Main airports
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is Canada's busiest airport and the main international gateway. The GTAA reported 47.3 million passengers in 2025, up 1.1 per cent.
- Vancouver (YVR): the main gateway to the Pacific coast, Asia and Oceania, and a major route to Alaska and the western US.
- Montreal Trudeau (YUL): the gateway to Quebec, with strong links to Europe and francophone destinations.
- Edmonton (YEG): the main airport for northern Alberta and a connection point to the North.
- Ottawa (YOW): the capital's airport, mainly domestic and US routes.
- Halifax (YHZ), St. John's (YYT) and Quebec City (YQB): regional gateways for the Atlantic provinces and Quebec, with domestic flights and some seasonal international routes.
Check each airport authority's website for its latest annual passenger figures.
Which airport for which airline
Air Canada's largest hub is Toronto Pearson, with major operations at Montreal and Vancouver. WestJet is based in Calgary and also operates large networks at Toronto and Vancouver. Air Transat, based in Montreal, flies mainly leisure routes to Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. Porter operates from Toronto, including the downtown Billy Bishop airport (YTZ), and from Ottawa, Montreal and other cities. Flair, a low-cost carrier, is based in Edmonton and flies from many Canadian airports.
- Toronto trap: Billy Bishop (YTZ) and Pearson (YYZ) are different airports. Check the code on your booking.
- Northern carriers: Canadian North and Northwestern Air serve remote northern communities, usually connecting at Edmonton or other northern hubs.
- Terminals can change between airlines and alliances, so check your terminal before travelling.
Getting between airports and into the city
Toronto Pearson and Billy Bishop are on opposite sides of the city, so allow generous time to move between them by taxi, or by rail and public transport. Pearson is linked to downtown by the Union Pearson Express train and by TTC and GO Transit buses. Billy Bishop is reached by a short ferry or tunnel walkway from the mainland.
- Montreal Trudeau: the 747 express bus connects the airport with downtown. Check the operator STM for current fares and times.
- Vancouver: the Canada Line SkyTrain runs from YVR to downtown Vancouver.
- Ottawa: the O-Train Line 1 connects with the airport via a link on OC Transpo.
- Other airports: buses and taxis are the main options. Check the airport website for current services and fares.
Airlines: full-service and low-cost
Full-service: Air Canada is the flag carrier and a Star Alliance member. WestJet is a full-service carrier with a low-fare option, and it works with Oneworld and SkyTeam partners through codeshares. Air Transat is a leisure airline that flies to the sun and to Europe. Porter offers a different, regional-airline product, with seat selection on its own network.
Low-cost: Flair is Canada's main low-cost airline. Basic or ultra-low fares from Flair, and the basic fares of Air Canada and WestJet, usually include only a personal item. Carry-on and checked baggage, seat selection, changes and sometimes snacks are extra, so compare the final fare with baggage added.
Fees are added at booking and, often at higher rates, at the airport. Check each airline's baggage page for current fees before paying.
Lounges
Air Canada runs Maple Leaf Lounges and Signature Suites at its main hubs, mainly for business class, status holders and Star Alliance Gold members. Some lounges also sell day passes where space allows.
- Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal: these airports also have independent pay-per-use lounges. Check the airport website or the operator for current prices and hours.
- Priority Pass and similar cards: these may give access to independent lounges at some airports. Check the lounge's own page for access rules and any time limits.
- Credit cards: many premium Canadian travel credit cards include lounge access or passes.
Lounges can restrict entry at busy times, so book where the operator allows it.
When to fly
Peak periods are summer (July and August), Christmas and New Year, March break and the long weekends: Victoria Day in May, Canada Day on 1 July, the August civic holiday in many provinces, Labour Day in September and Thanksgiving in October. Book early for these dates.
Winter is the main weather risk. Snow, freezing rain and de-icing delays hit Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City from December to March, and blizzards hit Edmonton and the prairies. Halifax and St. John's see fog, storms and hurricane-season disruptions, mainly from late summer to autumn. Vancouver sees fog and rain in autumn and winter. Wildfire smoke can disrupt flights in the west in summer.
Check Destination Canada and Environment Canada for current seasonal and weather information.
