Review: Aspire Lounge, Ottawa International Airport (YOW)

Updated Aug 22, 2026
Fact checked by
Audrey Voisine
Audrey Voisine Audrey Voisine
Audrey, co-founder of Milesopedia, is a dedicated entrepreneur, avid traveler, and mother of two children. She shares valuable tips and recommendations for families and frequent travellers alike, helping everyone get the most from points and rewards programs. As Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, she is committed to guiding Milesopedia readers toward more accessible, practical, and memorable journeys.
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Note
9/10
Review: Aspire Lounge, Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Lounge Aspire Lounge
Airport Ottawa International Airport
Lounge Access Method Dragonpass, Priority Pass
Terminal Main terminal
Country Canada
City Ottawa
Tutorial Getting Started with the American Express Platinum Card
Aspire Lounge Apply Now
To the point Read our review of the Aspire lounge at Ottawa International Airport, accessible with certain Canadian credit cards.

Aspire Lounge YOW – Lounge location

The lounge is open to both domestic and international travellers. Passengers on transborder flights unfortunately cannot reach the area where the lounge is located. To get to the Aspire Lounge, once you have cleared security, follow the signs to Gate 20. The entrance is on the right-hand side just past Gate 18, directly across from the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

Review: Aspire Lounge, Ottawa International Airport (YOW) - Aspire Lounge YOW 02

The Aspire Lounge is open during the following hours:

Lundi5 h à 20 h
Mardi5 h à 20 h
Mercredi5 h à 20 h
Jeudi5 h à 20 h
Vendredi5 h à 20 h
Samedi10 h à 18 h
Dimanche10 h à 18 h

Aspire Lounge YOW – Access with credit cards

The easiest way to get free access to the Aspire Lounge is by presenting the American Express Platinum Card, la American Express Business Platinum Card; lounge access covers the primary cardholder plus one travelling companion. You can also get in as a member of the Priority Pass ou DragonPass; and several credit cards also provide

This lounge is part of Executive Lounges by Swissport. With an American Express Platinum Card, you enter with your spouse and 2 children under 21, or 1 guest, at no charge. Each additional guest is charged. The lounge has washrooms accessible to people with reduced mobility and a baggage storage area.

Aspire Lounge YOW – Check-in

On every visit, check-in has always been quick, though our flights are usually outside the morning rush. On this late-August Tuesday afternoon, the lounge was close to empty.  

Review: Aspire Lounge, Ottawa International Airport (YOW) - Aspire Lounge YOW 03

Aspire Lounge YOW – My experience

The lounge only opened in 2020, and what stands out on arrival is how modern and current the decor feels. We also like the floor-to-ceiling windows running the length of the room, which give a clear view of the tarmac.  

The seating is split into two areas: a lounge-style corner along the windows and a bistro-style section near the food service area. If you plan to work on a laptop, the best spot is the long table facing the window and the tarmac.

Everything on the food and drink side is self-serve, alcohol included, though an attendant is never far if you need something specific. We put together our own mocktails from the products on offer.  

The chicken curry was a particular favourite. The dessert selection, on the other hand, is a little limited.

Grab-and-go snacks such as cookies, fruit and muffins are also available.

Review: Aspire Lounge, Ottawa International Airport (YOW) - Aspire Lounge YOW 18

The lounge seats 100 people across 340 square metres, yet on our last visit it never seemed more than 20% full.

The lounge has its own Wi-Fi, it is free and the signal holds up well. Nearly every seat has a charging point, so you can top up all your devices before your flight.  

Lockers are available for personal belongings, though they do not appear to see much use. The same goes for the meeting room, which was being used more as a storage space for lounge supplies.

The one drawback we found is the single washroom, which means one person at a time. The alternative is to use the washrooms outside the lounge.

Conclusion

A two to three hour stop at the Aspire Lounge has become a fixture before each of our flights out of Ottawa.  

The food has always been very good, and you can even take a few prepackaged cookies with you on the way out. Prepackaged muffins and fruit were available too. No soft drinks are offered in cans or bottles.

If this lounge ever gets busy our verdict could change, but for now it is a small secret we love. Even the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge directly across the hall, which takes up more space, offers nothing more to compete with it.

Going further with airport VIP lounges

To get into VIP lounges without paying the $50 pass every time, read our complete guide to free airport VIP lounge access as well as our ranking of the best credit cards for airport VIP lounges, updated every month by the Milesopedia team.

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Airport lounges
Region
North America, Canada, Ottawa
4.7

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