Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO Review

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and you’re flying out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you may or may not have many options for airport lounges to visit before your flight.

If you’re flying out of the International Terminal, you can access the China Airlines Lounge, Golden Gate Lounge, or Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse with your complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership that is included with your Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

If you’re flying out of Harvey Milk Terminal 1, you can access The Club SFO with your Priority Pass™ Select. However, this lounge is often packed, and it hasn’t been a very good lounge in my experience.

With your Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you’re in for a little treat. If you’re flying out of Terminal 2 or willing to make the trek over there, you can access Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge, which is one of the best airport lounges at SFO, in my opinion.

How to Access the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO

In order to be able to access the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO, you must meet the requirements to be considered a qualifying customer. Qualifying customers for SFO include the following:

• Business and First Class Ticket Holders for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or a codeshare/Star Alliance partner
• Aeroplan Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, and Aeroplan 50K members. You can access the lounge if you’re arriving on an Air Canada or Air Canada Express flight
• Star Alliance Gold members with a valid same-day boarding pass for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or a codeshare/Star Alliance partner
• Primary or secondary cardholder of an Aeroplan premium credit card with a valid same-day boarding pass for a flight with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or a codeshare/Star Alliance partner. Eligible cards include:
  • TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
  • CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
  • American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card
  • American Express® Aeroplan® Business Reserve Card
  • American Express® Aeroplan® Corporate Reserve Card
• Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum, and Beyond VIP Members with a boarding pass for a departing flight operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Express
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members
• Customers flying on a Premium Economy, Latitude, Comfort, or Flex fare with Air Canada or Air Canada Express can purchase lounge access at least 24 hours prior to their departure
• Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers and authorized users can access participating locations, including San Francisco (SFO)

Note that the rules for qualification vary between locations. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers are not eligible to access the Maple Leaf Lounge at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

My Experience at the Lounge

I recently had to fly a United Airlines flight from San Francisco, and my flight was conveniently located in Terminal 2. I decided to swing by Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge before my flight, and was greeted with a pleasant experience.

At the entrance to the lounge, there are boarding gates where you scan your boarding pass to go through. I scanned mine, but it flashed red and told me to see the front desk employee. The employee asked me how I was getting into the lounge, and I told her I was using my Chase Sapphire Reserve®. I was holding the card in my hand, and the employee simply scanned my boarding pass and let me through.

Once I walked into the lounge, I was greeted with sleek and modern comfort. The lounge is relatively new, as it opened just about two years ago in June 2023. There was ample seating available, modern design, decor with plants and paintings, and large windows that allowed lots of natural lighting, as well as views of airplanes and the runway.

The Food

The food selections available at the Maple Leaf Lounge when I went were okay, in my opinion. There was a salad bar with a variety of vegetables and some cheese, as well as small burrito bites.

Additionally, there was tomato and basil pasta, beef meatballs, and Monte Cristo sliders. There was also a drink machine where you could make yourself a cup of coffee, with options such as an iced latte, espresso, americano, cappuccino, etc.

I decided to get myself some pasta and an iced latte. The pasta was pretty good, and I helped myself to two plates. The iced latte was also good, and I was pleasantly surprised as I didn’t expect much from a self-serve brewing machine.

The Amenities

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge offers a variety of premium amenities that make it a pleasant lounge to visit when traveling out of SFO.

The lounge offers private working space offices, which are perfect for taking a meeting in or just getting some work done if you need to focus in a quiet area.

There are also showers available at the Maple Leaf Lounge, which are free to use, allowing you to freshen up before your flight if you’re ever feeling sticky and need to wash up.

As with most premium airport lounges, there is a bar available at the lounge where you can get complimentary drinks and cocktails to enjoy before departure. If you stop by the lounge, make sure to enjoy a glass of champagne or a refreshing cocktail like a mimosa!

In my opinion, the best feature of the Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO that makes it truly stand out is the open-air viewing area of the lounge. You can relax in an outdoor area of the lounge that has comfortable patio sofas and a fire pit, as well as hear and watch airplanes taxiing on the runway and taking off.

If it’s sunny and warm out, I highly recommend checking out the outdoor area. I loved feeling the breeze, and it was relaxing to unwind and pass the time watching all the airplanes pass by.

Final Remarks

If you're departing from Terminal 2 at SFO and have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, don’t miss the chance to visit the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. It’s a refreshing alternative to the often-crowded Priority Pass lounges, offering a modern and spacious design, quality food and drinks, and standout amenities like showers, private workspaces, and even an outdoor viewing terrace.

Even if you’re not flying Air Canada, lounge access with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes this lounge an accessible and worthwhile stop to relax, recharge, or work before your flight.* Whether you’re sipping champagne at the bar or soaking in the sun on the patio, this is easily one of SFO’s best-kept lounge secrets.

*In addition to holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you must have a same-day boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline to enter the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.

TL;DR:

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a standout option for travelers, especially Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders flying from Terminal 2. Access is granted via various elite statuses, premium fares, or qualifying credit cards, including the Sapphire Reserve. The lounge features modern decor, ample seating, private workspaces, showers, a full-service bar, and a rare outdoor patio with runway views. While the food is decent and includes hot dishes and a coffee machine, the real highlights are the serene ambiance and premium amenities, making it one of SFO’s best lounges and a hidden gem for travelers in the know.