MONTREAL and HEATHROW, U.K., June 24, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today officially opened its latest International Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal, Departures Area 2B. Located at Star Alliance's largest airport hub and Air Canada's largest international station, Air Canada's London Heathrow Maple Leaf Lounge is a serene, stylish oasis where eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance customers can rest, refuel or refresh before their flight in an inspiring, contemporary environment that is a celebration of Canadian design, artistry and craftsmanship.

"We are delighted to welcome Air Canada and Star Alliance eligible customers to our new Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow's new Terminal 2," said Craig Landry, Vice President, Marketing at a reception with invited guests to mark today's official opening of the lounge. "Our newest International Maple Leaf Lounge was created as an extension of the overall travel experience for our International Business customers.  Our Heathrow customers will enjoy a calm and inspiring environment in which to work or relax before their Air Canada or connecting Star Alliance flight. We are proud to showcase contemporary Canadian design, artwork and the majestic natural beauty of Canada in our Maple Leaf Lounges."

Designed by Bennett Lo Toronto's award-winning firm dialogue 38 who also designed Air Canada's Frankfurt Maple Leaf Lounge, Air Canada's Heathrow 700-square-metre Maple Leaf Lounge is a home away from home prior to flight, featuring:

• A Quiet Zone comprising three reclining pods equipped with personal satellite-fed TV screens, USB ports and Sony noise-cancelling headsets
• Spa-inspired shower area featuring showers with large rain-shower heads, ambient music
• Business Centre equipped with individual flat-screen Dell PCs, colour laser printing and scanning
• Complimentary wireless high speed Internet access throughout
• A cooking station with chef to prepare meals upon request
• Tended bar with Molson Canadian beer on tap along with a large selection of wines, beer and spirits
• Bistro-style dining area offering a selection of hot and cold food items
• Showcasing Canadian art and products from 2Loons a Toronto based design and production house, laminated glass art walls from Accura Glass, Concord, Ontario and Cloud lamp by Frank Gehry among others
• Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Eligible customers include Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K and Elite 50K members, Star Alliance Gold members and customers travelling in Business Class, who have confirmed same-day travel on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.

In 2014, Air Canada will operate up to 77 round-trip flights each week between Canada and London Heathrow with non-stop flights to eight destinations across Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's.

Air Canada's London International Lounge is the airline's 21^st Maple Leaf Lounge, and the fourth in Europe, along with departure lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt. In the United States, Air Canada operates Maple Leaf Lounges at Los Angeles International Airport and at New York LaGuardia. In Canada, Air Canada has 15 Maple Leaf Lounges at airports across the country. For more information on Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges please visit aircanada.com/lounge.

Link to downloadable photos: 
http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/photos_lounge.html

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 180 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 73 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,269 airports in 193 countries.  Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.                                

SOURCE Air Canada

Image with caption: "Main Lounge with 2 tier seating area. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140624_C8469_PHOTO_EN_41691.jpg