Lounge Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Terminal 2 – San Francisco (SFO)

by Adam Stuart | August 7, 2024 | 0 Comments

…this lounge WAY surpasses expectations!!!

When: August 4, 2023

Rating – 8.5 – Very Awesome

Access – United Club Membership, Star Alliance Gold flying a Star Alliance Carrier

Some lounges come with high expectations (e.g., Polaris Lounges, Senator Lounges). Others come as a surprise even after hearing good reviews. Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge in San Francisco is the latter. It’s a stunning lounge that passes expectations. It far surpasses the United Club lounges (excluding the Polaris Lounge) at SFO. The décor rates as some of the finest I have seen in the USA. The lounge features a shower suites, a beautiful bar, an outdoor patio, extensive buffet and private work cubicles. This is nicer than any Maple Leaf Lounge I have visited in Canada.

The lounge is upstairs in terminal 2 and is easily walkable from terminal 3 and the international pier where most of the United flights operate. Once I entered the lounge (it was early morning) I was struck by the elegant décor, the patios and a bar with a glass wall behind it that gradually let in the sunlight. The staff was just putting out the breakfast buffet as I was there. I had a lot of work to do, so I availed myself of one of the private work cubicles, a feature that many lounges leave out these days.

By the time I was ready to eat, there were too many people by the buffet to take pictures. I had some scrambled eggs and some hot cereal. As a bonus, there was barista made coffee at the bar. Then I decided to grab a shower in one of the shower suites.

After my shower, I availed myself of the incredible outdoor patio. San Francisco is known for its changeable weather, but when the sun came out, it was extremely comfortable in the sun and even though I was at an airport, a breeze coming in from the Pacific made the air seem extra fresh.

If there is a downside – it could be crowding…once eligible United flyers that do not have Polaris lounge access find out about this lounge. The lounge does not feature sleep rooms or a sit down a la carte restaurant…but neither does any non-international lounge in North America (excluding United Polaris Lounges, Delta One Lounges, American Flagship Lounges, or Air Canada Signature Suite Lounges).  The pictures of this lounge really tell the story.

I rate this lounge 8.5/10. Best features: The bar, décor, shower suites, terraces.  Flaws: Potential crowding – but none really.

Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Delta Plans Atlanta To Riyadh Flights, Chasing Saudi Arabia Subsidies
In July 2024, Delta and Riyadh Air announced plans to launch a partnership, which would include the Atlanta-based airline adding flights to Saudi Arabia. Well, that’s now official, as Delta has formally announced plans to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Accor Hotels: Earn 4x ALL Rewards points for stays at 41 new and renovated hotels worldwide
The latest set of Accor’s 4x ALL Rewards points offers for stays at their new and renovated hotels became available today. There are 41 locations to choose from in Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. The 4x points offer: Earn 4x ALL Rewards Points for stays at participating new and...
Frequent Miler
Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria: Bottom Line Review
Half of my wife’s family is from Maui, and she grew up going to Wailea Beach with her mom and brother. Unlike many beaches in Hawai’i, Wailea gradually drops off into the water, making it a terrific place for younger kids, which is why her Mom took them there. The...
The Alviator
All Of The Chinese Airlines Currently Flying To London [2025]
Mainland Chinese airlines can often represent a great deal for Asia-London travel – here are all of the ones that fly to London. The post All Of The Chinese Airlines Currently Flying To London [2025] appeared first on The Alviator.
Points With a Crew
The Most Ridiculous Landmarks in All 50 States
How many of the most ridiculous landmarks in all 50 US States have you been to? Personally, I can only count 2 - can you top that?
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Are More Slow Drivers in the Fast Lane on Highways Recently?
When I first wrote and published the article Should Drivers Moving Vehicles Slowly in the Left Lane on a Highway Be Ticketed? here at The Gate With Brian Cohen back on Monday, May 18, 2015, I did not believe that the issue would actually become be worse — but are...
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – Air France Airbus A200-300 decelerating at London Heathrow
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have an Air France Airbus A200-300 decelerating as it arrives at London Heathrow Airport, completing the short hop from France to England. Air France operates a fleet of 47 Airbus A220-300 in its single-aisle...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Porter Airlines VIPorter Reward Flight sale: Save 25% on flights booked by November 6
Porter Airlines has launched a sale that provides a 25% discount on VIPorter reward flights. The discount appears to be applicable to standard & flexible PorterClassic fares across the entire Porter network and for flights with their partners Air Transat and Alaska Airlines. If you don’t have enough points for...
Your Mileage May Vary
The Funniest Airline Complaints Ever Written
Complainers gonna complain. And if they can find a place to complain to (here’s how to get an actual person when you contact travel companies), complain they will. Sometimes their…
Economondo
Remembering when a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Flew to Mallorca: Palma to Frankfurt
Flying onboard a Lufthansa Jumbo Jet on a short haul flight from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt
View from the Wing
Britain Found A New Way To Stay Stagnant—Kill Airport Growth With Climate Laws That Don’t Change The Climate
Britain’s economy has flatlined — now lawmakers want to ground airport expansion, pretending it’s about saving the planet. Heathrow’s “illegal” runway won’t change global emissions, but it might keep the U.K. stuck on the tarmac. Continue reading Britain Found A New Way To Stay Stagnant—Kill Airport Growth With Climate Laws That...
One Mile at a Time
Which Planes & Routes Feature Lufthansa Allegris? Here’s A Rundown…
In 2024, we saw Lufthansa’s new Allegris passenger experience take to the skies, several years behind schedule. With these cabins flying, it’s understandable that people actually want to experience this product, and see what it’s like.
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Choice points with a 40% discount? (Offer Ends Monday)
Choice Hotels is offering a discount on buying points. Buying points can be a great way to boost your balance, but only if it makes sense for your patterns of earning and redemption. Does this new promotion fit that criteria?
Your Mileage May Vary
Long Island City – A Great Alternative to Expensive Manhattan Hotels
Hotel prices in Manhattan have continued to climb — and they’ve now surpassed the already sky-high rates we were seeing in late 2023 and early 2024. During our most recent…
Live and Let’s Fly
Second Guest Dies at Disney World’s Contemporary Hotel
A guest death at Disney’s Contemporary Resort casts a shadow over the magic of Walt Disney World. The Scene Behind the Headlines Last week at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort at the edge of its Magic Kingdom park the atmosphere turned somber when a yet another guest was found dead....
2PAXfly
SCOOT: Disgusting passenger — feet on my armrest
I just had my first experience of SCOOT on a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore. Besides all the falderal with option selection that you have to go through to complete or manage your booking, it was largely a pleasant and efficient experience. The exception was the behaviour of a...
One Mile at a Time
American’s Premium 787-9Ps With New Cabins: Which Routes Do They Fly?
Over the summer, we saw American Airlines introduce its long awaited new Boeing 787-9Ps, featuring all-new cabins. This is an exciting development for the airline, as it represents a significantly upgraded passenger experience over what you’ll otherwise find on the carrier’s long haul flights.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Why You Should Head to the Galley During an International Long-Haul Flight
The time is 1:30 in the morning. Your flight of 12 hours is only halfway complete; and the last meal service concluded four hours ago. You are seated in the economy class cabin as you try to go to sleep, and topping off your stomach would go a long way...
View from the Wing
New Fintech Turns Your Credit Card Into A Dopamine Slot Machine — Win 100% Cash Back Or Lose It All
A new fintech startup wants to make every credit-card swipe feel like a Vegas pull. It promises dopamine hits and the chance to win 100% cash back — but the catch is simple: you could also lose it all. Continue reading New Fintech Turns Your Credit Card Into A Dopamine Slot...
{Tech} for Travel
New 44mm Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro Joins Original 48mm Version
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro now comes in a smaller 44mm version, offering a titanium case, AMOLED display, offline maps, HYROX training modes and long battery life. The post New 44mm Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro Joins Original 48mm Version appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
Your Mileage May Vary
How to Beat the TSA 3-1-1 Rule (Without Breaking It)
Ever since the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been enforcing what is known as “3-1-1 for carry-ons,” wherein travelers are allowed to carry liquids through…
Miles To Memories
Terrific Travel Terror – My Favorite Horror Movies Along the Way
Travel's often about embracing the new, but why not enjoy a bit of familiar, too? I enjoy these comfort horror movies along the way. The post Terrific Travel Terror – My Favorite Horror Movies Along the Way appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Live and Let’s Fly
Younger Pros Turn Work Trips Into Lifestyle Upgrades
Hotels.com finds Gen Z and Millennials use business travel to upgrade hotels, meals, and rewards, and they post it all while stretching trips for fun. Background Business travel is not just a commute with a carry-on anymore. According to the latest Hotels.com Business Trip Report, younger professionals see work trips...
Frequent Miler
Southwest consumer cards: Increased 85K offers available via referral
Those on the hunt for Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points have new opportunities on the consumer side: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are each offering the opportunity to earn up to 85,000 Rapid Rewards points after...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers