If you’ve got time between flights or just need a comfortable space to work during a layover, Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges have you covered. There are over a dozen lounges in Canada and a handful more worldwide where you can enjoy a meal, grab a drink, shower, or get caught up on work. Elite status and some credit cards will get you in for free but you can also pay for access when you make your travel booking.
Key Takeaways
- Air Canada owns the Maple Leaf Lounge lineup and restricts access to travellers from certain airlines.
- There are 27 Maple Leaf Lounges located in 17 airports worldwide, including 20 in Canada.
- You can upgrade your Air Canada flight with one-time Maple Leaf Lounge access for $49–$79 per traveller at the time of booking.
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What are Maple Leaf Lounges?
Maple Leaf Lounges are an award-winning collection of airport lounges owned and operated by Air Canada. The network recently expanded to 2 new locations in Billy Bishop and San Francisco International Airports, bringing the total count to 27 worldwide.
Designed by a variety of Canadian architectural firms, each Maple Leaf Lounge has its own character – but as a rule, they tend to be spacious, with dark flooring and upholstery. A blend of ceiling spotlights and large statement fixtures highlight wood accents and their namesake, the iconic Air Canada red maple leaf.
Images sourced from Air Canada
What’s included in a Maple Leaf Lounge?
While the decor in each Maple Leaf Lounge can be highly individualistic, the services are not. Air Canada offers 6 standard amenities:
- Cell-Free Quiet Zone: The atmosphere is hushed and phone conversations and use of mobile devices discouraged in designated zones
- Complimentary light snacks and beverages: Self-serve food, beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic options, including juice, soda, tea, and coffee (including specialties like espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes)
- News and entertainment: Physical reading material plus 7,000+ magazines and newspaper available via PressReader App
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: High-speed internet services available to visitors plus business centre desktop PCs
- Business centres: Internet-equipped desktop PCs and colour printers
- Showers: Complimentary soap, shampoo, amenities, and fresh towels
Of the 6, complimentary snacks and beverages, news and entertainment, Wi-Fi, and business centres are the main staples. Smaller airports and locations may not include a shower or cell-free quiet zone.
In addition, guests can expect:
- Flight monitors
- Live news and sports television broadcasts
- Lounge access up to 3 hours before qualifying flight
- Lounge access anytime before a connecting flight
- Up to 20 open hours every day
Maple Leaf Lounge restrictions
The biggest downside to Maple Leaf Lounges is that they aren’t open to everyone.
You must be flying with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or a Star Alliance member airline to access them. We also recommend researching each lounge ahead of time because opening hours and amenities can vary.
Air Canada asks guests to abide by the following rules:
- No pets except in carriers
- No luggage carts
- No smoking
- No solicitation of any kind
- No taking food out of the lounge
- No visiting the lounge except in appropriate attire
Which airports have Maple Leaf Lounges?
There are 27 Maple Leaf Lounges located in 17 airports worldwide, including 20 in 12 major international Canadian airports. Unsurprisingly, Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) offers the biggest selection and the longest list of amenities.
Here’s where to find them and what you can enjoy:
| Airport | Lounge Locations | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary Airport (YYC) | * Concourse C | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Edmonton Airport (YEG) | * South Terminal | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Halifax Robert L. Stanfield Airport (YHZ) | * Level 1 | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre * Showers |
| Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Montréal Airport (YUL) | * International Terminal * Domestic Terminal * Transborder Terminal | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre * Showers (international only) |
| Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) | * Level 2 | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Regina Airport (YQR) | * Level 1 | * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Saskatoon Airport (YXE) | * Northern side | * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| St. John’s Airport (YYT) | * Eastern side | * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ) | * Gate 1, Domestic Terminal | * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
| Toronto Lester B. Pearson Airport (YYZ) (Terminal 1) | * Air Canada Café: near Gate D20 * Domestic: Level 4 * US Transborder: Level 4, Node F * International: Level 3, Node F * Express: 193 Commuter Terminal, near Gate F84 – F99 | * Cell-free quiet zone (domestic, transborder, international only) * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre * Showers (domestic, transborder, international only) |
| Vancouver Airport (YVR) | * Domestic: near Gate 29 * US Transborder: near Gate 86 * International: near Gate 52 | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre * Showers (transborder, international only) |
| Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Airport (YWG) | * Western side | * Cell-free quiet zone * Complimentary snacks and beverages * News and entertainment * Complimentary Wi-Fi * Business centre |
7 Maple Leaf Lounges have a home overseas on 2 continents. Before your return flight to Canada, make sure to stop at:
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Terminal 1, Concourse B
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Terminal 2B, Queen’s Terminal, Level 1
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Terminal 6
- New York-LaGuardia International Airport (LGA), Terminal B, Eastern Concourse
- Newark Liberty New York International Airport (EWR), United Club, Terminal A, Level 2
- Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), Level 1
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Terminal 2, Sector 4, Level 4
How to access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
To enter a Maple Leaf Lounge, you must have a same-day boarding pass for a flight on:
- Air Canada
- Air Canada Express
- Air Canada Rouge (from Canada to a Canadian, US, or Sun destination)
- An Air Canada codeshare
- A Star Alliance member airline
If you have a Business or First Class ticket, you’re in – plus, you can buy guest passes for your travelling companions for $59 apiece!
Pro Tip: The easiest way to see if you have lounge access is to check the bottom left corner of your ticket – if you see "INVITATION LOUNGE / SALON," you’re invited.
Emirates’ First and Business Class ticket holders can also enter the Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Montréal-Trudeau airports (YUL) for free. Unfortunately, neither Emirates nor Air Canada Rouge fliers can buy guest passes unless they’re at the Paris lounge.
If you have one of the tickets from the checklist above, but not the right flight class, you still might qualify for lounge access. Locate a Maple Leaf Lounge, show your boarding pass to reception, and present one of the following:
| Qualifying cards | Qualifying types | Free passes for | Guest passes |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Aeroplan credit card | * American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card * CIBC or TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | * Cardholder * 1 travelling companion | $59 each |
| An Aeroplan corporate or business credit card | * American Express Aeroplan Corporate Card * CIBC or TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card | * Cardholder (one-time free pass) OR * Secondary cardholder OR * 1 travelling companion | N/A |
| An Aeroplan Elite Status membership card | * 50K * 75K * Super Elite | * Member * Domestic partner * 1 travelling companion * Up to 5 dependent children | $59 each |
| An Emirates Skywards membership card | * Gold * Platinum (must be travelling between Canada and Dubai) | * Member (Gold only) * 1 Guest (Gold only) * Ticket holder (Platinum only; only at YYZ and YUL) | $59 each (Gold only) |
| A Maple Leaf Club membership card | * Canada * North America Plus * Worldwide | * Member | N/A |
How to buy Maple Leaf Lounge Access
If you have one of the tickets from the checklist above but not a qualifying membership or credit card, you can add Maple Leaf Lounge access to your flight for a fee when booking. Unfortunately, Air Canada doesn’t extend this privilege to Economy fliers.
Here are the fare classes that can buy Maple Leaf Lounge access and the costs:
- Premium Economy: $49
- Latitude: $49
- Comfort: $59
- Flex: $79
Entry fees are non-transferable and non-refundable, so as always, we recommend you check the opening hours and amenities to avoid any disappointment.
Credit cards with Maple Leaf Lounge access
The only credit cards in Canada with unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access are the Aeroplan credit cards offered by American Express, CIBC, and TD Bank.
| Credit card | Welcome bonus | Earn rates | Other lounge access included | Annual fee, income requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Visa Airport Companion membership and 6 free passes | * $599 * $150K personal/$200K household |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Priority Pass membership (no free passes) | * $599 * None |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, dining, and travel * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Visa Airport Companion membership and 6 free passes | * $599 * $150K personal/$200K household |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | Up to 90,000 bonus points (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Priority Pass membership (no free passes) | * $599 * None |
Thanks to their official partnership with Air Canada, these cards offer perks like priority boarding, priority baggage handling, and Aeroplan Rewards program bonuses.
Our top pick: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card is a top travel credit card. Since it includes the Visa Airport Companion Program, you’ll be able to access multiple airport lounges, including Plaza Premium Lounges. Here are some of the perks:
- Visa Infinite Privilege perks
- 12 types of insurance
- 1 free checked bag for you and up to 8 companions flying Air Canada
Runner-up: American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is a premium credit card that’s worth the $599 annual fee. It’s well-regarded for its substantial perks and benefits, including:
- 3 Aeroplan Points per $1 spent at Air Canada
- Special discounts at Pearson Airport
- Access to the Amex Global Lounge and Priority Pass collection
Another option: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card also includes free Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and 1 guest until December 31, 2024. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer as many perks or points as you’d expect for a card with an annual fee of $599.
A business card: American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card offers a great welcome bonus and includes unlimited lounge access when flying with Air Canada. You also get preferred prices on Aeroplan flight rewards, free checked bags with Air Canada, and 11 types of insurance coverage.
Is the Maple Leaf Lounge worth it?
The Air Canada website certainly highlights the best features of the Maple Leaf Lounges, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? We took to Reddit to see what actual travellers thought of using the lounges.
The general consensus is that they aren’t what they used to be, but if you’re less worried about value and more about enjoying a comfortable experience, it’s a nice way to spend your pre-flight time.
FAQ
How do you qualify for entry to a Maple Leaf Lounge?
If you’re flying Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada codeshare, Air Canada Rouge, and Star Alliance airline travellers, you can get lounge access (though you may have to pay for it at the time of booking). To get free access, you must have an eligible boarding pass from one of these airlines plus a qualifying flight class, membership card, or Aeroplan credit card.
Can I pay to get into a Maple Leaf Lounge?
You can purchase Maple Leaf Lounge access for $49–$79 per traveller at the time of making your travel booking if you’re an Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada codeshare, or Star Alliance airline customer travelling in Premium Economy, Latitude, Comfort, or Flex.
Can Premium Economy use Maple Leaf Lounges?
When you’re making your travel booking, you’ll see the option to buy Maple Leaf Lounge access. Be aware that you must buy the pass in advance – you can’t buy your way in at the door.
Is it worth paying for an airport lounge?
Whether or not it makes sense to spring for access to a lounge really comes down to how much you’re willing to pay and what you expect to get out of the experience. Some travellers might think the fee is steep for what you get, while others won’t mind the expense in exchange for a comfortable place to wait before or between flights.
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