Brilliant: Air Canada Cafe Opens At Montreal Airport (YUL)

I think you mean "11th Province domestic"

What a ignorant comment about 51st state domestic. It's America's president that is a Dumpster fire, not Canada's.

@ John -- I think you might be missing my humor, if you think I have a different take...

Hi Ben: I understood your intention as humour. But I think many (most) Americans don't quite understand the level of discomfort, offensive and upset in Canada right now.

My older parents aren't buying any American products at all, my (conservative-voting) brother and his wife cancelled their Costco membership and a trip to Arizona, and on it goes.

Lots of sensitivity - just so you know.

Ben, long-time reader from Canada. First-time commenter. I agree with the others. Jokes about Canada's sovereignty are viewed as a form of bullying and are offensive. I expected better from this blog.

@ Chad -- I've gone ahead and removed the comment. Obviously some things just don't come come across with the intended effect in writing, so my apologies...

Respectfully, hopefully some can appreciate that some people deal with ridiculous/sad developments with humor. Canada isn't the only one who has something to lose with this administration's policies, and my community has been under attack as well. The way I partly try to deal with that is humor and sarcasm...

@ 23H -- As they should, good for them. And similarly, I have a high level of discomfort as well, as a gay person with a kid. But my way of dealing with that is humor... I realize that doesn't land with some others, though.

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I'm like you... a little humour often helps.

I'm Canadian but have spent half my adult life in the States. Americans are some of my dearest friends. And this is my favourite blog. :).

Thank you.

@ 23H -- I appreciate you, and I'm sorry it came across in a way that's offensive. I get it's a sensitive time, and I'm horrified by the way Canada is being treated (along with so many other groups).

Well-said, Ben.

Didn't LH come up with this first? See https://onemileatatime.com/lufthansa-munich-lounge-food-to-go/

So AC and UAL are following LH's lead and LH should get the credit.

Its too bad they aren't opening something similar in the transborder departures area because there is just one lounge and it belongs to AC and can get crowded.

No offense and not to appear unsympathetic. but at least you're not living in the country governed by an unstable sociopath ....

Will CSR customers have access to this cafe? Some Maple Leaf Lounges are allowing CSR customers access.

No such thing as a “Montreal-inspired bagel”, they’re Montreal-style bagels and they’re so much better than NY-style ones!

The "Air Canada Cafe" at Billy Bishop (YTZ) is not at all the same concept as the "Air Canada Cafe" at Pearson (YYZ). I think AC just doesn't want to brand either of them as Maple Leaf Lounges. The YTZ lounge is essentially a co-branded Aspire lounge and is no more a "grab-and-go" service than a normal MLL. It has a buffet with hot and cold dishes.

I didn't see the now-removed comments about Canada that others objected to, but as a long-time OMAAT reader, I'm sure I would have taken them in the spirit Ben intended. However, like someone else mentioned, I don't think most Americans are really aware of the depth and severity of the current sentiment in Canada. It has quickly become socially unacceptable to travel to the US. This is something I'm struggling with as a frequent US visitor with trips booked (and UA 1K hoping to retain that status).

Have been to Montreal countless times and have lots of friends there, but I'll never understand the Montreal bagel. They're often hard as a rock and small. Nothing compares to an NYC bagel.

The YUL transborder lounge desperately needs a revamp. The food area is crowded, the menu options are awful, and the space is itself is way too small for the number of people who can access it.

If you keep saying sorry, we'll think you're Canadian :P.

Honestly, I know you meant it well. There's no reason to apologise at all. People are feeling sensitive right now - and I understand being a gay dad you feeling that way as well.

We all gotta be good to one another.

Now to figure out if my brother cancelled his Costco membership because its a US company, or because it mean's my sister-in-law will spend $400 less a week.... hahah.

Ben,

I'm curious why you believe the lounge is really that brilliant?

It looks tiny and contrary to YYZ, there's no Barista at all. This is a 'café' without a counter, no cocktails or coffees being prepared. It's better than nothing, but it's lost what makes the YYZ space fun to hang out at.

Unlike the comments related to the 51st state, we shall not go to war with Americans over the bagel debate. Ours is obviously superior. The mood up here, however, is less charitable to comments that are perceived almost as a threat by the leader of one nation to overthrow another nation. Ben's Premier Santos may notice a significant drop in Canadian visitors to Florida next year with consequent revenue implications for his constituents.

Totally agree -- maybe an upside to a Canadian boycott of vacationing in the US is that the transborder lounge, and entire terminal, will be less crowded.

Bravo. As a first chair person on Star Alliance facilitation, I applaude this innovation.Norm Klemm

I sure hope so.

'Premier Santos'! Now I have to clean the coffee of my screen.

North Mexicans (i.e. inhabitants of the country north of the Gulf of Mexico)

Please point out to your less knowledgeable fellow-citizens that there are 8 Canadian provinces with populations greater than Wyoming.
Imagine what 16 more Senators who would not be Republican would do to the political balance of your country!

Does Air Canada mind if you take the “grab and go” food with you from the lounge and eat it on the plane? It seems like a better option than buying from the overpriced and underwhelming snack menu on the plane if flying economy.

Great concept and very innovative. French Canadians are very chic and they know how to make things magnifique.

Perhaps this new AC Café will take some pressure off the AC Lounge. I have visited the Lounge in YUL several times and found it to be overcrowded, so I headed for a regular restaurant to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Generally not: the items are designed to take along. If you fill a whole tote bag, it might be something else.