Air Canada debuts Signature Suite for Premium International Customers at Toronto Pearson

Air Canada debuted their newest lounge offering at YYZ Toronto Pearson today. The Air Canada Signature Suite will officially open to customers on December 1st. This new offering differs from the standard Maple Leaf lounges we are all accustomed to. First off they went with more of dining style design that moves away from many of today's lounge options:

"The new suite is an exclusive airport retreat where eligible premium customers can dine à la carte at a complimentary, full-service restaurant from a menu created by acclaimed chef David Hawksworth, or enjoy hors d'œuvres, champagne, fine wines and cocktails in an intimate, Canadian-designed and decorated setting."

Quite possibly the biggest difference however is for who can access the lounge. At the time of opening only full fare paying international business class passengers will be able to access the Signature Suite. That means Aeroplan tickets in business class will not be able to, Super Elites not travelling full fare business class will not be able to, Star Alliance Gold members will not and so on!
It really is an exclusive benefit to those who are buying the tickets that really add to Air Canada's bottom line. In some ways this makes sense - many business class lounges including Air Canada's Maple Leaf lounges are crowded these days and their are customers who make the difference for airlines like Air Canada and AC wants to make sure they are treated right. That being said, you would at least think it would be open to Super Elite 100K members since they are also extremely valuable to AC. Perhaps this an initial test to see how the Suite is received and how it is used and perhaps sometime in the future the access may be relaxed a bit.

"The Air Canada Signature Suite officially opens Dec. 1, 2017 and is accessible to all full fare paying International Business Class customers, excluding upgrades and most point redemption programs. The 6,400-square-foot suite, conveniently located by Air Canada's international departure gates at Toronto Pearson Terminal 1, can accommodate up to 160 premium customers and is fully complimentary. It hosts a full-service restaurant offering à la carte dining from a Hawksworth-designed menu. The suite also features a cocktail lounge space with full service bar and a selection of hors d'œuvres and specialty snacks, a quiet sitting ara and concierge service.
Other notable design features of the Air Canada Signature Suite include:

• Design by acclaimed Montreal architecture and design firm Heekyung Duquette;
  
  
• High quality wine and spirits supplied by our partners at Diageo and Moet & Chandon Champagne (both brut and rosé available), and feature Signature cocktails;

• Mural by renowned Ottawa artist Gavin Lynch;
  
  
• Cloudscape Chandelier by acclaimed Toronto design firm Moss & Lam;
  
  
• Exclusive works by local Montreal artists Pascale Girardin and Nicolas Ruel;
  
  
• And Luxury skin care products from Molton Brown."

What do you think? Are you excited for this new option for travelling overseas from Canada? Will you be utilizing the Signature Suite soon?  Do you think more flyers should access to it? Let us know below!

Read more about the Signature Suite here

All photos courtesy of Air Canada