Our Guide To The Maple Leaf Lounge In Toronto (Domestic)

There are six Air Canada lounges in Toronto Pearson Airport, and four of them belong to the award-winning Maple Leaf Lounge lineup. The Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge is a large, bright space that, while somewhat dated, still offers comfort and an array of amenities, from wheelchair-accessible seating areas to a self-serve bar.

Air Canada, Emirates, and Star Alliance customers can access this lounge with an Aeroplan membership, entry fee, flight class, or an eligible credit card – preferably one of the top lounge access cards, for the most benefit.

The following review provides details on how to access this lounge, what the space and amenities are like, and how to determine whether it's worth a visit during your travels.

How to access the Domestic Air Canada Lounge in Toronto

There are 6 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), all of them located after security:

• The Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge (the subject of this article) is located on Level 2 near Gate D20. It’s open daily from 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM ET.
• The Air Canada Café is located on Level 3 just after security, and is open daily from 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM ET.
• The Express Maple Leaf Lounge is located on Level 1 near Gates F84 – F99. It’s open every day from 5:00 AM – 8:30 PM ET.
• The International Maple Leaf Lounge is located on Level 3 near the F gates. It’s open daily from 4:15 AM – 11:15 PM ET.
• The Toronto Air Canada Signature is accessible by the elevator on Level 2 near Gate E77 and is open Tuesday and Saturday from 2:00 PM – 11:30 PM ET; and Monday, Wednesday to Friday, and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM ET.
• The US Transborder Maple Leaf Lounge is accessible by the elevators on Levels 2 and 3 near the F Gates. It’s open daily from 4:45 AM – 8:30 PM ET.

Once you reach the entry gate, you must present a valid, same-day boarding pass for a flight departing in 3 hours or less issued by:

• Air Canada (regular or codeshare)
• Air Canada Express
• Air Canada Rouge
• Emirates
• Premium Rouge (flights within Canada or to US or Sun destinations)
• Or another Star Alliance member airline

You’ll also need one of the following:

• Entry fee: Travellers with a Premium Economy, Latitude, Comfort, or Flex Air Canada ticket can purchase guest lounge access for $49 – $79 CAD each.
• Flight class: Ticket holders in Business and First Class enjoy complimentary access to the lounge and a special ticket price of $59 CAD/USD/EUR/GBP per guest.
• Membership: Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite status members, their partners, a guest, and up to 5 dependent children can access the lounge for free. Gold Star Alliance, Maple Leaf Club, and Gold or Platinum Emirates Skywards members (flying between Canada and Dubai) also enjoy complimentary lounge access. All members can buy additional passes for $59 CAD/USD/EUR/GBP each.
• Premium credit card: Getting into a Maple Leaf Lounge for free requires either the right premium or business Aeroplan credit card. Premium credit cardholders can bring 1 free guest per visit (until December 31, 2024) and purchase additional passes for $59 CAD/USD/EUR/GBP each.

Sorry, DragonPass and Priority Pass members – Air Canada strictly reserves Maple Leaf Lounge access for its own customers and those of its partners.

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.

Premium credit cards with Maple Leaf Lounge access

The only credit card that can get you into a Maple Leaf Lounge for free is an Aeroplan credit card.

There are just 13 Aeroplan co-branded credit cards in Canada, all issued by either American Express or Visa:

As you can see, the best credit cards with lounge access fall into the Amex Reserve and Visa Infinite Privilege categories. Amex cardholders can also bring 1 free guest per visit and add a supplementary card with the same benefits to their account for $199/year.

While business credit cardholders don’t have unlimited lounge access, they can earn 1 visit to a Maple Leaf Lounge per $10K of eligible spending (to a maximum of 4 passes per year) with the TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card, or American Express Aeroplan Corporate Card.

The Domestic Toronto Pearson Maple Leaf Lounge experience

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM ET

Location: Terminal 1, Level 2, near Gate D20

Maximum stay: 3 hours

Payment forms accepted: American Express, Interac, Mastercard, Visa

Amenities:

• 7,000+ Magazines and newspapers available via the PressReader app
• Accessible showers and washrooms
• Cell-free quiet zone
• Complimentary beverages, food, and snacks
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Dedicated workspaces
• Flight monitors
• Printing, and photocopying services
• Self-serve bar
• Showers
• Television

Atmosphere

^{Image credit: Air Canada Media Room}

The Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto is large and bright, with ample natural light and airport views.

That said, we’re more excited to see how Air Canada will update the space in the future than to visit its current offering. Even the company’s signature red can’t liven up the dated beige carpet, grey walls, and brown sofa chairs.

"Large, clean, lots of variety of drinks, but didn't like the food." —Brandon, creditcardGenius reader

Comfort

^{Image credit: Air Canada Media Room}

The Domestic Lounge is divided into 2 wings. Turn left after passing reception and you’ll find the:

• Window seating area: Sofa chairs line the lounge’s windows in groups of 4, lit by lamps and serviced by side tables. Electrical outlets are in short supply – another sign of the lounge’s age – but you can supplement your device’s battery with a complimentary charging station.
• Middle lounge seating area: The middle of the wing hosts a raised seating area fenced by short white walls. It’s wheelchair accessible, but you may have trouble navigating the sofa chairs and lamps crowded in the middle.
• Dining area: A long countertop in the middle of the buffet area and a series of red, aluminum cafeteria chairs and tables on the opposite wall serve as the lounge’s main dining hub.
• Window dining area: Follow the line windows past the buffet to reach a quiet corner full of dining chairs and counters.
• TV lounge: The very back of the wing houses a line of high-backed armchairs facing the window and a collection of swivel chairs poised around a large flatscreen TV.

Unless you plan on eating seconds or thirds, we recommend visiting the other half of the lounge, which is usually quieter and emptier. Turn right at the entrance to access the other wing, which features the:

• Quiet area: The area located after the customer service counter has its own windows and obligatory line of sofa chairs and side tables.
• Business centre: If you don’t fancy working at the long counter at the back of the quiet area, there’s a separate work room with private cubicles, desks, outlets, and even a few phones and computers. Ask an attendant if you need help connecting to the lounge’s wireless photocopier and printer.
• Conference rooms: The right wing of the Domestic lounge features two small conference rooms (one with windows and one without) with a phone and a round table with seating for 6.

Despite its large footprint, the Domestic lounge only has 2 compact shower rooms, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared to wait if you visit on a busy day.

"It’s a well-appointed lounge, with plenty of seating. This lounge can get quite busy during peak hours." —Hometoyyz, Flight Report

Dining

^{Image credit: Air Canada Media Room}

Air Canada continues to offer an @ la table menu, a particularly useful service for guests with food allergies. Here’s how it works: scan the QR code at your table, make your food selection in the app, and wait until it arrives.

If you’d rather not wait, the buffet is still open. Breakfast is limited to 2 – 3 proteins, a potato dish, and the carb(s), but lunch and dinner are more varied. Diners can create their own salad from a selection of greens, toppings, and dressings; choose an entrée and side from 3 hot trays and 2 hot tureens; and finish their selection with a dessert or two.

Last (and best) is the alcohol selection. The Domestic Lounge may not have a bartender but it does offer a self-serve bar with 4 choices of red, 4 choices of white, 4 beers on tap (Coors, Guinness, Molson, and Smitwick’s), and everything from Bailey’s to Smirnoff. But thanks to Ontario liquor laws, you can’t start pouring until after 11:00 AM.

"I was delighted to see a decent hot breakfast spread as I was fearful it would be just a selection of cold foods and cereal. I managed to grab a couple of helpings of my favourite breakfast items of sausages and hash browns and was quite pleased with my morning feast. Sadly no beans but getting a full English breakfast was pushing my hopes beyond realism!" —Atco, Flight Report

Entertainment

If you don’t manage to get a seat with a view, you can always hit up the TV lounge or the PressReader app for entertainment. Air Canada has begun phasing out physical magazines and newspapers and offering complimentary access to 7,000+ electronic publications instead – see the magazine rack, the website, or an attendant for details on getting started.

Rules and restrictions

Lounge veterans can skip this section but everyone else should know the DON’Ts of visiting the Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto:

• DON’T bring outside food or beverages
• DON’T carry food or beverages outside
• DON’T dress inappropriately
• DON’T leave minors unattended
• DON’T smoke
• DON’T use mobile devices in the cell-free zone
• DON’T watch videos or listen to music without a pair of headphones

Service animals are welcome in the lounge but all other pets and emotional support animals must remain in an approved cabin carrier in the lounge.

Is the Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto worth it?

While not as stylish as the new Domestic Plaza Premium Lounge located in the same terminal, the Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge offers lots of space, an ample bar, and unlimited grub.

That’s not to say there’s no room for improvement – the lounge is in dire need of refurbishment and some fresh inspiration in the kitchen.

Perhaps the best recommendation we can give it is the one it’s already earned: SKYTRAX (the international airline and airport lounge rating body) awarded the Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge 4 stars for consistently meeting decent (albeit un-exciting) standards.

"The domestic Maple Leaf lounge in Toronto Pearson provides a… range of practical and comfortable seating choices. The lounge size means that there is normally enough space – however, the area around the bar/buffet can get crowded. Staff are efficient and largely helpful, and cleanliness is reasonably well maintained. Showers are at a good standard, and the washroom product is also acceptable if not a bit small in size for a lounge of this capacity." —Official 4-star SKYTRAX review

FAQ

Can I pay to get into the Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto?

Air Canada customers with a Premium Economy, Latitude, Comfort, or Flex ticket can pay to enter the Maple Leaf Lounge for $49 – $79 CAD apiece.

How do I get into the Maple Leaf Lounge for free?

Maple Leaf Lounge access is included for free with a Business or First Class Air Canada, Star Alliance, or Emirates ticket. You can also get in for free with a Premium rouge ticket; an Aeroplan 50K, 75K, or Super Elite membership; or a Star Alliance Gold membership.

Does the Maple Leaf Lounge have free food?

Hot and cold food, drinks, and snacks are complimentary in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. You can also order free hot snacks using the QR codes at each table and the Air Canada @ la table menu and service.

Can Premium Economy travellers use the Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto?

Maple Leaf Lounge access isn’t included with a Premium Economy fare on an Air Canada flight but you can purchase it for $49 per person at the time of booking.

Does Amex get you into the Maple Leaf Lounge?

Air Canada does not offer complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access to all American Express cardholders. If you have the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges.