor, between the China Airlines lounge and the Golden Gate Lounge, this lounge operates daily from 6 AM to 11:59 PM, meaning it caters not only to Air India flights.

Details of the Air India Lounge at SFO

The construction company Build Group was responsible for the lounge's development and has published an online page showcasing the design images of the space. Initial real-life photos have also been shared on FlyerTalk. Overall, the lounge exudes elegance and sophistication, promising to be a comfortable facility for travelers.

However, with just over 3,400 square feet, this lounge is one of the smaller airport lounges. I anticipate it may get quite crowded before the departure of Air India flights. Nevertheless, Air India's flight schedule at SFO has been adjusted, so there won't be more than one Air India flight departing simultaneously.

The Growth of Air India at SFO

Since starting operations at SFO about a decade ago, Air India has significantly increased its presence here, currently operating 14 flights weekly to the Bay Area. With two daily flights, the opening of a dedicated lounge makes perfect sense.

This is Air India’s second lounge in the U.S., following the one at New York (JFK), which is currently undergoing major upgrades. It’s possible that the lounge design at SFO will be similar to that at JFK.

Why Did Air India Open a Lounge at SFO?

Many may wonder why Air India needed to build its own lounge when there is already a United Polaris Lounge at SFO. However, it’s important to note that the United Polaris Lounge is located in Terminal G, while Air India departs from Terminal A. Although these areas are theoretically connected, the distance between them is quite significant, making it inconvenient for passengers flying with Air India to walk to the Polaris Lounge.

Previously, Air India directed its business class passengers to the Golden Gate Lounge (which was formerly the Air France lounge). Given the number of flights Air India operates weekly at SFO, opening a dedicated lounge is indeed a sensible move.

The Future of the Air India Lounge

I wouldn’t be surprised if this lounge becomes accessible to non-members during off-peak hours, similar to the lounge at JFK (although currently, the SFO lounge is not part of the Priority Pass system). Thanks to the lounge access policies of Star Alliance, many business class passengers will also be allowed entry, including Star Alliance Gold members from other airlines.

Conclusion

Air India plans to open the lounge at SFO in the near future. With an area of around 3,400 square feet, this lounge will be situated in Terminal A. We also have a design blueprint of the lounge, which helps visualize the new design concept that the Star Alliance airline is aiming for. I’m eagerly looking forward to more detailed information, especially regarding the services offered in this lounge. What are your thoughts on Air India’s lounge plans at SFO?

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