Vancouver International Airport

arrow line
Why Alternative Airlines?


Vancouver International Airport | YVR

Search for flights to and from Vancouver International Airport using the search bar above, or continue reading for information on YVR including technical specs, passenger facilities, which airlines fly there and which destinations they fly to.

About Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport is an international airport located in Downtown Vancouver, Canada. After Toronto Pearson International Airport, this airport is the second-busiest Canadian airport by both passengers and aircraft movements. In 2018, for example, the airport handled over 25.94 million passengers. The airport has won several awards for not only North America's best airport, but also one of the top 10 airports in the world by Skytrax. The airport is also featured in our blog as one of the best airports for shopping.

The airport has historically been used for aviation purposes since 1929, being used by the government and Department of National Defence and Department of Transport during World War II. The airport is often described as a major trans-pacific hub, facilitating connecting flights between the Pacific Northwest and destinations in the Americas, Asia and Australia.

The airport is currently a hub for Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. In addition, it is a focus city airport for Air North, Air Transat and WestJet Encore.

Vancouver International Airport Location

The airport is located about 12km away from Downtown Vancouver, on Sea Island in Richmond, British Colombia, Canada. See the interactive map below to see the location of the airport on different scales.

Facilities

As mentioned, Vancouver Airport has previously won Skytrax awards for its facilities. Therefore, there is plenty to see and do in this large, bright and modern airport. There is lots of natural lighting and artwork with comfortable seating, providing for a relaxing and enjoyable ambience.

Facilities Include:

Free WiFi

Postal Services

Nursery with playpens, cribs and a changing area

Children's Play Area

Gym

Food and Drink concessions, including a few 24-hour options.

Information Desks

Baggage Sevices including storage and wrapping

Dental Services

Medical Clinic

Pharmacy

Mobile Charging Stations

Interfaith chapel

Quiet Zones & Rest Zones

Aquarium

Lounges Include:

SkyTeam Lounge: Enjoy snacks and drinks at this airport lounge, whilst browsing the internet on the WiFi, or getting some work done. There is also plenty of space to relax whilst you wait for your flight, and even facilities to shower.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge: There are three locations of this lounge dotted around the airport, all airside but one each for domestic, international and USA Transborder departures. They contain alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, quiet zones, showers, snacks, TVs, WiFi and workstations.

Plaza Premium Lounge: Entry to this airport lounge includes food, drinks, WiFi, newspapers and magazines, showers, telephones and a TV.

Book Lounge Passes for Vancouver Airport

Did you know that you can buy lounge passes for Vancouver International Airport with Alternative Airlines? You can purchase them for Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic Departures), SkyTeam Lounge (International Departures), Plaza Premium Lounge (International Departures), and Plaza Premium Lounge (USA Departures).

Runways

Direction Length (m) Length (ft) Surface
08L/26R 3,030 9,940 Concrete
08R/26L 3,505 11,500 Asphalt/Concrete
13/31 2,225 7,300 Asphalt/Concrete

Terminals

There are three terminals within Vancouver Airport; the Domestic, International and South. Both the Domestic and International Terminals are connected and often jointly referred to as the Main Terminal.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal was constructed in 1968 but was recently renovated by Vancouver architect Kasian Kennedy. This terminal has 3 piers, and a total of 44 gates.

International Terminal

The International Terminal is the terminal in YVR which accepts flights from international and US origins. There are two piers (D and E), which have 37 combined total gates.

South Terminal

The South Terminal is part of the building that was the original pre-1968 terminal. This terminal usually serves regional airlines such as Pacific Coastal Airlines, Central Mountain Air and Harbour Air.

Airlines that fly to Vancouver International Airport

Aeroméxico Air Canada Air Canada Express Air Canada Rouge
Air China Air France Air New Zealand Air North
Air Transat Alaska Airlines All Nippon Airways American Airlines
American Eagle Beijing Capital Airlines British Airways Cathay Pacific
Central Mountain Air China Airlines Aerolíneas del este de China China Southern Airlines
Cóndor Corilair Delta Air Lines Delta Connection
Edelweiss Air Eva Air Flair Airlines Gulf Island Seaplanes
Hainan Airlines Harbour Air HeliJet Hong Kong Airlines
Icelandair Interjet Island Express Air Líneas aéreas de Japón
KLM Aire coreano lufthansa Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Seaplanes Philippine Airlines Qantas Salt Spring Air
Seair Seaplanes Sichuan Airlines Sunshine Coast Air Sunwing Airlines
Tofino Air Aerolíneas Unidas United Express WestJet
WestJet Encore WestJet Encore WestJet Link XiamenAir

Top Destinations

Popular Destinations

Below are some of the most popular destinations that airlines commonly fly to from YVR:

  • Toronto - Pearson
  • Chicago - O'Hare
  • Calgary
  • Hong Kong
  • Londres Heathrow
  • Paris - Charles de Gaulle
  • Seattle Tacoma
  • Victoria
  • Nanaimo Harbour
  • San Francisco
  • New York JFK
  • San Diego

How to get to Vancouver International Airport

By Coach

The YVR Skylynx coaches run from the airport to Vancouver, Whistler, Creekside Village and Squamish via coaches.

By Bus

There are buses which operate services from the airport to Richmond and downtown Vancouver.

By Train

The airport has a train station on the SkyTrain network called YVR-Airport, connected to the Canada Line. This is a form of rapid transit.