R
emember the days when the
thought of an airport layover
brought shudders and a sense
of dread? Today’s airports are
breaking out of that mold —
and breaking all the old rules — to
offer bespoke services to modern
travelers. From luxury lounges,
modern spas and art museums, to
wine bars, gourmet restaurants and
markets filled with fresh produce,
airports around the world are
revolutionizing the travel experience.
Discover a new place each month for
your next luxe layover.
Vancouver International
Airport, Canada: YVR
Vancouver International Airport sits
on Sea Island, an island on the Fraser
River in Richmond, British Columbia.
Situated about 30 minutes from
downtown Vancouver, the airport
started with a single runway and
a wood shack in 1931.
During World War II, the airport
housed the Royal Canadian Air Force
and became a manufacturing site for
Boeing. The airport further expanded
in 1968 with a new $32 million
terminal, which served 1.9 million
passengers that year. During the
1980’s, international travel
blossomed in and out of YVR, with
service by Air China, British Airways,
Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa and KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines.
The next major expansion was in
1996b with a new $250 million,
16-gate in ternational terminal and
new control tower. The airport
received great attention on 9/11
when 34 US-based aircraft, carrying
more than 8500 passengers, were
diverted to Vancouver.
Today, 53 airlines serve YVR to 109
non-stop destinations in Canada, the
US and around the world. Last year,
YVR served approximately 18 million
passengers, making it Canada’s
second busiest airport.
The Airport Layout
Vancouver International Airport has
been voted best airport in North
America for six years and it’s
immediately obvious when you arrive,
whether you land at Vancouver’s
international terminal or enter
landside, why that is the case.
When arriving from the U.S. or
another international location,
you find yourself in a well-marked,
modern terminal. Enroute to the
customs queue, you walk past
beautiful artwork that gives you
an immediate sense of being in the
Pacific Northwest. You will pass
through a post and beam longhouse,
go past a sandy beach with sounds
of birds and water and past a
traditional Pacific Northwest canoe.
The overhead wooden sculpture is
representative of Canada’s First
Nation artwork.
When arriving at YVR, you clear
border service and immigration,
gather your baggage (free carts are
available), give your declaration card
to Canada Border Services and
proceed through the international
reception lounge to the exit and
public greeting area. You can find
tourism information, money
exchange and several shops inside
the international reception lounge.
Fairmont Vancouver
Airport. Photo courtesy
Fairmont Hotels
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When departing YVR, there are
different check-in terminals:
Domestic, International and USA
terminals. If you are going to the
U.S., you will clear customs at YVR
before boarding your flight. If you
have U.S. Global Entry, you can enter
security, fill out the questions on
the Global Entry kiosks, and then
proceed to security in a matter of
moments. If you do not have Global
Entry, you will need to fill out the
paper USA Declaration Card and
proceed to the US Customs and
Border Protection line before
heading to security.