Although airlines continue to cut back, in recent years, Canada has invested heavily in its airports in an attempt to offer passengers to pre- and post-flight experiences that are more efficient, not to mention more relaxing and entertaining. New terminals and lounges, convenience and service, finer dining, better shopping, and an ever expanding number of Tim Hortons… We considered all these factors and more and came up with our list of Canada’s 10 best airports.
#1: Vancouver International Airport
Location: Vancouver
Airport Code: YVR
In A Nutshell: Receives raves for being one of the best airports on the face of the Earth (it recently won “Best North American Airport” at the Skytrax World Airport Awards). Glass walls show off B.C.’s iconic ocean/mountains/forests combo to spectacular advantage. Decor features monumental works of Northwest Coast Aboriginal art (including some fabulous totem poles).
Distance to Downtown: 12km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Oceania.
Number of Tim Hortons: 6.
Best Eats: Globe @ YVR specializes in Pacific Northwest cuisine that takes advantage of “sustainable seafood” and boasts fantastic mountain views.
Most Unique Amenity: Get your marine fix at the YVR Aquarium, which features over 850 species of B.C. marine life in a 114,000-litre tank.
Overall Airport Score: 94/100
#2: Toronto Pearson International Airport
Location: Toronto
Airport Code: YYZ
In A Nutshell: Among the top 20 world airports in terms of aircraft movement, with flights to over 180 cities around the globe. After major renovations, YYZ won the 2010 IATA Eagle Award for Most Improved Airport.
Distance to Downtown: 27km
Destinations Serviced: North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Oceania
Number of Tim Hortons: 5
Best Eats: An outpost of Toronto’s Beach neighborhood favorite, Beaches Boardwalk Café features spicy Thai soup, chicken tikka masala, and expertly muddled mojitos.
Most Unique Amenity: The stylish and very comfortable Plaza Premium Lounges allow all travelers to chill out, catch up on work at a computer station, or kick back in front of a flat screen TV. There’s a self-serve bar and non-stop meal service.
Overall Airport Score: 84/100
#3: Calgary International Airport
Location: Calgary
Airport Code: YYC
In A Nutshell: What it lacks in glamor, YYC makes up for in terms of smooth functionality combined with Western friendliness at what other airport are travelers greeted with a traditional Calgary welcome known as the White Hat Ceremony?
Distance to Downtown: YYC is located 17km northeast of downtown Calgary.
Destinations Serviced: North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, East Asia.
Number of Tim Hortons: 5
Best Eats: Montana’s Cook House Saloon serves up smokehouse ribs, rotisserie grilled chicken, and mile-high mud pies.
Most Unique Amenity: SpacePort is a free, 550-square-meter interactive space that allows you and your kids to simulate space flight, touch a moon rock, and check out other interesting artifacts on loan from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
Overall Airport Score: 80/100
#4: Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Location: Montreal
Airport Code: YUL
In A Nutshell: Formerly known as Dorval, YUL is one of the biggest air travel gateways into Canada.
Distance to Downtown: 20km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Western Asia, Africa.
Number of Tim Hortons: 2
Best Eats: For something light and fresh, try the gourmet sandwiches, paninis, and muffins at Boulangerie de Montréal.
Most Unique Amenity: The YUL Spa offers pre-flight de-stressing massages, bodywraps, facials, and pedicures.
Overall Airport Score: 77/100
#5: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Location: Toronto
Airport Code: YTZ
In A Nutshell: Toronto’s charming Center Island Airport boasts an unbeatable downtown location with romantic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. The airport’s sole commercial tenant is Porter Airlines, which is currently building a new terminal.
Distance to Downtown: YTZ is downtown.
Destinations Serviced: Select Canadian and U.S. cities.
Number of Tim Hortons: 0
Best Eats: Porter generously supplies passengers with complimentary beverages and snacks in its departure lounge.
Most Unique Amenity: Porter’s comfy living-room style lounge is a pleasure to hang out in, especially due to the complimentary snacks (see above) and giant Macs with free Internet access.
Overall Airport Score: 74/100
#6: Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Location: Halifax
Airport Code: YHZ
In A Nutshell: The friendliness and functionality of the Maritimes’ biggest airport has earned it numerous industry awards including the 2009 ACI (Airport Council International) award for Top Airport in North America in terms of passenger service.
Distance to Downtown: 36km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, the Caribbean, Europe
Number of Tim Hortons: 1
Best Eats: At the unpretentious Maritime Alehouse you can dig into a hearty bowl of seafood chowder or a plate of scallops, washed down with a local beer.
Most Unique Amenity: Of the belief that airports are fascinating places, YHZ offers airport tours (Wed, Sept.-June). Coolest aspect: accompanying RCMP customs agents and their dogs as they search suspicious luggage for terrorist bombs.
Overall Airport Score: 71/100
#7: Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Location: Winnipeg
Airport Code: YWG
In A Nutshell: Dating back to 1928, YWG is Canada’s oldest international airport and has long been a major gateway to remote northern Canadian communities.
Distance to Downtown: 10km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, the Caribbean, U.K. and Iceland.
Number of Tim Hortons: 2
Best Eats: At The Exchange Brew Works & Eatery, you can while away the time drinking local brews and shooting pool.
Most Unique Amenity: Housed in an original aircraft hangar, the Western Canadian Aviation Museum has a great collection of historic commercial, military, and bush planes, along with Canada’s first helicopter.
Overall Airport Score: 69/100
#8: Victoria International Airport
Location: Victoria
Airport Code: YYJ
In A Nutshell: Due to the popularity of Vancouver Island among tourists, tiny Victoria International Airport is fairly busy, but recent renovations ensure that things run smoothly.
Distance from Downtown: 25km.
Destinations Serviced: North America
Number of Tim Hortons: 1
Best Eats: Famed for its old-fashioned burgers, B.C.’s favorite White Spot restaurant has an outpost here.
Most Unique Amenity: A Bicycle Assembly Station with a work bench, air pump, bicycle parking, and a storage area equipped with cardboard bicycle boxes, which you can take (or leave for other cyclists).
Overall Airport Score: 66/100
#9: Ottawa-Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Location: Ottawa
Airport Code: YOW
In A Nutshell:: YOW is an integral part of Canada’s busiest flight corridor between Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. It’s also an important gateway to the Arctic.
Distance to Downtown: 10km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, the Caribbean, U.K.
Number of Tim Hortons: 4
Best Eats: Decked out in blond oak, the Rideau Bar and Grill is the closest thing to upscale dining at YOW.
Most Unique Amenity: 10-Minute Manicure offers manicures as well as reflexology and massage treatments.
Overall Airport Score: 62/100
#10: St. John’s International Airport
Location: St. John’s
Airport Code: YYT
In A Nusthell: Canada’s easternmost airport, St. John’s International is pretty tiny – only 6 airlines offer regular flights.
Distance to Downtown: 6 km.
Destinations Serviced: North America, the Caribbean, U.K.
Number of Tim Hortons: 2
Best Eats: Coyote Jack’s is the (only) way to go: its charbroiled burgers are served on Jack’s “corn dusted buns” with specially seaonsed fries and barbecue dipping sauces.
Most Unique Amenity: The Visitor Information Center provides up-to-the-minute info concerning whale and iceberg sightings.
Overall Airport Score: 59/100
