Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport has relocated its Bird Lounge from the landside area (open during peak Covid periods) to the airside. Here is my experience visiting the lounge after returning from a stay at Westin Himalayas.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Location
- Check-in
- Seating & Interiors
- Food
- Bottomline
Overview
| Type | Airport Lounge |
| Card accepted | Most credit cards (excluding Amex) |
| Location | Follow lounge signboard & take the lift |
| Plug points | Yes |
| Ambiance | Decent interiors in a compact space |
| Food options | Reasonable buffet for the size |
It’s positive that Dehradun has a dedicated lounge, though the current space should ideally be two to three times larger to handle today’s passenger volumes.
Location
The signage can be confusing. If you follow the signboard and take the long escalator to the second floor, you reach a largely empty area. Instead, you should take the lift and go one level up to find the lounge. Many passengers, myself included, first go to the second floor, realize the mistake, and then return to use the lift.
The airport and lounge operator should improve signposting to prevent this unnecessary detour, which wastes time and energy and inconveniences travelers.
Check-in
Check-in took a few extra minutes because the lounge’s internet connection was unreliable. Most credit cards are accepted; I noted acceptance of cards like the IDFC First Select Credit Card. When I arrived, the lounge was nearing full capacity, and I was lucky to secure a seat.
Seating & Interiors
The lounge is compact and comfortably fits about 15 passengers. Beyond that, the space becomes crowded and less comfortable. Despite its small size, the interiors and seating layout are well designed for a regional airport, though a larger area would be preferable.
Because the lounge was congested during my visit, I had a quick bite and left within ten minutes to wait in the regular area where there was more fresh air. The interior can feel stifling when full, which explains the presence of two exhaust fans visible in the photos below.
Food
Given the lounge’s size and location, the food selection is adequate. Dishes were tasty and were replenished regularly to meet demand. The buffet setup is modest but appropriate for a small airport lounge.
Bottomline
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.2/5
It’s encouraging to see lounges operating at smaller airports like Dehradun. My main hope is that authorities will allocate larger spaces for such facilities. From what I observed, the current lounge may be temporary; there is ongoing construction on the second floor that could become a bigger, more suitable location in the future.
Have you visited Dehradun’s airport lounge? Share your experience in the comments below.