Montreal airport has a dreamy new ‘common-use’ lounge and it’s the city’s best-kept secret

If you’ve flown out of Montreal-Trudeau Airport recently, there’s a good chance you walked right past one of the airport’s best-kept secrets without even realizing it.

Tucked away next to Starbucks and YUL Pizza in the domestic terminal, between gates 1 and 2, is a brand new YUL airport lounge that’s shaping up to be a game changer for travellers looking to escape the usual chaos.

The Aspire AMEX Lounge hasn’t had its grand opening yet, but it is already open to travellers. Despite its quiet operation since July, there hasn’t been much promotion or signage, which makes it easy to miss if you’re rushing to your gate.

For those who do find it, the experience is a significant step up from the typical airport routine and feels like a genuine hidden gem.

The lounge isn’t tied to a specific airline or travel class, meaning anyone flying out of the domestic terminal can access it, as long as you have the right credit card or lounge pass — or you’re willing to pay the entry fee.

The Aspire AMEX Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport.Executive Lounges

Inside, it’s all designed to feel more like a boutique hotel than an airport. The lounge seats about 100 people and is split into several sections: there’s a dining area with full table-side service (with actual servers!), some tucked-away workstations with outlets, private booths for quiet convos, and even a few window seats with views of the tarmac.

The food menu changes depending on the time of day, with breakfast served from 5 to 11 a.m. and lunch and dinner available until 9 p.m. Morning options include creamy scrambled eggs with dill and feta, a quinoa breakfast bowl, or smoked salmon on a St-Viateur bagel.

Later in the day, you can choose from dishes like lemon-oregano chicken with tzatziki, parmesan gnocchi, or a Montreal-style gourmet hot dog. There’s also a short dessert menu featuring salted caramel ice cream and a gooey chocolate chip cookie with caramel sauce.

If you’re short on time, there’s also a grab-and-go option—just place your order and take it to a nearby compact lounge space, or carry it to your gate. Alcohol is served from 11 a.m. onward, and the drinks menu includes cocktails created in collaboration with local Montreal bars.

The Aspire AMEX Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport.Executive Lounges

Other perks? Plenty of charging points, a smart-casual dress code that lets you stay comfy, and a stash of newspapers and magazines to flip through while you wait. Kids are welcome too, as long as they’re with an adult.

The lounge is open to all travellers flying out of the domestic terminal, no matter what airline you’re with or which class you’re flying. Entry is free for Platinum, Business Platinum, and Centurion American Express cardholders (plus one guest).

The lounge is also accessible for a fee via DragonPass or Priority Pass — often included with premium credit cards from TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, and others. If you’re paying out of pocket, it’ll run you about CA$45/US$32 through DragonPass.

While it’s still flying under the radar right now, that likely won’t last long as the grand opening is set to take place in early September.

The Aspire AMEX Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport.Executive Lounges

The Aspire AMEX Lounge at YUL is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next time you’re flying domestic out of Montreal, skip the crowds, and take the detour — your gate will still be there when you’re done!