Vancouver Airport

The airport is 5 star. Waterfalls wide open sightlines beautiful landscaping and many nice areas to sit and relax before or in transit flights. The only problem is that if you are flying into the USA once you have checked in - US immigration (you are doing your customs and immigration here in Vancouver) will almost demand that you go directly through their immigration. If your flying a short haul flight or an economy seating then you are forced to eat overpriced fast food inside the secured area. If however you could check in and then you can go to the Fairmont Hotel dining (5 star dining) then for a few dollars more you are dining with best food options. If you want to go to the Fairmont first then do your check in you run the risk of not getting a good seat on the plane because you are one of the last people to checkin.

Departing flight from the international terminal. Long queues at the security checkpoint. There were many food options while the airport was short of shopping. Arrivals was a breeze. Immigration was fast but the officer asked endless questions. Customs were fast and the Canada line is a great way to get to and from the airport.

Great airport beautifully designed architecturally with a regular transit - Canada Line - taking you into the heart of the city in about 25 minutes. Immigration was very thorough and I was questioned at length about why I was visiting the country. I think they thought I was going to try and stay! I had a connecting flight from the South Terminal which is quite a long way from the main terminal complex and you can only use the shuttle transit bus if you have arranged it prior to arrival. Leave yourself plenty of time for the transfer - it takes quite a while.

At first I was impressed to find the new Immigration kiosk system for Canadian residents. Just a few minutes and I was off to pick up my baggage. However after getting the bags as a passenger with a connecting flight to another Canadian city I experienced the most bizarre line-up to clear customs. In all my years of landing in Vancouver and connecting to another Canadian city I have never experienced such a horribly long line. In the past we walked out and deposited our checked bags fairly quickly. After which I assume they were security screened in the same manner that any baggage is. So why are we suddenly required to line up and wait while each passenger's bag is slowly screened? The more bizarre twist is that those people who are exiting the airport are expeditiously moved through customs and sent out into the country. Why are connecting passengers treated so differently? If for example a passenger brought an illegal item in their baggage they are able to exit and be let loose in Canada but if connecting to another city all their bags are searched and must be scanned in their presence? Why must a connecting passenger be present for screening when someone who checks in upstairs can simply drop off their bags? Simply because of this bottleneck due to an extremely illogical and inefficient system I will be trying to avoid this otherwise fine airport in the future. After a 10 hour flight the last thing I need is a pointless 2 hour wait in line to have my baggage screened!

Since my last visit in December 2008 it has made huge improvements and gives visitors a good first impression of Canada. Pleasing architecture and well-signposted. The Canada Line train to downtown offers excellent service. One criticism: I had a 3.am departure to Beijing and the bathroom had not been cleaned since late evening at the very latest. It had become a sty!

Great airport and Customs officers are professional and not unfriendly. Only concern was last May when in transit from US to Japan. All the in transit passengers were required to go through a full customs routine including filling out the full customs declaration (how long are you staying Canada what are you bringing into Canada etc.). Plus there was only one customs officer for all in transit passengers when I went through. Regular Customs for people arriving in Canada is normally faster in my experience. Why this full process for people who are not arriving in Canada? Most other airports I have traveled through do not customs screen in transit passengers (eg. Hong Kong Japan etc).

Arrival at BA standard gate (64) and an awfully long walk to immigration (although there are moving walkways). Immigration fast and while not friendly certainly not grumpy like in some countries. I suppose they all have a job to do. Luggage wait of about 15 minutes after clearing immigration. Arrivals hall well appointed with a well-staffed information desk as you exit the lane. Canada Line (train) to city centre fantastic. Overall was in hotel room downtown within an hour of landing. Cannot imagine ever claiming this when arriving at LHR! Departure was as smooth. BA First lounge at YVR was small. Do not go there for something to eat if you are hungry. Only food offerings were crisps and biscuits. Plenty of liquid refreshment though. Overall fantastic experience for a large international and national airport.

The airport itself (Terminal M - international) is nice and fairly clean. Vancouver is a relaxing chilled airport. If you're travelling international my tip is to head to the lounge bar for a snack or some drinks just before the gate waiting areas. There are plenty of shopping opportunities available after security (not a big variety of restaurants though). I find myself at YVR very often and I only have troubles at customs which can sometimes be very frustrating. Agents are tough and they always ask me very personal sometimes unpleasant questions.

Excellent airport the terminal is very clean. The staff are friendly and helpful a lot of different shops. Although the queuing is a bit long I have a great experience.

Very unhappy with security at YVR. Borderline obnoxious and way over the top with their ridiculous efforts. Extremely slow. Felt it necessary to unpack every bag piece by piece. Humiliating and unnecessary. I hate flying out of YVR and would avoid it if I could. Also lack of restaurants after you get thru security (2 hours later) is not acceptable.