The Most Popular Airport in Canada, Ranked

Choose the airport you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:28
Travelers often find themselves at numerous airports, each offering distinct services, amenities, and atmospheres. Knowing which airport ranks as the most popular can significantly enhance one's travel planning and expectations, providing insights into facilities like dining options, lounging areas, and shopping districts. By participating in voting for your preferred airport, you directly influence the rankings, helping others choose the best gateway for their journey. This dynamic, interactive process ensures that the rankings accurately reflect real-world preferences and experiences, guiding new and frequent flyers alike.

What Is the Most Popular Airport in Canada?

  1. 1
    64
    votes
    Toronto Pearson International Airport
    Buffyjossdollhouse · Public domain
    Toronto Pearson is the busiest airport in Canada, serving over 50 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet and offers direct flights to over 180 destinations worldwide.
    Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, serving as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. It is located in Mississauga, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. The airport provides a wide range of services and amenities for travelers and plays a significant role in facilitating air travel in North America.
    • Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    • IATA Code: YYZ
    • ICAO Code: CYYZ
    • Opened: 1939
    • Terminal Buildings: Terminals 1, 3, and Terminal 3 Satellite
  2. 2
    40
    votes
    Vancouver International Airport
    Siqbal · Public domain

    Vancouver International Airport

    Vancouver Airport Authority
    Vancouver International is the second busiest airport in Canada, serving over 25 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet and offers direct flights to over 130 destinations worldwide.
    Vancouver International Airport is the second busiest airport in Canada and serves as a major gateway to the Pacific Rim. Located in Richmond, British Columbia, it is built on Sea Island and is operated by Vancouver Airport Authority. The airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights, connecting passengers to over 125 destinations worldwide. It is known for its impressive architecture, modern facilities, and efficient operations.
    • IATA code: YVR
    • ICAO code: CYVR
    • Year of opening: 1931
    • Passenger traffic (2019): 26.4 million
    • Number of runways: 3
  3. 3
    15
    votes
    Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
    FRED · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau is the third busiest airport in Canada, serving over 20 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Air Canada and offers direct flights to over 130 destinations worldwide.
    Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is the primary international airport serving Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is located on the Island of Montreal, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from downtown Montreal. The airport is named after Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada. With its modern infrastructure and various facilities, it is one of the busiest airports in Canada.
    • Location: Dorval, Quebec, Canada
    • Opened: 1941
    • Terminal Buildings: 4
    • Passenger Traffic (2019): 20.3 million
    • Runways: 3
  4. 4
    22
    votes
    Calgary International Airport
    Jeff Walker · CC BY-SA 2.5
    Calgary International is the fourth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 17 million passengers annually. It is a hub for WestJet and offers direct flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.
    Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the busiest airport in Alberta, Canada, and the fourth busiest in the country. Located in Calgary, it serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights, connecting passengers to over 160 destinations worldwide. The airport is known for its modern facilities, efficient operations, and commitment to customer service.
    • Location: Calgary, Alberta
    • Airport code: YYC
    • Year opened: 1938
    • Passenger capacity: over 17 million per year
    • Airlines: served by over 20 domestic and international airlines
  5. 5
    20
    votes

    Edmonton International Airport

    Government of Alberta
    Edmonton International is the fifth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 8 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Flair Airlines and offers direct flights to over 60 destinations worldwide.
    Edmonton International Airport is a major international airport located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It serves as a hub for several airlines and is one of the busiest airports in Canada.
    • Location: Nisku, Alberta, Canada
    • IATA Code: YEG
    • ICAO Code: CYEG
    • Runways: 2
    • Passenger Traffic (2019): 8.15 million
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
    Dpm64 · Public domain

    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    The Ottawa Airport Authority
    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier is the sixth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 5 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Air Canada and offers direct flights to over 40 destinations worldwide.
    Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is the main airport serving Canada's capital city of Ottawa. It is the sixth-busiest airport in Canada with over 5 million passengers annually. The airport is located in the South End of Ottawa, approximately 10 kilometers from downtown. It offers a range of domestic and international flights to destinations across North America, Europe, and other parts of the world.
    • ICAO code: CYOW
    • IATA code: YOW
    • Opened: 1938
    • Terminals: 1
    • Runways: 2
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Halifax Stanfield International Airport
    Robert Alfers · Public domain
    Halifax Stanfield is the seventh busiest airport in Canada, serving over 4 million passengers annually. It is a hub for Air Canada and offers direct flights to over 40 destinations worldwide.
    Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the largest airport in Atlantic Canada and serves as the main gateway to the region. Located in Enfield, Nova Scotia, it is approximately 35 kilometers north of downtown Halifax. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, a former premier of Nova Scotia and federal leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
    • IATA Code: YHZ
    • ICAO Code: CYHZ
    • Elevation: 477 feet (145 meters)
    • Number of Runways: 2
    • Longest Runway: 10,500 feet (3,200 meters)
  8. 8
    2
    votes
    Victoria International is the eighth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 2 million passengers annually. It offers direct flights to over 30 destinations worldwide.
    Victoria International Airport is a major airport located in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. It serves the Greater Victoria area and is one of the busiest airports in Canada.
    • Location: Sidney, British Columbia
    • Airport Code: YYJ
    • Type: Public
    • Runways: 3
    • Passenger Traffic (2019): 2,091,250
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
    RFBailey · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson is the ninth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 4 million passengers annually. It is a hub for WestJet and offers direct flights to over 20 destinations worldwide.
    Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is located approximately 8 kilometers west of downtown Winnipeg. The airport is named after James Armstrong Richardson Sr., a businessman and pioneer of Canadian commercial aviation.
    • Airport Code: YWG
    • Opened: 1928
    • Number of Terminals: 1
    • Number of Runways: 3
    • Passenger Traffic (2019): 4.5 million
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Kelowna International is the tenth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 2 million passengers annually. It offers direct flights to over 20 destinations worldwide.
    Kelowna International Airport is a major gateway in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. It serves the city of Kelowna and the surrounding region, offering both domestic and international flights.
    • Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
    • ICAO Code: CYLW
    • IATA Code: YLW
    • Opened: 1946
    • Terminal Capacity: 2.5 million passengers per year

Missing your favorite airport?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular airport

  1. Passenger Traffic
    The number of passengers traveling through the airport annually. Higher passenger traffic usually indicates a more popular airport.
  2. Flight Operations
    The number of takeoffs and landings at the airport. More flight operations generally mean that the airport is busier and more popular.
  3. Connectivity
    The number of domestic and international destinations that can be reached directly from the airport. Airports with more connections are typically more popular.
  4. Customer Satisfaction
    Ratings and reviews provided by passengers regarding their experiences at the airport. Factors include terminal facilities, cleanliness, staff friendliness, security, and ease of navigation.
  5. On-Time Performance
    The percentage of flights arriving and departing on time. Airports with better on-time performance are often more popular among passengers.
  6. Airport Facilities
    The quality and availability of amenities such as restaurants, shops, lounges, parking, and public transportation options.
  7. Size and Capacity
    The airport's ability to handle a large number of passengers and aircraft, as well as future growth and expansion plans.
  8. Awards and Recognitions
    Accolades and recognition from aviation and travel industry organizations, such as Skytrax and Airports Council International.
  9. Economic Impact
    The contribution of the airport to the local and regional economy, including job creation and support for local businesses.
  10. Environmental Initiatives
    Efforts made by the airport authorities to reduce the airport's environmental impact, such as by implementing sustainable practices, reducing emissions, and improving energy efficiency.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular airport in Canada. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or airport is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1961 views
  • 191 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each airport once every 24 hours. The rank of each airport is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular airport in canada

Canada is a vast country with a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and attractions. It's no wonder that millions of people visit Canada every year, with many arriving by air. Canada is home to over 500 airports, but which one is the most popular? To find out, we conducted a survey on StrawPoll to gather opinions from travelers across Canada and beyond. From bustling metropolitan hubs to remote regional airports, we asked people to vote for their favorite airport based on factors such as convenience, services, and overall experience. Read on to discover the most popular airport in Canada, as voted by our community of travelers.

Share this article