The first leg of a trip is always among the most exciting. Thanks to the global health pandemic, our first impressions and the lack of other travellers set the stage for a remarkable and unique travel experience.

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Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Vancouver Domestic – “Pandemic Edition”

“Visiting The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Domestic during a pandemic, like all other travel, is a vastly different experience. Despite the changes, Air Canada’s done a great job at adapting the environment, rending a mostly (necessary) sterile lounge experience “

We parked at our local onsite parking stall and walked up towards the main terminal at Vancouver International Airport.

It was pretty serene and completely deserted on approach to the main terminal. I haven’t ever seen it as empty as this. Usually the Russ Baker Way departures ramp is bumper to bumper with drop offs and other cars blocking the way. 

Instead of entering the building, we walked outside along the exterior walkway towards the domestic terminal building. It was pretty serene and the only persons around were airport employees having an outdoor smoke.

At the domestic building, we entered and visited the Domestic Priority Services counter. We interreacted with a friendly agent behind plexiglass screens so that MrsWT73 could check a bag of supplies for her mom. 

There was only one international flight leaving today.  It was super strange to see a flight board completely empty for an international airport.

Heading to CATSA Security, there was no need for the Nexus lane. I was the only one in the queue. After a temperature check and clearing security, we headed past the Plaza Premium Lounge (the only priority pass option running at the airport) and headed to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

This was one of two only lounge options currently open by Air Canada in the whole country. 

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Vancouver Domestic:

On arrival, the door was already propped open. We entered and self scanned ourselves in. 

After passing reception, we led ourselves up the elevator and up to the second floor.

Inside the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – “Pandemic Edition”

The lounge was pretty deserted and as empty as I’ve ever seen it. The chairs were separated and comfortable for social distancing.

With seating this far apart, I certainly didn’t have many worries about catching any diseases from fellow travellers.

The usual buffet was cleared out and only left as a counter.

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge has now set up a self scan menu which is seated on each table.. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the memo that hot food was only served during certain hours. The hours were breakfast 6 AM – 10 AM, lunch 11 AM – 2 PM and 5 PM – 8 PM for dinner.  

The items looked okay, although we didn’t get the opportunity to try them out since we arrived at 2:30 PM. 

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Since we were here in between meal service hours, we had the snack menu. The snack menu is much less inspiring that Hawksworth inspired dishes. We collected these from the manned counter near the buffet stand.

The snack menu was pre-bagged goods served in a small lunch bag. I had the thai chicken wrap, which was pretty tiny. This was accompanied with a bag of ruffles chips (Sour Cream and Onion). I should have had a second wrap but I didn’t get around to it. 

I actually went back for the “cheese and crackers”, which was presented as small individual wrapped Balderson Cheese accompanied with Premium Plus soup crackers. 

We enjoyed some airside views of the Vancouver International Airport wing. The apron was completely deserted.

Oh to wish how it was. 

My thoughts on the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Pandemic Edition:

Air Canada has done a remarkable job at re-opening their lounges given the worldwide pandemic. The lounge experience is a far cry from the pre-pandemic days where sitting in a lounge was actually a relaxing and enjoyable place to spend some time. Now, through no fault of Air Canada, it’s become a very sterile environment with the requisite safety measures. The A La Caret Bistro Dining is a great idea. However, it’s too bad we didn’t know about it’s limited hours.

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