CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  18 February 2010 by Richard Boblenz   (USA)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Our journey to Calgary and passage through Canadian Customs was happily achieved with no delays with no waiting lines and up to ten Canadian Customs officers on duty. Our return trip from Calgary to Philadelphia via Chicago was very trying for many reasons. We arrived at YYC at 2 pm, two hours before our flight to learn that our flight was delayed to 5-20 pm. Although a sign stated that we were barred from entering customs until two hours before our flight time, no one advised us that it would take more than ninety minutes to pass through US Customs and YYC Airport Security. We entered US Customs at 4:00 pm, at which point the waiting line was backed up outside the door from the terminal with only two US Customs officials on duty and a third serving flight crews and a supervisor doing nothing. There was a fourth official person circulating through the waiting crowd assuring all that no one would miss their flights. We asked him about our Chicago flight and he assured us that our flight would not leave without us. A full one hour later, we finally got to the front of the line, cleared US Customs, and proceeded around the corner to arrive at YYC Airport Security and we realized that there were three lines open and only one of the lines was actually moving. It took 40 minutes to clear Airport Security who were opening every single bag and patting down nearly every passenger; including those who passed the metal detector. So we finally exited YYC Airport Security at 5:40 pm and went to Gate 31 but our flight had already departed at 5:20pm. The result of this is that we were then sent back through Canadian Customs to return to United ticketing with the knowledge that we were destined to suffer through US Customs and YYC Airport Security again before departing Calgary. We were then presented with another line of at least an hour at Canadian Customs. However, after about ten minutes we were thankfully rescued by a Canadian Customs official who took us to the front of the crew line. We arrived again at YYC the next day three hours prior to our flight time, cleared U.S. Customs in seven minutes with eight U.S. Customs agents working. We cleared YYC Airport Security in seven minutes operating four lines opening only selected bags or purses. We were at our gate a two hours prior to rollback. How can you expect American tourists to visit Calgary and Banff if they continue to be mistreated in this way? Assuming that all airlines provide expected passenger volume information to U.S. Customs and YYC Airport Security, and that anyone is using this information to manage these services, how does it take one hour and forty minutes to get from the terminal to the gate? If people are going to miss their flights, why is a U.S. Customs official circulating through the hour-long line telling us that we are not going to miss our flights? Why is there no advice to passengers regarding the current expected time delay to arrive at their gate? (This could be easily achieved by having a time written on any (or every) boarding pass when entering from the terminal and then noted by the person receiving passengers at the metal detectors who could then provide this information back to the entrance of U.S. Customs who could write it on a white-board sign.) Canadian Customs already uses a similar method to measure wait time. I provide this information and these questions in the hope that I may one-day return to Calgary without fear of wasting another day of my life (and the cost of hotel and meals) as a prisoner of U.S. Customs and YYC Airport Security.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT customer review :  24 September 2009 by Ravi Mene   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Used Calgary airport for our departure point from Canada. We were dropped off by coach at ground level, took some working out to departure level. After that check in for BA was a breeze, security smooth but disappointed with the departure lounge, several eating outlets, not much choice for shopping, the lady in duty free shop put me off by asking if I was on a international flight or else should get moving, I thought she was closing the shop, left without spending any money. This is probably due to all domestic and international flights leaving from same departure area.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 22 July 2009 : by Kevin McDougald

Customer Rating : 4/5

Calgary is one of the better airports around. Baggage delivery was prompt after arriving on domestic flight. On departure, getting through security was a quick and painless experience. Passengers departing from the "D" concourse can avail themselves of the various airside restaurants and shops. Comfortable armchairs set up around the concourse are a pleasant alternative to typical, uncomfortable departure lounge seating. Large quantities of natural light in the "D" concourse also nice to have.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 3 July 2009 : by Harold Ritzer

Customer Rating : 4/5

Flew Frankfurt-Calgary-Edmonton. Arrived in Calgary at 4pm. Customs took seconds, and our bags arrived within minutes of deplaning. Connection staff were slow though. 2 staff using paper lists to find all connecting passengers. Air Canada concierge working there helped us get booked onto a new flight, at 5 pm.. We had to speedwalk, not run, accross the airport, and re- clear security. Directions were clear, but the airport looked dated. Security at A gates was very slow, as we had an hour total in calgary. Area for Commuter planes, gate A8, was small, but fine. After a quick walk out to the turboprop, we were on the plane by 10 to 5, so from getting off one plane, clearing customs, rechecking our bags, clearing security, and getting on the next flight, it was 50 minutes. Amazing.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 8 June 2009 : by S Koenig

Customer Rating : 4/5

When Air Canada informed us that our flight times had been changed, leaving us under 90 minutes between the arrival of our flight from Houston and the departure of our flight to Vancouver, I was nervous, since we'd have to go through Immigration and Customs and get to our new flight, but the airline assured me it was plenty of time. We passed through Immigration and Customs very quickly (I have a U.S. passport and my wife has a Brazilian passport and U.S. permanent residency card), and then walked briskly over the long distance to our departure gate. We made our flight with time to spare (not a lot of time, mind you, but enough to allow a quick trip to a rest room before boarding was announced). I can't comment on most of the airport's facilities, but at least in our case transiting was fast and easy.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 19 January 2009 : by T Lee

Customer Rating : 1/5

I cannot agree with these comments. I am a British citizen living in the States and every time bar one that I have entered Canada at Calgary airport (via Chicago) at immigration I have been told to go to the separate office at the back, behind immigration. There I have had to wait for ages before being questioned in detail about my purpose in visiting Canada. I have seen this happen to other visitors too. I am fortunate to have travelled all over the world in my life and I have not experienced this at any other airport ever. Next time I have to go to western Canada I will go another way, perhaps via Toronto, even if it takes longer.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 3 August 2008 : by D Balinowski

Customer Rating : 4/5

Nice building, but it's a bit of a walk if you're connecting between Concourse A and D. Shopping plentiful outside the secure area and prices reasonable. Airport volunteers in cowboy hats add character to the place.

CALGARY INT'L AIRPORT review : 22 July 2008 : by Brian Hansen

Customer Rating : 3/5

Adequate building overall, but about the "Stetsoned Welcomer Wagon" people: Rather than a nice touch, it's like being cornered by some kind of cheerleading mascot. Some people's idea of fun, perhaps. I also note the lack of a needed rail link here, as even though it's a small city, the traffic is an honest concern (throughout, not just to the airport.) Air service is adequate for North America.

Calgary International Airport review by Michael Henry

2 July 2008   Customer Rating :

After our negative experience at JFK, Calgary airport was a wonderful breath of fresh air. It didn't take long to go through customs where the staff were friendly and approachable. The staff with our coach to Banff (2 hours away) were lovely and during our 40 min wait, we had coffee and actually relaxed. Getting our luggage was quick too.

Calgary International Airport review by R Clements

21 January 2008   Customer Rating :

It is always a pleasure to fly into Calgary or Vancouver airports. The red waistcoated, and stetsoned "welcomers" are a really nice touch, and very helpful for information. Had a 7 hour lay over in Calgary. The airport is clean and shops are interesting. We spent a couple of hours having lunch in a proper - non food court - restaurant, which helped time pass. We also like being able to store our luggage until it could be checked in, at a reasonably modest charge. 7 hours lay over in an airport is never fun, but if you have to do it, it's a much better experience in Calgary than elsewhere.

Calgary International Airport review by James Faulkner

26 January 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Flew in from JFK - small, but clean and efficient. On the way out check in staff really nice, no charge for overweight bag. Lots of glass so you have a view. At least some shops before customs. Customs Official very rude on way out, but it was US customs so you expect that from them! Lady who checked my bags was nice though. Not much to do after customs except have a beer or a tea. Overall a pleasant experience.

Calgary International Airport review by Carl Cater

12 October 2006

We were impressed by the cleanliness of the airport and the warmth of the welcome from a number of Calgary "Ambassadors" dressed in red uniforms with white cowboy-style hats. There was a very brief wait at Immigration Control and the official there welcomed us to Canada and wished us a great holiday! Baggage came through quickly (Premium Cabin luggage priority labelling obviously noted and dealt with!). Onward transport to the local Hotel was meant to be a courtesy coach but we were given a limo instead! One of the best Airports I have been to!

Calgary International Airport review by Sam Hawkins

11 July 2006

Calgary Airport has an excellent assortment of shops and services. I was there for 4 hours one morning because of a flight delay. The general public has access to a food fair, airplane model store, Virgin records, Purdy's Chocolates, to name a few. It definitely has more to offer than Vancouver or Alberta's provincial capital Edmonton's lousy airport. No wonder Calgary gets the bulk of Alberta's air traffic. I enjoyed the large windows to view arriving and departing aircraft. The FIDS screens are colourful and easy to understand.

Calgary International Airport review by Jon MacKenzie

6 March 2006

Having just transited at Calgary going from YEG to LHR, I was taken somewhat aback by the barren, wind-scorched terrain in Calgary. In stark contrast to the lovely forests, snowy fields, and overwhelming pleasantness of Edmonton, Calgary looked dead brown and broken up only by the uninspired warehouses typical of industrial airports. This isn't to say it was a bad terminal, quite the opposite, it's assuredly as uncrowded and efficient as everyone has said, but on the airside it truly is boring, the staff seemed plastic, and the view was simply painful. While from the moment I touched down in Vancouver I had been spellbound by Canada, Calgary was a truly unexpected sendoff from an otherwise gorgeous nation.

Calgary International Airport review by Shawn Johnson

2 January 2006

Although Calgary’s airport is not nearly at the level of Canada's gateway international airports of Toronto and Vancouver. They have a very nice, small airport on the Canadian prairies. The best thing about YYC is it has light traffic, so if you have to make a connection at YYC getting to your gate is quick and easy - no mobs of people like the big city airports and you don't have to take a train/bus to get to your gate or terminal.

Calgary International Airport review by Bob McInnis

21 July 2005

The airport has become a destination for travellers, visitors and locals. Renovations are not quite (if ever) complete but this is one of the best designed facilities in North America. Great selection of shopping on both sides of security in all terminals (A,B,C,D) with hours slightly reduced as late night/early morning traffic dictates. YYC is run as a business and is attracting non flying public with cheap evening parking, attractions and restaurants.

Calgary International Airport review by K McKinnon

8 July 2005

YYC is a great airport, having just at the end of renovation, the airport is clean, modern, and classy. Concourse A, B, and C are slightly older, but still are better than what you would find in Toronto or Vancouver. Lots of shops, lots of food courts, and there are tons of comfortable seats.

Calgary International Airport review by D Schlösser

4 June 2005

Found YYC to be a pleasant place to transit from an Air Canada Jazz flight from YQU to the intercontinental Air Canada service to Frankfurt. There are some big comfy leather seats in the departure lounge to relax and to have a look out on the apron. Mostly short ways, only if you have to connect between A and B you have to start walking some 5 to 10 minutes before bording. Only downside is the lack of restaurants ( only two Tim Hortons and a bar) after security where you normally are while just on transit. I liked this airport and will use it again in summer to connect. Air Canada Maple leaf lounge is a pleasant place to stay while you wait with all the services you need and expect.

Calgary International Airport review by Li Ping Tan

11 April 2005

Beautiful airport post renovation, much of the Canadian departure areas have been upgraded and atriums/walkways are spacious and bright. Many new shops and exhibits. security and other ground staff are friendly as always. However, what still needs to be updated are their US departure lounges. Cramped, dark, boring. But overall, a league above most N.American airports.

Calgary International Airport review by G Eto

15 February 2005

It has far more services than many other larger airports and yet due to its medium-size does not suffer from overcrowding. Nice features include a stunning central lounge atrium with water fountains and a huge glass facade with amazing views of the city and airplanes, spa, post-office, free baggage carts, hotel within the terminal complex with calming atrium, portable DVD player/movie rental, multiple restaurants, great selection of stores, aviation/space exhibit for the kids and plenty of free outlets to plug your laptop in. I much prefer to use a well-serviced medium-sized airport like Calgary than the big hubs.

Calgary International Airport review by Darrell Taylor

25 November 2004

Calgary doesn't have the size benefits of Vancouver or Toronto but then it doesn't suffer the opposite of being too busy. The immigration staff at Canada customs are a breath of fresh air compared to US airports (and NZ), we've never had to wait more than 10 minutes in line (and they have also learned to smile!). Now the refurbishment is nearly complete the access and services are greatly improved, we still enjoy travelling through there.

Calgary International Airport review by Kevin Leung

15 September 2003

YYC is a above average airport. The terminal itself is under renovation. The Westjet terminal is great with some dinosaurs exhibits on the roof. The only problem is, during the peak hours for Westjet departure, the waiting area can be very crowd and not enough seats for everyone to sit comfortably. Also the departure hall check-in desks in area A, B & C are all poorly design and passengers are not easy to access to their check-in desk whatever which airline. The design also affect the efficiency of passenger's movement. But generally speaking, YYC is a good place to go through with enough shopping and dining when consider YYC is not a popular transfer airport. People just stay in the airport for a short while, an extensive shopping and dining facilities are not really necessary.

Calgary International Airport review by M Devor

13 June 2003

Good airport, but will agree with the others, everything is landside and the airside is quite boring. Air Canada closed the only lounge in the US departures section in April, so no lounge this time. The airport is under renovation, so I will give them some credit. The lines for US customs were too long. They open the US customs hall at certain times of the day before a bank of flights and everyone stands there waiting. Otherwise, great airport, good shopping, and very friendly staff. I am sure when the construction is over, it will be magnificent.

Calgary International Airport review by Andrew Graupe

28 April 2003

Calgary isn't the biggest, but is my favorite airport. Terminals are nicely laid out, passenger drop-off is easy, and, yes, those Smarte-Cartes have yet to invade, meaning that you can get a baggage cart FREE! Check-in works well, and the first-class lounge is very nice. Customs clearance is easy coming to and from the United States, and there are many food service venues.

Calgary International Airport review by Li Ping Tan

27 April 2003

The US departures section is poorly designed and looks ancient! The whole airport seems designed for the people who send off travellers - once you head through the gates there is absolutely nothing to do! Having said that, it IS undergoing renovation, so hopefully it'll only get better.