St. John's to U.S: transiting Toronto or Montreal
May 20, 2015, 2:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,188
St. John's to U.S: transiting Toronto or Montreal
St. John's to either Montreal or Toronto, then on to SFO and RNO. Would have the choice of 1 hr. 15 mins. to connect in Toronto, or about 3 hours at either Toronto or Montreal. I assume the short connection would be too short for U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance. If we go for the 3 hour connection, is there any appreciable difference in using Montreal or Toronto? We could use the Maple Leaf lounge at either, since we'd be in biz class, and I see the "transborder" lounge at Toronto has showers, which my wife would like, so leaning towards that (assuming we don't try for the short connection). These all show on the Air Canada Web site.
May 20, 2015, 4:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YYC
Posts: 35
Play it safe - with the US pre-clearance, 1 hour 15 minute connection is cutting it close! The 3 hour layover would be much safer. Personally, I prefer Toronto as it is a larger airport, but Montreal has a nice airport as well.
May 21, 2015, 7:48 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC E35k, HHonors Silver
Posts: 743
The three hour layover would be safest. The shorter one is entirely doable - I connected to DCA in about that time a few weeks back but it's down to your risk tolerance! If you have MLL access then killing time is more palatable. I would choose YYZ over YUL as a connection point as I prefer it as an airport. YMMV.
May 22, 2015, 9:05 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
I would do Toronto and take the 3 hour connection to play it safe. Make sure you don't miss the lounge as it is immediately after you go through security--take the elevators to your right.
May 22, 2015, 11:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC P25
Posts: 269
I had a nearly 2hr connection yyt-lax through yyz and after a short departure delay, madness at pre-clearance and some lengthy walking it was too close for comfort. (Last to board in a sweaty mess - FA got me a glass of water, in coach, because I looked so harried lol) I'd also choose YYZ as there are more options in Irrops and I personally prefer it to yul. Depends on many factors of course, off peak with no delays would easily work but depends on your risk tolerance!