
Vancouver International Airport, located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, is assigned the airport code YVR. YVR is the second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, with 26.2 million passengers, behind Toronto Pearson International Airport. The airport has won several notable international best airport awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award a record 12 consecutive years from 2007 to 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Code | YVR |
| Airport Name | Vancouver International Airport |
| City | Vancouver |
| Country | Canada |
| Time Zone | UTC -8:00 |
| Serving Airlines | Air Canada, WestJet, Pacific Coastal Airlines, etc. |
| Hub for | Air Canada |
| Focus City for | WestJet |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 26.4 million (2019) |
| Elevation | 4.3 m (14 ft) |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Website | yvr.ca |
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What You'll Learn

Vancouver International Airport's code is YVR
YVR is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet. It is one of eight Canadian airports that have US Border Pre-clearance facilities. It is also one of the few major international airports to have a terminal for scheduled float planes. The airport has won several notable international best airport awards, including the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award for 12 consecutive years (2007-2022).
The airport covers a total expanse of about 1,340 hectares (3,311 acres) of airport property. The present main terminal was completed in 1968 and has since been expanded to include separate domestic and international terminals. The Domestic section of the terminal was constructed in 1968 by the Vancouver-based firm Thompson, Berwick, and Pratt and was renovated in 2005 by Vancouver architect Kasian Kennedy. The Domestic area consists of three piers (A-C). Pier A consists of six gates: A6 through A10 and A12. These gates are ground-loading ramps used by WestJet Encore. Pier B consists of 15 gates: gates B13 through B27. Pier B is the hub for domestic flights for WestJet.
The International concourse was designed by Vancouver-based Architectura, now Stantec, with Kansas City–based HNTB Corporation (1994–1996). It was expanded between 2017 and 2021 to allow for more gates and remote stand operations. All international concourse gates can accept flights arriving from international and US origins. Pier D consists of 31 gates: D48 to D78, of which seven are bus gates for remote stands. All international-bound flights, excluding those to the United States, depart from the D gates.
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It is located in Richmond, British Columbia
The airport code for Vancouver International Airport is YVR. This airport is located in Richmond, British Columbia, and is the second-busiest airport in Canada. Richmond is a city in the metro Vancouver area, situated on the west side of the Lulu Island at the mouth of the Fraser River. Being in Richmond gives Vancouver International Airport a unique setting, surrounded by water and offering beautiful views of the coastal mountains.
Richmond is an ideal location for the airport as it is just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, providing easy access to the city and surrounding areas. The airport is a major hub for passengers traveling to and from the Vancouver region, serving over 26 million passengers annually. Being located in Richmond also places the airport in close proximity to the United States border, with Seattle just a short drive south.
The city of Richmond is a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich cultural heritage. It is home to a large Asian community, with a variety of Asian restaurants, markets, and cultural attractions. Richmond has a thriving nightlife scene, with many bars, pubs, and restaurants offering a range of culinary delights. The city also boasts beautiful natural surroundings, with parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces to explore.
Vancouver International Airport has been serving the region since 1931 and has grown to become a major international gateway to Canada. The airport has won numerous awards for its design, efficiency, and sustainability. Being located in Richmond has been a key factor in the airport's success, offering a unique and convenient location for travelers. The airport code YVR is a reflection of this, with the letters "YVR" becoming synonymous with the city of Vancouver and its surrounding areas.
Richmond, British Columbia, is therefore a significant part of the story of Vancouver International Airport and its success as a major aviation hub. The city offers a great cultural experience for travelers passing through, with a unique blend of natural beauty and urban attractions. The location of the airport in Richmond has certainly contributed to its reputation as one of the best airports in the world.
Being located in Richmond has also allowed the airport to develop and expand over the years, accommodating the growing demand for air travel to and from the Vancouver region. With its unique setting and convenient location, Vancouver International Airport is set to continue as a major gateway to Canada and a key contributor to the local economy.
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YVR is Canada's second busiest airport
Vancouver International Airport, also known by its airport code YVR, is Canada's second busiest airport. Located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, it serves the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. YVR is approximately 12 km or 7.5 miles from Downtown Vancouver.
YVR is a significant hub for aviation in Canada, accommodating 26.2 million passengers and ranking as the second busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic. It is surpassed only by Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. As a trans-Pacific hub, YVR offers more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe. The airport serves as a hub for major airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet.
Vancouver International Airport boasts an impressive range of facilities and amenities. It is one of only eight Canadian airports equipped with US Border Pre-clearance facilities, enhancing its convenience for travellers. The airport's terminals include separate domestic and international sections, with the Domestic area featuring three piers (A-C) and the International concourse offering an extensive array of gates and remote stand operations.
YVR has consistently been recognised for its excellence, receiving notable accolades such as the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award for a record-breaking 12 consecutive years from 2007 to 2022. Additionally, it has made the top 10 list of airports in the world and remains the only North American airport to be included in the top 10 rankings for 2013 and 2014. The airport's management organisation, the Vancouver Airport Authority, is a non-profit entity committed to ensuring a positive travel experience for its passengers.
With its convenient location, efficient facilities, and award-winning reputation, YVR, the airport code for Vancouver International Airport, solidifies its position as Canada's second busiest airport, catering to millions of travellers each year.
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The airport has won several awards
The airport code for Vancouver International Airport is YVR. The airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, and is about 12 km from Downtown Vancouver.
Awards
Vancouver International Airport has won several notable international best airport awards. It won the SkyTrax Best North American Airport award every year from 2010 through 2022, a record of 12 consecutive years. The airport was also voted the Best Airport in North America for eight consecutive years in the SkyTrax World Airport Awards in 2017. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation's prestigious Airport of the Year Award.
In 2001, the airport won the Airport Management Award from the B.C. Aviation Council for its professional and compassionate handling of challenges following the September 11 attacks. In 2004, the airport received the Rick Hansen Accessibility Award, which recognises "facilities and communities that improve the quality of life for people with mobility limitations."
Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, located within the airport, has also won several awards. It was voted the #2 Airport Hotel in North America and #5 in the World at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards. The hotel also received the AAA Four Diamond Rating for 2024, an award that recognises superior hospitality and extensive amenities in upscale accommodations.
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It has a US Border Pre-clearance facility
Vancouver International Airport (IATA: YVR, ICAO: CYVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. It is one of eight Canadian airports that have US Border Pre-clearance facilities.
The US Border Pre-clearance facility at Vancouver International Airport was created in the 1970s. It has the longest operating hours of any US pre-clearance facility in the world, operating from 4:30 am to midnight.
The pre-clearance facility allows passengers to complete the same immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at YVR that they would normally go through upon arrival in the United States. This process is administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a division of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Passengers at YVR must first pass through airport security inspection, conducted by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), before proceeding to the US pre-clearance area. It is important to note that CBP officers in the Preclearance Division are not typically armed while on foreign soil. Passengers also have the right to abandon their flight and refuse a search, which is explained on signs in most pre-clearance facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
YVR.
Vancouver International Airport.
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.





































