Air Canada has opened a pair of locally inspired airport cafés at its two largest Canadian gateways, positioning the new spaces as a premium alternative to traditional lounges.
The 84-seat Air Canada Café at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located on the C concourse near gates 50 and 51, opened in early April following the 24 March launch of a 62-seat café in the US departures pier at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The Montréal opening is the carrier’s second café at that airport.
Both venues lean heavily into local sourcing. The Vancouver café offers char siu pork bao buns, vegan curry bao, vegetarian kimbap and doughnuts from Lee’s Donuts, alongside a bar serving Okanagan wines and local craft beer. The Montréal café draws on the city’s “third wave” coffee culture with smoked meat sandwiches, fresh bagels and a vegan soup from Sagamité Watso, a Québec-based, Indigenous-owned food business. Local wines, gin from Distillerie du Fjord and craft beer from RJ Brasseur round out the drinks list.
Design has been tailored to each city. Vancouver-based SmartDesign Group fitted the YVR space with a sculptural ceiling and lighting from local studio A-N-D, while artwork includes pieces by Renée Van Halm and a commissioned work, Connections, by Coast Salish artist Kelly Cannell of the Musqueam Nation.
Access is restricted to Business Class passengers, Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, Star Alliance Gold members and Aeroplan premium co-brand cardholders.
“Each is designed to capture the unique spirit of its respective city,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director of Product and Services at Air Canada.
The carrier says the cafés form part of a broader programme to modernise its global lounge network, with further openings and renovations planned through 2026.