The Vancouver International Airport is a world class gateway that offers flights to many destinations around the world. Since many of these flights connect onwards towards other destinations in Canada, it’s fitting that they have a decent lounge. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Domestic is a pretty solid domestic lounge with decent windows, comfortable loungers and decent snacks at the right times. It represents a worthy lounge in the Vancouver International Airport lounge offerings.

---

Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Vancouver International Airport – Domestic, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

This is a review of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver International Airport Domestic, Vancouver, Canada. For information on other Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges at Vancouver International Airport, please see our experience with the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Transborder.

For other lounges at Vancouver International Airport, please see our review of the Plaza Premium Domestic Lounge or in the international departures concourse; the Skyteam International Lounge, the British Airways Galleries Lounge or the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge.

---

Getting the Vancouver International Airport:

Tonight’s flight started after a work day. A quick Aerocar car service from the house to the airport served our transportation needs. Today they sent a GMC Yukon instead of the usual Lincoln Towncar. Take that James Cameron against all your efforts of global warning! 

It’s was a beautiful August day at the Vancouver Domestic Departure Hall, making it a nice day for flying.

Checking Into Air Canada Business Class:

The check in for our Air Canada Business Class flight was handled at the deserted Air Canada Priority Check In on the far right hand side of the domestic terminal. There were no waits in line tonight and we checked two bags full of gifts and accessories to Winnipeg. The Boarding passes were issued on the usual Air Canada stock with a YVR Fast Track sticker for non Nexus Holders. 

Leaf frogging ahead of Fast Track, our Nexus cards got us to the front of the line with the security screening checkpoint, but with only two screening lanes open, and the Nexus line depositing us at the front of a regular screening lane, it took a bit of time to get through.

Great sculptures around Vancouver International Airport, the rushing traveler greeting us headed down toward Concourse C.

Locating the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Domestic:

We headed for the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in the Domestic Departures hall of the Vancouver International Airport. The entrance to the lounge is immediately after Security at access point C. 

It is pretty easy to find and a short walk from the security check point

Accessing the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge:

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge was accessed today courtesy of our business class ticket for our Air Canada Business Class Vancouver – Winnipeg flight. Unlike in the United States, Air Canada allows for lounge access when flying in domestic or trans-border first class.

You could also get access into the lounge through a business class ticket on Air Canada under the Star Alliance Lounge policy, or by purchasing an annual lounge membership, or through select Canadian based credit card memberships.

Inside the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge:

Having been a frequent visitor to this location, the Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge has seen several evolutions over the years. I would even go so far as to call this location my “home” lounge. The seating has gotten more high density in the last few years as some loungers were replaced with tables and chairs. The lounge offers great windows that have apron views over toward the North Shore Mountains.

The lounge itself is usually crowded in the morning. On today’s visit in the early evening bank of flights, it was pretty empty, We must have arrived at the tail end of the rush. The place was full of half empty beer glasses, crushed crackers on the floor, and spots on the ground. I think my work cafeteria was actually cleaner. 

Sadly, the place was really showing signs of wear and tear. If I recall correctly, the lounge was last partially updated with new carpets just prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Computer carrels were also available. Thankfully, computers continue to be a standard feature of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.

The lounge offers a seated area along with the usual bistro tables and chairs. 

Food and Beverage:

The food offering at 5 PM has gone slightly upscale. Couscous salads and mixed corn offerings kept things interesting. The usual celery sticks were also available for those feeling more conservative.

Another area where the lounge gains some ground amonst other North American offerings is with the drink selection. Despite some mediocre wines, they are far better than the domestic offerings at the United Club. Add some reasonable spirits, draft beer and you’ve got an ample drink selection for a purely domestic lounge. 

The lounge was accessorized with a bizarre candle arbre wine tree similar to an accessory that you see at a furniture store. 

A Lounge with a View:

Although many spots on the floor, the view is certainly unique with wide body aircraft with the mountains in the background. 

The views from the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Domestic Vancouver are among the best that can be had. The scenic skyline of Coastal Mountains can be easily seen.

My Thoughts on the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Domestic:

Overall, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge offers a reasonable lounge experience. Despite some shabby conditions affecting this lounge, this is one area that they haven’t completely cut costs- except maybe in the carpet and cleaning refurbishments.

If you’ve visited the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Domestic, what was your experience like?

---