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Air Canada has announced a multi-year plan to transform its Maple Leaf Lounges across the network, aiming to deliver modern spaces with expanded amenities. While the upgrades promise a refreshed experience in the long run, travellers should also be aware of temporary closures and alternative lounge options during the renovation periods.
Montréal (YUL) Domestic Lounge Closure
Beginning September 29, 2025, the Montréal Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge will close for approximately three months. During this time, travellers who would normally access this lounge will need to adjust their routine with the following alternatives;
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Air Canada Café: Passengers can instead enjoy the newly opened Air Canada Café™. The space will provide both the option to sit and relax before flights or grab items to go, catering to different styles of pre-departure routines.
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Aspire | AMEX Lounge Access: Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members will also have access to the Aspire | AMEX Lounge during renovations, ensuring they continue to have a premium lounge option at YUL.
The three-month closure is designed to minimize long-term inconvenience while allowing Air Canada to deliver a fully modernized lounge in Montréal.
Halifax (YHZ) Domestic Lounge Long-Term Closure
The Halifax Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge will close as of October 1, 2025, with renovations scheduled to continue into early 2027. This extended closure reflects the scale of the upgrades planned for YHZ, which is expected to be a much larger and more modern facility once work is completed.
For travellers in Halifax, this means a significant period without access to the Maple Leaf Lounge. Air Canada has not yet announced a temporary alternative at YHZ, so passengers should plan accordingly when departing from Halifax over the next year and a half.
New Air Canada Café Locations Coming
Alongside these closures, Air Canada is expanding its Air Canada Café™ concept, which has proven popular at Toronto Pearson. The expansion includes:
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Vancouver (YVR) Domestic: The first Air Canada Café in Vancouver is expected to open in fall 2025, with a second location at YVR to follow in early 2026.
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Montréal (YUL) Transborder: A new Café will also open at the Transborder terminal in early 2026, bringing the same grab-and-go convenience and comfortable seating options to international-bound passengers.
Takeaway
The temporary Maple Leaf Lounge renovations and closures will require passengers at Montréal and Halifax to plan around reduced lounge capacity. The addition of multiple Air Canada Cafés also signals a shift toward flexible lounge experiences, designed not only for those who want to settle in pre-flight but also for travellers looking for quick, high-quality food and beverages on the go.
