Our Review of Vancouver Airport

Our Review of Vancouver Airport

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

This overview is based on passenger feedback from two main sources:

• Google Reviews, which reflect real traveler experiences and large-scale public opinion
• Skytrax, a specialized aviation rating platform that evaluates airports based on structured passenger surveys and global benchmarks

By combining both, we get a balanced perspective between professional rankings and everyday user feedback.

Overall Ratings and Global Position

• YVR is rated as a 4-Star Airport by Skytrax, highlighting strong performance in comfort, cleanliness, facilities, and service 
• In 2025, it was ranked Best Airport in North America and placed among the Top 20 airports worldwide (around 13th position) (

This places Vancouver Airport among the top-tier airports globally, especially within North America.

Positive Reviews (Most Highlighted Strengths)

1. Cleanliness, Design and Atmosphere

One of the most consistent strengths across both platforms:

• Modern, spacious terminals with natural light
• High cleanliness standards
• Unique design featuring indigenous art, water features, and relaxing spaces

Google reviews frequently describe the airport as “clean, modern, and surprisingly calming”

2. Efficiency and Ease of Navigation

Passengers highlight:

• Clear signage and intuitive layout
• Smooth connections and transfers
• Efficient immigration and customs (especially for U.S. pre-clearance)

Many travelers find YVR easy to navigate compared to other major airports.

3. Staff and Overall Experience

Skytrax notes:

• Friendly and professional staff across most touchpoints
• Good overall passenger experience

Travelers often mention a pleasant and stress-free atmosphere, especially compared to other North American hubs.

4. Food, Shopping and Amenities

• Good variety of restaurants and local food options
• Quality retail offering, including Canadian brands
• Strong focus on passenger comfort

This is considered one of YVR’s competitive advantages.

Negative Reviews (Most Common Complaints)

1. Security and Waiting Times

The most frequent issue:

• Long queues at security during peak hours
• Occasional delays in screening processes

Skytrax highlights security wait times as a key concern 

2. Lounge Limitations

• Some business class and premium lounges are seen as below global top-tier standards
• Limited variety compared to major Asian or Middle Eastern hubs

3. Baggage Handling and Arrival Times

Some passengers report:

• Delays in baggage delivery
• Long walking distances after landing

4. Pricing

As with many major airports:

• Food and retail prices are considered relatively high

Summary of Key Points

Strengths:

• Excellent cleanliness and modern design
• Efficient layout and easy navigation
• Friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere
• High-quality dining and amenities

Weaknesses:

• Security wait times during busy periods
• Average lounge offering
• Occasional baggage delays
• High prices

Final Score and Evaluation

Final Rating: 8.7 / 10

Justification:

Vancouver International Airport stands out as one of the best airports in North America, combining strong passenger comfort, efficient design, and high-quality facilities. Its consistent awards and 4-Star Skytrax rating confirm its global competitiveness.

However, it does not reach the very top tier worldwide due to operational issues such as waiting times and limited premium lounge options. Overall, YVR offers an excellent and reliable passenger experience, clearly above average and close to world-class standards.

Pros and Cons of Vancouver Airport

PROS

Location:  YVR Airport is located in Sea Island, Richmond, British Columbia, about 12 km (7.5 miles) southwest of downtown Vancouver, making it conveniently accessible for passengers.

Modern Facilities: YVR Offers a range of modern facilities including dining options, shops, lounges, and comfortable seating areas and also known for its clean and well-maintained environment.

Hub: Vancouver Airport is a hub for Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. It is also a focus city for Air North, Flair Airlines, Iskwew Air and Lynx Air.

Extensive Network: YVR offers an extensive range of local and international flights that link Vancouver with important destinations in Asia, North America, and other continents.

Efficient Operations:  Generally known for efficient check-in, security, and baggage handling processes, contributing to a smoother travel experience.

Transportation Options: In addition to public transportation, YVR is well-served by taxis, ride-shares, and shuttle buses, providing flexibility for a variety of travel needs.

Family Amenities: YVR airport provides child-friendly facilities including play areas and family restrooms.

 

CONS

Capacity Constraints: During periods of high travel demand, the airport may experience crowding, resulting in extended wait times at security, customs, and check-in.

Parking Costs: Parking at YVR can be relatively expensive, with high costs for both short-term and long-term parking.

Immigration and Customs Delays: Prolonged lines at immigration and customs can occur, especially during busy travel times or when there’s a lot of international visitors.

Inter-Terminal Transfers: While the main building connects the domestic and international terminals, a Courtesy Shuttle is required to go from the main terminal to the south terminal. So, check which terminal your flight arrives for further complications.

Limited Seating in Certain Areas: There may not be enough seats in some locations, particularly areas close to gates, during busy travel times, which makes it challenging for travelers to locate a comfortable spot to wait.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

There are three terminals: Vancouver International Airport has three terminals, one main terminal divided into two areas; domestic and international flights, and other is South terminal. Check which terminal your flight departs from for last minute confusion.

Transport to and from YVR:  YVR is well-connected to the city of Vancouver and surrounding areas with various transportation options like buses, taxis, ride-sharing, and public transit. The Canada Line SkyTrain offers a quick and convenient link between YVR and downtown Vancouver, with stations also serving other city areas. Also YVR offers extensive parking options.

Check-in Areas:

• Main Terminal Building: The check-in area of main terminal building of domestic and international terminal is located in level 4 along with arrival and security check area.
• South Terminal: The check-in area of south terminal is located in level 1.

Amenities: The terminal offers a variety of food options, from dining rooms to fast meals. Enjoy a variety of retail stores that provide luxury goods, gifts, and necessities for vacation.

Lounges: Several lounges are available, providing comfort, food, and refreshments. Access may be through airline status, membership programs, or day passes.

Family-Friendly Services: To help families on the go, YVR provides conveniences including kid-friendly play spaces, family toilets, and baby changing rooms.

Travel Tips: Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow for check-in, security, and any potential queues.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Annual Passengers Evolution

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Vancouver Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Vancouver Airport (last month)