Air Canada has officially opened its newest Air Canada Café, this time in Vancouver International Airport (YVR). This is the first of two Air Canada Cafés to open in the domestic departures area, with the second, larger lounge slated to open in early 2026.
The Prince of Travel team was live-on-location for a sneak peek of the lounge, which officially opened to the public on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know about Air Canada’s newest lounge.
The New Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46)
Air Canada has unveiled its newest lounge, as the Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46) is officially open to the public.
This is the first of two Air Canada Cafés passengers can expect to see in the domestic departures area of Vancouver International Airport (YVR). A second, larger Café is set to debut in early 2026 near Gate C50.
The Vancouver Air Canada Café becomes the fourth such lounge in Air Canada’s network, following in the footsteps of the Air Canada Café Montreal (YUL) which opened earlier this year, the Aspire | Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ) which opened in 2023, and the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) which opened in 2019.
This debut is another step in Air Canada’s years-long lounge opening and refurbishment project, which will see the renovation of a number of existing lounges, as well as the debut of a number of new lounges throughout its network.
As we’ve seen with other Air Canada Cafés, the smaller of what will become two Cafés in Vancouver features grab-and-go food & drink options that showcase local businesses.
Air Canada Café Vancouver – Access & Entry
The first Air Canada Café to open in Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located across from the C Gates food court, closest to Gate C46 in the domestic departures area.
Access to the Air Canada Café Vancouver is governed by the same lounge access policy as other Air Canada lounges, meaning that you can access the lounge with any of the following:
- A business class or Premium Rouge domestic ticket on an Air Canada flight
- Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Status
- Star Alliance Gold members departing on a domestic Air Canada flight
- A premium Aeroplan co-branded credit card
- A one-time Air Canada lounge guest pass
| Credit Card | Best Offer | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to 95,000 Aeroplan points
$599 annual fee
|
Up to 95,000 Aeroplan points | $1,147 | Apply Now |
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points†
$599 annual fee
|
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† | $871 | Apply Now |
85,000 Aeroplan points
$599 annual fee
|
85,000 Aeroplan points | $858 | Apply Now |
100,000 Aeroplan points
$599 annual fee
|
100,000 Aeroplan points | $582 | Apply Now |
There are eGates at the entrance of the lounge, at which you can scan your boarding pass or use biometrics for a hands-free entrance.
A staff member is on hand to process access through guesting privileges, and there’s also a staff member present to assist with any queries about your flight.
The lounge is open from 5am to 8pm daily. If you’re originating in Vancouver, you can enter the lounge up to three hours prior to your originally scheduled departure time, and if you have a connection in Vancouver, there’s no time limit.
Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46) – Seating
The Air Canada Café Vancouver has seats for 52 guests in a 2,142-square-foot space.
As you enter the Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46), there’s one of two islands that divides the lounge. On one side is a standing area, and on the other is a seating area.
To the right of this is a row of bench-style seats with small circular tables dotted throughout.
Above this section is artwork by local artist Scott Sueme, which adds nice pops of colour to the space that also features natural wood tones and shades.
The ceiling above this area was designed to mimic the curvature and lighting on an aircraft fuselage.
Moving towards the Grab and Go station at the rear of the lounge, you’ll find a row of seats along a table on a second island in the lounge.
Across from the main food and beverage area is a long row of high-top seats that overlook the apron. It’s a great spot to sit and watch smaller turboprop planes close by, as well as larger planes taxiing to the runway.
On a clear day, you can also get peek-a-boo views of the ocean and the coastal mountains.
Opposite from here is another spot to stand and enjoy a drink or snack.
As you move back towards the entrance, the opposite side of the lounge’s first island has a row of seats, and then further back (just opposite from the entrance) is a row of low-top seats that also overlook the apron.
You’ll find power outlets and USB-C ports at every seat throughout the lounge, either on top of or below the tabletops. Be sure to keep an eye out for coat hooks, too, which you’ll find available across the space.
Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46) – Food & Drink
The food & drink concept at the Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate C46) follows a similar format to other Air Canada Cafés, with both hot and cold food options and a variety of choices for beverages.
When it comes to food, there’s a large Grab and Go station with hot, cold, and room temperature options at the far end of the lounge, with takeaway bags and utensils nearby.
The cold options are available throughout the day, and during my visit, the following options were available:
- Mediterranean quinoa cup (similar to a Greek salad)
- Vegan matcha overnight oats
- Fruit cup
- Vegetable japchae
- Sushi balls
- Pesto chicken wrap
- Vegetable summer roll
- Mini cheese board
You can also find a handful of grab-and-go drinks in this cooler, including a variety of juices and sparkling water.
In the middle of the Grab and Go section are some room-temperature options, which include doughnuts from local business Lee’s Donuts, as well as croissants, muffins, and cookies.
There’s a QR code on each of the items, which you can scan to learn more about its ingredients.
At the left of the Grab and Go station are the hot options. Breakfast items are served until 11am, after which the other hot items become available.
At the time of my visit, there were the following hot items available:
- Breakfast croissant sandwich
- Quiche
- Pork & vegetable spring roll
- Vegetable dumpling with Asian sesame ginger sauce
- Korean chicken burger
- Churro doughnut
When it comes to beverages, you have a number of hot and cold options available to you.
Filtered coffee is available as you enter the beverage area, with both caffeinated and decaf options.
Next up you’ll find two Lavazza Thermoplan coffee machines, which were described to me as the “Ferrari of coffee machines”.
On each, there’s a wide menu of beverage options, which are made from Lavazza beans.
Next to the machines are four taps offering nitro cold brew, cold brew, kombucha (from Oddity Kombucha in Vancouver), and lemonade (from Persephone Brewing Company on the Sunshine Coast).
Beside the taps, you’ll find a Vivreau water dispenser (as well as an accessible tap), featuring sparkling, still, hot, and cold water. Tucked in the corner beside this is a soft-drink machine, as well as a selection of teas nearby.
Lastly, on the island in the grab-and-go area are four taps for alcoholic beverages, all of which are sourced from Persephone Brewing Company.
During my visit, the following options (all Persephone products) were available:
- Coast Life Lager (4.5% ABV)
- Pale Ale (5.5% ABV)
- Hard Seltzer (5.0% ABV)
- Dry-Hop Cider (6.5% ABV)
As is the case in other Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés, alcohol is available to guests as of 11am.
Conclusion
Air Canada has officially opened its latest lounge with the debut of the Air Canada Café Vancouver (Gate 46). A second, larger Café is slated to open in early 2026 elsewhere in the domestic terminal.
I’ve been a big fan of the Air Canada Café concept ever since it debuted in Toronto six years ago, and I’m thrilled that Vancouver is getting two in the domestic departures area.
As someone who frequents YVR on a regular basis, I’m looking forward to having a new option available to me, especially as the Maple Leaf Lounge is slated for much-needed renovations in the near future.
If you’re an eligible passenger, be sure to check out the Air Canada Café on your next trip through Vancouver.
