Vancouver Airport Maple Leaf Trans-boarder Lounge Review

I had the opportunity to visit the Vancouver Trans-boarder Maple Leaf Lounge (Gate E) at Vancouver International Airport.

My wife and I flew Air Canada business class from Vancouver to Honolulu and figured we’d stop off at the lounge for our 3-hour layover. The lounge is located next to Gate 84. You’ll need to be flying to the US to get in. Hours for the lounge are 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM daily

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Here are 10 Thoughts on the US Terminal Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver International Airport

1. Surprisingly Quiet 

We arrived at 2:30 PM PT on a Tuesday, and I was pleasantly surprised with how quiet the lounge was. I have found that the Maple Leaf Lounge experience has decreased in quality over the last 2 years, and a big part of that is simply overcrowding. Several things factor into this including the rise in “revenge travel” and Aeroplan releasing premium credit cards that come with Maple Leaf Lounge access. 

The US terminal at Vancouver International Airport also has a Plaza Premium lounge, but unfortunately, it was closed on this day due to renovations. I speculated that this would direct the crowd towards the Maple Leaf Lounge, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it relatively empty

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2. Great Layout

Given that this isn’t the biggest lounge in the Maple Leaf portfolio, the layout was surprisingly convenient. If you’d prefer to be tucked away by your lonesome, or with the traveling masses, there is a spot for you. 

It’s a modern layout with plenty of space. Whether you’re traveling as a single, couple, or group, there will be a seating option for you.

On one side of the lounge, you’ll have a window seat (where at this time of day, the sun is BEATING down). On the other side, you’ll have an atrium-esque view of the terminal. You certainly don’t feel confined in this lounge.

3. Food is Underwhelming

Some Maple Leaf lounges offer hot buffet items or a team of chefs prepping your food for you. As one of the smaller Maple Leaf lounges, guests were limited to a spread of cold sandwiches, pasta, hot soup, potato chips, and cookies. 

Both my wife and I found the food to be lagging when compared to other Maple Leaf lounges. 

There may be other options later in the evening, so I’m not willing to completely write off the selections as a whole, but as far as the mid-day selections go, there is some room for improvement

Food is free with access to the lounge

4. Drinks are Standard 

The drinks items are in line with the food (fewer options than some of the larger Maple Leaf lounges, but punching above its weight based on the size). Guests have the option to choose between a variety of wine & spirits, but you’ll find more variety at larger lounges. 

Molson Canadian & Coors Light are served on tap for beer lovers. 

Soft drinks are what you would expect. 

Guests have access to a coffee machine, along with an espresso machine. Cappuccinos, latte & mochaccinos can all be prepared with the machine, and Bailey’s & Kahlua is provided as well. 

Drinks are free with access to the lounge 

5. Fix the USB ports 

The lounge offers a big-screen tv with 4 entertainment seats if you’re lucky enough to get them. 

One common theme I’ve noticed in lounges these days is the broken USB port/outlet. Common Air Canada. Fix your outlets. 

6. Shower on Site 

Some people tend to get hot and bothered when they travel, and nobody wants to be that stinky person on a plane. The Maple Leaf Lounge offers a shower to guests, which can be booked through the front desk.

7. Great location in the terminal 

The Maple Leaf Lounge transborder lounge is on the 4th floor (the second floor as far as you’re concerned) in the Transborder (E) terminal. 

Within the terminal, the lounge is located right as you walk through the duty-free, which makes it an ideal location for visitors. 

8. Solid Service, but no Bartender 

Some of the larger Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada have a bartender serving beverages. This is not the case here as the lounge simply isn’t big enough to support full-time bartenders.

That being said, I found the service excellent during my stay in the lounge. Staff came around regularly to collect used dinnerware, and the food remained stocked during my entire visit.

One of the problems I find with lounges is that dirty dishes tend to pile up at your table, giving the lounge a bit of a “dirty” vibe. That’s one of the last things you want. Props to the MLL staff for keeping the place clean.

9. Quiet Business Section 

If you’re traveling for work, or just prefer a little extra peace and quiet, there is a “business section” at the end of the lounge consisting of a few cubicles.

This is a common occurrence in Maple Leaf Lounges, and it separates MLL from other lounge networks out there in my opinion.

10. Small Washrooms 

Given that is far from the largest lounge in the Maple Leaf Network, you wouldn’t expect to see the largest washroom. Unfortunately, these washrooms were even smaller than I expected.

I feel that the small washroom problem is consistent across most Maple Leaf Lounges, with most lounges offering ~2 stalls. The washrooms were however quite clean, which is probably more important than the size.

Conclusion

The Vancouver Trans-boarder Maple Leaf Lounge (Concourse E) is a middle-of-the-road MLL, with both positives and negatives. If you’re looking for space, you’ll be extremely pleased with this lounge. However, if you’re the kind of person who likes to gorge on numerous buffet items, you will find this food lacking in quantity (and maybe quality).

Concourse E also has a Plaza Premium lounge if you are looking for a different food experience. You can access the Plaza Premium lounges by holding the American Express Platinum cards, or if you have a membership to the Priority Pass lounge network.

How to Access The Vancouver Trans-boarder Maple Leaf Lounge

• Hold a same-day boarding pass for a business class flight on Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner
• Hold a premium Aeroplan credit card issued by TD, CIBC, and American Express (American Express Aeroplan Reserve, American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege)
• Have Aeroplan 35K status or higher
• Use a MLL one-time guest pass (Aeroplan status holders can choose this as a “Choice Benefit”)
• Hold Star Alliance Gold Status

Things to do in Vancouver

There are several amazing things to do in Vancouver including:

• Vancouver Sea Plane Tour
• Visiting Stanley Park
• Driving to Whistler via the Sea to Sky Highway
• Whale Watching
• Visiting Chinatown

View More Tourism Destinations in Vancouver

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