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.

a room with white tables and chairs and a glass display

a room with a large painting on the wall

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.

a lounge area with chairs and a glass wall

a black jacket on a white desk in a room

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.

Previous Post Lounge Review: United Polaris Lounge - Houston (IAH) Next Post Lounge Review: Air New Zealand Lounge, Terminal 1, Pier C – Sydney (SYD)

Adam Stuart

Avid traveler/lounge aficionado, who looks to maximize the fun while traveling. The journey can be as fun as the destination!

Live and Let’s Fly

SAS Restores European Business Class

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has officially relaunched business class on intra-European flights as of October 1, 2025, nearly a year after SAS announced its intentions to do so after joining SkyTeam last autumn. European Business Class Returns To SAS In October 2025 SAS removed intra-Europe business class in 2013, replacing it with a...

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Lufthansa’s Flight Attendants Are Refusing To Work With Embattled Airline On Long-Awaited Service Improvements

Lufthansa’s flight attendants are refusing to work with the embattled German flag carrier on much-hyped and long-awaited improvements to its onboard service – something that the airline calls Project FOX, which is short for Future Onboard Experience. In a desperate bid to improve the airline’s lagging customer satisfaction scores, Lufthansa has...

The Alviator

Greater Bay Airlines Introduces “Premium” Class On 737 MAX

Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines is introducing a premium cabin onboard their 737 MAX 9s, which seems to match a “low-cost carrier premium cabin” position met by other carriers such as Scoot, Air Premia, etc.. This will debut on December 17, 2025 by flying between Hong Kong and Sapporo Chitose. Greater...

Live from a Lounge

India – China air links to resume in October 2025; IndiGo takes the lead

After more than five years of suspended air links, India and China are preparing to restore direct passenger flights from late October 2025. The move, announced after a series of technical-level discussions and diplomatic engagements between the two governments, marks a significant thaw in aviation and people-to-people connectivity between the...

ATX Jetsetter

Two Delta Aircraft Collide on Taxiway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport

Two Delta Air Lines aircraft collided on a taxiway late last night at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The aircraft involved were both Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets operated by Endeavor Air. Delta Connection CRJ-900s Collide while Taxiing in New York The incident happened just before 10:00p local time on Wednesday October...

PointsMath

American Airlines Instant Status Pass Promotion & Alternatives

American Airlines, a member of the oneworld alliance, is one of the world’s largest airlines. It has a regular “Instant Status Pass promotion, which is a mix of Status Match and Status Challenge. Now, for a limited time, this promotion has been enhanced. American Airlines Instant Status Pass Promotion Basics You can...

The Bulkhead Seat

EGYPTAIR Wants to Launch Nonstop Flights to Los Angeles and Chicago Next Year

EGYPTAIR has formally submitted a request to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approval to launch two new long-haul services to the United States. The airline plans to begin flights from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in May 2026 and to Chicago O’Hare International...

One Mile at a Time

American AAdvantage Barclays Cards Discontinued, Transitioning To Citi

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but American Airlines’ co-branded Barclays credit cards are no longer open to new applicants, as the airline instead heads toward an exclusive agreement with Citi. American Barclays cards no longer open to new applicants As of October 2025, applications have been closed for the AAdvantage Aviator...

Frequent Miler

Experience Points: Book activities for no cash with these miles & points

Airline and hotel loyalty programs have long provided the ability to book activities and experiences using your points and miles. Those usually take two forms: auction style and ‘redeem now’ style. With auction style, you place a bid based on the maximum number of points you’re willing to redeem. If other...

Economy Class & Beyond

Air Canada rolls out Complimentary Beer, Wine and Snacks in Economy Class

Here’s a nice passenger experience uplift, with Air Canada updating its onboard service to offer complimentary beer, wine, and exclusive Canadian-made snacks… in Economy Class. Air Canada Economy Class Food and Beverage – Image. Air Canada This will be offered to all customers on all flights, including routes to Mexico and the Caribbean...

One Mile at a Time

EgyptAir Plans Cairo To Chicago & Los Angeles Flights In 2026

EgyptAir is planning on launching two new routes to the United States, including its longest flight yet…EgyptAir adding Chicago & Los Angeles routesEgyptAir has filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requesting permission to launch flights to Los Angeles (LAX) as of May 2026, and Chicago (ORD) as of June...

Points With a Crew

Chase Sapphire Reserve Review – 125,000 point offer

KEY LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve card – welcome offer of 125,000 Ultimate Rewards after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months I’ve often said that one of the best ways to get a lot of miles and points is through the welcome bonus that is offered by signing up for new...

The Gate with Brian Cohen

Passport Stamps To Be Eliminated In April 2026 By 29 Countries in Europe

If you plan on visiting Europe, note that passport stamps are to be eliminated sometime in April of 2026 by 29 countries as part of an initiative by the European Union called the Entry/Exit System — which is informally known as the EES — that is designed to speed up...

Frequent Miler

Introducing Stephen’s secret 100K Vacay weapon: Shae (Stephen’s 100K Vacay journal)

By the time you read this journal update, I’ll be on my way to London on a Virgin Atlantic flight. Actually, I should’ve said we will be, because I’m bringing my P2 along – paid for out of my 100K points budget. What is the 100K Vacay challenge? This fall, Nick, Stephen, and...

Frequent Flyer Bonuses

October 2 Bonus Offer Highlight: Virgin Australia Velocity – 3x points on flights to and from the Gold Coast

Today’s bonus offer highlight is great flight offer from Virgin Australia where you can earn 3x Velocity points on flights to or from the Gold Coast. Check out all of the new bonuses added today: The Bonus Offer Highlight: Virgin Australia Velocity Earn 3x Velocity Points on any eligible Virgin Australia flight arriving...

View from the Wing

Mesa Card Earns Points For Mortgages, Rarely Offers A Bonus—50K Points Available Until October 15

Offer extended to October 15, 2025 The no annual fee Mesa card is great. You earn points for your mortgage and don’t even have to pay the mortgage with the card. You just tell them how much your mortgage is, and they award you the points as long...

Frequent Miler

A daytime flight to London and a sweet terrace suite (Tim’s 100K Vacay Journal)

It’s time for the 2025 Frequent Miler Annual Challenge! This year, we’re calling it “100K Vacay.” The goal is for us to compete to see who can plan the best vacation using no more than 100,000 points and $1,000 in cash. All of our lodging and our international flights have to be...

Your Mileage May Vary

Confirmed: Apple Wallet to Get US Passport Support Very Soon

Back in June, we reported that Apple had announced a digital passport option was coming to Apple Wallet with the next iOS update. iPhone fanboys and fangirls like myself had responses that were all over the spectrum, spanning from cynical, “Yeah, we’ve heard THAT before,” all the way to tears...

Altitude Yes

American Gives Regional Fleet Interiors a Refresh

American Airlines shared details of cabin refurbishments on its regional fleet earlier this week, marked by tech upgrades, fast Wi-Fi, and a new look for its seats. These new interiors will begin getting phased in starting this fall. The upgrades are coupled with the introduction of free Wi-Fi coming in January...

Live and Let’s Fly

Air Canada Adds Free Beer, Wine, And Snacks In Economy

Air Canada is now offering complimentary beer, wine, and snacks in economy on domestic and transborder flights, turning a temporary perk into a permanent feature. Air Canada Offers Free Beer, Wine, And Snacks To Economy Passengers On All Flights Air Canada has officially made free beer, wine, and premium snacks a permanent...

View from the Wing

Delta Now Sells First Class For $26—Status Upgrades Are Dead

Delta is now selling first class upgrades for as little as $26. That’s the lowest price I’ve ever seen, and points to how far they’ll go to avoid offering complimentary upgrades to their best customers. They’ve been on a 10-year journey trying to phase out first class upgrades...

Frequent Miler

Shipping up to Boston, with a backup plan (Nick’s 100K Vacay Journal)

Today is the day: I left home early this morning to run a bunch of errands and then ship up to Boston for the flight of my 100K Vacay flights. Not everything has gone quite according to Plan A, but luckily I had a backup plan and I am fueled...

The Bulkhead Seat

Southwest Airlines Launches Service to Its 43rd State With New Flights to Anchorage

Southwest Airlines is preparing to extend its network to Alaska with the planned launch of service at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) from both Denver International Airport (DEN) and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in the first half of 2026. Flights are expected to be available for...

Points With a Crew

Should you buy Wyndham points with a 90% bonus?

Wyndham Hotels is out with an extended offer to buy Wyndham Rewards points with an (up to) 90% bonus. Let’s examine it to see if / when it might make sense. The bonus is good through October 21st, so you don’t have much time to consider it. Normally, Wyndham points cost...

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

…this lounge WAY surpasses expectations!!!

Adam Stuart

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Categories

Recent Stories

Reviews

Newsletter