YYZ – Terminal 1 – Air Canada Signature Lounge – Airline Lounge Review

Terminal 1, Toronto Pearson Airport Canada

Introduction

This is my review of the Air Canada Signature Lounge at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.  

Unfortunately, due to Air Canada delaying my inbound flight, it meant this was a very quick visit – and I wasn’t able to experience as much as I would have liked to have done.

I’d also say that when I was there around 20:00, the lounge was extremely crowded, and there was a wait to get in!

I guess this lounge is to Air Canada what the Concorde Room is to British Airways – just with cheaper champagne.

Visited

September 2022 at 20:00

Opening Hours

The lounge is open daily from 06:00 to 23:30

Entry Conditions

In my case, I was flying in Air Canada’s Signature Business Suite to Dublin, so I was allowed entry.

Whether this is open to Star Alliance Golds++’s, I’m not sure – but it’s not open to Star Alliance Gold Members (their lounge is the Maple Lounge).

As far as I am aware, there are no paid options; this is a purely exclusive lounge.

How to Get There

I won’t pretend to understand how Pearson Airport is laid out – and on my journey I’d come from Washington, so was transiting from the US.

But, if once you’re through Security you can find Gate E77, opposite there you will see it clearly signposted. It’s next to the Plaza Premium Lounge.

Usefully my flight was departing from E76 – so it was a short walk to the gate!

Layout

This lounge has a really nice décor to it. Its reminiscent of the Maple Leaf Lounge, but goes the extra mile in its quality. However, when I arrived there was a queue and I was told I’d have to wait – though the wait was only short when they realised I was traveling on my own, and I was escorted to a seat.

In contrast to many lounges I’ve been to, the lounge has mainly dining seating, with a smaller area of casual seating.

There is a large dining area which is in the bar and self-service food area.

Alternatively, there is the a la carte ‘restaurant’, which is Air Canada’s signature dining area.  

I didn’t find any business centre, nor anywhere to work.

Food and Drink

Drinks

On the drinks side from what I could see, everything is served from the bar. As always in North America, people love to sit at the bar – so I didn’t get a too closer look.

As I understand it, there’s a whole bunch of wines, beers, cocktails and champagnes on offer. Champagne on offer is Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut, which is about £40 per bottle – not quite the Concorde Room’s offering of the £150/bottle Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle!

Food

On the food side, there are two options:

One option is to go for the buffet, which is served by servers. On my visit, there were salads, cheeses, sliders, salmon, some chicken dish and rice etc. There was a small amount of brownies and other deserts, oddly mixed between the sliders and the salad! Probably not the best buffet style service I’ve experienced.

Another option is to go for the a la carte dining. Unfortunately, I was unable to do this for two reasons. Firstly, it was fully booked; and secondly, I was told I needed to allow an hour to eat there – and an hour I definitely didn’t have! It’s all Air Canada’s fault for delaying my Washington flight!

The menu offered appetizers of Daily Crundo, Asparagus, Corn Fritter or Summer Salad. Mains were Pickerel, Beef or Duck salad or Risotto. I understand the deserts can include Pavolova, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Ice Cream and Cheeses.

Maybe next time!

Wifi

I briefely used the Wifi and found it to be pretty good, it certainly seemed reliable.

Showers

A shower is the one thing I would have loved before my overnight flight. Again, sadly due to the delays on my incoming flight, I was hugely delayed!

That said, I understand there are showers, and that they are very nice!

Conclusion

This is a really great lounge, and I enjoyed my brief time in it. However, with that said; given its exclusivity (ie only people flying Signature Class) – it is surprising to be told to wait for a seat and for it to be so crowded!

Is it the best airline lounge in North America, as others have claimed? I’d still say that American Airlines have the edge in their Flagship Lounges right now.

Is it the best lounge that Air Canada offer – for sure! The food and drinks looked great, the layout was great, it’s a great place to be!

That said, will I be hanging up my OneWorld status and moving over to Star Alliance/Air Canada? I think the answer is probably not!