This is the tale of a few lounges. Mumbai Terminal 2 started in 2014, and started to receive domestic airlines as of 2015. First came Vistara, then Air India and then Jet Airways.
To support the domestic traffic, the first lounge that opened up at Mumbai Airport Terminal 2 Domestic was the Travel Club Lounge, followed by the GVK Lounge, which is the primary lounge for airline traffic (business class and elites). F&B and service wise, both the lounges are largely at par since they have the same owners in Mumbai Airport and the same operator (TFS / Performa) who are responsible for both the lounges.
Travel Club Lounge, Mumbai Terminal 2
The Travel Club lounge is the smaller lounge of the two, and with the opening of the bigger GVK Lounge, was relegated to the use of everyone who was not being invited by the airlines. The airport operator GVK, from the start, has been fanatic about providing a nice experience to the users of the airport lounge, as they want to be able to charge the premium for their own lounge and ensure that airlines don’t ask for their own lounge space.
GVK Domestic Lounge, Mumbai Terminal 2
Hence, after the opening of the GVK Lounge, the smaller Travel Club Lounge was used largely by people who used Priority Pass, American Express and other credit cards to have themselves over in a lounge at Terminal 2. However, with Mumbai being a big market for premium credit cards and international travellers as well, it seems the smaller lounge has grown out of capacity.
So, I’m hearing for a while that the roped off section at the back of the GVK Lounge, which is about 50 passengers large and never used will be segregated and specially converted to a Priority Pass Lounge of sorts. This would add the capacity of the lounge for those who are not invited by the airlines for lounge access.
While the design of the Travel Club lounge is gorgeous, it does not have any runway views, and this one should be able to get you #avgeeks much better views!!
Which lounge do you prefer? GVK or Travel Club? And have you heard something similar?
I’d venture it could be an upcoming Amex lounge. On Centurion homepage, it says Mumbai lounge is “Temporarily Closed.” So they obviously want to come back. Given the high number of Plat users in Mumbai, I won’t be surprised if India finally gets a Centurion lounge. Although, that space isn’t enough for putting in a proper Centurion lounge.
I would at least expect an area dedicated to Amex soon.
As far as I understand, the area you refer to is used by their staff for taking food and rest.
@Anoop that place is being used by their staff because they have no use for it right now. So when they will start using it properly, this goes away!
The Travel Club Lounge is my favourite lounge in India. Although crowded, the food is excellent and always replenished! I like the variety with regards to international food –
I’ve had Thai, Italian, Chinese and of course, Indian. They serve Greek Yogurt in various flavours!