Luxury travellers will be happy to learn Canada has at least one international-class airport lounge in YYZ, meaning you can start and end your travels in style. The top 5 airport lounges in the country and around the world are yours to visit with the right boarding pass, membership, or credit card.
Key Takeaways
- The best airport lounge in Canada is the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Vancouver, though the International Maple Leaf Lounge in Montréal wasn’t far behind in our rankings.
- The best airport lounge in the world that doesn’t require a premium flight class is the Pearl Lounge in Bahrain (BAH).
- To access an airport lounge, you’ll need a same-day boarding pass and one of the following: an entry fee, a membership, a premium flight ticket, or a premium credit card.
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What are airport lounges?
Secluded from the rest of the terminal and offering food, drink, and the occasional hot shower, airport lounges are oases of calm. They used to be reserved for Business and First Class fliers, but nowadays, almost anyone can enjoy a bit of refreshment and relaxation before their flight.
To access an airport lounge, you’ll need a same-day departing boarding pass and one of the following:
- An entry fee or paid lounge pass
- A membership such as DragonPass or Priority Pass
- A premium flight class, such as Business or First Class
- A premium credit card, such as the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard or RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
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What makes a great airport lounge?
To rank the best airport lounges in Canada and around the world, we scored each location on a scale of 1 – 7 in accessibility, amenities, atmosphere, comfort, dining, entertainment, and staff. We awarded points for dozens of factors such as cleanliness, design, food variety, food quality, and staffing numbers.
Although our rating system favours airport lounges with broad appeal, some entries rose to the top because they perfected a small number of amenities.
The 5 best airport lounges in Canada
There’s never been a better time to travel – there are 84 airport lounges in Canada and with only a few exceptions, you can access all of them with an eligible credit card!
To create our list, we compared over 45 locations in 4 major airports: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
Best airport lounge in Canada: Cathay Pacific Lounge, Vancouver
Image credit: Travelweek
| Accessibility | Amenities | Atmosphere | Comfort | Dining | Entertainment | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Awards and ratings: 4.6 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: Main Terminal International Concourse, Pier D, Level 3, near Gate D71
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Entry requirements: International Cathay Pacific or Oneworld boarding pass AND Business or First Class flight status OR Cargo Clan Elite membership OR Cathay Diamond, Gold, or Silver membership OR Cathay Lounge Pass membership OR Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer membership
It’s not quite fine dining, but the Cathay Pacific Lounge’s extensive menu – which includes breakfast, dim sum, and a noodle bar – and elevated design make it the crown jewel of the Vancouver International Airport. It beat out more exclusive rivals thanks to its amenities, generous admission policy, and top-notch customer service.
Runner-up: International Maple Leaf Lounge Montréal (YUL)
Best airport lounge in Toronto: Air Canada Signature Suite
Image credit: Air Canada
| Accessibility | Amenities | Atmosphere | Comfort | Dining | Entertainment | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
Awards and ratings: Certified 5-Star SKYTRAX Lounge, 4.6 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: Elevator access via Terminal 1, Level 2, near Gate E77
Hours: Tuesday, Saturday, 2:00 PM – 11:30 PM; Monday, Wednesday – Friday, Sunday, 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Entry requirements: Air Canada Signature Class international boarding pass
For the best possible start to your flight from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), visit the Air Canada Signature Suite, the only airport lounge in Canada to receive 5 stars from SKYTRAX. SKYTRAX decides the world’s best airlines and airport lounges based on a combination of professional reviewers and customer feedback. Both groups were impressed by the lounge’s ambiance, concierge services, and à la carte menu designed by chef David Hawksworth.
Runner-up: The International Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto (Terminal 1)
Best airport lounge in Vancouver: Air Canada Signature Suite
Image credit: Air Canada
| Accessibility | Amenities | Atmosphere | Comfort | Dining | Entertainment | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
Awards and ratings: 4.3 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: 2nd floor of the International Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (Main Terminal, International Concourse, entrance to Pier D, Level 3)
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 6:30 AM – 12:30 AM; Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday, 7:30 AM – 11:30 PM; Friday, 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Entry requirements: Air Canada Signature Class international boarding pass
Although it has yet to receive a visit from SKYTRAX, we have it on good authority that the Air Canada Signature Suite in Vancouver meets the same phenomenal service standards as its counterpart in Toronto. The two locations share much of the same design and amenities, including architecture by Heekyung Duquette and luxury toiletries by Molton Brown.
Runner-up: SkyTeam Lounge
Best airport lounge in Montréal: International Maple Leaf Lounge
Image credit: Air Canada
| Accessibility | Amenities | Atmosphere | Comfort | Dining | Entertainment | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Awards and ratings: Certified 4-Star SKYTRAX Lounge, 4.0 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: International Zone, near Gate 52
Hours: Monday, Sunday, 6:15 AM – 9:45 PM; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 6:15 AM – 10:15 PM; Wednesday, Friday, 5:00 AM – 9:45 PM
Entry requirements: Air Canada, Emirates, or Star Alliance member international boarding pass AND Aeroplan Elite, Super Elite, 75K, or 50K membership OR Aeroplan credit card;OR Business, First, or Premium Rouge Class OR entry fee ($49 – 79 per traveller) OR Emirates Skywards Gold or Platinum membership OR Maple Leaf Club membership OR Star Alliance Gold membership
The International Maple Leaf Lounge in Montréal (YUL) is the latest and greatest in Air Canada's award-winning lineup of airport lounges. Flash your Aeroplan membership or Aeroplan credit card at the front desk to access the forested quiet area, business centre, and full-service bar.
Runner-up: The Air France/KLM Crown Lounge
Best airport lounge in Calgary: M Club
Image credit: Marriott
| Accessibility | Amenities | Atmosphere | Comfort | Dining | Entertainment | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
Awards and ratings: 4.5 / 5.0 (Google), 4.5 / 5.0 (Trip Advisor)
Location: Elevator access via the Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, International Terminal, Level 2, near Departure Door 13
Hours: 24/7
Entry requirements: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum or Platinum Premier membership OR Marriott room booking AND entry fee
The M Club is simultaneously the most exclusive and most welcoming airport lounge in Calgary (YYC). You must have either a premium room booking or Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status to get in, but it’s the only place you can enjoy complimentary food and drink before or after a flight.
Runner-up: The WestJet Elevation Lounge
How to access the best airport lounges around the world
Too often, the best airport lounges preserve their atmosphere and the quality of their services by restricting admission. For our worldwide list of top airport lounges, we focused on 5-star SKYTRAX locations you can visit without splurging on a Business or First Class ticket.
Between a paid pass and a credit card with lounge access, a card is the most cost-effective option for visiting an airport lounge. Cardholders can usually recoup the cost of the annual fee after just a few lounge visits while enjoying amazing perks like priority boarding or travel insurance.
Here are the top 3 lounges you can visit with a credit card or entry fee.
Best Dragonpass airport lounge: Pearl Lounge, Bahrain
Image credit: SKYTRAX
Awards and ratings: Certified 5-Star SKYTRAX Lounge, 3.5 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: Main Terminal, International Departures, Level 3, near Gate 15
Hours: 24/7
Entry requirements: Same-day departing boarding pass AND entry fee ($90 CAD per adult, $45 CAD per child aged 2 – 12, free for children under 2) OR DragonPass membership
DragonPass powers the Mastercard Travel Pass and Visa Airport Companion programs, but the number of complimentary lounge visits included depends on your bank. For example, the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard provides 4 annual lounge visits and 1 guest pass per visit for $150 a year. Meanwhile, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege supplies 6 annual lounge visits for $399 per year.
An additional pass only costs $32 – $35 USD, a steal if you often visit the Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and The Pearl Lounge. You’ll have 3 hours per visit to enjoy 10 immaculately-designed rooms and plenty of options of where to sit, what to do, and what to eat and drink while you do it.
Amenities:
- À la carte dining room
- Access to Bahrain Airport Hotel and Gulf Spa
- Central Room with chair-side beverage services
- Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food
- Dedicated business workspace with printer and telephones
- Family area
- Forno restaurant with live Italian baking
- Gaming lounge with billiards and foosball
- Library with made-to-order cocktails and snacks
- Showers available
- Tasting Room with live kitchen and hot and cold buffet options
- Vegetarian dining options available
"Fashioned on the principles and design of a 5-star hotel, the Pearl Lounge is finished to the most excellent standard, offering a most luxurious and relaxing ambience where customers can easily forget they are in an international airport." —SKYTRAX
Best paid airport lounge: Plaza Premium First Lounge, Hong Kong
Image credit: Plaza Premium First
Awards and ratings: Certified 5-Star SKYTRAX Lounge; 3.7 / 5.0 (Google), 4.0 / 5.0 (Trip Advisor)
Location: Terminal 1, Departures, Level 6, near Gate 1
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM HKT
Entry requirements: Same-day departing boarding pass AND entry fee ($169 – $230 CAD per adult, $120 – $160 CAD per child age 2 – 11, and free for children under 2 for 3 – 10 hours)
Plaza Premium Lounge operates 160+ airport lounges in Canada and abroad. While none of the Canadian locations made it onto our list, the Plaza Premium First Lounge in Hong Kong (HKG) is another story.
Pay the entry fee and you can relax for up to 10 hours in an indulgent oasis of fine cuisine, relaxing spa treatments, and top-notch interior design. Just make sure to give the bar a break every now and then.
Amenities:
- 20-person VIP "Infinity Room" available
- Aero bar with premium whiskeys by Pernod Ricard, accompanied by house-made desserts or hand-sliced Bellota-Bellota Ibérico Ham
- Complimentary 10-minute massage with entry
- Complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks; and house beer, red wine, and red wine
- Complimentary made-to-order Asian and Continental cuisine
- Gluten-free and vegetarian dining options on request
- Interior design crafted by the award-winning Kinney Chan
- Showers available with complimentary toiletries, dental kit, vanity kit, and hairdryer
"Impressive and splendid décor with pleasant artwork, innovative lighting and comfortable seating that includes reclining choices. Catering is of the highest standard with a very large selection of drinks and cocktails. The à la carte restaurant ‘Primo’ provides a high-quality menu that should appeal to all customers." —SKYTRAX
Best Priority Pass airport lounge: Primeclass Lounge, Muscat (Oman)
Image credit: Primeclass
Awards and Ratings: Certified 5-Star SKYTRAX Lounge, 4.5 / 5.0 (Google)
Location: Departures, Level 5, just after passport control
Hours: 24/7
Entry requirements: Same-day departing boarding pass AND entry fee ($90 CAD + VAT per guest, free for children under 6) OR participating airline OR premium credit card OR Priority Pass membership
Encompassing over 1,500 lounges, the Priority Pass network is one of the largest in the world and exclusive to the Amex Global Lounge Collection. Its value is reflected in the priciness of the card; our top pick, the American Express Platinum® Card, requires a $799 annual fee.
On the plus side, you can visit the Primeclass Lounge in Muscat (MCT) as many times as you like. It boasts a prayer room accented by rich textiles and wooden cut-outs, a buffet hall topped by a rippling wood ceiling, and a cheerful kids’ room painted with friendly animals and a jungle.
Amenities:
- Complimentary hot and cold buffet
- Complimentary hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Children’s play area, cinema, and game room
- Hotel
- Meeting rooms and private rooms available
- Showers
- Spa services with private massage rooms
"The Primeclass lounge in Muscat is expansive with a broad range of facilities and service – most of which can be used complimentary. There is a good spa, hotel standard bedrooms, children’s play facilities and computer games units. It is a popular lounge and while some areas get crowded, the lounge size means that facilities can accommodate a large number of customers." —SKYTRAX
What's your favourite airport lounge?
Do you visit airport lounges when you travel? Are they worth it? What’s your favourite?
Share your experiences in the comments below!
FAQ
Can you use an airport lounge on arrival?
Airport lounges are generally reserved for passengers on departing or connecting flights.
Does WestJet have a lounge at Pearson airport?
WestJet doesn’t have an official lounge at Toronto Pearson airport, but WestJet fliers are welcome at the Domestic, International, and US Transborder Plaza Premium Lounges in Terminal 3.
Can I use an airport lounge for free?
You can use an airport lounge for free if you purchase a Business or First Class ticket or a lounge membership or a credit card with complimentary lounge visits.
Is it worth it to pay for airport lounge access?
It’s worth paying to access an airport lounge if it has the amenities you want, you have an appetite, and the lounge isn’t too busy.
Which credit card gives unlimited airport lounge access?
The American Express Platinum Card provides unlimited visits (and often guest passes) to every lounge in the Amex Global Lounge Collection.
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