Lounges in BOM
 

Hi,

I have 6-7 hour gap between my International arrival and domestic departure segments in BOM middle of next week. I am arriving in AF J around midnight and departing in IT first class around 6.30AM. Which lounges are open at that time and which ones do I have access based on my ticket? I am also a DL DM, Amex Platinum and Priority Pass Select member if they can get me entry in to other Lounges at BOM. Can you guys help me figure out my options?

Thanks
Ik.

Hi ikonos,

Upon arriving into BOM you would have to clear immigration, collect baggage & clear customs before taking a "inter-terminal" coach to the Domestic terminal 1A (Kingfisher operates from 1A). The coach service is free, but operates around every 20-30 minutes.

Kingfisher First offers you complimentary access to the Carnation lounge (located opp gate A2). The Lounge opens at 04:00 and offers a decent breakfast spread, workstations with internet connectivity, TV & newspapers etc.

There is also the AMEX lounge "located inside" the Carnation lounge, but i am not sure of their hours of operation / offerings as I am not an AMEX member.

yes.
@ikonos, you will most likely not be able to get in to the Domestic Terminal at least until 4AM or so.

I strongly suggest you go to the SaharaStar Hotel (very very close to the domestic terminal). The food at the coffee shop is excellent. (24 hours). Restrooms are super clean.

I would rather spend my time at the SaharaStar coffee shop, than try to get in to some lounge at the airport. Its money well spent. (its a five-star property).

Thanks for your information. I will have an infant with me at that time so I want to eliminate as much extra travel as possible. I am not looking for any food or something but a clean and quiet place to rest and maybe cleanup a little before the domestic flight.

The problem you could face is that you may not be let inside the domestic terminal when you show up at 1AM or so (well, you may or you may not be let in).......so, thats a risk you have to take with child in hand.

There is Celebrations lounge at the International terminal, it is a part of the Priority Pass network, not a very great lounge but better than going anywhere outside the airport, plus its open 24 hrs. its is right next to Boarding gate 1, offers complimentary wifi, drinks and snacks. You can look up for more details on the Priority Pass website.

Is this lounge airside or landside?
Sounds like it is airside, if its near a boarding gate.

If airside, I am not sure the OP can visit the lounge, as the pax will be expected to clear immigration / customs and exit the sterile area.

The lounge is airside but am still not clear on the reason provided as to why OP can't use the same?

Because he's landing at BOM not departing from BOM.

Yes correct.
The OP is landing at BOM via international flight. He / she cannot simply stop in a lounge that is near a boarding gate. The OP will have to clear immigration/customs....at that time they will be landside. And no more lounge access at international terminal.

It will be too early for them to go to the domestic terminal. So, I suggested the Sahara Star (its literally a couple minutes by car from the domestic terminals).

this would be my suggestion as well....the op will not be allowed inside the domestic terminal 3 hours before the flight....so the earliest the op can get into the terminal would be around 3:30am....killing a couple of hours at the sahara star coffee shop would be a good bet....

he can "get-in" at any time... but the KFA check-in starts around 03:30 - 04:00..!

Gone are the days when 'Pandu' would halt everyone arriving early and send them back.

Just imagine, if OP is arriving from International terminal to the Domestic via the Inter-Terminal Coach, there is no way 'Pandu' would ask the entire contingent to get back later after 04:00..!

I frequent T 1A a lot and many a times I reach the terminal after 02:00 haven't faced a problem. Not at T 1B as well.

I recently (< 2 weeks) visited India via New Delhi - the new terminal. I was not allowed into the domestic side from the international side until 6 hours prior to the domestic departure.

My views were with reference to the fact that OP is scheduled to take a flight at 06:30.

The 6 hour rule is followed almost everywhere (I have been)- DEL, BOM, AMD, CCJ etc..!

not followed everywhere....a couple of weeks ago i was not allowed inside the terminal 2 & a half hours before my flight in jai....same thing a few months ago at maa, not allowed inside the terminal a little over 3 hours before my flight....

not all pandu's would halt everyone but some of them still would....& if they do then there is pretty much nothing you can do because the airlines won't interfere....