Toronto Pearson Airport

Just when I thought that Pearson's legendary slow baggage delivery couldn't get any worse we experienced a seventy minute delay from deplaning at 11.40pm on 15/12 to the baggage carousel delivering the first bag. It seems like it has become a point of pride for this airport to be the slowest major airport in the world to deliver luggage. Add the fact that customs and immigration staff apparently attend the American TSA school of cold irritable customer service and it's not the welcome home we wanted.

Flew into Pearson in July 2013 from Dubai and from landing to getting into our car at the airport took over 3.5 hours. After queuing for over an hour at immigration (something which I am unfortunately used to at UAE airports) it then took a further hour to get our first bag and it appears our final bag was the very last bag off the plane. On the way out flying from YYZ to Vegas and having no previous experience of US Customs or Pearson airport we arrived only 2.5 hours before departure. Staff member unhelpful as we didn't know that we had to or how to use the baggage tag printing machines. We then asked which way to go we were rudely told by another member of staff that we were far too late and would no doubt miss the plane (2 hours to departure by this point). We eventually cleared US Border Control 5 minutes before boarding. I'm sure the airport and the systems run very smoothly if you're used to them or if there was someone to explain them but as we had never seen an airport operating like this or been to the US with the pre-clearance before it was incredibly stressful. Thankfully I know this before my next trip into YYZ in a couple of weeks time and will be well prepared for the sheer length of time it will take at the airport.

This is by far the worst airport I have used. I arived here on a flight from Vancouver. Reception to the airport is less than stellar. Staff are very unfriendly. If your looking for an information booth your out of luck. Look for the information kiosk telephone to speak. Just what a traveler needs after traveling many hours and being tired and frustrated only to talk to someone on a phone. How impersonal. Signage is very poor and complicated as I had to ask 2 different people on how to get to the Alt Hotel. I think the Hotel director needs to travel to other Airports and see how they welcome their guests.

Not as bad as I was fearing. But then we were not transiting just arriving for a family visit. Arriving we faced a long line for immigration but that went pretty quick and efficiently. Luggage as so many have pointed out takes forever. I think we waited an hour for our cases such a relief when they arrived. Customs was fast. Leaving was okay. We left ourselves a lot of time. The long delay was in security which is a bit of a dog's dinner. You are in a line with opaque glass and as soon as you round the corner through the door the belt and trays are right there so you can't really prepare yourself. It also only really allows one person at a time to get their things onto the belt so makes it all very slow. The free iPads with the internet were great though.

As my home airport I constantly fly in and out of Pearson YYZ and get infuriated each and every time. An example is flying out of Terminal 3 where there is a sign that lists three carriers where passengers with status can use the priority line. American Airlines is clearly listed on the banner but I get refused 2 out of 3 times saying it only applies to Westjet and Delta. Why is American listed on the banner then? Going through security once I was yelled at for putting items in the plastic bin. I was told by the security agent that putting shoes and items in the bin will make the bins dirty. Every time my flight has arrived the plane is always waiting for a gate agent to work the jet bridge. When I fly into US airports the plane door is usually opened within 5-10 minutes of the plane arriving. Everything at Pearson Airport works so slowly and they have shown no indications of improving their service levels. As the largest airport in Canada and with the push by Air Canada for it to become a hub for Americans travelling to Europe the inefficiencies demonstrated by the staff at this airport clearly show that Pearson will never become that. On a recent flight coming back to Toronto from Paris via New York - JFK we had deplaned cleared US Customs rechecked baggage went through security and made it to the connecting gate in 30 mins. On the same trip after arriving in Toronto it took 45 mins to clear Canada customs and another 20 minutes to wait for baggage. It seems that when Pearson gets busy the whole airport shuts down because it can't handle the volume. US airports are no standard to be measured by but every US airport I have been to is hands down better than Pearson.

I used this airport for the first time in October despite the bad reviews I find it is ok. Clean and well designed signage is clear everywhere. On arrival immigration and custom all in all took about 30 min or less. Upon departure check in was a breeze. A short queue for custom inspection passport control not required when leaving Canada. Even at 1am there are still a few options of cafes and shopping. Overall both experience had been good.

This is the worst airport I have ever been to. The international security is horrible and there was only one person directing people. There is a 3 step progress but directions are nowhere to be found and if English is not your first language good luck. People who missed the steps were sent back to the end of line causing multiple people to miss there flight. The gate attendants were very rude and I saw one worker yell at 3 people that missed there flight in only 40 minutes. Also good luck if you need a wheelchair there were people transferring from my flight that never got picked up from the gate.

Well Toronto is just as amazingly confusing as it always was. It turns out that you need to get off the plane and get luggage (have none) but to do that you need to follow the signs for 'F'gates but of course they don't have any 'F' signs it turns out you have to follow the 'Connections' signs. Then you come to some weird kiosks and then three more. Having the Nexus saved time I think as I left all other passengers just sitting when I was able to skip kiosk 2. When you finally get out of there you go through security again and unlike other places the nexus card here still requires you to show your passport and face a million questions. Once you finally get out of there you start an extremely long walk.

Toronto Pearson seems to be 2 different airports depending on whether you're arriving or departing. We arrived from UK into Terminal 3 and were immediately corralled in a corridor because the customs hall was full. After about 30 mins a woman arrived and separated the Canadians from the 'foreigners' (as she so charmingly called us) and took them off and we were released about 20 mins later into a customs hall containing well over 1000 people in 2 great queues which took another 90 mins to clear. Welcome to Canada! On return we had to transfer from Terminal 1 to 3 and what an easy experience it was. Excellent signage travellators lifts a little train all done with the minimum of effort. Customs and security quickly and easily cleared and we were through into an excellent departure lounge with plenty of comfortable seating good quality food outlets decent shops and free Ipads everywhere (although this meant the wifi signal was rubbish!). Be patient with Toronto Pearson it will be better when you depart!

I had a connecting flight at Toronto Pearson international airport. This airport is big and busy but my connection went fine. Waiting in the line to clear security and US customs went fine not too long despite the morning rush. The US customs agents were intimidating and not courteous but the lady doing the dispatch at security lanes was saying to smile it's going to be faster we all have a reason why we woke up early this morning. The signage is clear you know to find your way where your connecting flight leaves each gate area is marked by a different color. There is plenty of shops and places to eat at this airport. Overall this airport is not bad just allow yourself enough time if you have a connecting time.