Last edit by: vancouver25k
As of July 2022, MLLs appear to be largely back to normal operations.
Ordering to the table has been shut down, with most MLLs offering self-serve buffets similar to what was available pre-COVID.
Note that the EWR MLL has been permanently shut down as a result of changes/construction at EWR.
Showers
YYZ int - closed (Aug 12. They claimed all showers closed at YYZ but I was only at int.)
YVR tb - open
YVR int - open
YUL int - open
Ordering to the table has been shut down, with most MLLs offering self-serve buffets similar to what was available pre-COVID.
Note that the EWR MLL has been permanently shut down as a result of changes/construction at EWR.
Showers
YYZ int - closed (Aug 12. They claimed all showers closed at YYZ but I was only at int.)
YVR tb - open
YVR int - open
YUL int - open
MLLs in the time of COVID - re-openings, food, distancing, etc [READ WIKI FIRST]
#31
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: MUC
Programs: LH HON | UA 1K
Posts: 181
When non-essential travel is no longer discouraged.
Lounges are an expense, and no one's flying right now who doesn't need to, so there's very little to gain by opening them.
I'd say any time in June is unlikely, but if I had to guess, it'll be July 15, July 1, or August 1, in that order.
Lounges are an expense, and no one's flying right now who doesn't need to, so there's very little to gain by opening them.
I'd say any time in June is unlikely, but if I had to guess, it'll be July 15, July 1, or August 1, in that order.
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
December?!?!
I have almost no doubt they'll be open by then.
I have almost no doubt they'll be open by then.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
December? Maybe the Signature Suite will be open. Maybe it will still be closed. Maybe it will be open but just offer snack boxes. Maybe we will all be back in lockdown then. Or maybe we will all be back flying. But we need to manage expectations.
Last edited by jasdou; Jun 11, 2020 at 7:45 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
And don't expect buffets to reappear anywhere anytime soon.
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
You don't have to look further than YEG to know they're fully capable of replacing self-serve at different times of day, if it suits them.
The SS is obviously fine with no buffet. I haven't been to the Cafe, but it seems like everything is individually wrapped, which would make it easy to transition from self-select to them serving you a wrapped item.
The MLLs, without food or drink, may still be better than the terminal. With a YEG-style bar station, I'd generally take it over the terminal. If they can figure something out for food (like an employee with a snack basket and tongs), it's basically no change from existing offerings.
The SS is obviously fine with no buffet. I haven't been to the Cafe, but it seems like everything is individually wrapped, which would make it easy to transition from self-select to them serving you a wrapped item.
The MLLs, without food or drink, may still be better than the terminal. With a YEG-style bar station, I'd generally take it over the terminal. If they can figure something out for food (like an employee with a snack basket and tongs), it's basically no change from existing offerings.
#36
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,469
You don't have to look further than YEG to know they're fully capable of replacing self-serve at different times of day, if it suits them.
The SS is obviously fine with no buffet. I haven't been to the Cafe, but it seems like everything is individually wrapped, which would make it easy to transition from self-select to them serving you a wrapped item.
The MLLs, without food or drink, may still be better than the terminal. With a YEG-style bar station, I'd generally take it over the terminal. If they can figure something out for food (like an employee with a snack basket and tongs), it's basically no change from existing offerings.
The SS is obviously fine with no buffet. I haven't been to the Cafe, but it seems like everything is individually wrapped, which would make it easy to transition from self-select to them serving you a wrapped item.
The MLLs, without food or drink, may still be better than the terminal. With a YEG-style bar station, I'd generally take it over the terminal. If they can figure something out for food (like an employee with a snack basket and tongs), it's basically no change from existing offerings.
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
#38
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,469
AC flight attendants do put the food on the tray by hand but I've always assumed this stems from the limited space to set up a self-service system or a conveyer belt on the plane. As far as actual service goes, I can't remember getting so much as a drink refill in any proactive manner. In fact they tend to be very adamant that their job is "my safety" and not any sort of service. When I envision the re-opened MLL I think of individually-wrapped items more than I imagine a staff member being paid to serve out portions.
#39
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Certainly there will be some modifications, but currently the numbers don't warrant the handful of flights leaving in a 4 hour time frame @ YYZ
LHR
FRA
ZRH 3 weekly
TLV 3 weekly
Hoping to see some movement with the next wave of flying which is approaching in June/July:
AMS
ATH (shift to ML)
DUB
FCO
LIS (shift to ML)
MUC
PVG
Plus: AUA/BGI/BDA/CUN/CCC/GND/KIN/MEX/MBJ/NAS/PVD/PUJ/UVF/SVD/VRA (All Mainline)
LHR
FRA
ZRH 3 weekly
TLV 3 weekly
Hoping to see some movement with the next wave of flying which is approaching in June/July:
AMS
ATH (shift to ML)
DUB
FCO
LIS (shift to ML)
MUC
PVG
Plus: AUA/BGI/BDA/CUN/CCC/GND/KIN/MEX/MBJ/NAS/PVD/PUJ/UVF/SVD/VRA (All Mainline)
Last edited by ACYYZ/SD; Jun 12, 2020 at 3:55 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,003
In YVR where the domestic and international security check points are combined, it should be easy to justify opening the domestic MLL.
Lots of flights and lots of employees being paid to stay at home.
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#42
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
At the end of March I had a flight out of YVR where I used the Plaza Premium lounge (due to dropping from SE to nothing). Due to concerns with Covid, things there organized differently than normal. They still had the "buffet" but there was an employee there that would serve you food. IMHO something similar would be fairly easy to implement at most MLL's.
#43
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
#44
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,469
Very true. I hadn't thought about the interesting COVID wage support economics.
#45
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,774
Very true. I hadn't thought about the interesting COVID wage support economics.