On a recent trip from
Toronto to Vancouver, my girlfriend and I decided to compare the differences
between the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Air Canada Maple Leaf/Salon Feuille
d'erable lounge. With extra time on our hands thanks to the convenient Union
Pearson Express that whisked us from downtown, we arrived with much time to
spare to perform this.
As an American Express
Platinum card member, I have access for two to the Plaza Premium lounge, while
my girlfriend with many millions more of Aeroplan points than I'll ever have
gave us both entry to the Air Canada lounge. Both
lounges are only one floor apart in the same elevator bank just to the side of
security checks.
First up, Premium Plaza...
First up, Premium Plaza...
Upon entry to the bright white reception area, we were greeted by Mei n English only (no friendly "AlloBonjour" that really is specific to the Canadian travel industry) . Instead, due to the wafting aroma of garlic rice (which I later found out was the culprit) it felt more like a restaurant reservation, and for a brief moment was awaiting Mei to take us to "our table ".
After this brief formality, we entered into the lounge. The decor was pleasing: simple, basic high-back, fabric chairs arranged simply and symmetrically and the room less perplexing than the contemporary seating arrangement of the Air Canada lounge. After claiming a chair, I immediately seeked out the "buffet style " area.
En route, I passed the fridge which had a disappointing section of canned beers - Coor's Golden, Heineken and Molson Dry. None of them a premium or even a true domestic, Canadian beer. However, the selection of cereals available (even in the late evening) was above anyone's expectations.
While at the food station, my nose discovered the garlic rice while the beef concoction that went with it did not look very appetizing /do the rice any favours (nor did my nose care for it either). I decided to at least pick up a dollop of some quinoa salad, cream puffs and some sweet tasting crackers (???) for my efforts.
While back at my chair, seated among my fellow American express card holders community, I noticed the obligatory Van Houtte coffee machine which I'm sure had ample selections for those who drink coffee (if not, maybe one of the dozen cereals available may have paired better with it). I'm convinced Van Houtte must have a lock on these machines at the airport.
Facing the less than ideal sized large screen televisions, I watched the please-all-International-travellers channel that is typically chosen by airports around the world ....CNN. After finishing the quinoa salad then discovering the crackers were strangely sweet and tasty, I bit into the dainty cream puffs only to find out they were still frozen.
Quickly calculating our small disappointment
with the Plaza premium lounge we headed out to the elevator (with a
curious look from Mei) to travel one floor up.
Next Up...the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.
We were greeted in a much wider and warmer reception area of espresso coloured walls, bright flooring and lighting,with a very welcoming and genuine "AlloBonjour" from the friendly French Canadian lady behind the desk.
Having been in the lounge before several times we knew to make the trek past the English magazine stand (with a smattering of French publications) and the odd mining company executive, veering right to where the food and bar was located. After picking a metallic table complete with two chairs near the over-sized televisions, The familiar and mandatory two choices of soup were available as well as a selection of breads, crackers, hummus and salsa (culturally unoffensive choices and doused in an extra side of political correctness sauce for Canadian and foreign travellers).
After choosing a
tomato soup, I surveyed the other side of the central high top table to
complete my comparison of food and beverage options. The wine and beer
selections were an improvement with Guinness and Harp on tap (as well as
the commoditized Coor's Light and Molson Canadian) along with Wolf Blaas and
Ontario options for wine. The hard liquor (not for me before a flight)
included Smirnoff, Cognac and Jameson's Irish Whiskey.
After returning to our
seats we finished our snacks and food while turning our gaze back to the large
screen televisions spouting the usual CBC drivel and its stalwart Peter
Mansbridge crapping on about new useless discoveries of milk.
With 15 minutes to
spare we headed out to gate D40 to board our west bound Air Canada flight. The
challenge completed. Winner…Maple Leaf Lounge/Salon Feuille d’erable!
