Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – London Heathrow (LHR)

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow opened in 2014 as part of Star Alliance’s move to Terminal 2, “The Queen’s Terminal.” The club is located in Terminal 2B, in the vicinity of Air Canada’s departure gates, a 10 minute brisk walk from the check-in area.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge LHR design

The Maple Leaf Lounge features Air Canada’s latest design, which was premiered at Frankfurt airport. The décor celebrates Canada through the use of slats of maple wood, Eramosa marble from Ontario, and maple hardwood floors from Quebec. The reception area sets the tone with an impressive yet delicate and tasteful oversized maple leaf carved into maple wood.

The main seating area is bright and open, with a large window wall which offers sweeping views of the tarmac. The high ceilings, elegantly supported by marble partitions by the windows, foster a sense of space and openness. Yet, the overall seating layout is a somewhat awkward, with an elevated platform along the wall, which breaks out the space but also creates congestion at peak times. Also, the glass sculptures that were supposed to be the highlight of the room were never installed, leaving the niches in the marble columns decidedly empty.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – London Heathrow (LHR)

Adjacent to the main room is the Bistro, which combines a bar, buffet and coffee stand around a large central shared dining table. The setup is opulent and elegant, though the space is excessively dark and under-dimensioned for peak usage.

Connecting the Bistro with the main seating area is a hallway with a magazine rack and iPads in a bar setup. The passage is somewhat narrow and impractical, and the real estate may have been better used for additional seating in our opinion. Indeed, while the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge is gorgeous in many regards, the layout is somewhat difficult to grasp – it’s as if the designers had broken the space into as many corners as possible, making the club feel more cramped than it really is.

A highlight of the design is the board room: a stunning and serene space decked maple wood slats, which doubles as a business center.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge LHR amenities

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – London Heathrow (LHR)

Air Canada offers a selection of hot and cold entrees, with Canadian staples such as pancakes in the mornings. Typical dishes include sugar snap peas with mustard, potatoes with paprika, macaroni and cheese, and beef and beer stew. Paninis and smoothies are made to order throughout the day. The selection is sufficient for a light meal or substantial snack, though it pales in comparison to the feast on offer at the other Star Alliance lounges operated by United, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.

The bar is a highlight, with a large selection of wines and draft beers, including Molson Canadian on tap. Coffee lovers will enjoy the high end espresso machines and the baristas. There’s also a Vivreau tap water dispenser, in line with the trend of the moment.

Towards the back of the main room are three semi-private booths with recliner chairs and an audio-video system featuring a noise cancelling headset and satellite programming. The rooms don’t have a door – which simultaneously limits privacy and enhances the chance of a booth actually being available.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – London Heathrow (LHR)

The Maple Leaf Lounge features three elegant and well-appointed shower suites. Decked in Eramosa marble, the rooms are decidedly posh, though perhaps a bit too dark. They come equipped with a rain shower, towels (but no washcloth), and generic bath amenities in shared dispensers. The controls are somewhat counter-intuitive, but water temperature, pressure and ventilation are top notch.

Other amenities include (fixed) iPads, and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge LHR bottom line

Overall, there’s lots to love about the Air Canada Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2: the high end finishes and elaborate craftsmanship, the elegant shower suites, the great views on the runway. However, the club gets busy at peak times, and the somewhat odd layout makes it feel crowded. The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge facing the entrance may be quieter, while the United Club a short walk away is often equally as busy, but significantly more spacious.