To the point
Starting June 13, 2023, access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf, Cafés and Signature Suites lounges will be limited to three hours before flight time.
Limit at Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Signature suites
As of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, access to Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Air Canada Signature Suites will be limited to three hours before scheduled departure time.
For example, if a flight is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., the passenger can only enter at a Maple Leaf Lounge from 8:00 a.m. Of course, if the flight is delayed, the passenger can stay in the lounge without any problem.
The agent at the lounge reception will use the flight departure time as a guide.
This change applies to the first flight only and does not apply to connecting flights.
Air Canada is implementing this limit to reduce traffic in its lounges, Cafés and Signature suites. Indeed, with the strong recovery in the travel industry, there are many more people in these places.
For most travellers, this change will have no impact.
But some teleworkers take advantage of this to arrive early in the morning and spend the whole day there, to the detriment of people waiting outside. The solution for these workers might be to rotate airport lounges, thanks to a few credit cards…
35K Aeroplan Member
As a reminder, Aeroplan 35K members no longer enjoy complimentary, unlimited access to Maple Leaf lounges as of June 1, 2023.
However, these members will continue to receive two Maple Leaf Lounge passes per year, offered with their Aeroplan Elite Status.
Access to Maple Leaf lounges with credit cards
Primary and secondary cardholders of specific credit cards have complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the United States.
These are mainly the following Premium Aeroplan credit cards:
- TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
- American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card
As well as premium small business credit cards:
- American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
- American Express* Aeroplan Reserve Business Card
It should be noted that the holder is entitled to one guest free of charge.
Again, the flight must be operated the same day by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or a Star Alliance carrier.
Each additional guest will be charged $20-$24 for entry before 11:00 a.m. and $30-$36 after 11:00 a.m.
Also, for the business cards listed below, primary and secondary cardholders will have access to all lounges at all Canadian airports as well as the Los Angeles and NewYork LaGuardia lounges(for departures at the domestic and transborder flights only):
- TD Aeroplan Visa* Business Card
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa* Business Card
- American Express* Aeroplan Business Card
Bottom line
Will this change significantly impact entries to Lounges, Cafés and Signature Suites? Air Canada will be investing heavily over the next few years to upgrade them.
Air Canada is currently preparing for the busy summer season ahead. It is reconfiguring its Maple Leaf lounges in the domestic zones of Montreal, Toronto (both the lounge and its Signature Suite) and Vancouver.
On average, this adds around 30% more space in each lounge, especially by removing the spaces dedicated to remote working.
Over the next three years, Air Canada will also renovate its Maple Leaf lounges, like those at London Heathrow LHR. In fact, the next Maple Leaf Lounge will open at San Francisco International Airport by July 2023.
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
