New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport once had arrivals lounges that offered little more than a few biscuits and hot drinks. When I visited about five years ago they felt compact and largely unused. The new Encalm arrivals lounge at Terminal 3, however, is a significant upgrade. It delivers a proper lounge atmosphere, full a-la-carte dining and comfortable seating—arguably better than many departure lounges. Below is a concise guide to the Encalm arrivals lounge at Delhi T3.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Location
- Access
- Seating & interiors
- Food
- Bottomline
Overview
| Type | Arrivals Lounge |
| Card accepted | Priority Pass & IDFC Cards |
| Location | T3 Arrivals |
| Plug points | Yes |
| Ambiance | Beautiful interiors with dining & lounge space |
| Food options | Tasty food (a-la-carte) |
Encalm is among the best airport lounges in India for arrivals, offering a-la-carte dining that can feel as premium as some American Express lounges in Mumbai and Delhi. The combination of attentive service, quality food and an attractive interior makes it stand out.
Location
The lounge is on the arrivals level, located beyond the baggage claim. Normally passengers exiting arrivals turn right toward the taxi stand; to reach Encalm turn left and walk a few minutes. The lounge sits on the right side of that corridor. If you use meet & greet services, Encalm also handles them, which can make locating the lounge easier.
Access
- Priority Pass
- IDFC First credit and debit cards (premium variants)
I accessed the lounge using an IDFC First Wealth credit card. It’s encouraging to see IDFC extending arrival-lounge access to premium customers. Staff indicated some uncertainty about which card variants are accepted, so availability may vary. Also note that only a few Priority Pass issuers in India allow free swipes without additional charges.
Seating & interiors
The lounge’s design is bright and modern, with dedicated dining tables and comfortable lounge seating. The interior feels fresh and welcoming, a pleasant contrast to the generic, muted decor found in many other third-party lounges.
During my visit the lounge was quiet—only a handful of guests—yet it easily fits forty or more. That low occupancy felt luxurious, though it’s likely the lounge will become busier as awareness grows.
Food
Encalm offers snack and main-course selections along with desserts. I sampled a samosa and phirni; both were well-prepared and flavorful. The a-la-carte menu and plated presentation elevate the experience compared with typical arrivals facilities.
Bottomline
- Cardexpert rating: 5/5
Encalm at Delhi T3 is a welcome addition to arrivals facilities in India. The combination of a-la-carte dining, polished interiors and attentive service places it among the top lounges I have visited. It reminded me of the 080 lounge in Bangalore, but with lower crowding during my visit. The lounge also highlights useful perks for premium IDFC cardholders.
Have you visited the Encalm arrivals lounge at Delhi T3? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below.