Ruth Haines
Toronto, Canada's largest city, has two major airports: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Toronto Pearson International Airport, located in Mississauga, is the busiest airport in Canada, while Billy Bishop Airport is closer to downtown Toronto, making it a more convenient option for travellers. In addition to these two major airports, there are several other airports in the area, including Hamilton International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport, that travellers can use to visit Toronto and its nearby areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 2 |
| Names of Airports | Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| Airport Codes | YTZ, YYZ |
| Location | Billy Bishop Airport is located downtown, Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga |
| Distance from Downtown Toronto | Billy Bishop Airport is closer to downtown Toronto, Toronto Pearson International Airport is approximately 25-30 km from downtown Toronto |
| Time to reach Downtown Toronto | Toronto Pearson International Airport is approximately 25-30 minutes from downtown Toronto |
| Type of Airport | Billy Bishop Airport is a small/regional airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada |
| Airlines | Billy Bishop Airport is served by Air Canada Express and Porter Airlines, Toronto Pearson International Airport is served by Air Canada, Lufthansa, Air India, British Airways, and more |
| Number of Destinations | Billy Bishop Airport offers flights to select domestic and international destinations, Toronto Pearson International Airport offers flights to over 100 destinations worldwide |
| Number of Passengers | Toronto Pearson International Airport handled 49.5 million passengers in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Toronto has two major airports: Billy Bishop and Pearson
Toronto, Canada, has two major airports: Billy Bishop and Pearson. While Billy Bishop Airport is located on an island downtown, Pearson Airport is situated in the suburb of Mississauga, approximately 25 kilometres from Downtown Toronto.
Billy Bishop Airport, also known as Toronto Island Airport, is a small regional airport that primarily caters to regional travel within Canada. It offers direct flights to several domestic destinations, including Montreal, Quebec, St. Johns, and Ottawa. Additionally, the airport provides limited international services to select major US cities, such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Air Canada Express and Porter Airlines are the only two commercial airlines operating from this airport.
On the other hand, Toronto Pearson International Airport, named after the former Prime Minister of Canada, Lester B. Pearson, serves as the main international airport for Toronto and the surrounding areas, including the Golden Horseshoe region in Ontario. It is not only the largest and busiest airport in Canada but also the second busiest international air passenger gateway in America, handling around 49.5 million passengers in 2018. More than 20 airlines operate from this airport, including major domestic and international carriers.
Pearson Airport is used for a wide range of trips, including business and leisure flights to destinations worldwide. It offers direct flights to over 100 destinations and serves as a hub for Air Canada. If you are travelling to the US from Pearson, you can conveniently clear immigration and customs at the airport, saving time upon arrival in the US.
Both airports were established in the late 1930s and served as military bases during World War II. Post-war, the airports experienced rapid growth to meet the increasing demand for air travel from the Greater Toronto Area. Today, they continue to play a crucial role in connecting Toronto with the rest of Canada and the world, accommodating the diverse travel needs of its residents and visitors.
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Pearson Airport is Canada's busiest airport
Toronto, Canada, has two major airports: Billy Bishop Airport and Pearson Airport. Pearson Airport, also known as Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport, or YYZ, is Canada's largest and busiest airport. It is located in Mississauga, about 17 to 25 kilometres from downtown Toronto.
Pearson Airport serves as a hub for major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet. It offers direct flights to more than 100 destinations worldwide, including many destinations around Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. The airport has five runways and two active terminals, with a total passenger capacity of around 47 million per year. However, the actual number of passengers has exceeded this, leading to capacity bottlenecks.
The airport is easily accessible from downtown Toronto via the Union Pearson Express (UP Express). Cabs, buses, and rental cars are also readily available. Pearson Airport is used for various types of trips, including business and leisure flights, and its location within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada contributes to its high passenger traffic.
In addition to passenger flights, Pearson Airport handles extensive cargo operations. In 2021, the airport accounted for around 416,966 metric tons of cargo out of the total of 3.24 billion ton-kilometers moved by air in Canada that year. Pearson Airport's cargo operations further solidify its position as Canada's busiest airport, contributing to the country's air transportation network, which is essential for connecting remote communities.
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Billy Bishop Airport is closer to downtown Toronto
Toronto has two major airports, Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Billy Bishop Airport is located on the Toronto Islands, just minutes from downtown Toronto. It is a convenient option for those travelling to and from the city, with multiple transportation options available.
Passengers can reach the airport by bike, with a popular cycling route along the scenic Martin Goodman Trail. For those travelling by car, there are multiple parking options available. Complimentary shuttle buses also connect the airport to Toronto's Union Station, with buses operating every 15 minutes. In addition, the airport is accessible by public transit and on foot.
Once at the airport, passengers can take a 90-second ferry ride or use the pedestrian tunnel to reach the island terminal. The pedestrian tunnel provides a quick connection to downtown Toronto, taking less than six minutes.
Billy Bishop Airport is primarily used for regional travel within Canada, offering direct flights to Montreal, Quebec, St. Johns, and Ottawa. It also offers limited international services to major US cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The airport is known for its friendly and well-trained staff, who are committed to providing a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience.
In contrast, Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, approximately 25 kilometres from downtown Toronto. It is the main international airport serving Toronto and is used for a wide range of trips, including business and leisure flights worldwide.
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Hamilton Airport is a cheaper alternative to Toronto's main airports
Toronto has two major airports, Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is the busiest airport in Canada. However, Hamilton Airport, located about 40 miles outside of Toronto, is a cheaper alternative to Toronto's main airports.
Hamilton Airport is known for its competitively priced flights, and its convenient location for exploring the Niagara Wine Region. The airport is also much smaller than Toronto's main airports, making it easier and quicker to navigate through security and the terminal. One user on Reddit said, "I would fly out of Hamilton every chance I can. Not having to drive through Toronto traffic alone makes it worthwhile". Another user also commented that "Hamilton Airport is very easy to access via hwy 6/403 and is super quick and efficient for check-in and security".
However, Hamilton Airport's small size also means that it has fewer amenities and food options. Additionally, getting to the airport can be a hassle without a car, as public transportation options are limited. One user commented, "The only downfall [of Hamilton Airport] is if your flight gets cancelled for whatever reason, you probably won't be leaving until the next day. At Pearson, the carrier has other planes available and can more quickly reschedule the flight".
Overall, Hamilton Airport provides a stress-free flying experience with competitively priced flights, but its limited flights and remote location may be a drawback for some travellers.
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Toronto Pearson International Airport is named after a former Prime Minister
Toronto, Canada, has two major airports: the Toronto Pearson International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. There are also several smaller airports in the city, including the Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport in Markham, which closed in 2023, and Hamilton Airport, a cheaper secondary airport.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968. The airport was officially renamed in his honour on January 2, 1984. Born in Toronto in 1897, Pearson was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, receiving the award in 1957 for his humanitarian work in peacekeeping. He also served as Secretary of State for External Affairs from 1948 to 1957.
The airport was originally known as Malton Airport when it was established in 1937. It was built by the Toronto Harbour Commission and was intended to serve as an alternate airfield to the downtown Toronto Island Airport, now known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The first landing at Malton Airport was on August 29, 1938, when an American Airways DC-3 from Buffalo landed. In 1958, the municipal government of Toronto sold the airport to the Government of Canada, which renamed it Toronto International Airport.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, handling 46.8 million passengers in 2024. It is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of Downtown Toronto in Mississauga, with a small portion of the airfield extending into Toronto's western district of Etobicoke. The airport has five runways and two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, which are designed to handle domestic, transborder, and international travel. The airport covers 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres) and is among the busiest airports in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two major airports in Toronto, Canada: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the main international airport in Toronto. It is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, located in Mississauga, about 25-30 minutes from downtown Toronto.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, also known as the Toronto Island Airport, is a small regional airport located on an island downtown. It primarily serves regional travel within Canada and limited international flights to the US.
Billy Bishop Airport is closer to downtown Toronto, making it more convenient for accessing the city centre. It also offers a stress-free experience due to its smaller size and proximity to attractions like the Niagara wine region.
Billy Bishop Airport has limited flight options as it is mainly served by Porter Airlines and Air Canada Express. Additionally, accessing the airport requires a short ferry ride or pedestrian tunnel, which may be inconvenient for those with vehicles.
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