Introduction: A Weekend In Mongolia
Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Los Angeles Airport
Review: United Global First Lounge San Francisco Airport
Review: Air China First Class 747-8 San Francisco To Beijing
Review: Hilton Beijing Airport
Review: Air China First Class Lounge Beijing Airport
Review: Air China Business Class 737 Beijing To Ulaanbaatar
Review: Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Review: Ulaanbaatar Airport Lounge
Review: MIAT Mongolian Business Class 767 Ulaanbaatar To Frankfurt
Review: United Business Class 777-200 Frankfurt To Houston
Review: United Club Houston Airport
Review: United First Class 737 Houston To Los Angeles
My United flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco was departing at around 8:30AM, and I got to the airport about two hours early. I reviewed the United Club LAX recently (which is pretty good for a domestic lounge), so figured I’d check out a new lounge.
In May dozens of airlines at LAX had to swap terminals, and as a result, many airlines have switched up their lounges. As part of this shuffle, Air Canada moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 6 at LAX. I reviewed Air Canada’s old Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2, though they gave that space to Delta, and opened a new lounge space in Terminal 6 instead.
There’s both good and bad news regarding this new lounge space:
- Air Canada’s new Maple Leaf Lounge is no longer part of Priority Pass
- Star Alliance Gold members (including United Star Alliance Gold members) can use this lounge prior to a United flight out of Terminal 7, and the two terminals are connected airside; so this is great for United flyers
Anyway, I cleared security at United’s Terminal 7, and then took the airside connector to Terminal 6, which was maybe a five minute walk.
Connector between LAX Terminal 7 & Terminal 6
Once through that, I found myself just past the Terminal 6 security checkpoint.
Terminal 6 LAX
To get to the Air Canada Lounge, walk towards the end of the terminal.
Terminal 6 LAX
Eventually you’ll see some escalators in the center of the terminal, and to the right of that is the elevator to the Maple Leaf Lounge. The lounge is basically on the opposite side of the escalator of the Alaska Lounge.
Elevator to Air Canada Lounge LAX
The Maple Leaf Lounge hours are daily from 4:30AM until 10:30PM, per the sign posted by the elevator.
Air Canada Lounge LAX hours
The lounge is one level above the main concourse. The entrance to the lounge isn’t especially impressive, as it basically feels like an emergency exit door that’s propped open, with no signage.
Entrance to Air Canada Lounge LAX
Just inside the entrance is the registration desk, and also magazines and an Air Canada 787 model plane (as an aviation geek, I love how many of these Air Canada has).
Air Canada Lounge LAX model airplane & magazines
At the entrance my Star Alliance Gold card was swiped, and I was admitted within a few moments. The lounge is way smaller than the old one, though the decor is quite nice. Just past the reception desk are some leather chairs facing one another, along with side tables.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Then there’s the largest part of the lounge, the centerpiece of which is a big “U” shaped couch facing a TV.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Along the wall is a wine display.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles wine display
The lounge has lots of natural light, and along the windows are leather seats with a pretty standard airport lounge setup, as there are two seats per “row” facing one another.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
The lounge has great views of the ramp between Terminals 5 & 6.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles view
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles view
Across from the windows and further into the lounge is the dining area, which features a few small dining tables, plus a communal table with high-top seating.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
In terms of the breakfast selection, it was fairly minimal.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles food & drink selection
To eat, there was toast, cereal, fresh fruit, muffins, yogurt, and hardboiled eggs. I feel like they used to have hot options a long time ago, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in the new lounge.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles breakfast
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles breakfast
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles fruit selection
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles breakfast
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles breakfast
Then they had two Lavazza coffee machines (which I find to be really great, as far as machine coffee goes), tea, juice, water, and a beer tap (which wasn’t in use).
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles coffee selection
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles tea selection
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles drinks
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles beer
I spent about an hour in the lounge working. The wifi was fast, and I also appreciated how many outlets there were (including 110v and USB plugs). It amazes me how many new lounges open without much thought being put into the number of plugs, but that’s an area where this lounge excelled.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles outlets
On the far end of the lounge were a few more leather seats, as well as a small business center with two PCs and a printer.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles seating
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles business center
The bathrooms were nice but small — there were no showers.
Air Canada Lounge Los Angeles bathroom
For what it’s worth, Air Canada is expanding the lounge this fall, so you can expect for it to get a bit bigger. However, even the current lounge wasn’t really crowded.
Air Canada Lounge LAX bottom line
Air Canada’s new LAX lounge is a beautiful space. In terms of design it’s a nice upgrade over the old space, and I look forward to seeing the lounge expanded. However, the food selection is the weakest that I’ve seen in any Maple Leaf Lounge.
This lounge is a great option for Star Alliance Gold members flying United out of Terminal 7, as this is just a short walk away. However, it’s a shame that this lounge is no longer open to Priority Pass members (though given how small it is, I totally understand why — maybe this will change when the lounge is expanded).
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