On my 30-hour whirlwind trip to try out the Airbus A350 of Air India, I’d flown from Delhi to Bengaluru on the Business Class section of the flight. From there, I headed into Chennai on the A350 Economy Class and spent some time at the Chennai (Airport) before heading out of Chennai on the A350 Premium Economy Class. Air India uses the TFS Travel Club Lounge at Chennai Airport Terminal 4, which is where I was headed after check-in.
Chennai International Airport, Terminal 4
Chennai TFS Travel Club, Terminal 4 Domestic Lounge
At Chennai Airport, I was handed my lounge invitation to the TFS Travel Club Lounge, which is the only lounge operator available across all the terminals. So, this lounge is an indication of the layout and service offering to expect across all the lounges (over multiple trips over the years).
As mentioned earlier, I was flying Air India Premium Economy, but my Air India Gold Status offered me lounge access. The lounge is located one level up from the ground floor, which one can go via an elevator or the stairs. The rest of the area is sort of deserted, so you follow to the end of the corridor, where you see the lounge signage.
Travel Club Lounge & Bar, Chennai Airport Terminal 4 Domestic
This is not an exclusive lounge for airline use, and many banks also have tie-ups for providing access to their customers.
Lounge Access Tieups for Travel Club Lounge, Terminal 4, Chennai Airport
There were two queues, one for airline customers and one for bank customers to access the lounge.
When I headed into the lounge at about 4 p.m., it was not crowded, so the queue segregation did not matter at that hour.
The lounge is divided into four sections. As you enter, there is a massive hall in the central foyer, which has many couches for seating.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Seating
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Seating
There are also small single-seater chairs lined around the side wall as well.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Seating
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Seating
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Seating
At the back of the central hall, there is a restaurant area. On one side, there is a bar, although drinks are chargeable. In one corner, the buffet is laid out.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Restaurant
Around the other corner wall, there is an open window overlooking the airport apron operations.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Airport apron views
Lining up the wall are some high chairs and a community table. Individual power connections enable people to work from here. This is where I parked myself (for the views!).
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4
In one corner is a segregated area for airline passengers.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Airline Customers Sitout
Chennai Airport Terminal 4 Travel Club Lounge Lounge Food & Beverages
At the time I was over, it should have been time for an evening snack layout. However, there was just lunch service at the time (about 4 PM). Here are some of the F&B items on the buffet that were laid out when I was visiting.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
You will see there was a wide variety of local tiffin options, such as Idli and Dosa. There were also Indo-Chinese options, curries, and biryani. And then, there were a whole lot of dessert options.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
In the island area, there were salads and sandwiches on the buffet.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Buffet Area
Since I did not make it to Murugan Idli Shop in Chennai to get some idlis, I decided to grab a couple of idlis for my late lunch.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Domestic, Lunch
The lounge also had a tea/coffee machine and a filter coffee machine. You could get a beverage or ask the crew to make you one.
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Coffee
Travel Club Lounge, Chennai Airport Terminal 4, Coffee
The food was good, and the place was largely occupied by Vistara customers and credit card invitees. As I saw my plane land, I decided to leave the lounge and head back to the gate.
Chennai Airport Gate views from the Lounge
Bottomline
The TFS Travel Club Lounge at Chennai Terminal 4 is a decent stop for spending some time between your flights at the airport. The F&B is good and in line with the offerings at various TFS Lounges across the country. The layout is purely functional, although the gold trims stand out because the rest of the airport is pretty basic.
Have you visited the TFS Travel Club Lounge at the Chennai Airport?
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