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Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is an international airport located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. YVR is the second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, behind Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. The airport has won several notable international best airport awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award for 12 consecutive years. In this response, I will outline the key features of Vancouver International Airport and explain what it looks like.
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What You'll Learn
- Vancouver International Airport has two terminals: the Main Terminal and the South Terminal
- The airport has trilingual English, French, and Chinese signage
- It is one of eight Canadian airports with US Border Pre-clearance facilities
- The airport has won several notable international awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award
- The airport has free internet access in all sections
Vancouver International Airport has two terminals: the Main Terminal and the South Terminal
Vancouver International Airport (IATA: YVR, ICAO: CYVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. YVR is the second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, serving 24.9-26.2 million passengers. It is one of eight Canadian airports with US Border Pre-clearance facilities and has been awarded the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award 12 years in a row.
The South Terminal, along with the adjacent floatplane docks, is referred to as "Airport South" by management. The Domestic section of the South Terminal was constructed in 1968 by Thompson, Berwick, and Pratt and renovated in 2005 by Kasian Kennedy. During World War II, the original terminal building served as RCAF Station Sea Island, operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport.
Free internet access is available throughout the airport, and trilingual signage in English, French, and Chinese guides passengers.
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The airport has trilingual English, French, and Chinese signage
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is known for its trilingual English, French, and Chinese signage. This reflects the airport's role as a major trans-Pacific hub, with more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe. The signage at YVR is designed to cater to a diverse range of travellers passing through the airport.
The airport has two terminals: the Main Terminal and the South Terminal, also known as "Airport South" due to its adjacent floatplane docks. The South Terminal's Domestic section was constructed in 1968 and renovated in 2005, and it consists of three piers (A, B, and C) with a total of 45 gates. Pier A has six gates (A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, and A12), which are ground loading ramps used by WestJet Encore. Pier B has 15 gates (B13-B27), with gates B14 to B17 capable of receiving international and US arrivals, and gates B23 to B25 serving as ground loading ramps. Pier B is primarily used by WestJet for domestic flights, but it also accommodates several other domestic airlines. Pier C has the most gates, with 24 (C29-C52).
The Main Terminal features both domestic and international concourses. The International concourse was expanded between 2017 and 2021 to increase gate capacity and enable more remote stand operations. This concourse includes Pier D, which has 31 gates (D48-D78), seven of which (D56, D57, D59, D60, D61, D63, and D65) are bus gates for remote stands. All international flights departing from YVR, except those bound for the United States, utilise the D gates. These gates can accommodate wide-body aircraft, and several are equipped with two jet bridges.
The trilingual signage at YVR guides passengers through the arrival and departure processes. Upon arrival, passengers follow the "Canada Connections" signs to go through immigration and customs checks. They then proceed to the baggage claim area, where they may need to collect their baggage if they have checked firearms or pets or are travelling with a service dog. After completing the arrival procedures, passengers follow the ""Arrivals" signs to the third floor for domestic departures or to the check-in counters for connecting flights. For departing passengers, there are also Primary Inspection Kiosks and Fast Track Security Screening lanes, which they can locate using the appropriate signs.
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It is one of eight Canadian airports with US Border Pre-clearance facilities
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of eight Canadian airports with US Border Pre-clearance facilities. This means that passengers arriving in the United States from Vancouver are treated as domestic travellers, which can reduce congestion at American ports of entry. The preclearance facilities are located in the International concourse of the airport, which was designed by Vancouver-based Architectura, now Stantec, with Kansas City-based HNTB Corporation. The concourse was expanded between 2017 and 2021 to allow for more gates and remote stand operations.
The practice of pre-screening US-bound passengers in foreign countries began in 1894 when American immigration inspectors were deployed to sea ports across Canada. However, modern preclearance facilities were first introduced in 1952 at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Calgary International Airport. Since then, preclearance has expanded to other major Canadian airports, including Vancouver, enabling more convenient travel to the United States.
The preclearance process is intended to streamline border procedures and enhance security, while also facilitating trade and economic prosperity. Travellers who are pre-cleared experience faster and more reliable service when moving through border points. This is achieved through innovative technologies, such as the Mobile Passport Control program, which allows travellers to submit their passport and travel information through a mobile application.
It is important to note that pre-cleared passengers may still be subject to re-inspection at the discretion of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While CBP officers in the Preclearance Division are typically not armed on foreign soil, they are allowed to carry sidearms on duty in Canada if they are working in an environment where Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers are normally armed.
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The airport has won several notable international awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. It is the second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, serving 24.9-26.2 million people. As a trans-Pacific hub, YVR has more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe. It is also one of the few major international airports with a terminal for scheduled float planes.
The airport has won several notable international awards. It won the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award in 2007 and 2010 through 2022, for a record of 12 consecutive years. In addition to this, the airport was also ranked in the top 10 list of airports in the world from 2012 to 2014, the only North American airport to make the list in 2013 and 2014. YVR also retains the distinction of Best Canadian Airport in the regional results.
In 2004, Vancouver International Airport received the Rick Hansen Accessibility Award, which recognises "facilities and communities that improve the quality of life for people with mobility limitations". The airport has been working with an independent accessibility consultant since 1992 to eliminate physical barriers and provide fully accessible terminal facilities for all. As a result, the airport features designated short-term parking spaces, curb-side ramps, and accessible counters and bathrooms for wheelchair users.
In 2001, the airport won the Airport Management Award from the B.C. Aviation Council for its professional and compassionate handling of 34 diverted flights and 8,500 passengers after the September 11 attacks.
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The airport has free internet access in all sections
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is known for its modern design and efficient layout. The airport has been recognised with several notable international "best airport" awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport Award for 12 consecutive years (2007–2022).
One of the standout features of Vancouver International Airport is its free internet access, available in all sections of the airport. This means that travellers can stay connected throughout their time at the airport, whether they are in the Main Terminal or the South Terminal. The Main Terminal serves both domestic and international flights, while the South Terminal, along with its adjacent floatplane docks, is referred to as "Airport South" by management.
The availability of free internet access in all sections of the airport is particularly convenient for travellers who need to work remotely, stay connected with family and friends, or simply wish to browse the web during their time at the airport. It is worth noting that Vancouver International Airport is also known for its user-friendly wayfinding system, featuring trilingual English, French, and Chinese signage throughout the airport, making it easy for travellers of various linguistic backgrounds to navigate.
The airport's design incorporates a range of amenities and facilities to enhance the traveller experience. These include currency exchange booths, information counters, and a variety of dining and shopping options. Additionally, the airport has a dedicated lounge, accessible to certain travellers, where they can relax and await their departure. Overall, Vancouver International Airport's provision of free internet access in all sections is just one aspect of its commitment to offering a convenient, comfortable, and well-connected airport experience for its patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
YVR (IATA) and CYVR (ICAO).
The Vancouver International Airport has two terminals: the Main Terminal and the South Terminal. The Main Terminal contains both domestic and international concourses, while the South Terminal is for domestic flights and is adjacent to floatplane docks, together known as "Airport South". The airport covers a total expanse of about 1,340 hectares (3,311 acres) of airport property.
The airport has trilingual English, French, and Chinese signage. It also has free internet access in all sections of the airport. Additionally, it is one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance facilities.
The Vancouver International Airport won the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award from 2007 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2022, for a total of 12 consecutive years. It also made the top 10 list of airports in the world in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
The airport provides terminal maps to help passengers navigate. There are also signs in the terminal, such as "Canada Connections" and "Arrivals," to direct passengers to their destinations.
