Thursday, July 26 is slated to be the busiest travel day of 2018 and kicks off the busiest weekend of the year for the airport. With more than 52,000 guests travelling through YYC, we want to provide our guests with the following key tips to enjoy the journey as much as they enjoy their destination.
1. The Journey Starts Before You Leave
Know what to pack! To get through security as quickly and easily as possible, check out the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) travel checklists. Visit www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca for general information to reduce and avoid delays.
2. Plan Your Parking
Treat yourself! YYC has a variety of affordable parking options. Use our convenient parking fee calculator to determine the best rate and lot to meet your needs.
- If you are flying to a Canadian destination, your best parking option is parkade 1 (P1). Look for P1 signage in red.
- If you are travelling to the U.S. or internationally – Look for P2 signage in blue.
3. Check your Flight before you Leave home or the Office, and Arrive Early
Relax in comfort, not in traffic! Considering the anticipated high volume of guests, leave yourself additional time before your flight. Also, it’s important to remember that each airline sets its own recommended check-in time based on the destination. Be sure to visit your airline’s website to check-in and reconfirm your flight details before you fly.
4. Know Where To Go
If you’re staying within our great country, the Domestic Terminal is undergoing significant upgrades to accommodate construction activity for the integration of our state-of-the-art baggage handling system. While this work is being completed, changes are being made to check-in locations:
- Air Canada desks are now located by Doors 9 to 11.
- WestJet is located by Doors 2 to 3. NOTE: Starting August 14, WestJet’s domestic check-in will be moving to its temporary location by Doors 5 to 7.
- Check out a map of the check-in moves here.
For travel to International and U.S. destinations proceed to the International Terminal by Doors 15 to 17.
Having trouble finding your check-in counter, security line or gate? White Hat Volunteers will be roaming through the terminal to help direct you to your designated check-in area, and you can hop aboard one of our White Hat carts to get a ride if you need one.
5. Explore YYC
To get you excited for your destination, begin your trip by exploring the variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options at YYC. This is a great opportunity to pick-up any last-minute western attire for your loved ones or enjoy a relaxing pre-flight beverage at one of our many restaurant offerings.
Let the kiddies run off some pre-flight steam by visiting one of our children’s play areas and SpacePort – all offered free of charge!
6. Check out some music.
With the extra time you have by arriving early at YYC, you’ll be able to relax to the sweet sounds from musical performances by local artists throughout the airport. The addition of our Music Program to the airport atmosphere provides a unique opportunity to discover the musical talent found right here in Calgary. See the full schedule of performances and locations here.
7. Play some tunes of your own.
If you are flying to the U.S., be sure to stop and put your piano skills to good use. Our piano, dedicated by Honens Competition in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, is available for guests to try out while they wait for their flight.
8. Be sure to visit our furry friends. These therapy dogs and cats, with their volunteer side-kicks in tow, roam the terminal and greet visitors to YYC during peak travel times every Thursday to Sunday. Whether you are having a ruff day or just love dogs, we are pawsitive that YYC’s Pre-Board Pals will add a smile to your day.
9. Check out top spots for a selfie before your journey!
We all love documenting the travel experience from start to finish, so be sure to kick off with a great photo before departure. Our YYC letters can be found in the International check-in area and the Canada letters are located in International Arrivals. Along with a number of locations with great view of aprons and airplanes, there are plenty of spots to mark the first or even last part of your journey.
10. Use Our Free and Fast WI-FI
YYC was recently named in the top three for best WI-FI among all large North American airports, so you can connect, post, share and email with ease while travelling this summer.
11. Avoid longer line ups
If you travel often and want to breeze through security and customs, sign up for NEXUS or Global Entry to be pre-approved for shorter trusted traveller line ups.
We hope all guests of YYC have a safe, relaxing and memorable time during their summer travels. Visit yyc.com for more information.