canadiancow

You can't get to transborder without going through US preclearance, which requires a US BP.

You can't get out of international or transborder without clearing CBSA, so they won't let you in without an appropriate boarding pass.

And they won't let you in domestic without a domestic boarding pass, though there's no good reason for that.

Stranger

Are you sure about that?

hydrogen

what about the poor 35k who has an int'l BP that wants to use the MLL prior to departure?

yyznomad

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...m-mll-now.html

FlyerTalker70

ACYYZ/SD

A couple of factors to consider. While you are on an International itinerary YYZ airport (both terminals) are set up as three distinct areas. Canada/Transborder (USA) & International. Customs regulations prohibit the "intermingling" of Passengers from the 3 distinct Zones. Even though USA & International Customers are funnelled through the same Customs hall, arriving Passengers from the two zones are kept distinctly separate. The SSL is not set up as an arrival lounge but rather a pre-dining departure venue and has generated rave reviews. It's closest comparison was BA's pre-flight dining lounge at T-3 which is now closed and have rerouted Customers to the Plaza Premium Lounge. Any comparisons to LH's FRA & MUC FCT's are futile -- First Class is First Class. It's unlikely that a SSL will be constructed in the US departures area as there are only 2 routes (LAX/SFO) operating between 2 & 4 Signature Service flights daily. Likely next candidates will be YVR & YUL International based on the success of YYZ.

Wish you a safe journey from CPH!

skybluesea

yyznomad

As per @skybluesea and @ACYYZ/SD , the international and TB MLLs are in their respective sterile departure zones and cannot be treated as arrivals lounges.

ACYYZ/SD

I don't profess to know with full certainty, but guessing that Schengen/Non-Schengen airports in Europe have segregated departure zones, and lounges for use specific to those areas.

skybluesea

ACYYZ/SD

Thinking of the layout of T-1 and the availability/lack of availability of Real Estate, wondering where such a space could be secured.

yyznomad

Yes.

In addition to passport control for entry and exit to/from Schengen, entering Schengen requires another security screening. Exiting does not necessarily require it.

skybluesea

Transpacificflyer

Our opinions are subjective, influenced by our own experience, bias and personal needs. Folks who live out of suitcases and hotel rooms will have a different view of the lounges than others who fly less frequently. Familiarity with the lounges has crushed expectations for many a weary traveler. As an illustration, there was great excitement when some MLLs offered hotdogs. Where else other than homeless shelters could such a culinary option bring such appreciation? The introduction of Chef Boyardee quality pasta was lauded as a sign of great things to come. And so, when AC opened the SSL with its better processed food, and fruit that seemed fresher than usual, all serviced by cheery young people, there were exclamations of hallelujah and sighs of joy.
Yes, the SSL offers food options, but they are comparable to the airport restaurants,. Yes, there is a place where one can sit in relative quiet, compared to the outside public spaces, but that is where it stops. The seating area is no more comfortable than the waiting room of my physician, and the ambiance is anything other than relaxing. At least some of the asian airline lounges offer massage chairs or chaise lounges, in a quiet space.

Understandably, it is not appropriate for detractors to compare first class lounges to the SSL for the simple reason that AC is not offering first class, nor are the fares comparable to justify such a service. I had a proper dining experience in the TG First. AC will never compare to that, nor to CX or SQ's first class lounges. That's fine. The only fair comparison is with other Business class lounges. Obviously some business class lounges are better than others for F&B and ambiance. We all know that North American airline lounges are of rather poor quality. It's a characteristic shared with other regions like India and Central America etc. Yet, we give credit where credit is due with a nod to the MLL as usually being better than the other North American airline domestic options.

We all agree that the SSL is an improvement over the MLL and that as a lounge, it is ok. However, where we disagree is that based upon what I have experienced, Air Canada is just coming up to the same standards of some other airlines on international routes with the SSL. The reality is that AC is providing one decent lounge in one city. The food served should not be described as fine dining, no matter how fluffy the descriptions are. For example, the AF/KLM lounge in YUL with its quality and diverse wine selection including champagne, its varied hot entrees soups and salads and bountiful pastry section, puts the AC SSL to shame. Although some people are impressed by the presence of a bartender, those of us who are less easily impressed see the person as a guardian of the booze who will discourage consumption of alcohol.

I am not saying the SSL is bad, but the glowing descriptions and the exaggerated accolades combined with the bloated hyperbole in the AC media is too much. AC still has some way to go on quality, and will need to create SSLs in YVR and YUL before it can legitimately toot its horn as it has done.

CZAMFlyer

If they want to assert themselves as the premier airline they aspire to be, why not at LHR and perhaps PEK?