Singapore Airlines has secured a new lounge arrangement at San Francisco International Airport, ending a brief period during which eligible passengers have been left without lounge access.

The airline moved its SFO operations from the G gates to the A gates on 30th March 2026. This meant the United Polaris Lounge, previously the designated partner lounge for SIA Business Class passengers at SFO and located at the G gates, was no longer conveniently accessible.

In the interim, Business Class passengers and PPS Club / KrisFlyer Elite Gold members have been offered food vouchers to dine at Singapore Airlines’ expense in the terminal’s bars and restaurants prior to departure.

Thankfully a permanent solution has now been put in place for a more premium start to the journey.

Air India Maharaja Lounge, Concourse A

Eligible Singapore Airlines passengers departing SFO are now directed to the brand new Air India Maharaja Lounge, which opened in late March 2026.

The lounge is located in the International Terminal at Concourse A, Level 4, between the China Airlines Lounge and Golden Gate Lounge. After the TSA checkpoint, take the first left and head up the escalators.

It’s open daily from 6am to 11.59pm, and access is available to First Class, Business Class, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members departing on Singapore Airlines and other Star Alliance carriers.

The facility covers around 3,400 square feet, making it one of the smaller lounges at the airport.

First impressions suggest an attractive, well-designed space with varied seating and a tended bar, though there are no shower facilities.

That’s worth bearing in mind if you were hoping to freshen up before the long haul back to Singapore.

Can you still use the United Polaris Lounge?

The loss of the United Polaris Lounge will be mourned by many. We loved our visit back in July 2018, when the lounge was only a few months old. You can read our full review here.

United Polaris Lounge San Francisco READ OUR REVIEW

United Polaris Lounge San Francisco READ OUR REVIEW

It’s no longer the designated lounge for Singapore Airlines Business Class passengers, but it is still accessible if you’re willing to make the trek – though note you’ll actually have to be departing in Business Class to benefit, elite status alone is not accepted.

SFO is now fully connected airside across the International Terminal (both A and G boarding areas) and the domestic terminals, so you can technically walk from the A gates all the way to the Polaris Lounge at the G gates without leaving the secure area.

Expect this to take around 20 minutes each way though, which makes it a significant detour.

The quicker alternative, and the route most travellers prefer, is to exit landside from the A gates, walk to the G gates security checkpoint and clear TSA again. The Polaris Lounge is located immediately after the G checkpoint, so this can actually be quicker at around 10 minutes depending on security queues, particularly if you have TSA PreCheck.

Even for the quickest way back, you’ll still need to allow time to return to the check in hall, then get back to the A gates and clear security again for boarding – allow an extra 20 minutes minimum.

Most travellers probably won’t consider the effort worthwhile, but for the SQ33 9.30pm departure it could be a viable option if you’d like access to the Polaris lounge’s room’s à la carte dining room and shower facilities before the flight, and you’re checking in three hours before departure.

The Air India Maharaja Lounge isn’t going to set any records for size, and the lack of showers is a genuine downside before a long overnight flight to Singapore. That said, it’s a brand new facility with a pleasant design and a tended bar – a significant step up from food vouchers SIA passengers have been receiving in SFO for the last week or two.

If you’re the type to prioritise a proper sit-down meal and a shower before boarding, the Polaris Lounge remains an option with a bit of planning, but most passengers will probably find the Maharaja Lounge a perfectly acceptable place to spend an hour or two before SIA’s departures to Singapore.

(Cover Photo: Aviation Journal / Facebook)

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