Inside Air Canada's new second, larger cafe lounge at Vancouver airport | Daily Hive

Inside Air Canada's new second, larger cafe lounge at Vancouver International Airport

YVR Airport's second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has introduced a brand-new additional lounge experience with the opening of its second Air Canada Cafe at the airport this week.

Located in the domestic terminal’s C concourse near gates C50 and C51, the new cafe spans approximately 4,500 sq. ft., accommodates up to 84 guests across a variety of seating options — including some with direct window views of the airport’s busy airside activity — and includes dedicated washroom facilities.

The space features a full-service bar offering specialty barista-crafted coffee, local craft beers on tap, and a curated selection of local and international wines and cocktails.

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The food menu highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients inspired by Vancouver’s diverse culinary scene. Offerings include warm char siu pork bao buns, vegan curry bao, and vegetarian kimbap, alongside baked goods and desserts such as Nanaimo bars, cookies, and muffins. Notably, the cafe also serves freshly made donuts from Lee’s Donuts, a well-known local favourite with a nearby standalone shop in the terminal.

In addition to freshly prepared warm food items, the cafe provides a range of refrigerated, packaged food and beverage options. These are designed for convenience, allowing passengers to enjoy a seamless “grab-and-go” experience before their flight. A scannable QR code on each package also provides guests with nutritional information.

air canada cafe lounge yvr vancouver c50

YVR Airport’s second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

This cafe space was designed by Vancouver-based SmartDesign Group and features West Coast-inspired elements, including natural wood finishes and organic textures.

A standout feature is “Connections,” a large Indigenous art wall installation by First Nations artist Kelly Cannell. The piece incorporates “sea-to-sky” themes and imagery, such as orca whales, reflecting the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

Seating areas are well-equipped with ample charging outlets, complemented by a wall-mounted display providing real-time flight information, including departures, status updates, and gate assignments.

It is important to note that the Air Canada Cafe concept differs from the airline’s traditional full-scale Maple Leaf Lounge concept, with the cafe offering a more casual, quick-service experience.

YVR Airport’s second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

Air Canada opened its first cafe concept lounge at YVR in November 2025 near gates C46 and C47. That original location spans 2,142 sq. ft., making this new second cafe roughly twice the size.

The latest addition builds on the success of the first, expanding popular features, food and beverage offerings, and amenities.

“With our first Vancouver Cafe, we celebrated the spirit of the city, and we’re thrilled to deepen that connection with a second and larger Cafe space that adds more of the features our customers love,” said Jacqueline Harkness, the managing director of product and services for Air Canada, in a statement.

“We look forward to welcoming our customers to these new spaces.”

YVR Airport’s second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

Last month, Air Canada also opened a new cafe lounge in the U.S. transborder terminal at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

Access to Air Canada Cafe locations is available to eligible travellers, including passengers flying Business Class with Air Canada, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members, Star Alliance Gold members, and Aeroplan premium co-branded credit cardholders.

In addition to YVR’s two Air Canada Cafe locations, the airline also has three Maple Leaf Lounge experiences — one for each of the domestic, U.S. transborder, and international terminals.

YVR Airport’s second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

Globally, demand for airport lounges is surging — driven not only by rising passenger volumes, but also by a growing preference for comfort compared to pre-pandemic travel, along with the expansion of loyalty and premium credit card complimentary perks.

YVR is no exception. The airport has experienced exceptionally strong passenger traffic, reaching a record 26.9 million travellers in 2025 — an all-time annual high for Canada’s second-busiest airport.

At the same time, Air Canada has significantly expanded its presence at YVR over the past decade as part of its strategy to grow the airport into its Trans-Pacific hub. This growth has increased demand for enhanced and expanded lounge offerings to better serve its growing base of premium and frequent travellers.

In 2024, Plaza Premium Lounge also opened a brand-new expanded lounge for YVR’s international terminal, within a new location.

YVR Airport’s second Air Canada Cafe near domestic gate C50. (Kenneth Chan)

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