Vancouver Airport Reviews
Vancouver Airport Reviews
Vancouver International Airport (IATA: YVR, ICAO: CYVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. In 2012 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements (296,394) and passengers (17.6 million), behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to Asia, Europe, Oceania, the United States, and Mexico, and other airports within Canada.
The airport has won several notable international best airport awards; it won the Skytrax Best North American Airport award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 the second, third, fourth and fifth time respectively it has received the honor (the first was in 2007). It is the only North American Airport included in the top 10 for 2013. YVR also retains the distinction of Best Canadian Airport in the regional results. It is a hub for Air Canada as well as a focus city for WestJet. It is also an operating base for Air Transat. Vancouver International Airport is one of eight Canadian airports that have US Border Preclearance facilities.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named, “The Best Airport in North America”. The airport also made the list of top 10 airports in the world, rated at 9th overall, for the first time in 2012. In 2013 it is rated 8th overall worldwide. It is also one of the few big international airports to have a terminal for scheduled floatplanes.
Vancouver International Airport is owned by Transport Canada and is managed by Vancouver Airport Authority, which also manages other airports around the world through its Vancouver Airport Services subsidiary.
Services:
Airport Ambassadors – Steve tells us “Volunteers in green vest/jacket are located throughout the terminal and information counters airside. Staff in blue vest/jacket can be found at information counters landside and at customs hall.”
Aquarium – The airport has a large, 114,000-litre aquarium showcasing 850 indigenous sea animals. Location: International Terminal, Departures Level.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Locations: International Arrivals (next to ICE currency exchange) • International Departure (next to ICE currency exchange) • Domestic Arrivals (next to Tim Hortons) • Domestic Level 1 (at 7-11, Scotiabank – the only one at the airport) and others scattered throughout the terminals.
Car Rentals – Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Hertz • National • Thrifty. Location: Ground floor of the parkade.
Chapel – Location: International Arrivals, Arrivals Level 2, landside. Hours: unknown
Children’s Play Area – Location: Domestic Terminal Food Court (landside) • Domestic Terminal Gates 3 and 43 (airside) • International Terminal – Gate 54 (airside)
Currency Exchange – There are many ICE Currency Service locations landside and airside. There is a 24 hour location in the International Terminal, on level 3 (landside).
Dental and Medical Clinics
This is probably here more for the airport employees, but if you have to require dental work in between flights stop by here. Location: Domestic Terminal – landside, level 1
Food / Dining – There are a few food concessions that are open 24-hours:
»Landside: Tim Hortons
»Airside: A&W • Subway
Information Desks –
» US Departures: Departure Level 3 (Landside, next to CBSA NEXUS office) • Departure Level 3 (Landside, before Gate E security screening) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, after US CBP).
» International: Departure Level 3 (Landside, above arrivals) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, after security screening) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, after duty free) • Arrivals (Airside, inside Customs Hall) • Arrivals (Landside, greeters hall)
» Domestic: Arrivals Level 2 (Landside, outside of carousel 4) • Departure Level 3 (Landside, next to the food court) • Departure Level 3 – LINK (Landside, next to Air Canada check-in counters) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, after Gate C security) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, after security Gate A to the right) • Departure Level 3 (Airside, before Monk’s Grill).
Luggage Storage / Lockers – CDS Baggage Services has two locations. International Terminal, Landside, Level 2 and Domestic Terminal, Landside, Level 2. Rates range from $5.00-8.00 per item based on a 24-hour period. Short and long term storage is available. Hours: 5am – 11pm.
Observation Area – Meet your friends or watch the activity on the tarmac at the airport’s observation area. There are telescopes, interactive kiosks and an interactive model of Sea Island. Location: Domestic Terminal, Level 4 (Landside). Rate: Free
Self-Guided Tour – The airport has a self-guide walking tour of the terminal. Take some time to enjoy Cedar Connection • Public Observation Area • Supernatural World • The Jade Canoe • The Great Wave Wall • Clayoquot Welcome Figures • Ksan Totem Poles • Green Wall.
Showers – Landside – The Absolute Spa, located on the lobby level of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. The rate is $15 plus taxes and includes access to the pool, healthclub (workout facilities) and showers. Hours: 8:30am – 9:00pm.
Airside – Plaza Premium Lounges (International and Domestic Terminals)
Spa and Salon – Absolute Spa and Hair Salon @ YVR has five locations throughout the airport if you need to get yourself cleaned up before or in between flights.
Domestic Terminal – Landside, Level 1
Domestic Terminal – Airside, Gate C26
Domestic Terminal – Airside, Gate C44
US Terminal – Airside, Gate E85
US Terminal – Landside, Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel
Internet – Free WiFi is available at Vancouver Airport.
Airport Hours:
Open 24 hours
Website:
Vancouver Airport Official Website
Vancouver Airport Map
Vancouver Airport Weather Forecast
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Wonderful airport. You do boarding crossing to the USA in this airport so you do not have any delays when you fly into USA. The Canadian security is top notch. They don’t have intrusive body scanner. They are very kind and I still feel very safe going through the airport.
We took British Airways to Vancouver last week. What a great airport it is ! Arrival went flawless.
Our return flight started off well with a visit to the excellent Fairmont Hotel bar for refreshments and relaxing drinks. Then on to the International Terminal which was accordingly efficient, security staff were efficient and polite in their duties. Into departures then and would say that this is the most relaxing airport we have flown from, and we have been through many in Canada and The United States!
The Aquarium is an absolute delight and the water features make such a chilled start to a flight. Well done to all at YVR. We had a wonderful week in the beautiful City of Vancouver and an excellent start to our flight back to London.