Vancouver International Airport Guide
Vancouver International Airport sits on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, 14 km south of downtown Vancouver. It is Canada's second-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the country's primary transpacific gateway, handling 26.2 million passengers in 2024 — the second-highest total in its history.
The airport operates three runways and is served by 51 airlines connecting to 120 destinations. Air Canada holds close to 50% of available seat capacity at YVR, with WestJet as the second-largest carrier. United Airlines is the largest foreign operator. YVR is one of nine Canadian airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facilities, allowing U.S.-bound passengers to clear customs before departure.
Opened on July 22, 1931, as Vancouver Civic Airport, the facility began scheduled commercial service in 1934. It is owned by Transport Canada and operated by the Vancouver Airport Authority, a not-for-profit organization. The airport contributes approximately $15 billion annually to Canada's GDP and employs around 26,000 people on Sea Island.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 30 listed options at Vancouver International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Vancouver International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 26M passengers (2024)3 runwaysopened 1931
- Location
- 49.194, -123.184
- Operator
- Vancouver Airport Authority (operator); Transport Canada (owner)
Terminals
2 terminalsVancouver International Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Main Terminal and South Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 12 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Main TerminalMixed
Air Canada, WestJet, Flair Airlines, Air Transat, Porter Airlines, Air North, United Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Air India, Japan Airlines
Concourses Concourse A · Concourse B · Concourse C · Concourse D · Concourse E
- South TerminalDomestic
Pacific Coastal Airlines, Central Mountain Air
Nearby cities
5 citiesVancouver International Airport is closest to Richmond (7 km east), and also serves Vancouver, Burnaby and other nearby areas. With 5 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Vancouver14 km northeast
- Richmond7 km east
- Burnaby22 km northeast
- New Westminster26 km east
- Surrey35 km southeast
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Vancouver International Airport?
What are the airport codes for Vancouver International Airport?
Where is Vancouver International Airport located?
Where is Vancouver International Airport located?
What services are available at Vancouver International Airport?
What services are available at Vancouver International Airport?
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