Review: Air India Maharaja Lounge New York (JFK)

Other than the sign reflecting Air India’s new logo, nothing about this Star Alliance lounge in JFK Terminal 4 has changed much over the last few years. I’ve provided updated pictures of the food and drink selection, all of which are complimentary. 

Here are some updated photos:

This is not my favorite lounge, but does beat the nearby Prime Class Lounge. My original review, from September 2021, is below.

The Air India Maharaja Lounge at New York JFK is probably not worth your time, but if you have a morning Star Alliance flight from T4, it still beats the gate area.

Air India Maharaja Lounge New York JFK Review

Located in busy Terminal 4, the lounge serves Star Alliance business class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members, and Priority Pass members. The lounge is open daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm and is upstairs above Gate 5. You’ll find it next to the Emirates lounge adjacent to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which both provide a decidedly different experience…

I visited recently before a United Airlines flight from JFK-LAX (after a steak at Bobby Van’s, thankfully I was not hungry). I could have entered with Priority Pass credentials but that was not necessary; I just had to scan my United boarding pass then present by digital Star Alliance gold card.

The lounge was crowded when I arrived, though 10 minutes later it had substantially emptied out. The entire lounge is one large rectangular room with chairs, couches, and tables. And these chairs, couches, and tables are showing their age, with many sporting ripped or torn fabric.

I’ve never flown Air India business class, but this is what I hear the seats look like on Air India too…

I will say the tarmac views are nice if you enjoy watching planes:

Perhaps this lounge offered a nice spread of delicious Indian food prior to the pandemic, but these days it is packaged or individually-wrapped food, including:

hummus
vegetables and dip
macaroni salad
turkey wrap
veggies sandwiches
cheese
grapes
instant noodles
chips
trail mix
cinnamon rolls
cookies
apples

iIt could be worse, but the sandwiches and wraps did not look fresh or cold.

There’s no alcohol available – just water, juice, soft drinks, tea, and coffee:

The men’s restroom had water and soap all over the counter and floor:

CONCLUSION

With both the American Express Centurion and SWISS lounge located nearby, I would only visit this lounge as a lounge of last resort. I suppose it would do in a pinch and is essentially for Air India passengers (considering AI102 to Delhi departs at 12:30pm), but the (recently renovated) SWISS lounge is open 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Consider it the better Star Alliance option.