…peaceful and stylish enclave at Heathrow
When: March 8, 2025
Rating: 8.5/10 Awesome!
Access: Star Alliance Gold
Located at the B gates at Heathrow Terminal 2, Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge offers a peaceful oasis, characterized by features common to Maple Lead Lounges: use of wood dividers, splashes of red, friendly service. This recently remodeled lounge has awesome tarmac views, several seating areas, showers, and decent food. A highlight for me at the food station was the sandwich bar: a lounge server will make a made to order sandwich for you.
Once you ascend to the Terminal 2 B gates, follow the signs and take the elevator to the lounge. It is right across from the Singapore Silverkris lounge. These lounges are centrally located in the concourse.
This lounge is smaller than the United Club – which is located further down the gate concourse. Upon entering, the small bar, coffee/espresso machine, and food areas are to the left. The small bar had no seats – you order a drink and take it to your seat.
Over at the food station, I loved how there were a variety of breads and cold cuts – all the fixings for a sandwich. Even better is that a friendly attendant will make a sandwich for you! Absent a sit down or a la carte dining option, this type of food service offering — where something is made for you — is my favorite in any lounge. I would have had a sandwich – they looked great, but I was saving my appetite for the larger buffet at the United Club lounge. The other food at the buffet was just ok: I saw some soup, pasta, rice and a salad bar. There were plenty of other snack items and sweets.
Further back and to the left are the washrooms and showers. Since I was not taking a shower, I have no pictures of them. Straight ahead after entry and to the right are the seating areas. There is a variety of lounge seating. My favorite are semi-private chairs with high back seating and small desks that are great for working or eating. Since they were occupied (only 4 of them), I did not take any pictures. I appreciate that the electrical outlets feature both the UK and North American plugs. The décor will be clearly identifiable to Air Canada travelers, wood partitions and splashes of red. I especially love how a maple leaf was engraved into one of the wood partitions. I also love the model Air Canada 787 – I have seen that on other Maple Leaf lounges.
The tarmac views from the lounge are amazing as one entire wall is floor to ceiling glass panels. Let me add that the receptionists were very friendly, and the staff throughout was always working, serving, and cleaning. This lounge is noticeably lest crowded than the United Club further down the concourse
I rate this lounge 8.5/10. Best features: The décor, the sandwich bar, the staff. Flaws: The food on offer could have been more substantial.
While the rating for this Heathrow lounge seems relatively high under Mr. Stewart’s system of ranking, it seems like this club may lack sufficient places to work while waiting in the club. It also sounds like food options are limited and may not be to my liking. I think that I may avoid this lounge at Heathrow unless no other options are available.