The National Bank Lounge is a decent lounge located in the international departures area at Montreal Trudeau International Airport. While there aren’t many lounges at the Montreal Airport, this one is a great option! The lounge is located near Gate 53 and is only accessible to passengers departing on non-US International flights.
Hot Tip: This lounge was previously accessible for domestic departures as well, however this is no longer possible. After passing security, there is now another one-way passport control gate to your left that international travellers must pass through to reach their gates. The lounge is located past this gate so you will not be able to access the lounge for domestic flights. (There is an Air Canada maple leaf lounge in the domestic area as well as the Pork & Pickle Restaurant that you can use your priority pass at).
I’ve visited the National Bank Lounge multiple times, mostly prior to covid, so some of the information below may have changed a bit since then.
Food & Drinks
The Self Serve Open Bar
The lounge has a decent selection of food and an open bar. The bar is self serve so no fancy cocktails but they have the basics so you can make yourself a gin and tonic or rum and coke (or mimosas anyone?). There is also a coffee machine that can prepare cappuccinos and other hot beverages.
Buffet selection can be poor depending on when you go. Sometimes the food is fresh and well prepared while other times the selection is quite sparse. They usually have 2-3 options for hot meals. Food usually includes rice or pasta with curries or meat based dishes with sauces. There is also a salad bar and a variety of cheeses with bread and crackers.
Fresh Cappuccinos at your fingertips
Wine with brownies and pastries. Ah the good life!
Egg and spinach frittata with fries potatoes and bacon!
Finishing up my gin and tonic before the flight
There is a great view of the tarmac from the lounge where you can spot planes taking off.
In the evenings, the lounge can get very busy due to the numerous flights leaving for Europe. There is sometimes a long line just to get in if you go around 5 pm.
There is a separate area that is sectioned off for families and kids (I think this area does not serve alcohol).
The couches by the windows all have electric outlets to charge your electronic devices!
IMPORTANT: the lounge does NOT make flight announcements so always keep an eye on the time and leave plenty of room to make it to your gate on time! I almost missed my flight the first time I visited the lounge. I was overly relaxed and did not notice that the gate was closing and had to run to catch my flight.
There is a nicer Air France Lounge located close by. The hours tend to differ and is open mostly around Air France flight schedules (therefore it will be open during departure time to a lot of European destinations).
Overall, the National Bank Lounge is a good place to relax, have some food and drinks and watch some planes take off before your flight.