After an extensive renovation, the Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) international terminal has officially reopened. This lounge introduces a first-of-its-kind concept for North America, featuring a Plaza Premium First section. Previously, Plaza Premium First lounges were exclusive to Asia, but now Vancouver (YVR) boasts what the lounge operator refers to as its flagship location in Canada.
Ahead of our Turkish Airlines 777 business class flight, I had the chance to visit this new lounge, and I left thoroughly impressed. The entire guest experience here went well beyond my expectations. While I wouldn’t quite compare it to the opulence of an airline first class lounge, our time here came impressively close—much closer than I had anticipated.
What Are Plaza Premium First Lounges?
The new Plaza Premium Lounge in Vancouver’s international terminal at Vancouver (YVR) is a dual-concept space that is essentially two lounges in one. One part of the space features the familiar Plaza Premium lounge design that many readers will be familiar with, as these lounges are ubiquitous across Canada. Here, guests can enjoy a small buffet, comfortable seating, and perhaps a cocktail before their flight.
However, these lounges can get quite crowded due to the generous access policies for credit card holders. Moreover, numerous airlines that do not have their own dedicated lounges at Vancouver International Airport provide premium cabin passengers access to the Plaza Premium Lounge, which has further exacerbated the overcrowding problems.
For travelers seeking an exclusive sanctuary before their flight, Plaza Premium has introduced an elevated lounge concept called Plaza Premium First. Guests can indulge in enhanced amenities, including a gourmet buffet, à la carte dining, and a curated selection of wines, premium spirits, and signature cocktails. Plaza Premium First guests also have complimentary access to the shower suites and the use of luggage lockers.
Plaza Premium First lounges can either be accessed by paying a fee to access the lounge directly, or by paying an additional fee on top of the standard entrance requirement for the Plaza Premium lounge. These approaches are likely intended to manage overcrowding effectively and ensure the tranquil, elevated experience the lounge aims to deliver.
Where is the Plaza Premium First Lounge at Vancouver International Airport?
The Plaza Premium First Lounge is located between Gate D67 and D68 in the international departures (non-transborder) terminal of Vancouver International Airport. After passing through security, head past the food court and duty-free shops. The lounge is located at the far end of the terminal on the right-hand side.
The operating hours for the Plaza Premium First Lounge are:
- Sunday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 1:30 AM
- Saturday: 6:30 AM – 1:30 AM
Accessing the Plaza Premium First Lounge at Vancouver International Airport
Access to the Plaza Premium Lounge in YVR’s international terminal follows a tiered system, as the space is divided into two separate lounges, each with its own entry requirements.
First, I’ll explain how to access the standard Plaza Premium Lounge, which is a prerequisite for entering the Plaza Premium First section if you are using a credit card benefit to enter (alternatively, you can pay $110 to access the Plaza Premium First lounge directly for a two-hour period). Then, I’ll go over the entry requirements for the Plaza Premium First Lounge.
Travelers can access the Plaza Premium Lounge in the following ways:
- Passengers with a premium cabin ticket on an eligible airline can access the Plaza Premium Lounge
- American Express Platinum Card and American Express Business Platinum cardholders have complimentary access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- American Express Gold Rewards cardholders receive four complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge visits per year, which can be used for entry
- Capital One Venture X cardholders are eligible for complimentary lounge access
- DragonPass members can use their complimentary visits through the Visa Airport Companion and Mastercard Travel Pass programs to enter the lounge
- Purchase a one-time entrance fee that starts at $69
You may notice that Priority Pass is missing from the eligible ways to enter the Plaza Premium First Lounge. I was told that Priority Pass is no longer accepted at this location, and this is an indefinite change to help control overcrowding.
This contradicts the policy of all other Plaza Premium lounges in Canada. The other two Plaza Premium lounges at Vancouver International, located in the U.S. departures and domestic terminals, as well as all other Plaza Premium lounges across the country, continue to accept Priority Pass.
If you don’t have access to any of the cards or memberships mentioned above, you may also pay a one-time entry fee. I don’t recommend ever directly paying to enter any lounge, and would instead encourage you to open a credit card that provides a handful of complementary visits each year, like the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card.
Related: Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access in Canada (2025)
The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card offers benefits that include a $100 NEXUS statement credit and four annual airport lounge passes.
Check out our CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite card review for more details.
35,000 Aventura
$3,000
$770+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
However, you’ll need to make an exception to the guidelines I just mentioned for the Plaza Premium First lounge. After accessing the lounge through any of the methods outlined above, you can enhance your visit by upgrading to the Plaza Premium First section for a $30 entrance fee.
At the moment, this is the most frugal way to access the Plaza Premium First Lounge by utilizing credit card benefits to get you partially there. There’s no credit card, lounge membership, or premium cabin ticket that grants direct access to the Plaza Premium First section of the lounge without paying the $30 fee, or without paying $110 to access the Plaza Premium First lounge directly for a two-hour period.
I think the $30 fee for the Plaza Premium First lounge is both appropriate and necessary for preserving the elevated lounge experience and acting as a modest barrier of entry to control the overcrowding issues that so many airport lounges are facing.
The lounge manager mentioned to me that they are looking into the possibility of providing premium cabin passengers from certain airlines with access to the Plaza Premium First section of the lounge, but for now, there are no updates to share.
Seating
The Plaza Premium First Lounge is a beautifully furnished space that features a wide variety of seating options, including dining tables, booths, individual pod-style seats, and armchairs.
Upon arriving at the lounge, a host will be assigned to assist with any requests, whether it’s ordering food and drinks, arranging access to the shower facilities, or providing flight updates. Our host guided us to a quiet booth by the glass, offering a view of the terminal.
Similar to other lounges at Vancouver International, the Plaza Premium Lounge is situated on the second floor, offering a view of the terminal below. Due to the expansive, cavernous design of the terminal, sounds from the lower level often echo upwards into the lounge.
Although the thick glass around the lounge reduces some of the noise, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely, so the ambiance isn’t completely peaceful. However, the ambiance remains tranquil enough to enjoy the soft jazz music that plays throughout the space.
Almost every seat in the lounge is a dining table or booth, each set with fine dining cutlery and glassware. The primary focus of this lounge is undoubtedly the à la carte dining experience, complete with personalized table service.
Nearly every in the lounge has its own personal charging ports that include a standard outlet, USB-A, and USB-C.
Guests may also pull up a seat at the bar to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine, or specialty coffee.
The immediate impression I got of this lounge is how distinct it is from a typical Plaza Premium lounge. Unlike the usual buffet setup, where guests bustle back and forth; here food is brought directly to each table by the host, eliminating the usual clattering and commotion. This creates an atmosphere more akin to a fine dining restaurant.
Food & Beverage
The Plaza Premium First Lounge in Vancouver features a premium buffet, à la carte dining, and a full-service bar with an array of premium alcoholic beverages. All of this is included for guests who pay the $30 upcharge for access to the lounge. The only thing not included with your access to the Plaza Premium First lounge is the top-shelf liquor, which is available on a per bottle basis.
Once seated, we were presented with the dining and beverage menu. The offerings are thoughtfully curated to highlight the local flavors of British Columbia, reflecting the diverse and multicultural nature of Vancouver.
Most of the items on the dining menu are served in fairly small portions, allowing guests to sample a few different dishes on the menu. For example, I ordered the fish taco, which was served as a single taco.
A wide range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available, and the full drink menu reads as follows:
My wife and I each ordered a cocktail and one item from the dining menu.
I ordered the fish taco, while my wife chose the shrimp panzanella. Our orders were served promptly, and we both agreed that the presentation and taste were excellent. The portions are small, but since the menu offers unlimited ordering, you can always request another serving or try something else from the menu.
Knowing that we would be served a full meal on our upcoming flight, we chose to eat lightly in the lounge. However, we couldn’t resist indulging in a slice of cheesecake.
The à la carte menu is also supplemented by a small buffet that includes a nice selection of hot and cold items.
Self-serve hot and cold drinks are also available, though the coffee machine seems somewhat redundant since you can order freshly made specialty coffees directly from the lounge bar.
Lastly, there are some desserts and sweets at various points around the lounge.
Overall, this ranks as one of the best lounge dining experiences I’ve enjoyed in recent years. The blend of full table service, gourmet dishes, and crafted cocktails is a level of luxury usually found only in the most exclusive business and first-class airline lounges.
The fact that this level of service and amenities are available to all passengers passing through YVR’s international terminal—including those traveling in economy—is a very welcome development.
Bathroom
All of the bathrooms in the Plaza Premium First lounge are private individual rooms that include a sink and toilet.
The larger, wheelchair-accessible bathroom includes a baby changing table.
Also located near the bathrooms, is a nursing room.
Amenities
Shower Suites
Plaza Premium First guests receive access to the shower suites as part of their visit. Toiletry items like a shaving kit, dental kit, and a hairdryer are provided.
There’s also a spacious wheelchair-accessible shower suite that includes all of the same amenities.
The shower suites are also available to guests visiting the standard Plaza Premium section of the lounge for an additional fee. However, it was noted to me that guests accessing the lounge with an American Express Platinum Card have access to the shower suites at no additional cost.
Storage Lockers
Guests of the Plaza Premium First Lounge have complimentary access to the storage lockers. Guests of the standard Plaza Premium lounge section are required to pay a fee to utilize the storage lockers, similar to the policy for shower suites.
Eagle’s Nest
Eagles Nest is a large private room intended for large families and groups traveling together. There’s plenty of seating in here and massive floor-to-ceiling offering great views of the activity on the airfield.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Although this review is primarily focused on the Plaza Premium First Lounge, the standard Plaza Premium Lounge is entirely new and also features its own first-of-its-kind for a North America Plaza Premium location.
The Plaza Premium Lounge has a capacity for approximately 130 guests and offers a range of seating options, including dining tables, booths, individual armchairs, and private pods.
A smaller buffet featuring a salad bar, along with a selection of hot dishes, including pasta, rice, chicken, pork, and similar options is available.
From what I’m told is another first for North America: a live cooking station in a Plaza Premium lounge. In the mornings, you can order pancakes, French toast, and seasonal dishes that rotate regularly. In the evenings, it transforms into a noodle or pasta bar where you can create your own custom dish.
A selection of beer, wine, and spirits is available at a self-serve bar on a complimentary basis, while premium alcoholic beverages can be purchased for an additional charge.
Conclusion
The Plaza Premium First Lounge is a tremendously impressive space and may now be the best lounge in Canada outside of the Air Canada Signature Suite. The design, food, amenities, and service all earn a big thumbs up from me.
While this lounge might be stretching the definition of a “First” lounge, as I don’t feel it quite captures the exclusivity of a true first-class experience, it does fill a significant gap in the Vancouver Airport International terminal that was sorely lacking in higher-end lounges. I’m especially thrilled that Plaza Premium has chosen Vancouver, my home airport, as the first airport to introduce this innovative lounge concept.
While I don’t envision myself shelling out the extra $30 every time I pass through the international terminal at YVR, I’m certain I will be back for a return visit. If I find myself with extra time before a flight, craving a peaceful spot to unwind, or needing a quiet space to focus on work while enjoying a quality meal, this lounge absolutely hits the mark. It’s a great option for those occasions when you want to elevate your airport experience.
Jeff Jamieson
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Good write-up. Looking forward to the Plaza Premium First Lounge.