Airport lounges can seem out of reach for most of us, especially if we’re not travelling in business class. However, that’s not the case with Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges. If you have an Aeroplan credit card or travel often, you can access the lounge. 

Let’s dive into how you can access the premium benefits of one of the best airline lounges in Canada and beyond. 

Air Canada Maple Leaf Airport Lounges–An Overview 

Maple Leaf Lounges are just another benefit of flying Air Canada. They are premium airport lounges, located in 19 airports across Canada, the US, and Europe. There are many benefits to relaxing in a Maple Leaf lounge before takeoff, including free food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and showers. 

Not everyone can access these lounges–you must have a high enough ticket class, a premium Aeroplan credit card, or Aeroplan Elite Status–but we’ll get into that a little bit later. 

Here are some of the top benefits of Maple Leaf Lounges:

• Complimentary light snacks and beverages: A selection of snacks and refreshing beverages, including coffee, tea, juice, soda, wine, and beer. 

• High-speed Wi-Fi: Access the Wi-Fi from any point in the lounge using your personal device or one of the business centre’s desktop PCs. 

• Business centres: Includes desktop PCs and colour printers to get some last-minute work done before takeoff. 

• Showers: Complimentary showers, towels, soap, shampoo, and other amenities are available. 

• News and entertainment: Lounges are stocked with popular reading materials and TVs. 

• Cell-free quiet zone: Cell-free zones within the lounges for you to unwind and disconnect.

Opening hours vary by location and depend on the Air Canada flight schedule, but they are generally open early in the morning and until late evening. 

Maple Leaf Lounge Locations 

There are 26 Maple Leaf Lounges across 19 airports worldwide. 

Here are the locations in Canada:

• Toronto YYZ (International, Domestic, Transborder, Express, and Cafe)

• Toronto YTZ (Domestic) 

• Montreal YUL (International, Domestic, and Transborder)

• Vancouver YVR (International, Domestic, and Transborder)

• Calgary YYC (Concourse C) 

• Edmonton YEG (South Terminal) 

• Halifax YHZ

• Ottawa YOW (Level 2)

• Regina YQR (Level 1)

• Saskatoon YXE

• St. John’s YYT

• Winnipeg YWG

There are four Maple Leaf Lounges in the US:

• Los Angeles LAX (Terminal 6)

• New York LGA (Terminal B Eastern Concourse, Level 3)

• New York - Newark EWR (United Club, Terminal A)

• San Francisco SFO (Terminal 2)

And three in Europe:

• Frankfurt FRA (Terminal 1, Concourse B)

• London Heathrow LHR (Terminal 2B - Queen’s Terminal)

• Paris CDG (Level 1, although currently closed until summer 2025)

You can take a look at this page on Air Canada’s website to see exactly where all the lounges are located, the amenities they offer, and their hours. 

How to Access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges 

To enter a Maple Leaf Lounge, you need to have a same-day boarding pass for a flight with:

• Air Canada

• Air Canada Rouge (North America or Sun destinations only)

• Air Canada Express 

• An Air Canada codeshare 

• A Star Alliance airline 

Besides that, there are a few ways you can enter a Maple Leaf Lounge:

Eligible Travel Class

You can access the lounge for free if you are flying on a Signature or Business class fare.

If you’re flying in Signature class, you have exclusive access to the Air Canada Signature Suites at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports–which we highly recommend checking out for a first-class experience. 

Aeroplan Elite Status

If you have Aeroplan 50k, 75k, or Super Elite Status, you can access the domestic Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the US before departure and upon arrival. 

You can bring one guest, your domestic partner, and up to five dependent children aged 25 and under for free. 

Read more about how to reach Aeroplan Elite Status here. 

Star Alliance Gold Status

If you have reached Star Alliance Gold status with any of Star Alliance’s other loyalty programs, you also get access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. 

You can bring one guest with you for free. Additional guests will have to pay $59. 

Premium Aeroplan Credit Card 

Three personal and two business Aeroplan credit cards unlock free access to Maple Leaf Lounges. They are: 

• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card 

• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

• American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card

• American Express Aeroplan Corporate Reserve Card

You can bring one guest for free who is travelling on a same-day flight. Additional guests can be invited for $59 or use a One-Time Guest Pass as your Aeroplan select benefit. 

Check out our article on the 8 best Aeroplan credit cards, their benefits, and how they can earn you points for free flights and upgrades. 

One-Time Pass

If you do not have access to the lounge in any of the above ways, you can purchase a one-time pass. You cannot get it at the airport, so make sure you buy it when booking your flight or at least 24 hours before departure by updating your reservation online. 

The price is different depending on your fare class:

• Premium Economy: $49.00

• Latitude: $49.00

• Comfort: $59.00

• Flex: $79.00

Depending on how much time you usually give yourself at the airport and what you want to do in the lounge, it may not be worth buying a one-time pass. It’s usually only worth it if you value the efficiency of a workspace in the lounge. 

Other Air Canada Lounges 

Besides the Maple Leaf lounges, Air Canada has two other facilities for travellers to relax in: 

Air Canada Cafe

Air Canada Cafe is a new concept that was launched in 2019. There are only two, located at Toronto’s Pearson and Billy Bishop airports. 

How is it different from Maple Leaf Lounges? 

Air Canada Cafes are designed for travellers on the go. They have a better food and drink selection prepared by local chefs, plus lots of space to relax, with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and charging ports. 

The Air Canada Cafe at Billy Bishop is the newest location, designed in collaboration with Aspire. It offers complimentary beverages and coffee, a central bar with premium drinks, plus a private meeting room and quiet workspace. 

Located just steps away from the domestic gates, the flagship Air Canada Cafe at Toronto Pearson Airport offers grab-n-go snacks, plated hot and cold food, TVs broadcasting live news and sports, and high-speed Wi-Fi and charging ports. 

How can you access Air Canada Cafes?

There are a few ways you can enter Air Canada Cafe for free: 

• If you are departing on a domestic Air Canada flight in Business Class or Premium Rouge

• If you have Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K, or 50K Status

• If you are a Star Alliance Gold member

• If you have an Aeroplan credit card with lounge access

The Air Canada Cafe at Billy Bishop Airport

Air Canada Signature Suite

The Air Canada Signature Suite is extremely exclusive and only available for those travelling on Air Canada’s highest class–Signature–on a flight to South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand, in booking classes C, D, J, P, or Z.

There are only two Signature Suites: Toronto Pearson International and Vancouver International Airport. 

If you’ve redeemed your Aeroplan points for a Signature Class flight, be sure to visit this lounge, as it’s a high-class experience you’ll never forget. 

A few benefits of the Signature Suite include:

• A complimentary sit-down meal from the a la carte menu created by renowned chef David Hawksworth 

• Complimentary signature cocktails and a premium selection of spirits

• A relaxing, quiet work area

• A personalized concierge service

The Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ airport

The Best Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada–Our Rankings

We visited a few lounges and considered many travellers’ reviews online as to the best Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada. Here are our top three picks and why you should visit them: 

1. Montreal YUL (International Lounge)

The Maple Leaf Lounge in the International Terminal of Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport is the best of the three. It opens quite early in the morning, ahead of most international departures, ranging from 4:45 a.m. to 8 a.m., depending on the day of the week. It closes every night at 10:30 or 11 p.m. 

This lounge includes seating for about 260 passengers and has all facilities, including showers. It can get crowded during peak hours, but there should be lots of space in the early morning or late evening. 

Now, one of the main reasons you probably go to the airport lounge is the food. You’ll be happy to hear there is no shortage of great food and drink options in this lounge, with a full-service alcohol and espresso bar, a dining area, a self-serve buffet, and a live cooking section. 

The YUL International Maple Leaf Lounge

2. Calgary YYC (Domestic Lounge)

You might be surprised to see YYC on this list, but many people have highly reviewed the Maple Leaf Lounge in the Calgary Airport. 

It is open every day from 4:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.–longer hours than most AC Maple Leaf Lounges and quite surprising, considering the airport's size. 

It has upscale decor, with plenty of seating options, from relaxing couches to work-friendly tables and desks. There is a full-service bar and kitchen, with a coffee and tea station and an espresso machine behind the bar–which you don’t see in many other airport lounges. 

The YYC Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge

3. St. John’s YYT 

Some Redditors who have been to almost all Maple Leaf Lounges in the country rate St. John’s’ lounge as an honourable mention. According to them, it doesn’t feel like a “typical” Air Canada lounge and is completely elevated. 

Although it doesn’t include showers and is quite small compared to other Maple Leaf Lounges, it’s on our list because of the range of food and drink options, charging stations, comfy seating, and top-tier customer service. 

It is open every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

The YYT Maple Leaf Lounge

Are you a renter who travels often and wants to experience top-tier service at Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges? Paying your rent with an Aeroplan credit card through Chexy can get you on your way to that first-class feeling in just a few months. On each monthly rent payment, you’ll earn points that can take you to Aeroplan 50k Elite Status and beyond. 

Get started with Chexy today. 

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FAQs

Can I get a Maple Leaf Lounge pass?

Previously, you could purchase an unlimited membership from the Air Canada Maple Leaf Club, but they have temporarily suspended the program. 

Can I see my eligibility to enter a Maple Leaf Lounge on my boarding pass?

If you have access to an Air Canada lounge, you’ll see an armchair icon on the top right-hand corner of your boarding pass QR code. 

Does Air Canada Premium Economy get Maple Leaf lounge access?

Premium Economy does not get free access, but you can purchase a one-time pass for $49. Alternatively, if you have high enough Elite Status or an Aeroplan credit card, you may be able to enter for free.