Toronto Pearson lounges: how to choose by destination
Toronto Pearson lounges: how to choose by destination

Toronto Pearson lounges: how to choose by destination

At Pearson the decisive question is not only which terminal you depart from, but where you are going: domestic flights, flights to the United States and the rest of the world have separate boarding areas, each with its own lounges. The brand you meet almost everywhere is Plaza Premium, alongside the Air Canada network.
Terminal 1 is dominated by the Air Canada lounges, the first choice for those with business class, Aeroplan status or Star Alliance Gold, or one of the high-tier Aeroplan cards. On domestic flights the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge also has conference rooms for those who need to work, while the Air Canada Café is a café-style formula: free hot and cold dishes, wine and beer at a charge.
Which lounge to choose
Lounge Where Hours Priority Pass Paid entry Showers
Plaza Premium Lounge Infield Concourse 15:00-22:30 No Yes Yes
Plaza Premium Lounge T1 · International flights 05:30-21:00 Yes Yes —
Plaza Premium Lounge T1 · Domestic flights 05:30-01:00 No 73 CAD —
Plaza Premium Lounge T3 · Domestic flights 05:30-22:00 Yes Yes Yes
Plaza Premium Lounge T3 · International flights 05:30-01:00 Yes Yes Yes
Plaza Premium Lounge T3 · International flights 05:30-19:00 Yes Yes —
Air Canada Café T1 · Domestic flights 05:00-21:30 No — —
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge T1 · Domestic flights — No Yes —
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge T1 · International flights — No Yes Yes
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge T1 · International flights — No Yes Yes
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Express T1 · International flights — No — —
Air Canada Signature Suite T1 · International flights — No — —
American Airlines Admirals Club T3 · International flights 05:00-19:00 No — —
KLM Crown Lounge T3 · International flights Mon, Wed, Fri 08:00-22:30, other days 08:00-20:30 Yes — —
Plaza Premium LoungeTemporarily closed T1 · International flights — Yes Yes —
Independent Infield Concourse
Plaza Premium Lounge

Concourse separate from Terminals 1 and 3.

Opens only in the afternoon and serves only flights departing from the Infield Concourse.

Hours
15:00-22:30

Free entry with American Express Platinum; paid entry available at reception. Showers are charged.

  • Showers
Independent T1 · International flights Priority Pass
Plaza Premium Lounge

Departures to the United States, near gates F53 and F55.

Serves hot dishes, soups and salads, with a self-service bar.

Hours
05:30-21:00

Free entry with Priority Pass and eligible American Express cards; paid entry available at reception.

Independent T1 · Domestic flights
Plaza Premium Lounge

Domestic departures, right after security.

During the closure of the Terminal 1 international lounge it also welcomes international passengers: staff escort eligible cardholders from the international security exit, about two minutes' walk away.

Hours
05:30-01:00

Free entry with American Express Platinum; paid entry from 73 CAD.

Independent T3 · Domestic flights Priority Pass
Plaza Premium Lounge

Domestic departures, between gates B22 and B24.

It stays open despite the ongoing renovation work; it covers about 450 m² and has 90 seats.

Hours
05:30-22:00

Free entry with Priority Pass and eligible American Express cards; paid entry available at reception.

  • Showers
  • Hot food
  • Bar
Independent T3 · International flights Priority Pass
Plaza Premium Lounge

International departures, near gate C32.

Besides the noodle bar, it has computer workstations and a small meeting room.

Hours
05:30-01:00

Free entry with Priority Pass and eligible American Express cards; paid entry available at reception.

  • Showers
Independent T3 · International flights Priority Pass
Plaza Premium Lounge

Departures to the United States: after the duty free shops, take the lift up to level T.

Small lounge with 52 seats.

Hours
05:30-19:00

Free entry with Priority Pass and eligible American Express cards; paid entry available at reception.

Airline T1 · Domestic flights
Air Canada Café

Opposite gate D20.

Café-style format: specialty drinks and hot and cold dishes are free, wine and beer are paid.

Hours
05:00-21:30

Only passengers departing on Air Canada domestic flights in Business or Premium Rouge, Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members, Star Alliance Gold and holders of certain Aeroplan cards issued by TD, CIBC and American Express.

Airline T1 · Domestic flights
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Level 4, domestic departures.

For those who need to work before a domestic flight it also has conference rooms.

Air Canada and Star Alliance partner business or first class passengers; Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members; Star Alliance Gold; holders of Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, American Express Aeroplan Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards. Day pass can be purchased with a reservation.

Airline T1 · International flights
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Level 3, international departures, near the E gates after security.

In Air Canada's list it appears as "International - Terminal 1 In-field".

Air Canada and Star Alliance partner business or first class passengers; Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members; Star Alliance Gold; holders of Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, American Express Aeroplan Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards. Day pass can be purchased with a reservation.

  • Showers
Airline T1 · International flights
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Departures to the United States (Pier F).

For a shorter stay, near gates F84-F99 there is the Express version of the same lounge.

Air Canada and Star Alliance partner business or first class passengers; Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K and 50K members; Star Alliance Gold; holders of Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, American Express Aeroplan Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards. Day pass can be purchased with a reservation.

  • Showers
Airline T1 · International flights
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Express

United States flights area, near gates F84-F99.

Express version of the Maple Leaf Lounge, opened in 2019 and designed for a short stay before flights to the United States.

Same access conditions as the Maple Leaf Lounge for flights to the United States.

Airline T1 · International flights
Air Canada Signature Suite

À la carte cuisine by chef David Hawksworth, Moët & Chandon champagne at the bar, concierge service and Molton Brown products.

Air Canada Signature Class passengers (fare classes J, C, D, Z, P) or with an Aeroplan Business Class Flexible Reward, departing or connecting at Toronto Pearson.

  • Hot food
  • Bar
Airline T3 · International flights
American Airlines Admirals Club

Transfer level, near the duty free shops.

It closes early, so it is no use for those departing in the evening.

Hours
05:00-19:00

Admirals Club members.

Airline T3 · International flights Priority Pass
KLM Crown Lounge

After international security, above gate C33, beyond the duty free shops.

Airline lounge that also accepts Priority Pass.

Hours
Mon, Wed, Fri 08:00-22:30, other days 08:00-20:30

Entry with Priority Pass only for international departures from Terminal 3, excluding flights to the United States, with a maximum stay of 3 hours; American Express Platinum holders after registration.

Independent T1 · International flights Priority Pass Temporarily closed
Plaza Premium Lounge

Level 3, opposite gate E77.

Closed since 27 December 2025 for reconstruction, with no reopening date: in the meantime Plaza Premium staff escort eligible customers to the Terminal 1 domestic lounge.

During the closure, eligible American Express Platinum holders can use the Terminal 1 domestic lounge.

Those flying domestic from Terminal 1 without Air Canada's requirements can count on the Plaza Premium Lounge right after security, with American Express Platinum or by paying. It is the same lounge that today also welcomes international passengers, because the Terminal 1 international Plaza Premium Lounge is closed for reconstruction: staff accompany eligible holders from the exit of international security, a few minutes' walk away. Beware, though: at this location Priority Pass does not appear to be accepted. On the international side of Terminal 1 the Maple Leaf Lounge has showers, useful before a long flight. Those travelling in Signature Class have access to the Air Canada Signature Suite, with à la carte cuisine signed by chef David Hawksworth, champagne at the bar and concierge service. For flights to the United States from Terminal 1 there is a third version of the Maple Leaf Lounge, with showers, and its Maple Leaf Lounge Express for short stays. Here Priority Pass comes in useful again: the Plaza Premium Lounge near the F gates serves hot dishes, soups and salads, but closes in the evening. Terminal 3 is easier to read. On domestic flights the Plaza Premium Lounge, included in Priority Pass, stays open despite the ongoing works. On the international side the Plaza Premium with a noodle bar and computer stations is the most flexible choice, because it stays open until night; alternatively the KLM Crown Lounge is an airline lounge that accepts Priority Pass, with a limited stay and only for international departures not going to the United States. The American Airlines Admirals Club closes early and is no use to those departing in the evening. At Terminal 3 too, flights to the United States have their own Plaza Premium Lounge, on level T after the duty free: it is small and closes before evening, so it suits a daytime stop. Finally the Infield Concourse, separate from the two terminals, has a single Plaza Premium Lounge that opens only in the afternoon, with showers at a charge, and serves only those departing from there.
The method for finding your way around Pearson is to read the boarding pass in two steps: first the terminal, then the destination, because domestic, United States and international have different lounges even in the same building. With an Air Canada and Star Alliance ticket or status the right Maple Leaf Lounge is almost always the answer, with showers for long flights. With Priority Pass you aim for the Plaza Premium lounges, checking that the location accepts the card, and keep the KLM Crown Lounge in mind for international departures from Terminal 3.
Toronto Pearson airport lounges Air Canada Priority Pass Canada

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