Sometimes you just want a little extra comfort when you’re travelling, whether you’re dealing with a long layover or you need a quiet space to get some work done. That’s where airport lounges come in. They offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of regular airport life in the form of comfortable seating, access to food and drink, entertainment and magazines. If you’re curious about where you can find a lounge to well, lounge in before your next flight, check out our guide to airport lounges across Canada.
Maple Leaf Lounges
Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges can be found in all major airports across Canada including Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Halifax and St. John’s. They’re all stylishly decorated and offer many amenities. These include a large selection of newspapers and magazines, WiFi, televisions, complimentary light snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and business centres with color printers and PC workstations. The Maple Leaf Lounge at Calgary International as well as the three in Toronto also have conference rooms and there are showers in several Maple Leaf Lounges including the one at the Montreal airport, all three in Toronto and two in Vancouver (domestic and transborder).
You can access any Maple Leaf lounge if you have a business class ticket or any of the qualifications listed here. Otherwise, for those who purchased a Latitude or Flex fare the fee is $25 for Latitude and $50 for Flex.
Toronto Pearson
Anyone looking for a comfortable place to unwind or wait for a flight at Pearson has several options for lounges. There is are three Maple Leaf Lounges in Terminal 1 as well as several Plaza Premium Lounges including three in Terminal 1 and two in Terminal 3. These lounges offer flat screen televisions, espresso and cappuccino, lots of hearty breakfast options, hot food entrées, soup and a salad bar as well as a good selection of liquors, beer and wine. The newest Plaza Premium Lounge at Pearson is also the largest at 576 square metres, with five separate seating zones. Access starts at $40.
Edmonton International
Edmonton International has a few good options for travellers needing to go someplace quiet and comfortable. You can find a Maple Leaf Lounge in the south terminal and two Plaza Premium Lounges near gate 88 and gate 52. The Plaza Premium Lounge near gate 88 is a two-level lounge that boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the airport property. The 232 square-metre lounge can accommodate 75 people. Both lounges offer comfortable seating, WiFi, newspapers and magazines, hot food, a soup and salad bar and a television. Access starts at $40.
Vancouver International
No matter where you’re going or how long you have to wait for your flight you can find a lounge to relax in pre-flight. There are three Maple Leaf Lounges as well as three Plaza Premium Lounges. In addition to comfortable spots to sit you’ll also find nap rooms, showers, WiFi, plenty of spots for charging phones and other gadgets you might have with you, as well as a wide selection of complementary food and drink options. The lounge located in the international departures area is the newest Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver International and accommodates 180 people over a sprawling 632 square metres. Access starts at $40.
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Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport
Travellers through Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport have the option of relaxing in a Maple Leaf Lounge located in the domestic terminal or National Bank World MasterCard Lounge in the international terminal. Here you’ll find plenty of complimentary food and drink options including two local beers on tap, wine and spirits as well as WiFi, continental breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, bar snacks and work stations. The cost of entry varies depending on when and how long you’ll be using the lounge, but you can get a quote and book here.
Winnipeg International
Currently at Winnipeg International you can find a Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic/international terminal. A Plaza Premium Lounge is currently in the works and is slated to open in the fall of 2015.
Calgary International
Prospective lounge-goers at Calgary International can head to the Maple Leaf Lounge in concourse C. In addition, the Servisair Chinook lounge in concourse A and Rocky Mountain Lounge in concourse B are also available for all of your comfort-craving needs. Both of these lounges offer complimentary drinks, snacks and hot food as well as WiFi and a fireplace to cozy up near. There’s also a family area in the Chinook Lounge. You can get an estimate here for cost of use.
Quebec City Jean Lesage International
Quebec City International has a VIP Lounge for guests looking for a little extra rest and relaxation. Next to gate 29, the lounge offers free WiFi, iPads, a conference room, an entertainment area with plasma screen TVs and wireless headphones, a business centre, newspapers and magazines. Lounge-goers also have access to a full bar and a menu of light meals. The lounge is open to American Express Platinum cardholders and members of the Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access Program. Anyone else wanting to visit the lounge can do so for $35.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
All Porter passengers have access to a variety of complimentary food and beverage options in the airport lounge. The lounge here has a self-serve espresso bar, Starbucks coffee and Tazo teas and a wide range of soft drinks and water. Shortbread cookies and other snacks are also available. Aside from the food and beverage offerings, they also provide complimentary WiFi, newspapers and a business centre.
Featured image: Mack Male, Edmonton Airport via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0
