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American Airlines Admirals Club Toronto
During my recent trip to Palm Springs for the Coachella Music Festival, I had the opportunity to experience the American Airlines Admirals lounge at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Terminal 3. Since my flight to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) in First Class was scheduled for 6:30 a.m., the lounge opened at 5:00 a.m., making it a convenient option for some pre-flight relaxation.
Admirals Club Toronto – Across from Duty Free
Elevators to the Lounge
The lounge is near the duty-free stores at Terminal 3, Transfer Level. Access is granted with an Admirals Club membership, an American Airlines First Class ticket, a OneWorld business class ticket, or OneWorld Sapphire status.
AA Admirals Club Toronto – Layout
The lounge, though compact, is thoughtfully designed. Upon entering, I noticed the inviting brown leather seats arranged with white marble side tables and charging stations. To the left are additional seating areas featuring light brown and gray-toned couches, complemented by a large flat-screen TV.
Main Entrance
Large Leather Sofa-seats
Further into the lounge, a right turn leads to the business center, which includes a computer and printer set up next to a long white marble communal table with red chairs and another flat-screen TV. The restrooms are adjacent to the business center, with the buffet station located just to the left.
Lounge Seating
Business Center
Additional Seating in the Lounge
Despite the cozy atmosphere, the lounge’s size suggests it could reach capacity during peak times, which is something to consider for travellers during busier periods.
Tall Chair/Workdesk Seating
AA Admirals Club Toronto – Food and Drinks
Given the early hour of my visit, the breakfast options were limited to a coffee station, Rice Krispie squares, bagels, English muffins, fresh fruit, and yogurt. Unfortunately, no hot food such as eggs, bacon, or sausages existed. This lack of hot options disappointed a business-class lounge, especially compared to other lounges at similar levels.
Seating options around food station
Cold Food options
Snacks and Soup
Bread options in the lounge
The lounge also features a bar in front of the buffet, offering draft beer and spirits. However, the bar was not open when I was there at 6:00 a.m.
Lounge Bar
AA Admirals Club Toronto – Staff and Service
The lounge staff was welcoming and engaging. Jason, the lounge manager, greeted me personally and conversed pleasantly. He shared insights about upcoming changes to the food options at this lounge and other American Airlines lounges globally, which was encouraging to hear.
I also chatted with Andrew, the receptionist, who provided helpful advice about travel and lounges. He suggested considering an annual Admirals Club membership if I planned to fly with American Airlines frequently. The personable and attentive staff added a positive note to the experience.
Comparison with Premium Plaza Lounge
The Premium Plaza Lounge (PP), located next to the American Airlines lounge, opens at 5:30 a.m., 30 minutes later. Access is available with a Priority Pass card or an Amex Platinum Card. Curious about the differences, I visited the Premium Plaza lounge for a quick comparison.
The most notable distinction was the food selection. The PP offered a hot food station, including baked beans, breakfast potatoes, sausages, and scrambled eggs. It also had coleslaw, macaroni salad, yogurts, bagels, and breads as cold food options.
In contrast, the American Airlines lounge lacked hot food, a surprising letdown. Typically, airline-branded lounges like the Admirals Club are expected to surpass contract lounges like the PP regarding food quality and variety. However, in this instance, the PP outshined the AA lounge for breakfast offerings.
It’s worth noting that the Premium Plaza Lounge in T3 is popular—15 minutes before opening, there was already a line of over a dozen people waiting with their Priority Pass cards in hand.
Takeaway
Overall, the American Airlines lounge at YYZ is a quiet, comfortable space to relax before an early morning flight. Still, it has room for improvement, particularly in its food offerings. The lack of hot breakfast items was disappointing, especially compared to the Premium Plaza Lounge, which offered a more robust selection.
For those prioritizing a hot meal, the PPL is a better option. However, the AA lounge fits the bill if you want a peaceful environment and an earlier opening time. Based on my conversations with the lounge staff, the lounge food will be upgraded soon, so I’m hopeful. I’d rate the lounge a 6/10, primarily due to its limited food offerings.
Related Post – AA Admirals Club JFK
5 comments
Thanks for the comment.
Given its size compared to the AA lounge at ORD which is massive that I went to next on my trip I would say that AA or even One World needs to work with YYZ to get a bigger dedicated space for its passengers, given so many One World flights leave from T3 at YYZ
There’s no reason to enlarge Admirals Club YYZ. It is there only for actual Club members and Business Class passengers on American flights to PHL, CLT, ORD, JFK, LGA, MIA, DFW. Nearly all flights are on regional jets with fewer than 20 seats in the cabin. It is rarely, if ever, crowded, unlike the lounge next door. Why would they enlarge it? It’s been the same size for 4 decades. Non-AA “oneworld” flights do NOT leave from the Transborder section of YYZ T3. BA, CX pax could not visit this lounge, no matter how large it was, because they aren’t US-bound. AA elites can’t visit it either. It is a very exclusive facility for a very small targeted group of people.
Admirals Club is superior to the Plaza Premium next door in the following respects: AAngels to help with AAdministrative matters, modern clean decor (Plaza Premium furnishings are older and shabby by comparison), not crowded (only members and J passengers may enter, not AA elites, not Priority Pass and similar membership schemes). Plaza Premium serves hot food in all their lounges, so if one needs a meal one can go there. But if one is satisfied with a snack and a drink, including much better tea and much better soft drinks (Coca-Cola Freestyle machine), and if one wants a superior seating environment, the Admirals Club is preferable.
Thanks for the comment.
I will agree any Airline lounge is better than PP lounged thanks to their dedicated staff to help with Flight issues that are not available at PP lounges.
And yes less crowded in the AA lounge. There was a deep line forming before the PP lounge opened that was not there at the AA lounge.
This place isn’t a serious lounge…..never has been.