Edmonton International Airport

Sharing the Level 2 lounge corridor with the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge — turn right at the top of the stairs versus left for Maple Leaf — the Plaza Premium Lounge at YEG is the go-to choice for WestJet, Flair, and other non-Air Canada passengers, as well as Priority Pass or DragonPass holders departing on domestic or international (non-US) routes. At 4,500 square feet and 80 seats, it is slightly larger than the Maple Leaf Lounge beside it and consistently receives stronger food and beverage reviews. The buffet rotates through hearty Canadian-inspired dishes, with a well-regarded breakfast service featuring eggs, sausage, and bacon, and a lunch and dinner spread incorporating dishes like teriyaki chicken, lentil stew, and fresh salad stations. Alberta craft beer is available on tap alongside the full self-serve bar. Showers are available — a meaningful differentiator from the adjacent Maple Leaf Lounge — for travelers needing a refresh before long hauls. Three computer workstations and full flight information monitors serve business travelers. The lounge operates until midnight, making it the better option for evening international departures from YEG. Children under 2 are free; children aged 2–11 are admitted with a paying adult.

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Edmonton International Airport is the first thing passengers see after clearing security — the glass double doors are immediately to the left as you exit the checkpoint. Head up the elevator or stairs to Level 2, turn left at the top, and you're at the lounge entrance. (The Plaza Premium Lounge sits just to the right at the same junction, making this one of the most clearly signed lounge corridors in Western Canada.) The lounge's standout design feature is the faux fireplace that greets guests in the first seating section — a warm and fitting nod to Edmonton's notorious winters — paired with floor-to-ceiling windows offering tarmac views throughout. The space seats approximately 90 to 100 guests across a rectangular open-plan layout with thoughtful dividers for partial separation. A rotating themed buffet (Mediterranean, Asian-inspired, and Canadian comfort) has steadily improved the food program, and a self-serve bar offers complimentary spirits, beer, and wine. No showers are available. The business centre has computers, printers, and flight monitors. Access is for Air Canada premium cabin passengers, Aeroplan Elite members (35K and above), Star Alliance Gold travelers on eligible flights, Maple Leaf Club members, and select premium Aeroplan credit card holders — no Priority Pass or DragonPass.

Positioned at the very end of Edmonton's US Transborder departures hall past Gate 88, the Plaza Premium Lounge (US Transborder) is the only lounge option for passengers flying from YEG to US destinations. The two-level layout is architecturally distinctive — a dramatic staircase connects the upper reception level to the lower main lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the airfield and create a bright, open atmosphere despite the compact 2,500-square-foot footprint. The food program spans Asian-inspired dishes alongside North American breakfast and comfort food classics, with a rotating hot buffet and a full bar from opening. Four computer workstations, flight information monitors, and charging stations serve business travelers. One critical operational caveat for every traveler: this lounge closes at 4:30 PM daily. Passengers on afternoon or evening US-bound flights have no lounge option in YEG's transborder area. Pre-booking a 3-hour pass online is strongly recommended during peak morning US departure waves. Note: there is no dedicated washroom inside the lounge — guests must use the public restrooms in the departure hall.