We had a short stopover in Ottawa on our way to Punta Cana, so I’ll be covering a review of the Ottawa Maple Leaf Lounge.

The Maple Leaf Lounge has similar accessibility requirements as the Air Canada Café. The Ottawa Maple Leaf Lounge is only accessible to those departing on domestic or international flights flying Air Canada Business class or Air Canada Rouge Premium Rouge. As Lufthansa is launching a flight in the spring, those flying business class on Lufthansa to Frankfurt will also be able to access the lounge. It’s also accessible to those who are Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, Elite 50K, Elite 35K and Star Alliance Gold flying on Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. In addition, Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Members, and Amex Aeroplan Plus holders can go in. Finally, TD and CIBC Aeroplan cardholders can relax in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge when travelling on an Aeroplan flight reward redeemed from your Aeroplan account on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner (up to four times annually, depending on the card).

The lounge is located just to the left after clearing security, before Gate 19.

The welcome at the lounge was professional, with the attendant letting us know that there wouldn’t be any announcements in the lounge. When you enter the lounge there are a variety of magazines and newspapers on the right, which then opens up to a section with seats and the food/bar section.

There are several different types of seats in the lounge, including tables for families/groups, single loungers for singles/couples and even seats in front of a TV (which was playing the World Junior Hockey Championships)

To the very right of the entrance, there was a business centre. While quiet on a holiday, it’s a great place to get some work done before flying out.

Although it was a grey day, the lounge did provide great views over the tarmac. Unfortunately, Ottawa isn’t the best place to go to watch planes, as they mostly have smaller planes departing from the airport.

There is also a self-serve bar with a variety of mid-range hard alcoholic beverages set up for your needs.

The food at noon was grim. There was a sad-looking salad bar with some lettuce and a few condiments along with a quinoa salad. There were also two soups and some pretzel bread and pita. They had another table open with some “pizza” set out, but it mostly tasted like warmed up a frozen pizza. My advice, don’t come here with a big appetite.

The lounge didn’t have a shower, but the washrooms were clean.

Overall, I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to the Air Canada Ottawa Maple Leaf Lounge, as the food provided was below average (even below the Priority Pass lounges in Toronto). Clearly, AC knows that they’re at a competitive advantage by having the only lounge at the airport, I just wish there was some more competition or a Priority Pass lounge as an alternative. If you have access to the lounge, it’s still better than sitting by the gate and paying for drinks.

What do you think of the Ottawa Maple Leaf Lounge?