Toronto Pearson Airport

Over the last couple of years YYZ has improved its facilities. It's spacious and efficient. The line ups at check-in and security are generally acceptable. However it's a pretty boring airport. Fortunately YYZ is currently my homebase but if you have a longer layover you could get bored. The public transport to/from YYZ requires some improvement in my opinion.

Horrible service and confusing airport. Arrived from London Heathrow and was directed through 3 security checks including one luggage check. Very rude airport staff and immigration officer and in case if you are transiting to other airport please allow extra time (2 hour minimum). Apart from that the airport (Terminal 1) was clean.

Arriving tired fom Vancouver we were horrified to find that there was an inordinately long taxi queue and it took 30 minutes to get a taxi while an officious official was waving taxis away who wanted to pick us up! On leaving Toronto after several days in your lovely city we were held up for a very long time by inadequate security arrangements. What a bad impression we were left with!

I had to use terminal 3 on a recent trip. Arrived on westjet. Bags out in seconds. Check in area was clean and spacious. Security fast and the gate area is fine. Return customs was fast bags came quickly. Check in area was empty strange for 5pm on a friday. Security was fine and many food outlets in the domestic area again. Everyone says this terminal is dated but compared to US airports it's great!

Security confused and erratic as usual. Finally made my way towards gate 110 area only to find the news blaring out from the overhead TVs. Not only was this intrusive the commentary was in French and thus unintelligible to the vast majority of passengers.

Used Terminal 3 and found it to be a typical North American Airport not much to do landside and nothing airside. WiFi costs $10 and not really worth it. On arrival immigration was fairly quick and efficient. Baggage handling was okay inbound outbound loading delayed the flight. Check in with Thomas Cook nothing short of Abysmal long lines and untrained staff never even had the usual security questions asked.

Arrived at Terminal 3 to find that my husband and I had to queue for over 1 hour to get our luggage! Our passports were checked no less than 3 times - getting off the plane customs and immigration counter even though we not immigrating. Told it was a privilege to enter Canada on arrival. We were treated impolitely - not one thank you or welcome directed by a finger shunted to immigration control for questioning (for those studying working or staying 6 months +). We were just visiting for 18 days. Will not be returning for another "privilege" to Canada after the interrogation process.

Departed Terminal 3 on 14 Feb. Check in poor - 40 minutes to get to the desk with Thomas Cook. Security fairly quick but not very reassuring. Went to International Departure area. One crowded dirty scruffy bar / restaurant with ear splittingly loud "music". For a City which prides itself on it's image this area is a disgrace.

The airport (T1) was new and clean. The check-in lines did not take a long time. However the walks from the point you enter the airport until you get to your flight is extremely far. Which for seniors it is not that pleasant. The waiting areas where kept clean. However you must pay for wifi which I found quite shocking. Overall I would rate the airport 3 stars.

Toronto has matured significantly with the demolition of two older terminals and the Term 1 more or less fully on line. Though the old names remain Term 1 and 3. Reasonable shuttle between Terms. But indeed depending on arrival gate you can have a long walk (some moving sidewalks) - benefit being most times your bags are on the carousel when you get there. Food is good. Go to Tim Hortons if only a coffee donut soup or sandwich will suffice. Prices are close to outside the airport. Lots of hotels adjacent to airport. Bus service taxi and Limo to get downtime. This is the weak link- no train subway nor LRT- (express service) - solution keeps being a govt promises. There is now a cell phone lot. Customs hall is large - and signage (ie 'EXIT') could improve significantly. Drug/Contraband dogs are used - particularly for flights from Jamaica . Departing is easy other than during peak times (use e-ticket and carry-on to speed up). Security is very good - 'greeter' gives preliminary warning and plastic bags so you can be through in minutes.