Twitter
Facebook
Google Plus One


Main Terminal / Concourses at Vancouver YVR Airport

Passenger Terminal Layout of Vancouver International Airport, Getting Around, and Transfer Formalities:

Vancouver International Airport has two major passenger terminals: The International & the Domestic Terminals (the South terminal, used for small carriers, is accessible via shuttles).  Level 2 connects both terminals in their unsecured areas, housing from east to west: Fairmont Hotel, US check-in; US & International Arrivals, International checkin (in center), walkway to Canada Line, and Canada check-in.

The Domestic Terminal, which was recently renovated,  has on level 1 the Airport Service Plaza, on level 2 baggage carousels 1-6, on level 3 the check-in counters, food court (with access to food court seating and to International check-in) and security checkpoints, leading to west gates A1-5 & B11-22, and east gates C25-52. Level 4 has an observation area.  The Train station to the City can be accessed v walkway on level 4.

The International Terminal, with its US Preclearance Annex for US-bound flights, houses on the steet level (level 2), to the left, international check-in and security check, leading to international Departures gates D50-78;  and to the right US check-in counters and the Fairmont Hotel, security check, US Customs & Border Protection, another security check and access to to US Departures gates E67-99.  Note that the large World Duty Free is available at post-security.

Domestic & International
Gate Marking: Signs to gates are clearly marked – Domestic gates A1-5, B11-22 & C30-52 are marked with the Canadian flag - while International gates D50-78 are marked with a blue globe & the American Flag.
For flights to the US, follow first the international sign, then the US connections sign, which has a yellow circle with a person & the US flag., leading to gates E 67 to 99.
 

NOTE: International & U.S. Arrivals need to go through Canada's customs & immigration process.

The South Terminal, and the public Seaplane Facility on Fraser River, are located on Airport South (a regional hub for small aircraft float planes, helicopters, and corporate charters). Airlines serving on a regular schedule are KD Air, Orca Airways & Pacific Coastal Airlines. Shuttles run between the South Terminal , the International Terminal at Arrivals Level 2, Busbay 1; and the Domestic Terminal at Arrivals Level 2, exit door F.

Getting around: 
1. If you need to transfer from the South Terminal to either the International or Domestic terminals, you can board the shuttle inside the South Terminal, near the baggage carousel. If you need to transfer from the International or Domestic Terminals to the South Terminal, go to the second level. 
2. To get from Vancouver to the Domestic/International terminals, take the Canada Line, an elevated people mover, to the ‘Canada Line Station’, located across the parking garage, with walkways to US & International and Domestic departures on Level 2.
3. To get from the city to the float plane facility or South Terminal, take the Canada Line from Vancouver to the Bridgeport Station & transfer to the C-92 bus which stops in front of both facilities.

FORMALITIES REGARDING TRANSFERS:

A. Procedures for Passengers Departing for, or Arriving from, the United States:
1. Passengers departing to the United States: It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before scheduled flight, particularly for flights departing 4-9am & 3-5pm and Holidays & Spring Break. Proceed to the US departures area.
2. Passengers arriving from the United States:  Upon arrival at Vancouver Airport, you go through Canadian Customs and check the illuminated display panels for your assigned carousel number, then proceed to the baggage claim area where you find baggage trolleys. Your airline representative can, at your request, also call for a porter. Before proceeding to the public hall, present your customs declaration card to CBSA border services, where you might be directed for further manual inspection or search, if deemed necessary.

B. Flight Connection Procedures and Rules:
1. Flight connection from & to Canada: Just confirm your departure gate number on the flight screens. However, if you leave the restricted area, make sure to have your boarding pass with you and return timely to your gate.
2. Flight connection to/from Canada to the United States: (a) If your flight originated in Canada and you have a boarding pass for a flight to the U.S., follow US connections signs, go through security screening & proceed to U.S. Customs. Your checked baggage will be automatically transferred (US Customs may recall your baggage for manual inspection). (b) If your flight originated in the US and you have to take connecting flight to an international destination you can (i) go to the special international connections customs counter, should your airline offer the option of automatic transfer of your luggage; or (ii) pick up your luggage from the carousel, follow international arrivals procedures and then US departures procedures – if your airline doesn’t offer automatic transfer of your baggage.
3. Flight connection to/from Canada to International Destination: (i) If your flight originated in Canada and you have a boarding pass for a flight to an international destination, simply confirm your departure gate number on the display screens. However, if you leave the restricted area, make sure to have your boarding pass with you and return timely to your gate. If you don’t have a boarding pass, obtain one at your airline’s check-in counter. (ii) If your flight originated outside of Canada or the US & you need to connect to a Canada destination, clear Canadian Customs. Do pick up your baggage immediately after passing Customs, which you then take to the connecting flight counter. Thereafter follow normal Canadian departures procedures & pass through security checkpoint A. Any liquids over 100 ml must be put into your checked luggage.
4. Flight connection from an International flight to the United States: If your flight originated outside of Canada or the U.S. and you need to connect to a US destination, you have two options depending on whether your airline automatically transfers your baggage or not: (a) if it does, and you have a boarding pass to your connecting flight, proceed via a connecting flights corridor (avoiding Canadian Customs), go through US Customs and your checked baggage will be automatically transferred (US Customs, at their discretion, can recall your baggage for manual inspection). (b) if the airline does not offer auto transfer of your baggage, you have to pick it up from the carousel & follow first normal international arrivals procedures, then U.S. ones.
5. Flight connection from an International to an International Destination: If your flight originated outside of Canada or the US and you have to transfer to another international flight, you have two options, depending on your airline: (a) If your airline transfers your baggage automatically, go to the special international connections customs counter. (b) If your airline does not transfer your baggage automatically, pick up your baggage from the carousel, then follow then normal international arrivals procedures and thereafter international departures procedures.