Payal Khanna

Payal Khanna is the Founder, Visionary and Creative Strategist at Aura Dezyne, a Mumbai-based design studio known for crafting immersive experiences.

With two decades of experience, she has led the design of over 600 projects across India and internationally, ranging from state-of-the-art film studios and luxury residences to corporate offices, airports and hospitality destinations.

Payal’s journey with airports began in 2009 at the inception of Travel Food Services, where she played a pivotal role in conceptualising some of the earliest and most iconic F&B formats, kiosk concepts and lounge experiences. From curating chaos zones to designing experiential hospitality hubs, her work reflects a rare understanding of how airports can inspire, engage and comfort.

Over the years, Payal has led design across major terminals, with a focus on functionality and emotional connection. She has shaped airport hospitality design, infusing luxury and purpose – crafting spaces that serve millions in transit.

Notably, she designed the 080 Domestic Lounge at Bangalore International Airport for BIAL, a space celebrated for its immersive narrative and awarded as one of the best airport lounges at the 2024 FAB Awards, reflecting Payal’s ability to infuse regional culture, storytelling and hospitality-forward thinking into dynamic, emotionally intelligent spaces.

For Payal, designing at airports is more than space planning. It is a sensory journey. She describes it as stepping into ‘La La Land’, a living theatre of people, movement, and emotion. She transforms transit zones into meaningful, memorable environments.

Every project she leads reflects her signature design philosophy: aesthetic, authentic and intentional.