At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, Gate Z debuts as India’s first social lounge, redefining comfort, culture and community.
While the world debates Gen Z’s potential to drive the next wave of global transformation, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has opened a social lounge inspired by the Gen Z ethos to reflect the aspiration of today’s traveller for environments that feel intuitive, social and relevant to their lifestyle.
Named Gate Z, the first such waiting area at an Indian airport, it disrupts the conventional airport lounge model to create a shared space that blends comfort, culture and community.
A statement from Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the public‑private partnership (PPP) company behind the airport, is quick to add, “Gate Z is not defined by age, but by mindset. It represents authenticity, ease, sustainability, and seamless integration of technology.” Positioned next to the 080 International Lounge in Terminal 2, Gate Z draws inspiration from the evolving mindset of travellers for whom travel is part of a broader lifestyle. Inspired by the energy of a modern high street, Gate Z features fluid pathways, social‑first zones and intuitive layouts that balance interaction and pause.
Curved seating, ambient lighting and interactive zones support working, unwinding, socialising or moments of solitude. Global influences blend seamlessly with local touches across design, food and art, while a warm palette of cyan and burnt orange, streetlamp‑inspired lighting and sustainable materials create a contemporary, welcoming atmosphere. AI‑led features are seamlessly integrated to enable intuitive navigation, personalisation and enhanced passenger convenience.
Beyond Generations
While rooted in Gen Z values of inclusivity, authenticity and self‑expression, the lounge is intended to resonate across age groups, from young professionals seeking dynamic work‑and‑social zones to seasoned travellers who value thoughtful comfort and calm, adapting to different travel rhythms.
The name Gate Z itself was born from a nationwide naming contest, inviting India’s young creative voices to shape an experience curated for them. The contest drew entries from students, designers and professionals across the country, capturing the spirit of inclusivity and co‑creation at the heart of the concept.
On the launch of Gate Z, George Bennet Kuruvilla, CEO, Bangalore Airport Services Ltd (BASL), said, “Inspired by values of inclusivity, authenticity and connection, the lounge brings together comfort, culture and community in a way that feels intuitive and welcoming across age groups. By inviting young Indians to name Gate Z, we extended this philosophy of co‑creation, ensuring the space is shaped by the mindset it represents and remains relevant, expressive and people‑first.”
Designed as a social‑first, experience‑led space, the lounge features three restaurants: Bubble & Brew, The Sipping Lounge, and Subway Diner. Complementing these is The Amphizone, a modern amphitheatre for screenings, pop‑ups and spontaneous gatherings.