If you’re flying to Canada from Heathrow, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in Terminal 2’s satellite concourse – home to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Heathrow. Fresh from a light refurbishment, it promises Canadian comfort before the long flight west. But how much has really changed, and is it still worth the trek out to the B Gates? We stopped by mid-morning to find out – read on to see how it measured up.
In this review:
- Opening Hours
- Locating the lounge and reception
- Comfort
- Food & drink
- Toilets & showers
- Wi-Fi, charging & productivity
- Extras
- BG1 Verdict
Opening Hours
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Heathrow operated daily from 05:00 until 22:00, timed neatly around Air Canada’s morning and evening departures to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
Locating the lounge & reception
The lounge was located in Terminal 2’s B satellite, close to Gate B46. Reaching it required a short underground transfer from the main Queen’s Terminal, followed by two escalators up to the lounge level. Once inside, the reception area felt calm and organised. I visited mid-morning and found no queues. A quick scan of my boarding pass on the reader on the desk gained me entry – I like it when I can do this myself and avoid unnecessary phone handling.
For anyone not travelling in business class, access could also be bought through Air Canada’s website or certain Star Alliance partner programmes, though availability varied depending on capacity.
Comfort
The recent refit at the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Heathrow turned out to be more cosmetic than transformative. Seat upholstery had been replaced, a few extra chairs added, and the lighting refreshed with new Canadian fixtures, but the overall layout remained unchanged. Still, the lounge made good use of its split-level design, with a separate dining area and bar far from a quieter seating zone.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the T2B apron, offering some of the best views of the airfield action. Even during my visit, when several transatlantic flights were preparing for departure, it stayed relatively quiet and never felt crowded. The space managed a balance between open and airy while still feeling private enough to unwind.
Food & Drink
One upgrade everyone could agree on – the waffle maker survived the refurbishment. This meant freshly made waffles and croffles (a croissant-turned-waffle hybrid) were still available from the breakfast counter, alongside hot options like eggs, sausages, and potatoes.
Later in the day, the buffet switched to pastas, soups, and a good selection of salads and desserts.
A full-service bar operated throughout the day, offering Canadian beers such as Coors, wines, and spirits. A few guests were already enjoying the Bloody Caesar – Canada’s national cocktail – though I decided against one before lunch.
Coffee lovers could help themselves to espresso and cappuccino from a self-serve machine. The lounge also featured a filtered water tap with still and sparkling options, perfect for topping up bottles without the plastic waste.
It was clear that the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Heathrow placed genuine thought into practical amenities that frequent travellers value most – reliable hydration and an easy bite before boarding.
Toilets and showers
The washrooms and three shower suites sat near the dining area. These hadn’t been refurbished during the latest works and were starting to look a little dated compared to the brighter main area. Still, they were spotless during my visit, stocked with Molton Brown amenities and towels. There was also a larger accessible shower room available – accessed by asking at the reception desk.
WiFi, power & productivity
This lounge featured plenty of areas to sit and work – a large shared desk space and bar-style seating along some of the walls.
Unfortunately, the lounge’s biggest weakness was its Wi-Fi. During my visit, the connection barely reached 1 Mbps – barely enough to load email, let alone stream or join a video call. When I asked at reception, the team admitted it had been a recurring problem and advised guests to use Heathrow’s public Wi-Fi instead. It worked better, but it felt like a missed opportunity for a lounge otherwise designed for productivity.
At least the power situation was much stronger. Most seats included both UK and North American sockets alongside USB ports, so charging a laptop or phone wasn’t an issue.
Extras
Alongside its distinct Canadian touches – red accents, maple motifs, and artwork by Nicolas Ruel – the lounge included a few nice design features. The rest area along the back wall had several chaise longues for quick naps, and a few secluded pods made quiet work or reading easy.
BG1 verdict
A lounge should feel calm, comfortable, and efficient, and this one managed all three. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Heathrow delivered a relaxed atmosphere and solid food and drink options, though its “refurbishment” mostly amounted to cosmetic tweaks rather than meaningful change. The Wi-Fi problem was the one serious let-down – something that clearly frustrated the staff as much as the guests.
If you’re flying out of Terminal 2B on a Star Alliance carrier, this remains one of the more polished and peaceful spaces to unwind before departure. A stronger internet connection would make it excellent rather than just good. We’ll definitely be visiting again to try the Bloody Caesar!
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