I’ve been in the Toronto area on a business trip this last week, on the way home I’m riding with Delta on their CRJ900 but before that flight, I stopped into the Plaza Premium Lounge here at YYZ Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 transborder (US Bound). I’ll cut right to the chase, this lounge isn’t very good and likely not worth the visit. Terminal 3 here at YYZ is used by non-Star Alliance airlines. The Transborder area is used by airlines flying to the US, as YYZ has pre-clearance, you pass US passport control here in Canada and land just like a domestic passenger.
Bottom Line: If given the opportunity to sit in the Plaza Premium Lounge here at YYZ Toronto Pearson Terminal 3, I’d pass. If you find yourself in the Transborder terminal early, head to a bar instead.
Plaza Premium Toronto YYZ Terminal 3 Transborder Location
As the name implies, the Plaza Premium Lounge here at YYZ T3 is located in the transborder area of the terminal. To access this lounge you must be departing on a US bound flight from Terminal 3. You cannot access this lounge any other way.
The Plaza Premium lounge itself is located above the terminal area. Once you pass through US passport control and security, the lounge is located just after you exit the duty-free shop. There is a sign and elevator to take you to the lounge level near gate A10.
Plaza Premium Lounge Entry Rules
First, you must be on a Terminal 3 US bound flight. You cannot get to this terminal unless you are. For access Plaza Premium is a partner of both American Express and Priority Pass. So if you have an Amex Platinum you have access along with 2 guests. For Priority Pass, it depends on your source of membership for guest access.
Plaza Premium Lounge Space
The Plaza Premium Lounge here at YYZ Terminal 3 is not great. This is basically the whole space, just one small room. There are a few different types of chairs, some bar-top height seating, and then a few cafe tables.
Looking from inside the Plaza Premium Lounge back towards the entrance. As you can see, this is a pretty small space and when I visited, was very crowded.
The other thing that’s very apparent inside the Plaza Premium is the lack of windows or outside light. For such a small place, that’s above the terminal, it kinda feels like a basement.
Plaza Premium Lounge Buffet
One thing I will say was adequate is the buffet selection. Not amazing by any means, but the choices of both hot and cold items was better than I expected.
I was here at breakfast time so they had eggs, sausages, beans, potatoes, and mini-pancakes. None of this is groundbreaking, but it’s not bad.
Plaza Premium YYZ Terminal 3 Final Thoughts
In total I think I spent about 10 minutes here before leaving. I just wasn’t that interested in being crowded out of such a small space in exchange for an OK breakfast. This lounge really doesn’t have a lot going for it, the buffet area is the only bright spot, and even that is just ok.
Small space with no natural light is going to be hard to church up, it’s just difficult to make it nice. On my next trip through, I skipped this lounge entirely, I understand why people would use the lounge, but I’d rather just show up a little later. If I do have time to kill here at YYZ Terminal 3, I’ll just find a seat at a bar.