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Air Canada is expanding its Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), but unfortunately, there will be short-term disruption before passengers can enjoy the expanded space. The Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ will temporarily close starting September 30, 2026, as Air Canada begins construction to expand the lounge into the former Plaza Premium Lounge space next door. Air Canada currently expects the Signature Suite to reopen sometime in December, although the fully expanded Signature Suite is not expected to be complete until early 2027.
For passengers travelling in eligible Air Canada Signature Class during the closure, this will be a pretty significant loss, with the most premium ground experience unavailable during a busy travel period. So, what exactly happens if you are flying through Toronto while the Signature Suite is closed? Let’s break it down.
When is the Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ closing? And what happens to impacted passengers?
The Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson will close temporarily starting September 30, 2026. Air Canada expects the closure to last approximately two months, with the Signature Suite reopening in December.
During the closure, eligible Signature Suite passengers will be directed to the International Maple Leaf Lounge, where they will receive priority access through a dedicated queue. Air Canada will also operate a temporary grab-and-go lounge near Gate E85.
Air Canada is expanding the Signature Suite into the former Plaza Premium Lounge space next to Gate E77. The expanded Signature Suite is expected to be completed in early 2027.
Most interestingly, affected passengers are invited to return and experience the expanded Signature Suite once it is complete. You can use the invitation with any Air Canada flight departing to an international destination, in any class of service, and you or a guest can use it through the end of 2028.
PMB Takeaway on Signature Suite Closure
There’s no getting around the fact that this will be a downgrade for eligible Signature Class passengers travelling through Toronto during the closure. The alternative, the international Maple Leaf Lounge, or the grab-and-go facility will pale in comparison to the full experience of the Signature Suite in YYZ. At the same time, closing the lounge for about two months to expand it substantially is preferable to a partially operational facility with construction on the side.
IMO, the compensation being offered is more practical than a few Aeroplan points. Giving affected passengers an opportunity to return through the end of 2028, even when travelling in Economy, should allow many passengers to actually experience what they missed.
The unknowns: Exactly when in December will the existing Signature Suite reopen? What will be available then? What exactly is being offered at the Gate E85 pop-up? And will passengers with multiple qualifying trips during the closure receive multiple return invitations?
We’ll update this post as those details become available.
Current setup – Air Canada Signature Suite YYZ
Air Canada Signature Suite YYZ Bar
Who gets access to the Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ?
Signature Suite access is much more restrictive than Maple Leaf Lounge access.
For Air Canada passengers, the primary group consists of travellers departing or connecting through Toronto Pearson on an eligible Air Canada-operated international flight to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand, who were originally booked and ticketed in eligible Air Canada Signature Class fare classes.
Eligible paid Business Class tickets generally include booking classes J, C, D, Z and P.
For Aeroplan reward tickets, an eligible Aeroplan Business Class Flexible Reward can provide access, whereas a standard Business Class reward does not.
Similarly, an upgrade to Business Class doesn’t necessarily get you through the door. Reservations in the R booking class, including eUpgrades, Last Minute Upgrades and AC Bid Upgrade, are excluded from Signature Suite access.
Additional access arrangements include eligible Lufthansa and SWISS First Class passengers, Lufthansa HON Circle members, and Emirates First Class passengers departing Toronto.
