I was invited to preview the Air Canada Signature Suite at Vancouver International Airport, which officially opens March 14. This is the second location to be opened following Toronto airport in 2017. The main feature being a la carte dining experience from a menu created by acclaimed Vancouver chef David Hawksworth.
What is the Air Canada Signature Suite?
The Air Canada Signature Suite is a completely new lounge concept that Air Canada launched in 2017 at Toronto airport. The lounge is heavily focused on it’s sit-down full-service dining experience.
It’s located in the international departures area above the Maple Leaf lounge.
How to get Access
Access to the Signature Suite is very restrictive. They are doing this to prevent overcrowding and reserve the experience for their most valued customers. As result, access to the lounge is restricted to paid intercontinental Signature Class passengers departing from Vancouver.
This means if you’re flying on points or upgrade you will not be able to enter the lounge. Status won’t help you either, Super Elites will not be able to enter unless they are on a paid business class ticket. Paid business class to Mexico would not be eligible because it’s not intercontinental. Also rouge or partner airline flights will not gain access.
Although this is bummer for most of my readers, it’s probably the best way for Air Canada to manage capacity.
How does it compare to Toronto
I prefer Vancouver location over Toronto for several reasons. This location is connected to the Maple Leaf lounge so I can move between the two lounges. This means there is access to showers, which Toronto does not have. Also if I’m traveling with someone who is on a reward ticket and I’m on a paid ticket, then I could go upstairs to enjoy a meal and then return down to the regular lounge.
The space itself is also more bright and vibrant with a full view of the tarmac where you can watch planes come and go. The space itself is smaller than Toronto which I would expect. Vancouver’s capacity is 105 guests at 4,400 sq ft versus Toronto’s capacity of 150 guests at 5,500 sq ft.
The Bar
The lounge serves Moët & Chandon Impérial and Rosé Impérial, both are delicious.
As for wine, there’s a selection of mid-end bottles, featuring some Canadian wineries as well. The bar has a full selection of cocktails and higher-end alcohol. I would argue it’s better than any business class lounge and approaching what many first class lounges offer.
The Food
The menu is designed by acclaimed Vancouver Chef David Hawksworth. I’ve never tasted better food in a lounge before. The quality is better than United’s Polaris Lounge, it’s better than Lufthansa First Class Lounge, and it’s better the Thai First Class Lounge. I have to say Air Canada really outdid itself on this aspect of the experience.
There are three options: the buffet, the bar menu, and the a la carte dining menu. Unless you’re in a rush, skip the buffet and order from the a la carte menu.
Here’s a preview of the current menu but it changes seasonally:
Conclusion
The Signature Suite is simply fantastic, but I would think of it more as a restaurant dining experience than a lounge. With the access restrictions you won’t be able to game your way into this location without a paid intercontinental business class ticket. I’m hoping they eventually loosen this up and allow Super Elites and maybe others access.
Overall, this is a spectacular dining experience and Air Canada has really set itself apart. The food is unlike any other business class lounge in the world and I’m sure you will be blown away.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic maybe you can grab a cheap business class fare and get in to experience the Signature Suite.
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