6047 replies to this topic

[vortoozo]

Someone mentioned taking a long time to get through YYJ's line. It depends how many other flights are leaving that AM too. 1 hour is probably too low nowadays .

 

Sure hope Canada follows suit on dropping the poke checks (and mandatory masks) on planes. Liberals just lalala not listening to anyone, including their own health officer Tam.

 

That was me, approx 50 minutes to get through security but there were a lot of flights around that time, many on widebodies.

 

Having said that, 6am is the first flight of the day. There are 4 flights between 6-7, 3 of which are the lower capacity Q400s, and then nothing until 7:45am. So it will probably be a little better than my experience.

If it were me in this case I would consider aiming to arrive 90 minutes prior to arrival with checked bags, or 75 minutes prior to arrival if already checked in and you can go right to security. Probably won't need all that time, but it allows a buffer just in case.

[AllseeingEye]

That was me, approx 50 minutes to get through security but there were a lot of flights around that time, many on widebodies.

 

Having said that, 6am is the first flight of the day. There are 4 flights between 6-7, 3 of which are the lower capacity Q400s, and then nothing until 7:45am. So it will probably be a little better than my experience.

If it were me in this case I would consider aiming to arrive 90 minutes prior to arrival with checked bags, or 75 minutes prior to arrival if already checked in and you can go right to security. Probably won't need all that time, but it allows a buffer just in case.

 

Thanks vortoozo that is a very useful and appreciated response, will do (yes she is checked in). Cheers.

[Mike K.]

There is also the live check-in tracker that tells you how long the line is. Currently it’s a 10-15 minute security wait.

[Mike K.]

What I do, is I check that tracker one week earlier, or if it’s the same AM flight schedule of my flight day on other days is the week, earlier in the week of my flight. It gives you a decent approximation of how close you can cut it.

[Missed Approach]

Come Sept, Alaska is showing a single daily flight, mid-day, from YYJ  ............. UTFN

[Nparker]

I had to change my flights to Maui in September because of the new YYJ Horizon schedule. Now I am flying YVR-SEA-Maui.

[spanky123]

Yep cancellations are a regular thing these days. Prepare to be flexible and triple check any proposed flight changes. 

 

A friend of mine had a cruise planned and the airline changed his flight to the day AFTER the cruise departed instead of the day of! Almost missed it as the times and flight numbers were very similar.

Edited by spanky123, 21 June 2022 - 01:59 PM.

[Nparker]

I am flying over to YVR the day before my flights to Maui. Hopefully they won't cancel or change things again out of Vancouver.

[lanforod]

Come Sept, Alaska is showing a single daily flight, mid-day, from YYJ  ............. UTFN

 

Good flight UTFN:

https://en.wikipedia...amangan_Airport

Edited by lanforod, 21 June 2022 - 02:47 PM.

[Mike K.]

We asked for Utah, not Uzbekistan!

[lanforod]

I'd rather go to Uzbekistan. Just sayin....

[Missed Approach]

Good flight UTFN:

https://en.wikipedia...amangan_Airport

I blame my fat fingers, glad im not booking your flights...

[Mike K.]

I recently saw this setup. I didn't really know what it was all about, but it caught my eye. It's a very small space so I'm surprised they can actually distill there:

 

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) was recognized by Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) with the 2022 Best New Retail Concept Award for Empress 1908 Gin, operated by Victoria Distillers.

 

The ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards are presented annually to recognize innovative and outstanding concessions throughout Canada and the United States. The 2022 awards celebrated the resilience of airports, concessionaires and business partners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Victoria Distillers at YYJ is the first retail concept of its kind in Canada to feature an on-site liquor manufacturing facility post-security. Located in the newly expanded departures lounge, passengers can watch Empress 1908 Gin being produced by hand. Each bottle is blended, bottled and labelled onsite. Tastings and beautifully branded merchandise are also available.

 

“It is especially rewarding to be recognized by our industry peers, said Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) President and CEO, Geoff Dickson.  Empress 1908 Gin by Victoria Distillers is a premium product with unique characteristics and a very local connection.  We were intrigued early on and wanted to be a part of the story.”

 

"We were thrilled to work with VAA on this project and are excited to be a part of the business community at Victoria International Airport. Our retail space in YYJ allows us to provide a unique experience where we can connect and engage with travellers while providing them with a taste of Victoria," said Victoria Distillers Hospitality & Experience Manager, Tomàs Dosil.

 

YYJ and Victoria Distillers were officially recognized by ACI-NA at the Business of Airports Conference held in Phoenix, AR on June 8, 2022.

[Matt R.]

The same company makes those delicious Strait and Narrow cocktails… mmm mm mmm.

[AllseeingEye]

Had to pick up Mrs ASE at athe Arrivals gate at 5:30 today....naturally her flight was delayed - that flight from Regina via Calgary to YYJ is ALWAYS delayed for some reason - must say its a pretty dead and sad place out at YYJ. Clearly traffic is still well off and nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.

 

The Tim Horton's closes at 3pm, the White Sport apparently has 'no plans' to re-open soon, if ever, according to a YYJ employee I spoke to. The only other food service operation 'this' side of the departure lounge is a small rather underwhelming outlet called the Fickle Fig cafe which has extremely limited offerings in terms of food. I was so hungry I very momentarily considered one of their veggie sandwiches which didn't look very appealing so I went with the one soup they had - fairly tasty but the experience was diminished by the fact it was lukewarm. All in all it was pretty depressing out there.

[Nparker]

To be fair, I am sure the average Canadian has no idea what the current rules are around flying. Also with the highest rate of inflation in 40 years, who can afford to fly?

[AllseeingEye]

You're off to Maui and I assume you aren't swimming - must be that gold plated public sector pension, heh.

 

We dropped the kidlin out there a few weeks back very early one morning for her trip to the UK and the place was absolutely jumping. I assumed that was becoming the norm rather than the exception, but clearly that is not the case. Presumably there are several early morning flights which probably explained that level of activity. Apparently it falls off a cliff by later in the morning and afternoons are a dead zone.

[Nparker]

You're off to Maui and I assume you aren't swimming - must be that gold plated public sector pension...

I wish. Retiring at my age means I am taking a permanent cut on my pension. Worth it to leave the BC Public Service behind.

I haven't had a real vacation since 2015, so I felt I could justify the 2 weeks in Maui this fall.

I must admit, the month away on a transatlantic cruise and in Italy next spring is a bit harder not to feel guilty about. #yolo

[vortoozo]

Had to pick up Mrs ASE at athe Arrivals gate at 5:30 today....naturally her flight was delayed - that flight from Regina via Calgary to YYJ is ALWAYS delayed for some reason - must say its a pretty dead and sad place out at YYJ. Clearly traffic is still well off and nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.

 

The Tim Horton's closes at 3pm, the White Sport apparently has 'no plans' to re-open soon, if ever, according to a YYJ employee I spoke to. The only other food service operation 'this' side of the departure lounge is a small rather underwhelming outlet called the Fickle Fig cafe which has extremely limited offerings in terms of food. I was so hungry I very momentarily considered one of their veggie sandwiches which didn't look very appealing so I went with the one soup they had - fairly tasty but the experience was diminished by the fact it was lukewarm. All in all it was pretty depressing out there.

 

Fickle Fig replaced the Starbucks. Have you been to their locations in Sidney or their farm market in North Saanich? Both are great.

Nice to have a local option instead of Starbucks at the airport.

 

There are 29 commercial flights out of YYJ today to 8 destinations on 5 airlines (and I'm not counting the regionals Jazz/Encore separately). That's low compared to the rest of the week. Tomorrow there are 40 departures to 9 destinations on 8 airlines. I doubt that is much lower than summer 2019. Having said that, there's only one departure between 4:30pm and 6:30pm today so that is a quiet window. 

[Mike K.]

ASE, if you can, go check out Fickle Fig on Mills Road. It’s worth the drive, their food is that good. The airport location might be hard to oversee, so the quality may not be as good as the actual eatery itself. It’s quite the thing they’ve got going on Mills.