I recently flew out of Bangalore on Air India Business Class and got quite a surprise at the Bangalore airport that blew my mind. Air India has opened a dedicated lounge for their premium travelers at Bangalore Airport’s domestic departures in Terminal 2.
With its modern, cozy, and luxurious interiors offering personalized services, it’s unarguably the best airport lounge in the country from my experience and perhaps one of the best airline lounges in the world. Here’s everything you need to know:
Table of Contents
Check-in
The lounge is located on the same level as the massive 080 lounge, to the right side of the check-in counters, one of which serves business class passengers.
The check-in counter might eventually move to a dedicated one inside the lounge in the future.
I got access with my Air India business class ticket, though there are other ways to gain access, such as holding Star Alliance Gold (or) Air India Gold tier. For now, Vistara elites might as well get the access but I’m unsure.
When I was at the usual 080 lounge counter, I wasn’t aware of the new Air India lounge. Once I got access and entered, my first impression was just WOW.
Interiors
The first thing you’ll notice as soon as you step in is the grand interior design with beautiful wall decor, designer chairs, and stunning lights that are a perfect combination of modern luxury design with an Indian palace-like vibe.
There is a dining area, bar area and the regular lounge area spread across the lounge. It’s neither big nor small that can comfortably handle about 30 people at a time, beyond which it might look busy.
Not only that, you also get a dedicated seating area to enjoy the garden and runway view. However, the runway is bit far from the lounge, so you can at least enjoy the garden view in that case.
While this is all great, I wish they had some recliners as well. But perhaps they thought business class passengers don’t have time to rest on recliners!
Overall, this is certainly bit better than the lounges in Mumbai T2 including the Amex Lounge in Mumbai because they are only modern and classy but lack a “traditional touch” which this lounge has in plenty.
Overall, it feels out of the world and reminds me of the stay in Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, except that this one is 10X better.
The lounge was so good that most of the travellers who entered the lounge were blown away by the looks of it and started making video calls to their dear ones showing them how beautiful the lounge is.
It’s THAT beautiful !!
Shower Area
Attached to the lounge is the washroom area with wash basins in the entrance and 2 big dedicated washrooms with shower area similar to most other first class lounges.
I can easily compare these washrooms to those in the Lufthansa First Class Lounge in their dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, Germany which I visited during mid 2023.
And you know what? Washroom comes with a contactless flush!
However, the downside is that I’m expecting washrooms to get busy very easily as they’re limited to only 2 of them.
Food
They have an a-la-carte menu just like most other premium lounges, such as the Amex Centurion Lounge, and the options are quite wide.
I didn’t order much except for a coffee as I was between an amazing early morning breakfast at ITC Windsor and another breakfast in Sky on Air India Business Class.
Here’s a quick look at the menu:
Service
Someone was there to help with all that I needed, but I think I can’t comment on the service with just me and a handful of other travelers in the lounge. However, it’s expected to meet the expectations.
I was the only person when I entered the lounge and when I left, I saw about 5 passengers. While the lounge sees low footfalls now, I would assume that it would get quite busy soon because of Air India’s plans to expand the network in Bangalore Airport.
Nevertheless, it’s probably the right time to take the Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card for it’s Gold tier, assuming it would eventually offer Air India Gold tier which would give access to this amazing lounge, though unsure how exactly it would turn out to be post merger.
Bottomline
- Cardexpert Rating: 5/5
After having visited numerous lounges across India, Europe, Africa and Middle East in the last 1 year, I almost lost interest in airport lounges, but this one finally ignited the lounge happiness after a very long time.
It was fresh, modern, functional, spacious, luxurious, and lives up to how a lounge would look like in 2040. I mean, it’s just another level altogether when the rest of the world is building mediocre lifeless lounges.
Looking at how things are moving, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day Air India becomes one of the best airlines in the world.
That said, may India get many more such beautiful lounges in the coming years.
You mean Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card and not Air India Vistara Infinite Credit Card. A related query, should one expect a better value for their points on Air India for their CV points? I am sure one added advantage is a better network as compared to Vistara.
Oops Yes, Axis Vistara Infinite, updated.
Not really better value, but something similar for sure.
Considering they are merging rewards for Air India and Vistara, ideally it should allow for Vistara too!
Yes likely, but looking at the low footfalls in the lounge when I was there, I couldn’t believe.
Till last month vistara did not have tie up with this lounge, let’s see if this changes in future
Hey Sid, do you still recommend taking the vistara card for the gold tier? even post the devaluation. Also, given the merger is already underway with clear tranfer plans, does it make sense to go for this card in July 2024? essentially it amounts to paying some 10k for one year of gold tier star alliance. Coz post one year you have to earn the tier in spite of this card. thanks bro.
It certainly makes sense for 1st year.
Is this lounge same as the ‘080 VIP Domestic Lounge at T2’ , or is this specific to Air India Only ?
Because i also saw a lounge in my Dreamfolks which says ‘080 Vip Dom T2 Departure’ , this is shown in addition to the normal 080 T2 Lounge.
Hey Santosh
The ‘080 Vip’ is a separate sit out area called ‘Courtyard’ in the lounge itself for afluent card holders for example HDFC Infinia , ICICI Emralde etc.
Hey , Thanks for the reply Shreyansh.
Guess one of my cards has access to T2 VIP, will give it a try next time. Any idea if it has buffet as well or is it only Ala-carte ? Since you mentioned its a separate private area within the 080 lounge itself, was wondering if 080 VIP pass will allow access to nornal 080 Lounge areas as well.
They may bring this feature in future, as of today the charges are 2950 inr to enter this vip area, irreconcilable of what card/qr code you show them generated from dreamfolks website.
Oh…that means even if my card is eligible for T2 VIP lounge access as per my Dreamfolks login, and even if i generate the QR, still it won’t be honourned and i’ll be asked to pay ? That’s insane- and we need to complain in that case.
From what I know through a reliable source, HDFC & ICICI super premium cards are currently enabled for complimentary access to VIP area. Rest may follow shortly.
Daybefore yesterday i checked Courtyard lounge in 080 receiption said Tataneu cards also allowed, unfortunately Amex pal chg not allowed- fact none of the Amex in Courtyard. Infinia, Tataneu, Icici Emberald i forgot he said one more bank card.
Hey Sid,
I just went there yesterday was flying with vistara business class and also holding cv gold. Currently it’s only for air india business class and gold tier and above.
If it is only for Air India, How did they allowed you with vistara business class ticket? Are they allowing vistara passengers now?