Air Canada shuts its Toronto Signature Suite to expand and its Vancouver domestic lounge until 2028

Air Canada has taken two of its busiest lounges out of service this fall. The Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson closed on Sept. 30 so it can grow. The domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in Vancouver follows on Oct. 14, and it will stay shut until early 2028.

Here is what Air Canada is offering instead, and which other lounges are worth knowing about.

Toronto: the Signature Suite is growing

The Signature Suite is Air Canada's restaurant-style lounge for long-haul business class. It sits on the upper level of Terminal 1 next to gate E77 and opened in 2017. Air Canada's own notice says the suite is closed for "approximately two months starting September 30, 2026."

Coverage from One Mile at a Time and Milesopedia gives a fuller timeline. The current room is expected to reopen in December 2026. The larger, finished suite is due in early 2027. Prince of Travel reports that the suite is expanding into the space of the former Plaza Premium Lounge next door, which has closed.

While the suite is closed, eligible travelers get two things:

• Priority entry to the International Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 1, through a dedicated line.
• A grab-and-go pop-up near gate E85, with food and drinks to take to the gate.

Air Canada is frank about the trade-off. Its notice warns that the International Maple Leaf Lounge "will be busier than usual."

There is also an unusual goodwill gesture. Travelers with a suite-eligible ticket during the closure will get a pass for a future visit once the expanded suite opens. One Mile at a Time reports the pass is valid through Dec. 31, 2028. It can be used on any Air Canada international departure, in any class, by the passenger or a guest. Prince of Travel notes that Air Canada has not yet said how the passes will be delivered.

Who is eligible in the first place? Prince of Travel says the suite serves Signature Class travelers flying to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia or New Zealand, on paid or Aeroplan reward tickets. Signature Class flights to the US, Mexico and the Caribbean do not qualify. Star Alliance Gold status does not get you in. Nor does Maple Leaf Lounge access, including the benefit that comes with the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card.

Where to wait in Toronto now

The International Maple Leaf Lounge is the main fallback, and it holds up well. It rates 4.6 out of 5 on Lounge Frog, the best of the open lounges in Terminal 1. Our listing shows room for about 300 guests, six shower suites and a full bar. Entry is through Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge rules or Star Alliance Gold.

Travelers who rely on Priority Pass have fewer choices on the international side of Terminal 1. Our data shows no open independent lounge there since the Plaza Premium Lounge (International) closed in late December 2025. The Plaza Premium lounges for domestic (4.2) and US transborder (3.9) flights remain open in their own areas. See all options on our Toronto Pearson page.

Vancouver: the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closes for about 14 months

The bigger disruption is in Vancouver. Milesopedia reports that the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge on Pier C serves its last guests on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Construction starts on Oct. 14. Reopening is targeted for early 2028, with no exact date yet.

That is a real loss. The lounge rates 4.6 on Lounge Frog, with top marks for food, coffee and quiet. It seats about 200.

Milesopedia says the new lounge will have quiet zones for work, a central fireplace area, locally inspired food and a full-service bar. No floor plan, size or seat count has been released. We could not find an Air Canada release on the closure. Air Canada's lounge page did not show a notice when we checked on Oct. 8.

In the meantime, Air Canada is steering domestic travelers to its two Air Canada Cafés. These are smaller spaces built around food and a bar:

Air Canada's café page says entry is for Business Class or Premium Rouge passengers on a confirmed Air Canada domestic flight. Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members qualify, as do Star Alliance Gold members. So do holders of the TD and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege cards and the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card.

Air Canada's other Vancouver rooms stay open. That includes the International Maple Leaf Lounge on Pier D (4.5), the Transborder Maple Leaf Lounge on Pier E (4.5) and the Vancouver Signature Suite (4.1).

Other domestic lounges at YVR

If you hold Priority Pass, DragonPass or LoungeKey, the Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic) is the better pick. It sits on level 3 near gate B15, opens 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and rates 4.4. Our listing shows about 120 seats, a full bar and apron views.

The smaller Plaza Premium Lounge (C29) is close to the closed Maple Leaf Lounge, but it rates just 1.8. It has about 36 seats and serves beer and wine only. More options are on our Vancouver airport page.

What we don't know yet

Air Canada has not said exactly when in December the Toronto suite reopens, or how big it will be. Nor has it given a firm date for the new Vancouver lounge. It is also unclear whether the cafés will add seats or hours to cope with more guests. For card holders weighing their options, see our story on Aeroplan cards gaining worldwide Maple Leaf Lounge access. We will update this story as Air Canada shares more.