Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Ottawa (YOW)
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With the exception of the transborder zone (departures to the USA), this lounge is open to all passengers. Here are the details of my experience and how to access the lounge.
Location
The lounge is accessible to all those traveling across Canada and abroad. Unfortunately, transborder travelers (USA) cannot access the lounge area.
To enter Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge, once through security, follow the signs to Gate 20. The entrance to the Aspire lounge is on the left, just past door 18.
On the terminal plan below, the entrance is indicated by the number 15. Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge is located directly opposite the Aspire Lounge.
At the time of our visit in 2024, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge opening hours were as follows:
| Monday | 4.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 4.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 4.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. |
| Thursday | 4.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. |
| Friday | 4.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. |
| Saturday | 4.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. |
| Sunday | 4.30 a.m. to 9.15 p.m. |
According to Ottawa International Airport (page checked on October 26, 2026), the Maple Leaf Lounge is temporarily closed for renovations. When open, it opens one hour before the first flight of the day and closes 30 minutes before the last flight. Check its status before you go.
A lounge accessible through credit cards
The easiest way to gain free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge is by presenting one of these cards:
- The American Express® AeroplanMD* Reserve Card ;
- The TDMD AeroplanMD Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card ;
- The CIBCMD AeroplanMD Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
Access to the lounge is for the main cardholder and a travel companion.
For the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, TD states that complimentary access for one guest is offered through December 31, 2026 (terms checked on October 26, 2026).
If you travel in business class with Air Canada, you have access to this lounge free of charge.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $599 |
Maple Leaf Lounge YOW – Check-in
Unless you have an early morning flight, the formalities and security checks at the Ottawa airport are a real charm, and the same goes for the formalities of admission to this lounge. As we were traveling in business class, all we had to do was scan our own boarding passes at the lounge reception desk, and we were granted access straight away. With this process, we even enjoyed the privilege of entering and exiting at will (although this is rarely necessary).
Maple Leaf Lounge YOW – My experience
The entrance to the lounge is on the level of the boarding gate area. The lounge itself is on a higher level, which, thanks to its three 100% glass sides, offers a magnificent view of almost the entire tarmac. The space is large and you don’t feel trapped at all.
Traditional paper magazines have been replaced by electronic versions. You have free access to thousands of newspapers and magazines that can be downloaded via the wifi network and the Pressreader application.
Seating in the lounge is mainly in armchairs.
A small corner is reserved for you to set up your computer and work.
The few tables available are small and bistro-style.
Our chosen seats were in the southern corner of the lounge, with views to the outside on two sides. In my opinion, these are the best seats in the lounge.
On the catering side, everything is grouped together in an island directly in the middle of the lounge area.
Everything is self-service, including alcoholic beverages, but an attendant is never far away if you need something special. In other words, there’s no bar counter with seating.
We particularly liked the spring rolls with the sweet sauce.
The maple sugar tarts were very good, but in general, the range of desserts is rather limited.
I estimate that the lounge is easily three or four times larger than its neighbor in the same terminal, the Aspire lounge.
Almost every seat has a charging station, so you can recharge the batteries of all your electronic devices before your journey.
There is no shower in this lounge.
Our visit lasted about two hours, and in all that time there was never a queue to get into the lounge. Its full capacity has therefore never been reached.
Maple Leaf Lounge YOW – Bottom Line
We go there first and foremost for the tranquility of the place and the view. It was just a shame to have such a beautiful view on such a quiet tarmac! It’s surprising that this lounge doesn’t have a section with deckchairs (or daybeds) for a better rest. Passengers are essentially limited to using armchairs.
The quality of the food is very good. On the other hand, variety could be improved. Our visit coincided with lunchtime, but would the offering have been more diverse for supper? We’ll have to check on another occasion.
- Annual fee
- $599
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,200Total$1,200Plus $500 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,200
- Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 3 months
- Up to 85,000 points
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