I recently flew Air India Business Class from Chennai (MAA) to Singapore (SIN) and visited the Air India Maharaja Business Class Lounge in Chennai. I had forgotten this lounge existed until I received a lounge pass during check-in.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Check-in
- Seating & interiors
- Food & Drinks
- Staff interaction
- Bottomline
Overview
| Type | Business Class Lounge |
| Allowed for | Air India / Star Alliance Business & First Class |
| Location | Ground floor, opposite the TFS lounge |
| Plug points | Yes |
| Ambiance | Decent interiors with comfortable seating options |
| Food options | Limited spread and average taste |
Chennai Airport offers several lounges. If the Maharaja Lounge is crowded or not to your liking, the TFS lounge directly opposite is an alternative option.
Check-in
At check-in I received the lounge invite (with a minor spelling mistake on it). I asked whether my friend, who wasn’t flying business class, could join; the staff declined, so he headed to the TFS lounge across the way. Check-in at the Maharaja Lounge itself was quick and I was shown to a comfortable seat.
Seating & interiors
The lounge’s interiors are serviceable for a business-class facility but felt dated in beige tones. Seating was the highlight: the chairs were well-cushioned with good back support and comfortable for waiting before a flight. Other aspects of the décor felt ordinary compared with newer lounges.
Food & Drinks
The food selection was limited and the taste was average. I was pleased to find medhu vadai among the offerings, but it was not as fresh or flavorful as expected. For a business-class lounge, the variety and quality were disappointing. There is a bar area, but when I visited it was a dry day due to Republic Day restrictions.
Staff interaction
While taking photos of the lounge (I had explained I was photographing the space, not people), a staff member initially approved but soon requested that I delete images of the food display. I complied. After moving to other areas to continue photographing, the same staff member returned, asked if I was media, and instructed me not to photograph other parts of the lounge. To avoid conflict I stopped and later met the staff again in the neighboring TFS lounge, where he asked to verify that all images had been deleted. I deleted the requested images but retained a couple for my personal reference.
Bottomline
- CardExpert Rating: 3.5/5
The Maharaja Lounge offers comfortable seating but falls short on food variety and quality. The TFS lounge opposite presents a similar food offering and tends to be more crowded. Overall my visit was okay but was negatively affected by the staff interaction around photography. With improved food options and clearer, more courteous communication from staff, the lounge experience could be noticeably better for business-class travelers.
Have you visited this lounge or another Maharaja Lounge? Share your experience in the comments.