There have been two major issues I’ve had with the Bangalore BIAL Airport for as long as I remember. Having used the airport based inside the city, I find the current airport too far away, and one can’t predict travel times to the airport since you can only go by the road. The other one was, the lack of a lounge for most airlines, except for Kingfisher Airlines. Then, they rebranded the Kingfisher Airlines lounge as the Pause Lounge.

However, it looks like the troubles for accessing lounges in Bangalore Airports may now be over. As of March this year, Plaza Premium opened up a couple of lounges at Bangalore, one at the Domestic side of the terminal, and one on the International side. This happened, after they were able to open the last part of the airport which was under development for a while.

I managed to get around to the domestic Plaza Premium Lounge a couple of times these past months, and it is one of the better Plaza Premium Lounges out there in India I’d say in terms of space and conceptualisation.

You get to the lounge by taking a lift to the Mezzanine floor after going through security screening. The reception is on the main level, where they accept your airline invitation (Jet Airways and Air India both use them). Also, you can use your Priority Pass, American Express CC (complimentary for Platinum/Centurion members) and some other credit cards to access this lounge. Also, you can pay-in to use this lounge.

Once you arrive at the lounge, you notice this one is made to make you wait in the lounge, rather than throw you out at the earliest. There is ample space, seating for 75 pax, if not more at least, spread out across couches, bar stools and diners tables. Additionally, there are more than enough plug points to plug in your gadgets, and you don’t have to fight with another passenger for one. Wifi is free.

Like you notice above, there are also seats which help you look over the apron, and you get to notice aircraft movements from there.

In terms of food and beverages, there are a lot of live workstations to get you going, including one for dosas (South Indian pancakes), and one egg station. Be aware, it can be a while before you get your order and you have to be hovering around to collect it since no one would come and get it to your table.

Apart from that, there are small bites, curries, salads, soups and beverages to offer. A separate section only for desserts. Alcohol is available on payment.

Here is an assortment I settled in with for a sort of an early dinner that evening when I hopped in after a long day.

You can also look over to the other lounge now open at Bangalore Airport’s domestic terminal, called Above Ground Level. I really need to go there once to figure out what they are up to.

And they also have a shower and spa section, something I did not use, but which is available as well, against a separate payment I believe. Right at the back of the lounge.

Overall, I found this to be a very good lounge, which I hope is going to make up for the lack of one in Bangalore for a very long time. The food is better than the usual lounge stuff with the live counters. The space is more than good enough. And I guess that is all that one needs, right, when waiting to catch an airplane?

Related Post:

• Review: Pause Lounge, Bangalore Airport (Domestic)

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