During a lengthy layover in London following my Air Mauritius flight, my wife Ashley and I opted for some lounge-hopping, commencing with a visit to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Having opened its doors in 2014, this lounge served as the perfect starting point for our escapade.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London – Entry & Access
Arriving at the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in London Heathrow Airport’s satellite terminal at Terminal 2B was a distinct experience. Accessing the lounge required navigating an underground tunnel from the security checkpoint, though there’s clear signage guiding the way.
Upon reaching Terminal 2B, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Lounge are located to the left of the duty-free shop, and the United Club is off to the right.
The Maple Leaf lounge operates from 7am to 8pm and extends access to business class ticket holders, those with corresponding Aeroplan 50K and higher status, and passengers flying the same day in business class or First Class with Air Canada or other Star Alliance partners. Star Alliance Gold members, including those with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold and PPS Club, also enjoy access privileges.
The entryway, adorned with wooden slats, provides a warm introduction to the lounge, with the design drawing inspiration from Canada’s natural imagery, featuring light-coloured woods with accents of Air Canada red.
The engraved Maple Leaf logo near the entrance also adds a touch of elegance.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London – Seating
Upon entering the lounge, an aesthetically pleasing layout unfolds. The seating areas have plenty of natural light that pours through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
The lounge uses wood and stone panelling sourced from Canada, and there are pinecone statues adding nice accents throughout. Armchairs are arranged in groups of four, with most hugging the windows, providing a view of the tarmac and its activity.
On the opposite side of the lounge, an elevated section showcases bench-style seating, adding variety to the lounge’s ambiance.
Conveniently integrated plug sockets discreetly placed in the floor ensure that you can stay charged while unwinding in the seating areas. Additionally, within the lounge, there is a stand equipped with various portable chargers provided by Air Canada at no cost.
For those seeking a more professional setting, a conference table and business centre near the entrance offer a secluded space with essential amenities, including a printer.
Moving through the space, a row of bar stools adjacent to the business section adds a touch of modernity to the lounge experience, and further towards the lounge’s far end, a laid-back atmosphere unfolds with lounger seats and compact benches, providing room to unwind and stretch out.
For passengers who desire a quieter space, a relaxation area situated behind the lounger seats offers three inviting nap nooks.
Each nook is equipped with a reclining chair and a TV screen, and is shrouded to create a darker, more private enclave within the lounge. Although the nooks don’t have doors, they still offer a sense of increased privacy.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London – Dining & Bar
Within the lounge, the dining and bar area is situated to the left of the entrance.
The modest breakfast selection includes some English breakfast staples and the standard buffet offering that’s common in airport lounges.
During our visit, the breakfast spread included a variety of hot items, such as bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, and baked beans. Additionally, there was a selection of pastries and cereals, as well as cold cuts, salads, and pasta dishes.
For those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, cookies and sweets were available for dessert.
Located beyond the buffet, there’s an island accompanied by a few regular dining tables, where you can sit to enjoy your food. However, the primary seating space may provide a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere depending on your preference.
As a nice treat during our visit, a staff member kindly offered to make us croissant waffles with berry compote, and they turned out to be delicious.
Notably, the lounge also features a well-equipped barista station, which was the best I’ve encountered at any Air Canada lounge thus far.
Additionally, the lounge offers a decent selection of liquor, beers, and wine, with a comprehensive bar.
At the bar, you can order a variety of mixed drinks and cocktails; however, it was a bit too early for us to grab a drink during our visit.
The bar four features beers on tap, and adjacent to this are soft drinks and self-serve coffee machines.
I found that the combination of a decent breakfast spread, personalized service, and a well-appointed barista station contributed to a positive impression of the lounge, and the overall atmosphere and amenities in the dining and bar area make for a pleasant experience.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London – Other Facilities
Upon entering the lounge, you’ll notice a convenient work station strategically placed between the dining area and the seating area, providing an ideal space for both productivity and relaxation.
As you would expect, the lounge is equipped with private restrooms, and if you’re looking for a more refreshing experience, there are also several showers available.
The showers are attractively clad in the same brown Canadian stone that’s used in the main lounge area, and if you’d like to access them, you just need to request a key at reception.
Having just stepped off a lengthy flight from Mauritius, we both took advantage of the shower rooms to freshen up, and the revitalizing shower left us feeling energized and ready for some more leisurely lounge-hopping just down the hallway.
Conclusion
Overall, the Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow is among the more pleasant of Air Canada’s lounges. The staff provided solid service, and I found the freshly made croissant waffle breakfast and cappuccino to be particularly delightful.
If you have access, it’s worth considering a visit to this lounge, especially if you enjoy lounge-hopping and want to assess how it compares to other Star Alliance lounges at Heathrow by Lufthansa, United, and Singapore Airlines.
