Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA

Of the countless lounges that Star Alliance frequent fliers and business class ticketholders have access to in Frankfurt, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA is one of the few that Lufthansa does not operate. While transiting through Frankfurt, I wanted a quick peek inside the lounge for a proper comparison to other lounges in the terminal. 

While some features of the lounge, such as the food selection, were nearly identical to its Lufthansa lounge counterparts, the design and comparative quietness of this lounge spoke out. This review has my thoughts about the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA.

This article is part of my Trip Report: Starting Summer in East Africa including:

• My Comically Bad Luck Flying to Africa
• No Compensation for an Involuntary Business Class Downgrade?!?
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa B747-8 Economy IAD-FRA 
• My First Flight on the Queen: My Thoughts
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge FRA
• Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA 
• Review: Lufthansa A330 Business Class FRA-NBO
• Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham
• Review: Air Kenya into the Safari
• JW Marriott Masai Mara Review: Luxury in the Savannah, a Truly Unforgettable Safari
• Is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Worth $3k a Night?
• Review: Aspire Lounge Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
• Review: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ E190
• Exploring Tanzania: My Thoughts on Zanzibar
• When Flights Don’t Go as Planned: Delayed in Zanzibar
• Review: Air Tanzania ZNZ-ARK
• Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike: My Thoughts
• Exploring Moshi, Tanzania: What Everyone Gets Wrong
• Review: Twiga Lounge by Aspire Lounge Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Weirdest Flight Delay I Have Ever Had… 
• Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Executive Regency Suite
• Exploring Addis Ababa: My Thoughts
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine B787-8 Business Class ADD-IAD
• My 18 Hour Odd Business Class Experience: A Stop in Lome, Togo?

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA Location

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is in Terminal 1 Concourse B at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. This particular terminal is in the non-Schengen area, meant for passengers departing the EU.

While there are plenty of signs in the terminal, near gate B43, there is an escalator up a floor. Just near the elevator is the entrance to the lounge with a wood paneling exterior. 

The lounge is close enough to the front of the terminal, and other gates that reaching it before your flight should be easy enough. 

The Lounge

I have always enjoyed Air Canada Lounges’ wooden and sleek design. Of course, I could not avoid taking a picture of the Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the entrance. 

Right behind the check-in desk is where the bathrooms and shower stalls are located. While I have heard good things, and there was no wait, I did not have enough time to check them out on my departure from Frankfurt.

The buffet is right after entering the lounge, but more on that later. The lounge had plenty of seating options and was very well-lit. There was a high-top table with Air Canada red barstools and some plush lounge chairs facing the window overlooking the tarmac. 

I found the semi-private resting rooms in the back of the lounge quite nice. Each had a comfortable reclined chair, table, and individual TV. The rooms did seem quite bright for anyone trying to take a nap.

There were multiple other seating areas, including those meant for dining with more bright red seats and white tables. The highlight of this area to me was the art on the wall.

I liked the design of paper airlines with a few red Air Canada ones dotted in, leading the way.

Food and Beverage

After checking in, I headed straight for the buffet. The options were quite similar to the nearby Lufthansa lounge. This included cold cuts, yogurt, and some baked goods in the cold section.

In addition, warm options included eggs, sausage, and some German meatballs. There was also a small snack area with candies and nuts.

The self-serve drink options included coffee machines to make the caffeinated of your choice, bottled beverages, and a soda fountain. As for alcoholic options, despite being relatively early in the morning, there was an assortment of wines, liquors, and even beers on tap. You will not be thirsty. 

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA Access

All travelers flying on Star Alliance business class (and first class) have access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA. This may be an excellent option for business class passengers trying to avoid the crowds at some Lufthansa lounges.

You can also access the lounge if you are a Star Alliance Gold member traveling on any Star Alliance flight. In this case, it would gain access for yourself and one guest this way.

The Last Point

I have always found Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges to be very consistent, and the location in Frankfurt is no different. I appreciate the airiness and light wood design of the lounge.

While the food selection could be much broader, I was pleased with my visit as a much less crowded alternative to other lounges in the airport. With space to take a comfortable nap, I will try to visit the next time I am in the Frankfurt airport and have access.