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

There are four Maple Leaf Lounges in Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and a total of six Air Canada lounges. This space is very large, with high ceilings and big windows, and plenty of seating in its various sections, along with many comfortable and convenient amenities.

Travellers can enter the International Maple Leaf Lounge with an Aeroplan membership, entry fee, flight class, or premium lounge access credit card. Of course, you'll also need a boarding pass from Air Canada, Emirates, or a Star Alliance airline.

The guide below provides further information on how to access this space and describes the lounge itself, so you can decide if it's worth a visit.

How to access the International Air Canada Lounge in Toronto

There are 6 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Toronto Pearson Airport, all located after security in Terminal 1:

• The International Maple Leaf Lounge (the subject of this article) is located on Level 3 near the F gates. It’s open daily from 4:15 AM – 11:15 PM 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 Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge is located on Level 2 near Gate D20. It’s open daily from 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM 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.
• 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.

Once you reach the front desk, 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 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 International Toronto Pearson Maple Leaf Lounge experience

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 4:15 AM – 11:15 PM ET

Location: Terminal 1, Level 3, near the F gates

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
• Bar service available
• Cell-free quiet zone
• Complimentary beverages, food, and snacks
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Dedicated workspaces
• Flight monitors
• Printing and photocopying services
• Showers
• Television

Atmosphere

Although some may argue the International Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto lacks style, it certainly doesn’t lack space. It’s cavernous when empty and cacophonous when full, with seating for over 100 guests under the terminal’s high, arched ceilings.

Air Canada should add sound baffles as well as new furniture to its shopping list. While we love the brand’s use of natural accent materials, the combination of wood panelling and dark, blocky sofa chairs is more retro than relaxing.

"During my flight from Toronto to Frankfurt, I had the opportunity to experience the Maple Leaf lounge at the Pearson Airport. The lounge is comfortable with plenty of seating options… I feel that the lounge could have more power outlets to help charge the phone/laptop… Positioned near the gate, the lounge can get crowded at times. Overall, it is a decent place to escape the airport crowds, but falls way short of being one of the best lounges." —Mukund, 4-star Google review

Comfort

The International Air Canada Lounge has 3 main areas subdivided into various sections, including the:

• Dining area: Overlooking the buffet, the raised sitting area in the dining area is accessible by ramp.
• Main sitting area: With rows of square black sofa chairs and side tables, this is the first area to greet guests when they enter the lounge. Make sure to bring a portable power bank because electrical outlets are few and far between.
• TV lounge: The middle of the main sitting area hosts a small line of chairs and a flatscreen TV tucked into the back of a large wooden partition.
• Terminal sitting area: The second major sitting area is separated from the first by a series of thick wooden partitions, one of which houses a self-serve beverage station. You can sip your drink from a high-back leather chair or a high-top stool at a counter as you look down on the terminal through the frosted glass.
• Business centre: This small area makes a communal workspace out of a few shared counters and a printer/photocopier against the wall.

It’s a shame there are only 2 showers in the lounge, both gorgeously tiled in soft green. Ask an attendant for a key so you can freshen up with a complimentary towel and toiletries by Molton Brown.

"Large and nice lounge in the international departure area but feels dated. Lots of armchair seating areas in a very open setting so it can be a bit noisy. Most seating areas did not have power outlets but did find a few separate extension cord outlets along the wall." —Thomas, 4-star Google review

Dining

Behind the partitions on the left side of the lounge is a dedicated dining area with a buffet spread across several counters. You’ll find mostly bread, eggs, and pastries in the morning, followed by a make-your-own salad bar and 4 – 8 hot trays for lunch and dinner.

For more variety, try ordering Air Canada’s @ la table service by scanning the QR code at your table. You can preview allergen information and order morning snacks from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and hot savoury options from 10:01 AM until closing.

For drinks, you can visit 2 beverage stations in the lounge for cold soft drinks, hot tea, or hot coffee from a Lavazza machine. The alcoholic options are generous – 4 Canadian reds, whites, and beers, plus spirits from Bailey’s to Smirnoff – but beware, the bar doesn’t open until 11:00 AM.

"It all depends on the time of day you visit the lounge. Breakfast is the worst: limited food selections and no alcoholic beverages. Lunch is okay and the bar is open. Dinner is the better option/value, but it all depends on your flight time." —S.D., 3-star Google review

Entertainment

Air Canada offers several flatscreen TVs throughout the lounge but has stopped offering physical magazines and newspapers. Instead, visitors are encouraged to download the 4.4-star PressReader app from Google Play to enjoy over 7,000 electronic publications for free.

Rules and restrictions

Keep the following DON’Ts in mind while visiting the International 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 International Maple Leaf Lounge in Toronto worth it?

By this point, Business Class customers know what to expect from an Air Canada airport lounge: an experience as basic and bland as the brand’s signature oatmeal. It’s hard to justify the increased cost of a premium ticket with such a lacklustre boarding experience.

If you can get in for free, the International Maple Leaf Lounge makes a decent and practical (if unexciting) stop before a departing flight. While it lacks the appeal and identity of the best airport lounges in Canada and overseas, it’ll give you something to eat, something to drink, and a place to sit while you do it.

For the best experience, use a credit card or membership for entry, and avoid visiting when the lounge is very full.

"This is a spacious lounge with a good variety of food and beverage offerings, but it’s so tired and in need of a refresh. As this lounge is so busy it often feels that the staff are working full steam to keep it running." —Geoff, 4-star Google 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.