DEL Lounge Situation
 

Does anyone have information on the current DEL lounge situation? With the new terminal, I know there are changes, but the CO site doesn't provide much information.

It has two entries for DEL.

Delhi, India (DEL) Contract Lounge** (BF)(*G) +1
Delhi, India (DEL) Kingfisher First Lounge (same-day Kingfisher ticket required)

I'm flying BF CO83 DEL to EWR on the 20th. I will not be flying on Kingfisher that day.

Anyone know anything about the new lounge facility? The old one (Clipper Lounge operated by Oberoi) was incredibly disappointing.

I haven't been there myself but LH usually provides more detailed information.

Unfortunately, LH shows the old Terminal. LH and CO did not share a lounge at DEL.

Here is some info about what lounges are available (not necessarily star alliance):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14441798-post44.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14441798-post45.html

Yeah, I'm quickly coming to the realization the CO may not have a lounge right now due to the ongoing "move in".

I am pretty sure there is a lounge for CO BF pax. For sure the check-in agents will be able to help you.

My concern is having functional internet. At the old lounge, I could never get the text message system to send me a password, I think because I use Aircel.

I need to get online and do a web meeting before the flight. I may try and push the time of the meeting up a bit and just have a *very* late check-out at the hotel on Friday. If I do that, I'd also be able to grab a shower just before leaving, which would be nice.

I think this is better idea..to get it done at the hotel.
Internet connection may be iffy at the lounge....we really dont know about that part yet.. (unless you have a USB-style data thingy).

I managed to reschedule my call, which was a good thing. The Internet at the airport was unreliable. It still uses the "text me a password" system that gives you a working connection for a few minutes before dropping you back off. The login page indicates that you could buy a longer-term connection, but doesn't have a place to actually do that.

The lounge was decent, but isn't the permanent lounge. They are still doing some construction on the eventual lounge, though the "Premium Lounge" that CO is currently use is certainly sufficient for the limited number of flights they send out of DEL.

Thought I'd include some photos from the new DEL international terminal.

Arrivals is relatively easy. The new airport has a two-level system. Arriving passengers are loaded into a mid-level that is basically a large hallway. There is an arrivals lounge before immigration, complete with a smoking area. There didn't seem to be much vending in this area, though. I assume it's easy to connect from here to the upstairs area where there is a food court, etc.

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When you leave DEL, you enter form the upper level. The ticketing areas are reasonably sized, stopping some of the crowding at the old terminal. One then moves through passport control and security. The security areas appeared to be collecting a large amount of contraband.

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Everyone is then funned through the Duty Free area.

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Once you've decided not to buy anything, you reach an area with other stores. The lounges and food court are upstairs. At the moment, there are only two lounges open. CO uses the "Premium Lounge". There's still a lot of construction going on inside and outside of the terminal. I slipped into some of the "under construction" lounge area before attracting unwanted attention from the security people. There's no free liquor, but there is some decent food and soft beverages. Much better than the Oberoi Clipper Lounge at the old terminal.

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If you don't have lounge access, there was a sports bar in the public section that looked like a decent place to stop and grab a drink before heading to the gate. There were also handy maps showing how long the walk was to each zone in the terminal.

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The "airport proper" had very wide aisles with the dreaded super carpet. The carpet is so thick that pulling a rolling bag is difficult. There were disabled carts, and the guy driving one was doing the same thing as the "beep beep" guy at IAH. Cracked me up.

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The international gates are now divided. At the old terminal, they did the secondary screenings on the jetway. It wasn't any fun. Now, they have built little lass Gitmos for each gate. Security screening is conducted as you enter the box. There are no bathrooms or vending inside (bathrooms are right outside). No liquids allowed either. It's less stressful, but it doesn't encourage getting to the gate early. Overall, I think it was a better balance.

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When boarding, everyone walks down a long ramp to the mid-level where you then board the plane. CO uses two doors at the gate, so there is an easy path to the BF cabin and then a line for the back.

In the past, they stopped and questioned us before boarding the plane. I didn't experience that (either at the gate check or before boarding). I did get the quiz from the security people before I got my boarding pass.

Overall, it's an improvement from the old terminal, but still has some way to go.

More photos, larger sizes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marklyo...7624553114923/

Sorry for the multiple posts. The system only allows a small number of images per post.

I was there at the premium lounge on Aug 3 '10. I did not have the Gold Elite card with me, but had *G on the boarding pass and also had the PP card. This is a *Alliance lounge, not a CO Lounge.

The lounge itself was under construction at the time. Its supposed to be managed by Plaza Premium Lounge which apparently is one of the award winning managers of lounges worldwide. So there is hope.

http://www.newdelhiairport.in/busine...acilities.aspx

They did not have a alcohol permit at the time I was there so no alcohol. They were supposed to get it soon and I could not find out if it will be free or not.

Did have Wi-Fi. And snacks and drinks. Overall quite nice. But then the only other lounge I have been to is the PP lounge at EWR. Which sucks according to all the FT'ers. So I have nothing to compare it with.

I will go again in September so will file an update next month.

Thanks for this detailed update OP!

I have referenced your post in the Airlines of India DEL T3 thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14547261-post130.html

Thanks. I didn't post the photos there because it has devolved into something that I am certain will be locked soon.

Yes, you are correct. I hope that thread gets cleaned and not locked up. The original intent of that thread was very useful.

I usually keep away from those conversations.