Complete Guide: How to Access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
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Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges offer premium comfort in several Canadian airports and around the world. Here is how to access them for free or at a reduced price depending on your traveler profile, as of October 2026. To compare cards that open these doors, also consult our ranking of the best credit cards for airport lounges.
Air Canada is also opening new lounges: discover the Air Canada Café in Quebec City (YQB).
What is a Maple Leaf Lounge?
An airport lounge is a space reserved for a certain type of traveler. It is very convenient to get away from the crowds and relax before your plane takes off.
But it also allows :
- to eat and drink for free, as much as you wish
- watch television and read newspapers or magazines
- work
- take a shower
- get free Wi-Fi
- relax in a cell phone-free zone
Air Canada has its own network of airport lounges called Maple Leaf.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge locations
In Canada
There are Maple Leaf Lounges in 18 airports in Canada, the United States and Europe. They are all located after security.
Maple Leaf Lounge opening hours depend on Air Canada flight schedules and are different for each lounge. They usually open early in the morning. Secondly, the larger or busier the airport, the later the lounges close.
In Canada, they are located at the following terminals and gateways:
| Airport | Maple Leaf Lounges |
|---|---|
| Montreal YUL | Domestic: Gate 1 (reopened after renovations in May 2026) · Domestic Air Canada Café: Gate 1 · Transborder: Gate 72 · Transborder Air Canada Café: near Gate 73 · International: Gate 52 |
| Ottawa YOW | Gate 18 (domestic and international flights only) |
| Halifax YHZ | Gate 20 (closed for renovations until early 2027) |
| St. John's YYT | Gate 12A |
| Toronto YTZ | Aspire | Air Canada Café |
| Toronto YYZ | Domestic: Terminal 1 (Air Canada does not give a gate) · Domestic Air Canada Café: Terminal 1, near Gate D20 · Transborder: Terminal 1, Level 4, Node F · International: Terminal 1, Level 3, Node F |
| Winnipeg YWG | Gate 9 (domestic and international flights only) |
| Regina YQR | Gate 5 |
| Saskatoon YXE | Gate 5 |
| Edmonton YEG | Gate 56 (domestic and international flights only) |
| Calgary YYC | Gate C50 |
| Vancouver YVR | Domestic: Gate 29, closed for renovations from October 14, 2026 to early 2028 · Domestic: two Air Canada Cafés, the main one near Gate 50 and a second between Gates 46 and 47 · Transborder: Gate 84 · International: Gate 52 |
Flying domestic out of Vancouver? You can still use the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge until October 13, 2026. After that, we explain where to go instead in our article on the Vancouver domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closure.
There’s also a Maple Leaf Express Lounge in Toronto, in Terminal 1, between gates F84-F99.
Another type of lounge is the Air Canada Signature Suite. It is located only in 2 airports. The experience here is much more gastronomic and upscale.
This Air Canada Signature Suite is reserved only for travellers with a Signature Class ticket or an award ticket in Business Flexible or First Class, for international travel to Australia, Asia or Europe.
- Vancouver YVR: Located near gate D52
- Toronto YYZ: under renovation; meanwhile, Air Canada offers a temporary pop-up lounge near Gate E85, open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
As of June 13, 2023, entry to Maple Leaf Lounges, Signature Suites and Air Canada Cafés is limited to the three hours before the scheduled departure time. For example, if a flight is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., the person can only enter a Maple Leaf Lounge from 8:00 a.m. onwards.
If the flight is delayed, the person can stay at lounge. A passenger between 2 connections is not affected.
In the United States
In the United States, Maple Leaf Lounges are located near the following gateways:
| Airport | Maple Leaf Lounges |
|---|---|
| New York – LaGuardia LGA | Central Terminal, Concourse B, Level 3 |
| New York – Newark EWR (shared lounge with United Club) | Terminal A, near gate A27, 2nd floor |
| Los Angeles LAX | Terminal 6, Level 4 |
| San Francisco SFO | Terminal 2, Level 4 |
In Europe
Then in Europe, Maple Leaf Lounges are located near the following gateways:
| Airport | Maple Leaf Lounges |
|---|---|
| London LHR | Terminal 2B Queen’s Terminal, Level 1 |
| Paris CDG (temporarily closed for renovations, with no announced reopening date. Alternative: Primeclass Lounge located between Terminals 2A and 2C ) | Terminal 2A, Gate 37 |
| Frankfurt FRA | Terminal 1, Concourse B, Level 3 |
How to get to the Maple Leaf Lounges
There are several ways to access an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. You must have an eligible class ticket, a high Aeroplan Elite status or a specific Aeroplan credit card.
At the entrance to lounge, a person simply scans his or her boarding pass on paper or on a mobile device. The person at reception will then confirm whether you can enter.
Hold a ticket in Signature Class, Business Class or in the Premium Rouge Cabin
A Signature or Business Class ticket (purchased in cash or via an airline reward) always opens the doors to a Maple Leaf Lounge.
Entry must be made prior to departure on the same day as your Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada code-share or other Star Alliance partner flight.
If a guest accompanies you and this person does not have the same ticket class as you, they will have to pay 59 CAD, USD, EUR or GBP.
If you fly Emirates business or first class, you also have access to the international Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) airports.
Then there are the Maple Leaf Lounges available in Europe at all times:
- Frankfurt Lounge: 59 EUR
- Paris lounge: 59 EUR
- and the London Heathrow Departure lounge: 59 GBP
Premium Rouge customers only have free access on flights :
- in Canada
- to the United States
- and sun destinations (Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean)
Advance purchase is required for access to Maple Leaf Lounge for flights in the Premium Rouge cabin to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The only exception is the Maple Leaf Lounge in Paris, where it can be purchased directly at the airport.
For children’s access to Maple Leaf Lounge:
- Maple Leaf Club members (currently unavailable): children 12 and under are admitted for free
- Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite status: up to 5 of the member’s children under the age of 25 may enter free of charge.
- For the rest, children 2 years of age or older are considered as a guest, therefore paying. Children under the age of 2 get in for free.
Elite member Aeroplan 50K, 75K, Super Elite and Star Alliance Gold
With high Aeroplan Elite status, you have unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounge, regardless of the class of ticket you hold.
The flight must be operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or a Star Alliance carrier. Additionally, the eligible flight must be on the same day.
Don’t forget your Elite status membership card to show at the entrance.
| Aeroplan Elite Status | Access rights |
50K, 75K and Super Elite |
|
| Star Alliance Gold |
- From all airports in the Maple Leaf Lounge network
- A free guest
- Each additional guest will be charged $59 for admission.
- In Europe, each additional guest will be charged 59 EUR at the Frankfurt Lounge, 59 EUR at the Paris Lounge and 59 GBP at the London Heathrow Lounge.
- Access to Air Canada Café (domestic flights only)
Premium credit cards Aeroplan or business card Aeroplan
Primary cardholders as well as supplementary cardholders of certain credit cards have free access to Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States. Before traveling, ensure that the eligible credit card is properly linked to the correct Aeroplan membership number.
These are mainly high-end Aeroplan cards:
- TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
- CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Aeroplan
- American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
As well as premium corporate cards:
Air Canada also lists the American Express® Aeroplan®* Corporate Reserve Card as eligible. For a limited time, the cardholder can bring one guest free of charge, provided the guest travels on the same flight. For TD Aeroplan cards, TD states that this complimentary guest access is offered through December 31, 2026 (td.com, “Maple Leaf Lounge Access” page, checked October 26, 2026).
Again, the flight must be operated on the same day by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge or a Star Alliance carrier.
Each additional guest will be charged $59.
The business cards below do not include unlimited lounge access. As of September 2026, the primary cardholder instead earns one Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Pass for every $10,000 in net purchases, up to 4 per account year, usable at eligible lounges in Canada and the United States (see the next section):
According to Air Canada, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Corporate Card also earns this One-Time Guest Pass.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $599 |
Single Guest Pass Through Your Spending
If you hold an eligible Aeroplan credit card, you also accumulate single guest passes for Maple Leaf Lounges. Air Canada grants one for every $10,000 in eligible net purchases, up to a maximum of 4 per card year. Once deposited into your Aeroplan account, each pass remains valid for one year.
This pass is useful for bringing a companion who is traveling with you, even if their ticket class does not grant lounge access. However, you need to plan your spending to fully benefit from it.
Entry Price with the Purchase of Latitude, Comfort or Flex Tickets
You can purchase access to Maple Leaf Lounge up to 24 hours before a flight, using your Latitude, Confort or Flex fare. You can do so in your Aeroplan profile, in the My reservations section.
The cost of access is per one-way trip and depends on your fare:
- Economy Privilege and Latitude: from $49
- Comfort: from $59
- Economy Flex: from $79
The person(s) accompanying you must also have purchased access to lounge in order to join you at lounge.
Maple Leaf Lounge at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle
At Paris CDG Maple Leaf Lounge, Air Canada passengers can purchase access for 59 euros per customer. Passengers can have any class of service, and access must be purchased directly atRoissy Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.
This lounge remains temporarily closed for renovations, with no reopening date announced by Air Canada.
Selected privileges – Elite status Aeroplan
When you are eligible, your Aeroplan Elite status allows you to choose passes, accepted for a visit to Maple Leaf Lounges. It grants access to Canadian and U.S. Maple Leaf Lounges only.
They are easily transferable to another person and are valid until December 31 of each year. In fact, several people in our Facebook group who hadn’t used them gave them to those who were traveling in the last weeks of December!
Boarding Pass Eligibility to a Maple Leaf Lounge
To confirm access to lounge, check your boarding pass. You will see a chair icon in the upper right-hand corner of the code.
Conclusion
Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges are very practical for frequent travelers to Canada, the United States and some major European cities. It is an oasis of peace in the teeming world of an airport.
It’s up to you to discover them all, thanks to your plane ticket, your premium credit card or your Aeroplan Elite status!
Which credit card should you choose for your travels?
If you travel regularly, your choice of credit card makes all the difference: travel insurance, points accumulation, airport lounge access, or no foreign transaction fees.
Use our credit card comparison tool to filter through 200+ Canadian offers based on your needs.
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| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $599 |
Maple Leaf Lounges – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Maple Leaf Lounge?
It depends on Air Canada’s flight schedule. In general, Maple Leaf Lounges open early in the morning and close after the last Air Canada terminal flight. Consult the official Maple Leaf Lounges page for the exact hours at your airport.
How can I access Maple Leaf Lounge?
Here are the different ways to enter the Maple Leaf Lounges:
- Have a ticket in Business, Signature or Premium Rouge class
- Aeroplan Elite status (50K, 75K, Super Elite or Star Alliance Gold)
- Be a holder of one of Aeroplan’s Premium credit cards(American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, TD Visa Infinite Privilege Card Aeroplan, etc.)
- Or obtain a pass with a choice of privileges from Aeroplan Elite status
Are children welcome at a Maple Leaf Lounge?
Yes! Under certain conditions:
- From 0 to 1.99 years old : Free
- 2 years old and up: They have to pay to enter. Admission is $59
- Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K and Super Elite status: up to 5 of the member’s children under the age of 25 may enter free of charge.
How do I get a Maple Leaf Lounge pass?
With an eligible Aeroplan credit card, you get one single guest pass for every $10,000 in net purchases, up to 4 per card year. Additionally, certain Aeroplan Elite statuses allow you to choose passes among their selected privileges. Each pass is valid for up to one year and grants one visit to Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States.
Can one guest pass get my whole family into the lounge?
No. A Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Pass admits one person. As of September 2026, the TD Aeroplan terms and CIBC Aeroplan terms state that each pass allows a single entry by the primary cardholder, an authorized user or a guest travelling with them. For example, an authorized user travelling with two children, none of whom has other lounge access, uses 3 passes. Guests must enter with the primary cardholder or an authorized user, and minors must be accompanied by an adult with lounge access. Each person also needs a confirmed same-day ticket on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express.
Can I use a guest pass at an international Maple Leaf Lounge?
No. The One-Time Guest Pass is only valid at Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States. Its terms exclude the international Maple Leaf Lounges located in the international departure zones of Canadian airports, as well as Air Canada Signature Suites and lounges operated by other airlines. For an international departure, access therefore requires another route, such as an eligible ticket or Aeroplan Elite status.
