Lounge directory · YVR · Last reviewed 27 June 2026
Vancouver International Lounges YVR: every lounge and how to get in
Vancouver's lounges split across three airside areas that do not all connect, so the right lounge is the one in your departure zone. Here is the full map and how to get in.
- Lounge verdict
- Strong and varied. Plaza Premium runs lounges in all three airside areas and takes Priority Pass and paid entry, Air Canada holds the Star Alliance and premium ground, and Cathay and SkyTeam cover the international alliance doors. There is no Amex Centurion and no Aspire here.
- Best access play
- Priority Pass opens the Plaza Premium lounges and the SkyTeam Lounge. Without a card, Plaza Premium sells walk up entry from around 68 dollars. Amex Platinum routes to Plaza Premium for up to 3 hours, since there is no Centurion lounge.
- The one thing to know
- The three airside zones, Domestic, International and US Transborder, are physically separated, so a lounge is only reachable from within its own zone. Pick the lounge in the area you fly from, not the one a border crossing away.
Orientation
How the Vancouver lounge map works
The area decides everything at YVR. The three airside zones, Domestic, International and US Transborder, are physically separated, with the US zone behind preclearance, so you can only use a lounge inside the area you depart from. Plan around your departure gate, not the famous lounge in another zone.
Plaza Premium is the backbone, with a lounge in each of the three areas plus a separate pay in First lounge in International. Air Canada holds the Star Alliance and premium ground with Maple Leaf lounges and cafes in each area. The international alliance doors are the SkyTeam Lounge and the Cathay Pacific lounge, the latter open only a few hours before Cathay and select Qantas departures. Hours and walk up prices change, so treat the figures below as verify at booking.
The lounges
Every YVR lounge by area
| Lounge | Area and location | Access | Walk up | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plaza Premium (International) | International, Pier D near Gate D67 | Priority Pass, DragonPass, Amex Platinum to 3 hours, pay in | From about 68 dollars | The dependable international door without status |
| Plaza Premium First (International) | International, Pier D between D67 and D68 | Pay in only, not Priority Pass, not cards | From about 127 dollars for 2 hours | A quieter paid upgrade when you want more space |
| Plaza Premium (US Transborder) | US, Pier E after preclearance, near Gate E87 | Priority Pass, DragonPass, Amex Platinum, pay in | From about 68 dollars | The one to use once you are through US preclearance |
| Plaza Premium (Domestic, Pier C) | Domestic, Pier C near Gate C29 | Priority Pass, DragonPass, Amex Platinum, pay in | From about 68 dollars | Convenient for Canada flights from the C gates |
| Plaza Premium (Domestic, Pier B) | Domestic, Pier B near Gate B15 | Priority Pass, DragonPass, Amex Platinum, pay in | From about 68 dollars | The domestic lounge with showers, the rest pick |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf (International) | International, near the Pier D entrance | Star Alliance Gold, AC and Star international Business, Aeroplan 50K and up | No public day pass | The main Star Alliance room for international departures |
| Air Canada Signature Suite | International, above the International Maple Leaf | Paid AC intercontinental Business only | Not purchasable | Invitation by ticket, not status or money |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf (Domestic) | Domestic, Pier C near C29 | Star Gold, Business, Aeroplan 50K and up, Maple Leaf Club | No public day pass | The Star option for Canada departures |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf (US Transborder) | US, Pier E near Gate E85 | Star Gold, Business, Aeroplan 50K and up, Maple Leaf Club | No public day pass | After preclearance for US bound Star flyers |
| Air Canada Cafe and Petit Cafe | Domestic, C concourse near C50 to C51 and C46 to C47 | AC Business, Aeroplan 50K and up, Star Gold, premium Aeroplan cards | No public day pass | Grab and go style, lighter than a full lounge |
| SkyTeam Lounge | International, Concourse D west near Gate D53 | SkyTeam First, Business and Elite Plus, Priority Pass, DragonPass, Diners Club | Standard pay in to be confirmed | The Priority Pass alternative in International |
| Cathay Pacific Lounge | International, Pier D above Gate D67 | Cathay and oneworld First and Business, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire | Not available | Opens a few hours before Cathay and select Qantas flights only |
Two things to note from the table. The JAL Sakura lounge has closed and is now part of the International Plaza Premium, with JAL issuing a Plaza Premium invite. And there is no Amex Centurion lounge and no Aspire lounge at YVR, so Amex Platinum cardholders use Plaza Premium for up to 3 hours.
Access decoder
What actually opens these doors
Priority Pass covers the Plaza Premium lounges in all three areas plus the SkyTeam Lounge. It does not cover the Plaza Premium First lounge, which is pay in only, or the Cathay Pacific lounge.
Paying at the door works at every Plaza Premium lounge, from around 68 dollars standard and 127 dollars at the First lounge for two hours, subject to space. A roughly 10 dollar admin fee may apply to reservations, and prices should be confirmed at booking.
American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders use Plaza Premium for up to 3 hours, since there is no Centurion lounge here. Status and class of travel cover the Air Canada lounges and cafes for Star Alliance Gold, eligible Business and high Aeroplan tiers, the SkyTeam Lounge for SkyTeam elites, and the Cathay lounge for oneworld First, Business, Emerald and Sapphire.
Because the three areas do not connect, the single most useful rule is to choose the lounge in your departure zone. Confirm the door and hours on the day, since lounge hours shift with the flight schedule.
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FAQ
Vancouver lounge questions
Which YVR lounges take Priority Pass?
The Plaza Premium lounges in the International, Domestic and US Transborder areas, and the SkyTeam Lounge in International. The Plaza Premium First lounge in International is pay in only and does not take Priority Pass, and the Cathay Pacific lounge takes neither Priority Pass nor paid entry.
Can I pay to get into a Vancouver lounge without status?
Yes. The Plaza Premium lounges sell walk up entry from around 68 dollars, subject to space, in all three airside areas. The Plaza Premium First lounge in International is also pay in, from around 127 dollars for two hours. Treat prices as verify at booking.
Is there an Amex Centurion lounge at Vancouver?
No. YVR has no Amex Centurion lounge and no Aspire lounge. Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders use the Plaza Premium lounges for up to 3 hours instead.
Which lounge is best at YVR?
With oneworld First or Business and a Cathay or select Qantas departure, the Cathay Pacific lounge above Gate D67, though it only opens a few hours before those flights. Without status, the Plaza Premium lounges are the dependable pay in or Priority Pass choice, and the Domestic Pier B lounge near Gate B15 has showers.
Do the Vancouver lounges have showers?
Yes, in several. The Plaza Premium Domestic lounge on Pier B near Gate B15 is the one most reliably documented with showers, and other Plaza Premium and airline lounges offer them for eligible guests. The Fairmont hotel health club also has showers for a fee.
Did the JAL lounge at Vancouver close?
Yes. The JAL Sakura lounge has closed and its space was absorbed into the International Plaza Premium, with JAL now issuing a Plaza Premium invitation to eligible passengers.
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