Air Canada has revealed plans to open four new lounges and refresh its existing Maple Leaf Lounges.
The airline said it hopes to match the quality of its in-flight service with the ground experience, recognizing the increasing demand for lounges as airports become more crowded.
Air Canada plans to increase seating capacity by an average of 30 per cent in domestic Maple Leaf Lounges in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Toronto's Signature Suite. The lounges will cater to eligible customers, such as business class passengers, elite travellers, and premium credit card holders.
Additionally, the airline said it will renovate and expand hub lounges across Canada over a three-year period. International lounges, including London Heathrow, will eventually undergo upgrades to align with a new design standard.
Air Canada's Executive Vice President Marketing and Digital, Mark Nasr, revealed to Executive Traveller that the airline will also introduce a new lounge concept in Toronto, which will serve as a trial for potential expansion. The details of this new model have not been disclosed yet, but it is expected to open in the summer of 2023 and will offer seating for 133 travellers, a buffet, grab-and-go facilities, a bar, meeting rooms, and WiFi.
In addition, a new Maple Leaf Lounge will open in San Francisco T2 in late JUN 2023, featuring outdoor space, a dining facility, and a bar.
Furthermore, Air Canada plans to introduce the Air Canada Café concept—which provides travellers a quick alternative to visiting the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge—in Montreal in 2024, offering barista-pulled coffee, juices, sandwiches, salad bowls, and light snacks. Vancouver will also have an Air Canada Café in 2025, designed as a modern cafe-coworking space. The design and services of the cafes will evolve based on customer feedback and preferences.
