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Air Canada has officially reopened the doors of its Maple Leaf Lounge located in the domestic flights wing of Montréal–Trudeau Airport (YUL). After several months of extensive renovations, this space has been completely redesigned to streamline service, refresh the design, and modernize the overall experience for frequent travellers before departure. I tested this Air Canada lounge for you during the morning peak period.
This new lounge is part of Air Canada’s major initiative to modernize its welcome spaces across the country. In addition, it aims to offer a quieter environment better suited to the realities of business and leisure travellers, while incorporating nods to Montreal’s culinary culture.
The domestic Maple Leaf Lounge is strategically located in the departures area for other Canadian destinations. More specifically, it is situated between gates 1 and 3, next to the Air Canada Café. Its central location makes it quick to reach any boarding gate. To learn more about the airport, see our complete guide to YUL.
The lounge welcomes travellers very early to accommodate the first flights of the day. Doors open daily at 4:15 AM and close at 9:30 PM.
Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges is subject to specific criteria. Here are the main categories of eligible travellers:
To explore other VIP lounge access options, see our guide to credit cards that provide airport lounge access.
The lounge has been designed to maximize passenger comfort and connectivity.
The lounge offers plenty of space between seating rows. In addition, the layout is intelligently segmented, with a classic lounge side for relaxing, a TV area tuned to Global News’ latest English-language news, a work zone, and then the buffet and beverage section. The abundance of side tables, even in the lounge area, means there is always a place to set down your coffee or your laptop.
Notably for passenger comfort, the space includes two restrooms for each gender within the lounge. This avoids having to go back into the terminal.
As part of this redesign, Air Canada upgraded its seating to provide better access to power outlets, which is ideal for charging all your devices before a flight. Outlets can be found throughout the lounge. However, I believe there could be more built directly into tables and counters, which would avoid having to look for plugs at floor level or under the furniture.
There is, of course, excellent wireless Internet service in the lounge. In addition, it is easy to access and free of charge.
The food offering has been completely refreshed. The redesigned buffet provides better service flow, which is especially appreciated early in the day. The space around the various stations makes it easy to move around without disturbing travellers seated nearby.
During my morning visit, the buffet was well stocked with a variety of hot and cold stations. Berries, pastries, eggs, bacon… all the classics are there. For beverages, coffee service is self-serve via high-performance automatic machines, identical to the Air Canada Café concept.
When I stopped by during the busy morning period (between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM), I found the lounge still had enough space that it did not feel crowded.
Visually, the décor is a real success. The refreshed design draws inspiration from the retro style of the Air Canada Café, with beautiful brown leather banquettes, rounded-corner tables, and retro pendant lights.
It is an exceptionally bright space thanks to its generous windows. My favourite spot is undoubtedly the long counter with a direct view of the runway—perfect for watching the tarmac with a coffee in hand.
My only minor drawbacks: the air conditioning is a bit strong, so it is worth bringing a jacket, and I would have liked more and larger restrooms. Despite these details, this renovated version offers significantly improved comfort for starting a trip departing from Montreal.
The new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at YUL (in the domestic flights area) is a clear improvement over its previous version. The retro design inspired by the Air Canada Café, the natural light, the well-stocked buffet, and the smart segmentation of the space make it a pleasant stop before a domestic flight. A few details could still be improved, such as the air conditioning and the number of washrooms, but the overall experience is significantly enhanced.
To compare all the options that give you access to this type of lounge, see our selection of the best credit cards for VIP lounges, or explore our related articles on airport lounges at Montréal–Trudeau and lounges at Vancouver Airport.
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