Waiting for a flight is tiring, even if it is at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is ranked among the world’s best. But for Vistara’s business class and Club Vistara Gold customers, the wait has become a little more bearable.

The airline has chosen Terminal 3 at Delhi airport for its first lounge in India. Opened on March 29, this 250-square-metre lounge is located next to the departure gates and can seat 75 of its exclusive fliers at a time. Air India is the only other airline to have a lounge at the Delhi’s domestic airport.

Location advantage

The lounge was a year in the making. “We insisted it has to be on the pier or we will not take the space,” says Giam Ming Toh, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara. “We knew that the aircraft is going to park on this pier so we wanted the customer to be near the gate. Ten minutes before the aircraft departure he or she can leave the lounge,” he adds.

Proximity to the gates apart, the lounge’s location provides its guests a perfect view of the runway as they enjoy a drink ( the liquor licence is expected soon). The stock is admirable. “Premium spirits such as Ballantines, Glenlivet, Chivas, Absolute, Beefeater, Jacob's Creek Core will be available at the bar,” says Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer, Vistara.

One end of the lounge has a recliner zone with reclining chairs to stretch the tired back. To help more, there is a relaxation area that offers foot massage. One also has the option of hopping across to the quieter part of the lounge – a small library.

“We currently have a selection of books and latest issue of various magazines in the reading room. We will soon add more genres and forms of books/ magazines based on the customer feedback,” adds Kapoor. For those with a sweet tooth, the readily available Ferrero Rocher chocolates will help. The menu, which includes a mix of international and Indian dishes, changes three times a day.

The lounge also has an exclusive VIP room, which includes individual privacy seats for those who do not want to be disturbed. The room has a sliding door which can be pushed to close to make it quieter. For those worried about missing out on important office work, the lounge provides the option to hold a small business meeting.

“This is a place for travellers to indulge, relax, work if they want to and network professionally or socially,” says Phee Teik Yeoh, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, For Giam who was involved at every stage of the lounge’s development, the opening brought back memories of some 15 years ago. “I was intimately involved with developing a two-level lounge in London. It opened a week before I left the station. So I was very keen that this opens before I leave,” he said. Giam got the wish granted as he left India after the lounge's opening, and took up his next assignment as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, at Nok Scoot airline in Bangkok.

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