Montreal Vs Toronto: Which Airport Reigns Supreme?

is montreal airport bigger than toronto

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport are two of the largest and busiest airports in Canada. Located 13 miles west of downtown Montreal, Montréal–Trudeau is the largest airport in Canada by land size, with an operations zone area of 70 km2 and a buffer zone area of 290 km2. On the other hand, Toronto Pearson Airport, located 20 km west of Toronto in Mississauga, Ontario, is the largest and busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, serving over 50 million passengers annually.

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Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is the largest airport in Canada by land size

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, formerly known as Montréal–Dorval International Airport, is the largest airport in Canada by land size. It has an operations zone area of 70 km2 and a buffer zone area of 290 km2. The airport features three runways, two parallel runways aligned in a northeast-southwest direction, and a single runway in an east-west direction. It also has one two-storied terminal.

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is located in Dorval, Quebec, and serves Greater Montreal and adjacent regions in Quebec and eastern Ontario. The airport is also accessible to the states of Vermont and northern New York in the United States.

The airport is one of two in Canada with non-stop flights to five continents, the other being Toronto Pearson International Airport. On average, 58,000 passengers transit through Montréal–Trudeau daily, and it is the headquarters of Air Canada, the country's largest airline. It is also the headquarters of Air Inuit and Air Transat and a base for Sunwing Airlines and Porter Airlines.

While Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is the largest by land size, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic. Toronto Pearson Airport is located in Mississauga, about 20 km west of Toronto, and serves 147 destinations through 46 airlines. It is within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada, which solidifies its top spot.

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Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada

Toronto Pearson Airport's location and connectivity contribute to its status as the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Union Pearson Express (UP Express), which provides a direct connection to downtown Toronto. Additionally, cabs, buses, and rental cars are readily available. The airport's proximity to the most populous metropolitan area in Canada ensures a steady flow of passengers and contributes to its high ranking among Canadian airports.

Montreal's airport, officially known as Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, is also a significant aviation hub. It is the largest airport in Canada by land size, with an operations zone area of 70 square kilometres and a buffer zone area of 290 square kilometres. Montréal–Trudeau has experienced substantial passenger growth in recent years, now serving over 22 million passengers annually, with nearly 16 million on international flights. On average, 58,000 passengers transit through the airport daily, and it is one of only two airports in Canada with non-stop flights to five continents.

Despite Montreal's appeal as a transit hub, Toronto Pearson International Airport solidified its position as the largest and busiest airport in Canada due to several factors. Firstly, Montreal's previous operation of two separate airports for international and continental flights complicated connections for passengers in transit. This prompted many international airlines to switch their eastern Canadian gateway to Toronto, which offered the convenience of a single airport for all flights. Secondly, Toronto's status as a populous metropolitan region and a business hub attracts a significant number of travellers, ensuring a high volume of passenger traffic through its airport.

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Toronto Airport is located in Mississauga, about 20km west of Toronto

Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, about 20 kilometres (16 miles) west of Downtown Toronto. It is the main airport serving Toronto, its metropolitan area, and the surrounding region known as the Golden Horseshoe. The airport is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and 1957 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Toronto Pearson is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, handling 44.8 million passengers in 2023. It has five runways and two active public passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with a total passenger capacity of around 47 million per year. The airport serves as a hub for major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet, offering flights to numerous destinations worldwide. In addition to passenger flights, Toronto Pearson also handles extensive cargo operations, accounting for around 416,966 metric tons of cargo in 2021.

The airport is easily accessible from downtown Toronto via the Union Pearson Express, which connects the airport to Union Station in just 25 minutes. Buses, taxis, and rental cars are also readily available at the airport, providing convenient transportation options throughout Ontario and beyond. Toronto Pearson has a vast infrastructure, with numerous cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities across a site spanning 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres).

While Toronto Pearson is the primary airport serving Toronto, the city has other airports as well. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, coded YTZ, and the now-closed Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport in Markham, formerly coded YKZ, are among these. Toronto Pearson's location within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada contributes to its status as the country's busiest airport.

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Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is accessible by bus and train

Toronto Pearson Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is located in Mississauga, about 20 km west of Toronto in the province of Ontario. Toronto-Pearson's location within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada solidifies its top spot amongst all of Canada's airports.

The nearest train station to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is Gare Dorval, which is about 831 meters or a 12-minute walk from the airport. The VH train line serves the airport, with the last train departing at 9:46 PM. Connection to Via Rail, the national train operator in Canada, is also possible through an airport shuttle bus to Dorval station, located 2 kilometers or 1.2 miles south of the airport. The Dorval station offers inter-city rail connections to Quebec City, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and smaller regional centres in Quebec and Ontario.

In addition to bus and train services, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport can also be accessed by car. The airport has a multi-level garage, Indigo Parking Lot M17, for travellers who wish to drive to the airport.

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Toronto has a few notable urban green spaces, while Montreal has a variety of beautiful parks and elegant urban squares

Toronto Pearson Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, serving over 22 million passengers annually, with nearly 16 million on international flights. It is located in Mississauga, about 20 km west of Toronto in the province of Ontario. On the other hand, Montreal–Trudeau has also witnessed significant passenger growth in recent years, now serving over 22 million passengers annually, making it one of North America's busiest international hubs.

Toronto, known for its "green" spaces, has about 1,500 parks and natural areas where people can relax and socialise. Popular spots include High Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, and Bluffer's Park. Toronto also has some smaller, more unique parks, such as the Toronto Music Garden, designed by cellist Yo Yo Ma, and the Toronto Sculpture Garden, which showcases contemporary sculptures. The city also boasts the Toronto Botanical Gardens, with themed gardens and learning experiences, and Edwards Gardens, which offers a massive area with walking trails, forested areas, and meticulously manicured gardens.

Montreal, on the other hand, boasts a variety of beautiful parks and elegant urban squares. One of the most notable is Parc LaFontaine, known for its stunning views, spacious grounds, and summer fountain. Montrealers also frequent Parc Jarry, a large park with old trees that provide shade in the summer. The city's urban parks offer unique experiences, such as the Lachine Canal, an 8.4-mile route for walking, biking, or waterway travel, connecting the city to nature. Montreal's parks also provide opportunities for winter activities, such as skating on Beaver Lake and cross-country skiing.

Montreal's urban squares, such as the one inaugurated to celebrate the city's 350th anniversary, feature art installations, gardens, and monuments. Another elegant square is Saint Henri Square, centred around a monument dedicated to the explorer Jacques Cartier, surrounded by mature trees and Victorian houses. The city's Westmount park is also renowned for its gorgeous landscaping, sporting fields, and public recreational facilities.

Frequently asked questions

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is the largest airport in Canada by land size, with an operations zone area of 70 km2 and a buffer zone area of 290 km2. Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport, on the other hand, is located on an approximately 18.6 km2 piece of land. Therefore, Montreal Airport is bigger than Toronto Airport.

Toronto Pearson Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is also the second-busiest international air passenger gateway in the Americas and the 30th-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. In 2019, the airport handled approximately 50.5 million passengers. Montreal-Trudeau, on the other hand, is the third busiest airport in Canada. In 2023, it saw more than 21 million passengers.

Toronto Airport has 46 airlines operating and serving flights to and from 147 destinations. Montreal-Trudeau Airport, on the other hand, offers year-round non-stop flights to five continents.

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