Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Opens Inside New United Club In Newark

Although the old Maple Leaf Lounge at Newark Terminal A is now closed, Air Canada flyers and loyal Aeroplan guests can access the new United Club in a unique collaboration between the two Star Alliance member airlines.

Air Canada is co-located within the United Club at Newark Terminal A, offering a dedicated Air Canada customer service desk, with policies consistent with Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges. This new United Club brings the same level of service Maple Leaf Lounge patrons enjoy globally and includes a complimentary cocktail bar to go along with the warm food and refreshments you can enjoy in a variety of seating areas.

ENTRANCE TO UNITED CLUB WITH AIR CANADA SERVICE DESK AT NEWARK TERMINAL A PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

Forbes Advisor spoke exclusively with Air Canada about its growing investments in the U.S. “Air Canada is the largest foreign carrier in the U.S., which is reflected in our transborder schedule to 51 U.S. airports and up to 400 daily flights between our two countries. Our partnership with United creates even more choice and convenience for our customers, and Newark is a great example of where we’ve worked together to create an elevated airport experience.” says Scott O’Leary, Vice President of Loyalty and Product.

Air Canada offers nonstop service from Newark to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary and Halifax. The airline connects both Canadian and international destinations, including recently announced Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) and Singapore/Changi (SIN) from Vancouver, as well as new European, Caribbean and Central American destinations from Toronto and Montreal.

A founding member of Star Alliance, Air Canada owns and operates a network of Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafés and Signature Suites in over a dozen airports across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Through 2025, the airline expects to offer guests new and refreshed lounges at Toronto/Pearson (YYZ), Montréal/Trudeau (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR) international airports.

At Air Canada lounges, guests are welcomed with complimentary food, beverages, work spaces and areas to relax with family and friends. Other amenities, depending on location and lounge type, include showers, free Wi-Fi, VIP and private working rooms and personalized service from Air Canada staff.

A first for Air Canada, dedicated customer service employees are available to visitors inside a lounge operated by United Airlines. Upon entering the lounge, Air Canada-staffed service desk representatives help customers make changes to existing reservations, plan future travel and resolve lounge access issues that United Club agents are unable to address. Conveniently located near Air Canada’s gates, this lounge has expanded access for Air Canada customers beyond the normal Star Alliance Gold policy including admission for Aeroplan premium co-brand cardholders and customers using Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes.

DEDICATED AIR CANADA SERVICE DESK PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

The United Club at EWR is a 15,000-square-foot space that guests enter using e-gates to self-scan for seamless entry. An open air space with ample and diverse seating welcomes travelers with the expansive buffet, bar and restrooms located toward the back of the lounge. In addition to diverse food and beverage selections, the United Club also offers multiple coffee and tea stations with to-go cups available to take your favorite beverage back to your gate.

Expansive Indoor Seating

Rising above the Terminal A gate area, the 300-seat lounge has tall ceilings and plenty of natural light flooding in. Finding a place to sit or work should not be an issue for lounge visitors.

MAIN GATHERING ROOM PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

Upon entering, guests will find many individual seats and lounge chairs looking out onto the gates of Terminal A below. Adjacent to the entrance and toward the back corner, are several semi-private seating cubicles. These can be useful for virtual collaboration, video meetings and phone calls.

ENTRY SEATING PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

A flight status board and small drink space with tea, coffee and water separates the entryway seating area from the main section of the lounge that features fresh food, a fully stocked bar and restrooms. This main gathering space has additional seating areas that include comfortable chairs, dining tables and high-top seating. ADA-compliant tables are situated in various locations across the lounge, and there is easy barrier-free access throughout.

Wall Outlets and USB Power Ports

USB power ports and U.S. wall outlets are available at nearly every seat in the United Club at Newark Terminal A. Patrons of the lounge should have no concern about where to power and recharge their most important electronic devices.

SEMI-PRIVATE WORKING AREAS PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

Drinks and Cocktail Bar

The bar offers traditional seating and a wide variety of made-to-order cocktails, wines and beer. Featured cocktail selections are expected to change every two months, and an assortment of alcoholic drinks are complimentary for guests. Alcohol service begins at 6 a.m. daily, and the last call is at 8:45 p.m., or 30 minutes before the lounge closes.

COCKTAIL BAR SEATING PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

United partnered with Illy to offer made-to-order espresso drinks for guests that include lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. Tea is also available, along with Coca-Cola soft drinks and freshly made iced teas and fruit juices.

Food and Snacks

Most notable at this United Club at EWR is the fresh and delicious food. Lunch and dinner entrees showcased during Forbes Advisor’s visit included hot chicken, pasta and vegetables, along with a salad bar, wraps and sandwiches. Lighter snacks and sweets are also available, including cookies, candies, banana chips and dried fruit. These lunch and dinner items are expected to change every two months and are offered beginning at 11 a.m. until the lounge closes at 9:15 p.m.

HOT LUNCH AND DINNER ENTREES PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

A wide assortment of breakfast will also be provided for early departures. Cold continental breakfast is available when the lounge opens at 5 a.m. daily, followed by hot breakfast buffet selections from 5:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Restrooms and Wellness Room

The lounge features private restrooms, as well as an all-gender restroom and wellness room. Limited stalls and urinals are available and may get overcrowded during peak visiting hours.

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With strong connectivity to Canadian hubs, Air Canada previously maintained a stand-alone Maple Leaf Lounge at Newark Airport. Since that lounge shuttered, United completed renovations at Terminal A and collaborated with Air Canada to provide access to the club in line with other Maple Leaf Lounges.

Showcasing the deep ties Star Alliance member airlines enjoy, this lounge has a service desk where Air Canada staff make receiving assistance easy for travelers. Whether you need to change your seat, rebook an itinerary or create a brand new travel plan, Air Canada customer service is available from 5 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. daily. This is in-line with the United Club operating hours and Air Canada departure schedule.

While the United Club is centrally located in Newark Terminal A near Gate A27, Air Canada flights typically operate at Gates A1, A2 and A7. Guests to this United Club should plan their visit so that they have enough time to walk approximately 10 minutes to the Air Canada gates from the United Club.

FLIGHT STATUS INFORMATION SCREENS PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

For Air Canada flyers, no other lounge at Newark offers the exceptional level of service that passengers have come to expect from Maple Leaf Lounges globally. Notably, United Airlines staff at the lounge primarily assist with admission. With that limitation, United invites its passengers to handle service requests virtually or in-person at its boarding gates, lobby check-in or customer service desks at one of the United Clubs in Terminal C.

Additional new lounges have recently opened or are expected to open at Newark Terminal A, including an American Express Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club and American Airlines Admirals Club. However, this lounge is the only place where Air Canada customers can enjoy refreshments pre-flight and receive dedicated customer service from an Air Canada representative.

The United Club is located on the second floor of Newark Terminal A. Find the elevator and stairs in the secure passenger airside boarding area near Gate A27.

UNITED CLUB NEAR NEWARK GATE A27 PHOTO BY JUSTIN RESUELLO

The lounge hours may vary. In general, operating hours are from 5 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. daily. Security checkpoint at Terminal A hours may vary, and TSA Precheck is available from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. The lounge is inside the Terminal A secure area and connects to Terminals B and C via a secure airside bus or before security on the AirTrain people-mover train.

The following list shows how you can obtain access to the United Club at Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A:

For U.S. residents:

• The Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card does not provide lounge access, however it does include access to Aeroplan 25K status, which offers two Maple Leaf lounge passes.

For Canadian residents:

• One-time guest pass holders, including those issued from Aeroplan’s business or corporate cards: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Business Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card and American Express®* Aeroplan® Corporate Card
• Aeroplan Premium co-brand card members plus one guest with the following: TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, American Express® Aeroplan®*
• Business Reserve Card and American Express® Aeroplan®* Corporate Reserve Card

For Everyone:

• Business-class ticket holders on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge (including Premium Rouge), Air Canada codeshare flights or Star Alliance partner flights
• Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite 100K status holders plus a domestic partner, up to five dependent children and one guest
• Star Alliance Gold status holders and one qualifying guest traveling on the same flight
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members

In the U.S., guests can be invited by qualifying passengers for $59 per person. Maple Leaf Lounge guests are allowed entry three hours prior to flight departure time—this policy does not apply during flight connections or flight delays.

United Airlines guests can access the Newark Terminal A lounge if they are an eligible premium cabin customer traveling on an international itinerary or in United Business® on a premium transcontinental flight. An annual United Club membership is available for purchase with varied pricing depending on MileagePlus status level. One-time passes may be purchased on the United app for $59 per person. The United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a United ClubSM membership. The United℠ Explorer Card includes two United Club one-time passes per card member anniversary year. The United Club℠ Business card* includes a United Club membership.

Star Alliance Gold status travelers and one guest can access the Newark Terminal A lounge with their same-day Star Alliance flight boarding pass and Star Alliance Gold membership card.

Read more: Air Canada Aeroplan: The Ultimate Guide

The new United Club at Newark International Airport Terminal A is the latest signal of Air Canada’s expanded loyalty and commitment to U.S. travelers, especially in the New York City and tri-state region. With seating for 300 guests, delicious food, refreshing drinks and world class Air Canada staff inside the lounge, Maple Leaf Lounge guests will find that excellent customer service shines inside the United Club at Newark Terminal A.