Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto: Amazing!
- Konrad Tillman
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Intro
Hello from Toronto, as I am waiting to board my flight over to London. I just had the opportunity to visit the Signature Suite that Air Canada operates in Toronto and Vancouver, and I think I have found my new favorite place for a meal at any airport in the world.
While the entirety of the lounge isn't great, the food is truly top drawer. Wow. I'll have a full review coming soon, but I wanted to share my first impressions of this place for now.
Access+Location
Unlike most traditional business class lounges in the world, Air Canada doesn't follow suit by allowing all business class passengers inside the lounge. Only those ticketed on a cash fare in business (can be as low as P) or a flexible award ticket can gain access. Additionally, there are a few more rules to this lounge:
No access upon arrival or connecting, the outbound must be in business class
Upgrade tickets do not have access
Access is limited to three hours before a flight, unless you are connecting (must be on one ticket)
The Lounge
For those used to similar lounges such as the Delta One lounge in JFK or the Polaris Lounge in Los Angeles, this place isn't at all similar. The concept is basically one very large restaurant and bar with a few bathrooms.
There is nothing else in terms of amenities. If you need a shower, you'll have to head back to the Maple Leaf Lounge. If you want to take a nap (unless you enjoy sleeping in a restaurant), you'll have to head back to the Maple Leaf Lounge. Get the trend here?
However, I am a big fan of this concept. The whole experience is flawless. As soon as you walk in, someone greets you, checks your bag into storage (if you would like), and shows you to a table to begin the dining experience.
Just be aware that this lounge can get extremely busy around peak departure times (think the redeye bank to Europe), to the point where you might have to wait outside. It's something that Air Canada has to work on going forward, as this isn't the best look for a paying business class passenger.
Dining
I've had some pretty good airport food around the world, ranging from the Al Safwa Lounge to the Emirates First Class Lounge and even as far as the Chelsea Lounge. However, I wholeheartedly think that Air Canada outdoes their whole branding with the dining here.
To begin, I decided to place an order for the beef tenderloin, as well as the braised rabbit pappardelle. Not only was the steak cooked to perfection, but it was succulent in flavor. However, the highlight of the meal was the pappardelle: incredible!
Seeing as it was a short redeye to London that night, I inquired about having another beef tenderloin as well as a glass of red wine (for research purposes, of course 😉).
If you are a drinker, you'll be pleased to know that Air Canada offers some of the best drinks in a business class lounge around the world. Whether it be LP Rose, or Tattinger for champagnes, lovely tequila to carefully craft handmade cocktails, or exceptional wines, you are in for a treat.
Service
Out of everything that I came across in my 2 hours at the Signature Suite, what stood out to me was the service. Trying to serve a packed lounge featuring à la carte dining is already hard enough, but I found the service to be not only friendly but also efficient. Here are a couple of notes regarding what I observed:
The manager came around to every table to check in with guests at least once during the meal.
Glasses never remained empty for more than 5 minutes.
The staff engaged in small talk, but not enough to bother someone unless they wanted to chat longer.
Staff were happy to provide recommendations on pairings for wines, etc.
But the number one standout moment for me was when I asked for an Affogato. While not on the menu, the staff were happy to prepare everything individually for me which was an exceptional touch.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking about whether to visit the Signature Suite on your next Air Canada Business Class flight (and you have access), stop thinking and visit. This lounge has, without doubt, the best food out of any lounge in the Western Hemisphere. Combine that with good service and a great selection of alcohol, the lounge becomes better than the onboard product. However, just be aware that this isn't a traditional airport lounge, and more like a glorified restaurant.
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