How to navigate those crowded airport queues like a boss

If you are reading this column at an airport, congratulations, you’ve made it to the select pool of people who are going to make their flight today. For instance, at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal 2, if you are flying business class, you should head to Gate 1 or 8, which is exclusively used for access to the Business Class pods check-in area. For Air India, even Star Alliance Gold-tier membership of any other member airline will help you get in the business class queue, and even get you and your plus one flying with lounge access at major airports. For Vistara, Gold- and Platinum-tier customers can access the priority queues for Business Class or Premium Economy. At Bengaluru airport, there is a brand new 080 Lounge, which is accessible, for the time being, to premium customers of American Express Cards and Priority Pass.