A few weeks ago I wrote about how Air Canada will be opening a Signature Suite in Vancouver, available exclusively to paid long haul business class passengers. This is a heads up that this lounge opens tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, 2020.
In this post:
What is the Air Canada Signature Suite?
While Air Canada’s standard lounges are known as Maple Leaf Lounges, in 2017 Air Canada opened the Signature Suite at Toronto Airport, which was a new concept for the airline.
Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto
This is located in the international departures area, and is essentially a dining-focused lounge for business class passengers, with a la carte dining. I had the chance to check out the Signature Suite at the time, and was very impressed — as far as I’m concerned this is the best business class lounge dining in the world.
Air Canada Signature Suite dining
Air Canada opening Signature Suite in Vancouver
When the Toronto location opened, Air Canada had stated that they’d consider expanding the concept to other airports. Vancouver is one of the next logical airports for this concept, since it’s one of their three biggest hubs. Air Canada plans to open a Signature Suite in Vancouver on March 14, 2020.
The new Signature Suite will be located on top of their existing international Maple Leaf Lounge, by gate 52 in Pier D.
Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto
Who has access to the Air Canada Signature Suites?
Air Canada restricts Signature Suite access to paid long haul Air Canada business class passengers departing the airport with the Signature Suite:
- “Long haul” only includes intercontinental flights
- “Paid” business class only includes those paying cash for tickets, and not those redeeming miles or upgrading
- There’s no elite status that will get you in, and passengers on Star Alliance partner airlines also don’t get access
Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto
Bottom line
Air Canada has done a spectacular job with their Signature Suite, so it’s great to see that it will be available at a second airport as of tomorrow.
The unprecedented entry restrictions are quite frustrating, but at the same time this is probably the best business class dining experience you’ll find anywhere in the world. In a way, even those without access should win, since this should alleviate some of the crowding in the Maple Leaf Lounge.
Anyone looking forward to visiting the Signature Suite Vancouver?
Data point - was able to access signature suite today on an Aeroplan saver/lowest level award ticket (70k miles Seattle to Vancouver to London to Cairo one-way), without any status.
I think the reason is that sometime over the last 6 months there were a few schedule changes, which somehow made my award ticket flexible (instead of saver with restrictions).
So there's this small loophole to enter - book transatlantic business class award flight...
Data point - was able to access signature suite today on an Aeroplan saver/lowest level award ticket (70k miles Seattle to Vancouver to London to Cairo one-way), without any status.
I think the reason is that sometime over the last 6 months there were a few schedule changes, which somehow made my award ticket flexible (instead of saver with restrictions).
So there's this small loophole to enter - book transatlantic business class award flight very far out at hope for ticket to become flexible due to schedule changes.
FYI, normal award tix don't get you into the signature suite, but market fare awards do.
I agree the food and local wine at the YYZ suite are great.
So it seems like the YVR lounge would only be available for departing intercontinental flights ? I have a flight from Madrid to US thru YVR (all in paid J) but i guess i won't have access to it :(
@Lucky — as far as I’m concerned this is the best business class lounge dining in the world.
Are you including Oman Air lounge at MCT?
I've enjoyed the Toronto Pearson Signature Suite on many occasions, in addition to other lounges around the world, and agree that it is the best business class dining experience in the world and easily the best overall lounge in North America by far.
The food in the YVR International MLL is really bad, especially in the mornings. In addition, one cannot get an alcoholic beverage before 11 am. The Signature Suite can only improve the situation.
AC has done a great job with their SIGNATURE lounges. Glad to hear YVR is opening soon and hopefully YUL later this year. Glad they have kept the strict restrictions. Revenue intercontinental biz psgrs only. NO FREELOADERS!
I wish there were more reviews about the Signature Suites in general but most of the travel blogging crowd doesn't seem to fly anything other than award tickets :(
I hope you do a review of this lucky!
How is taking seating from the MLL going to reduce crowding in the MLL?
The upstairs was used as overflow seating before.
So in YVR, it's going to increase MLL crowding, not decrease it.
Apparently YUL should be getting one this year as well.
Ahh, cuisine nouvelle, where the food takes longer to describe than eat.
Food is good but the lounge at Pearson ("Toronto Airport") is dark and gloomy with no windows.