If you’ve been curious about the new Air Canada Café Montreal, you’re not alone. If you have been following along, I am a big fan of the Air Canada Café in Toronto, so I couldn’t resist making a detour through Montreal on my way from Edmonton to Ontario just to check the latest addition. This Air Canada Café Montreal review will cover everything you need to know, from access rules to coffee options, and help you decide if it’s worth a visit.
Spoiler: It was well worth the couple of hours I spent there.
As mentioned, I’m no stranger to Air Canada lounges and cafés. From my enjoyable visit to the Toronto YYZ Air Canada Café to the cozy Billy Bishop Airport Aspire Café, I’ve sampled quite a few across Canada. So, how does Montreal compare? Let’s dig in.
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The YUL Air Canada Café is located just below the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic departures area between Gates 1 and 3. It is open daily from 5:00AM to 8:00PM.
After landing in Montreal on a red-eye flight, I quickly checked my connecting gate on the Air Canada app and realized I could add the YUL Air Canada cafe as a stop in the map. What a world we live in.
Eligibility is limited to those departing on a domestic confirmed Air Canada flight in Business Class or Premium Rouge, Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K, 50K, and Star Alliance Gold members, plus holders of select Aeroplan credit cards, including:
- TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card
- American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
- American Express® Aeroplan® Business Reserve Card
- American Express® Aeroplan® Corporate Reserve Card
For this trip, thanks to a successful eUpgrade bid, I was flying Air Canada A330 business class. Alongside carrying a premium Aeroplan credit card, this granted me entry. If you are unfamiliar with eUps, I suggest going back and reading my post on how to maximize eUpgrade benefits for tips on how to maximize them for situations like this.
Access was through sleek turnstiles tied to your boarding pass, a nice touch that sped things up. Staff were friendly and welcoming, and the “Hello/Bonjour” tile work at the entrance added a uniquely Montreal feel.
Design and Atmosphere at the YUL Air Canada Café
The Air Canada Café Montreal features a modern, open-concept design that feels more like a trendy downtown café than an airport lounge. Bright lighting, clean lines, and stylish furnishings make it feel fresh and inviting. I snagged a window seat with excellent tarmac views, which added to the atmosphere.
The Montreal Air Canada cafe is designed for convenience, offering a grab-and-go experience with premium amenities like nitro cold brew, beer, and Gutsy Kombucha on tap, specialty coffee with plant-based milk options, self-serve beverages, complimentary Wi-Fi, and charging stations at every seat.
Seating includes individual workstations, café-style tables, and comfortable lounge chairs, almost all equipped with charging outlets. While it can feel crowded at peak times, the space quickly settled into a quiet and enjoyable vibe during my visit.
Food and Drink at the Montreal Air Canada Café
This is where the café shines. On my visit, highlights included:
- Gluten-free muffins
- Warm pastries like pistachio croissants
- Local touches like Montreal style bagels and an incredible Croque Monsieur
- Fresh and unique sandwiches, salads, and fruit cups
- Cold brew coffee on tap
- Decent espresso and dark roast coffee options
- Local beers on tap and kombucha
I also appreciated the fact that they have cold brew on tap along with a selection of milk and milk alternatives to go with it!
I’d recommend grabbing one of the pastries—they were genuinely impressive compared to typical lounge food. The grab-and-go element makes it easy to pack something for your flight, which I appreciate more than a large buffet spread.
Amenities and Experience – Air Canada Café Montreal Review
That all said, not everything was perfect with my Air Canada Café Montreal review.
First, the café doesn’t have its own washrooms—you’ll need to head to a public one or into the busier Montreal Maple Leaf Lounge to use theirs. There’s also no bar or barista, so while the self-serve machines are decent, don’t expect latte art.
During my visit, Wi-Fi was frustratingly unusable, which could be a dealbreaker for business travelers. I’d recommend an eSIM for international visitors to avoid relying on the café’s network.
That said, the overall experience was positive. Between the tasty food, self-serve drinks, and comfortable seating, it was a solid place to recharge after a weekend on Whyte in Edmonton and before catching my next flight.
Montreal Air Canada Café vs. Other Lounges
Compared to the Montreal Maple Leaf Lounge, the café feels fresher, quieter (at times), and better for shorter connections. It doesn’t have the full-service amenities of the Air Canada London Maple Leaf Lounge or what I noted in my SFO Maple Leaf lounge review, but it doesn’t need to. For what it offers—quality coffee, snacks, and a relaxed space—it’s excellent. This goes without saying, but I’d also place it ahead of my experience at the Plaza Premium Café at YVR.
Why the YUL Air Canada Café Is Worth the Detour
Was it worth flying through Montreal just to check out the new café? For me, absolutely. Even with a couple of hours, the café added real value to my trip. I left refreshed, fueled with good coffee and snacks, and ready for my next leg. While I still enjoy the classic lounges such as the Halifax Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, this new café concept is my favorite for quick visits.
The grab-and-go model makes sense for Canadian travelers, and with an Air Canada Café in Vancouver already in the works, I’m excited to see this concept expand.
Having flown Air Canada’s fleet countless times, including the Air Canada 737-Max business class experience, I can say the café concept complements these short to medium-haul routes perfectly. The ability to grab high-quality snacks and coffee before boarding enhances the journey and makes the business class product even more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts – Air Canada Café Montreal Review
The Montreal Air Canada Café is a fantastic addition to YUL. It’s not meant to replace Maple Leaf Lounges, but rather complement them by offering something more convenient and modern. The pros—excellent pastries, nitro cold brew, self-serve drinks, and stylish seating—outweigh the cons of no washroom, no barista, and patchy Wi-Fi.
If you’re eligible, don’t skip it. Even for a short layover, this café raises the bar for Canadian airport lounges.
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FAQ – Montreal Air Canada Café
Where is the Montreal Air Canada Café located?
It’s located near Gate 50 in the domestic departures area at YUL.
Who can access the Air Canada Café Montreal?
Business class passengers on Air Canada, Aeroplan 50K and above, Star Alliance Gold members, and certain Aeroplan credit card holders may have access.
Does the Montreal Air Canada Café have showers?
No, unlike some Maple Leaf Lounges, the café is streamlined and does not offer showers.
Is the food free at the Air Canada Café Montreal?
Yes, all food and beverages, including coffee and alcoholic drinks, are complimentary for eligible guests.
What are the hours of operation?
The café typically opens early in the morning (around 5:30AM) and closes in the evening, but hours may vary depending on flight schedules.
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What say you?
Thoughts on this Air Canada Café Montreal?
Let’s hear it!
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This review is incredibly helpful for travelers! The detailed insights on the ambiance, food, and access made me feel like I could almost visit YUL myself. Great job!
This review is incredibly helpful for travelers! The detailed insights on amenities, eligibility, and atmosphere are spot-on, making it easy to decide if the Air Canada Café is worth a detour. Very informative and practical!
This review of the YUL Air Canada Café is incredibly helpful and detailed! I especially appreciated the clear explanation of eligibility and the honest assessment of both the food (glowing praise for the pastries!) and downsides (like the lack of washrooms). The writers personal experience made it relatable, and I feel much better informed about whether to prioritize this spot during a layover. Great practical insights!