Oct 3, 2021, 9:32 am
Last edit by: Adam Smith
Background
Before COVID, flights were distributed as follows:
During the early days of COVID, the airport made the decision to consolidate operations in the eastern/southern area of the airport. The A pier was closed. WestJet flights were moved to the B pier and C pier. The segregated international area in D was eliminated.
There are many references below to piers and gate numbers. Please note that most YYC gate maps that you will find online are out of date. Many of the prominent Google results still reflect the numbering system from before the new international pier was built, and YYC’s own interactive map has not been updated to reflect any of the COVID-related changes discussed in this thread, because the airport authority is useless and incompetent. For those not familiar with the airport, this is the most useful map the original author of this wiki has found.
Current Situation - Gate Allocation
Although operations are getting back towards normal, the airport authority appears to be sticking with some of its moronic decisions taken during COVID.
The A gates are in somewhat limited use, with most domestic flights going from the B, C, and D piers. Domestic flights can now depart from anywhere between A11 and D97. There appears to be little in the way of logic as to where each airline is operating at any time.
International flights still depart exclusively from D gates.
Transborder flights continue to depart exclusively from the E gates. However, gates 84 and higher are no longer used exclusively for transborder flights. Those gates may be used for domestic, international, or US flights.
Construction is under way on the ramp between the B and C piers, limiting use of certain gates.
Gate Allocation & Layout - Impact on Passengers
YYC is an extremely poorly designed airport, especially the new international wing that was opened several years ago, and is not a great airport to fly through at the best of times. However, many design flaws are compounded by the current situation.
The current dispersal of flights around the airport frequently requires long walks. Approximate distances from the C security checkpoint to:
There are moving walkways that cover part of the distance from the base of the C pier to the bases of the B and D piers, and from the base of the B pier to the base of the A pier, but a fair amount of walking is still required as the walkways only cover a portion of the distance, and there are no moving walkways within the piers themselves.
There are several elevation changes that may be unpleasant for those with mobility issues, including an uphill ramp moving from the C pier to the D pier (just before gate 70), and a long uphill ramp (about 2 stories of vertical movement) moving from the area around gates 80-83 to 84+ (obviously these ramps are downhill in the opposing directions). Many of the ramps around YYC lack customary handrails and flat rest areas as the airport was/is exempt from building codes.
LINK Shuttle
Unlike most major airports that have some sort of train system to shuttle passengers around the airport, YYC relies on oversized golf carts, which the airport authority refers to as the LINK shuttle (some in the AC forum derogatorily refer to these as "meep meeps" since they look like something out of a cartoon).
Also note that the shuttle only runs to the start of the D pier, before gate 70. Therefore up to ~500m of walking could be required to reach one's gate.
Current Situation - Check-In
AC and WS domestic check-in are at their usual locations at C and A respectively.
Flair and Air North are at door 8 (next to AC, between B and C).
Flights to the US (all airlines) - check-in desks in usual locations at E.
International flights are at the D area, including AC and WS
Current Situation - Security
Hours for checkpoints can be found here.
Priority security:
At YYC, only the Verified Traveller lane at the C checkpoint offers expedited screening. The other VT lanes simply get one to the front of the line quicker.
Those looking to avoid body scanners may wish to use the B checkpoint, where there are none.
Connections
As a result of the issues described above, connecting through YYC can be a nightmare at the moment. Some domestic connections require moving from a gate at the end of the A pier to the east end of the D pier, e.g. A20 to D95, which involves around 1.5 km of distance. Many connections will require lengthy walks. Please plan accordingly.
Sterile transit (i.e. International to International, or ITI, connections without clearing Canadian immigration/customs) is not available, since there is no longer a segregated international departures area. It is unknown when, if ever, this will return. All connections therefore require entering Canada.
ITD OSS, a.k.a. One-Stop Security, which allows passengers to connect from an international flight to a domestic one without re-clearing security, is available. Passengers must be travelling on a single ticket and should be eligible if they are coming from the US or Europe. From Mexico or the Caribbean, it’s less clear. Note that OSS requires both an eligible origin and eligible airline combination - WS to WS and AC to AC are fine. KL to WS is eligible. But KL to AC, for instance, is not eligible.
Connecting to the US always requires re-clearing security at the E gates, regardless of where you're coming from. US security is located before the CBP area.
When Will Things Get Better?
Probably never, given the incompetence of the airport authority.
Despite the A gates in use, there doesn't actually appear to be any immediate desire to eliminate the use of the D gates for domestic flights. On November 1, 2021, the useless airport authority actually published a video highlighting the use of the D gates for domestic flights, and modifications to the international terminal to create a specific exit pathway for domestic passengers back to the A, B, C gates, among other changes.
Lounges
The following lounges exist at YYC. You should consult your airline for further details on access, but a rough summary follows:
Customers connecting from a domestic flight to a transborder one are physically able to access one of the domestic/international lounges, but beware that getting to your flight requires re-clearing security and going through US customs. TB passengers originating at YYC may be able to access the domestic/international area before their flight, but are at the whim of CATSA. Before COVID, this was generally not a problem, but since COVID, CATSA may have adopted a different policy. YMMV.
Before COVID, flights were distributed as follows:
- A: WestJet domestic flights
- B: shared between WestJet, Air Canada, and others, domestic flights
- C: Air Canada domestic flights
- D: international flights (excluding US)
- E: transborder (“TB”, i.e. to the US) flights
During the early days of COVID, the airport made the decision to consolidate operations in the eastern/southern area of the airport. The A pier was closed. WestJet flights were moved to the B pier and C pier. The segregated international area in D was eliminated.
There are many references below to piers and gate numbers. Please note that most YYC gate maps that you will find online are out of date. Many of the prominent Google results still reflect the numbering system from before the new international pier was built, and YYC’s own interactive map has not been updated to reflect any of the COVID-related changes discussed in this thread, because the airport authority is useless and incompetent. For those not familiar with the airport, this is the most useful map the original author of this wiki has found.
Current Situation - Gate Allocation
Although operations are getting back towards normal, the airport authority appears to be sticking with some of its moronic decisions taken during COVID.
The A gates are in somewhat limited use, with most domestic flights going from the B, C, and D piers. Domestic flights can now depart from anywhere between A11 and D97. There appears to be little in the way of logic as to where each airline is operating at any time.
International flights still depart exclusively from D gates.
Transborder flights continue to depart exclusively from the E gates. However, gates 84 and higher are no longer used exclusively for transborder flights. Those gates may be used for domestic, international, or US flights.
Construction is under way on the ramp between the B and C piers, limiting use of certain gates.
Gate Allocation & Layout - Impact on Passengers
YYC is an extremely poorly designed airport, especially the new international wing that was opened several years ago, and is not a great airport to fly through at the best of times. However, many design flaws are compounded by the current situation.
The current dispersal of flights around the airport frequently requires long walks. Approximate distances from the C security checkpoint to:
- D70 (base of D pier) 300m
- D76 (south end of D pier) 500m
- D80 500m
- D97 (east end of D pier) 800m
- WS lounge (base of B pier) 150m
- B39 (end of B pier) 350m
- A20 (end of A pier) 600m
There are moving walkways that cover part of the distance from the base of the C pier to the bases of the B and D piers, and from the base of the B pier to the base of the A pier, but a fair amount of walking is still required as the walkways only cover a portion of the distance, and there are no moving walkways within the piers themselves.
There are several elevation changes that may be unpleasant for those with mobility issues, including an uphill ramp moving from the C pier to the D pier (just before gate 70), and a long uphill ramp (about 2 stories of vertical movement) moving from the area around gates 80-83 to 84+ (obviously these ramps are downhill in the opposing directions). Many of the ramps around YYC lack customary handrails and flat rest areas as the airport was/is exempt from building codes.
LINK Shuttle
Unlike most major airports that have some sort of train system to shuttle passengers around the airport, YYC relies on oversized golf carts, which the airport authority refers to as the LINK shuttle (some in the AC forum derogatorily refer to these as "meep meeps" since they look like something out of a cartoon).
Also note that the shuttle only runs to the start of the D pier, before gate 70. Therefore up to ~500m of walking could be required to reach one's gate.
Current Situation - Check-In
AC and WS domestic check-in are at their usual locations at C and A respectively.
Flair and Air North are at door 8 (next to AC, between B and C).
Flights to the US (all airlines) - check-in desks in usual locations at E.
International flights are at the D area, including AC and WS
Current Situation - Security
Hours for checkpoints can be found here.
Priority security:
- A checkpoint: ???
- B checkpoint: 1 line for Verified Traveller + families
- C, D, and E checkpoints: 1 line for Verified Traveller, 1 line for families + airline priority (business class, status, etc)
At YYC, only the Verified Traveller lane at the C checkpoint offers expedited screening. The other VT lanes simply get one to the front of the line quicker.
Those looking to avoid body scanners may wish to use the B checkpoint, where there are none.
Connections
As a result of the issues described above, connecting through YYC can be a nightmare at the moment. Some domestic connections require moving from a gate at the end of the A pier to the east end of the D pier, e.g. A20 to D95, which involves around 1.5 km of distance. Many connections will require lengthy walks. Please plan accordingly.
Sterile transit (i.e. International to International, or ITI, connections without clearing Canadian immigration/customs) is not available, since there is no longer a segregated international departures area. It is unknown when, if ever, this will return. All connections therefore require entering Canada.
ITD OSS, a.k.a. One-Stop Security, which allows passengers to connect from an international flight to a domestic one without re-clearing security, is available. Passengers must be travelling on a single ticket and should be eligible if they are coming from the US or Europe. From Mexico or the Caribbean, it’s less clear. Note that OSS requires both an eligible origin and eligible airline combination - WS to WS and AC to AC are fine. KL to WS is eligible. But KL to AC, for instance, is not eligible.
Connecting to the US always requires re-clearing security at the E gates, regardless of where you're coming from. US security is located before the CBP area.
When Will Things Get Better?
Probably never, given the incompetence of the airport authority.
Despite the A gates in use, there doesn't actually appear to be any immediate desire to eliminate the use of the D gates for domestic flights. On November 1, 2021, the useless airport authority actually published a video highlighting the use of the D gates for domestic flights, and modifications to the international terminal to create a specific exit pathway for domestic passengers back to the A, B, C gates, among other changes.
Lounges
The following lounges exist at YYC. You should consult your airline for further details on access, but a rough summary follows:
- Accessible to customers on domestic or international flights:
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge: base of C pier
- WestJet Elevation lounge: base of B pier
- Aspire (formerly international) lounge: D gates, entrance near D80
- Accessible to customers on transborder flights ONLY:
- Aspire TB lounge: E gates, do a 180 to the left after coming out of duty-free
Customers connecting from a domestic flight to a transborder one are physically able to access one of the domestic/international lounges, but beware that getting to your flight requires re-clearing security and going through US customs. TB passengers originating at YYC may be able to access the domestic/international area before their flight, but are at the whim of CATSA. Before COVID, this was generally not a problem, but since COVID, CATSA may have adopted a different policy. YMMV.
Flying through YYC (security, connections, customs, etc) Sep 2021 onwards
Mar 4, 2022, 2:11 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,941
In my opinion the Westjet lounge in B is worth the rather long walk. But I don't mind walking. It is one of the nicest "domestic" airline lounges in North America in my opinion.
Mar 4, 2022, 2:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YQR
Posts: 2,741
Mar 4, 2022, 3:30 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YMJ (YQR)
Programs: Qantas LTG, WestJet Plat
Posts: 330
Mar 5, 2022, 4:24 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
Transiting in YYC next week, YVR-Yyc-Fra. AC 214 seems to be late a lot and instead of a comfortable 1h55m connection time, I have a feeling it'll be 1h connection time.
1) Is there a security check from domestic to international gates that would delay my time?
2) AC 214 lands on C pier. Is 1h doable connection time in YYC?
3) What about checked in luggage? It'll make it if connection time is 45m - 1h only?
Thanks
1) Is there a security check from domestic to international gates that would delay my time?
2) AC 214 lands on C pier. Is 1h doable connection time in YYC?
3) What about checked in luggage? It'll make it if connection time is 45m - 1h only?
Thanks
Mar 6, 2022, 1:07 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,478
Transiting in YYC next week, YVR-Yyc-Fra. AC 214 seems to be late a lot and instead of a comfortable 1h55m connection time, I have a feeling it'll be 1h connection time.
1) Is there a security check from domestic to international gates that would delay my time?
2) AC 214 lands on C pier. Is 1h doable connection time in YYC?
3) What about checked in luggage? It'll make it if connection time is 45m - 1h only?
Thanks
1) Is there a security check from domestic to international gates that would delay my time?
2) AC 214 lands on C pier. Is 1h doable connection time in YYC?
3) What about checked in luggage? It'll make it if connection time is 45m - 1h only?
Thanks
2. If everything’s on time, yes. You’ll probably have a max 10-12 minute walk to your departing gate
3. Assuming your doing AC to AC, all on one ticket? If so, yes.
Mar 6, 2022, 5:00 pm
#36
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,774
Mar 6, 2022, 6:01 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CEB - primary/YVR -secondary
Programs: AC*Super Elite (100K) / PR*Elite / AY*Platinum (OWE) / SPG*Bonvoy Titanium (LTT)
Posts: 2,272
1. No. Your FRA flight will probably depart from pier D … and there’s access without having to re-clear security.
2. If everything’s on time, yes. You’ll probably have a max 10-12 minute walk to your departing gate
3. Assuming your doing AC to AC, all on one ticket? If so, yes.
2. If everything’s on time, yes. You’ll probably have a max 10-12 minute walk to your departing gate
3. Assuming your doing AC to AC, all on one ticket? If so, yes.
So is best to leave things as is? Or take the earlier flight and have 4.5h layover in YYC. 214 supposed to be a comfortable 1h55m layover time. Just that it's been arriving late quite a bit. So I'm guesstimating that in reality it'll be 45m - 1h layover.
Mar 8, 2022, 9:42 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
I have booked a WS flight to LGW in May, I assume that I'll check in at the international terminal - can I use the new WS lounge? Or is it going to be a 20min hike from the lounge to the gate? I have not been to to the airport in a long time and don't know what all the changes are and where the lounge is located.
Mar 8, 2022, 11:22 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,074
I have booked a WS flight to LGW in May, I assume that I'll check in at the international terminal - can I use the new WS lounge? Or is it going to be a 20min hike from the lounge to the gate? I have not been to to the airport in a long time and don't know what all the changes are and where the lounge is located.
Yes it will be a 20 minute hike to the gate in addition to a hike from the D check in area to the WS lounge in B.
But it's better than the Aspire lounge in D wing. I even used the WS lounge for some transborder flights last year, but that got a bit tiring having to clear security twice. Wouldn't do it again now that passenger numbers and lines are back up.
Mar 9, 2022, 9:44 am
#42
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,774
This far out, there's also a reasonable chance that the schedule changes anyway. Let's say AC shifts their flight 30 minutes earlier and it's no longer a legal connection. You might then be able to get KL to re-book you on AMS-SFO non-stop. You'd have to check the KL forum for detailed info on KL's schedule change policy, but that's the kind of thing where the tighter connection could benefit you.
Mar 9, 2022, 10:07 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YQR
Posts: 2,741
I agree. I have not been to the AC Signature lounge so cannot compare, but the Elevation lounge is much nicer than any MLL I have been in and I have probably visited them all at some point or other. The staff are pretty great at YYC. We were through there in November, and then back again in February and one of the staff members went out of her way to say hello as she remembered us from November (she specifically noted that we had not ordered any food in November and hoped we would try it this time, so I know she was genuine). My one concern with the lounge is that it is not that big so I can imagine that as travel picks up it will hit capacity quickly.
Mar 9, 2022, 11:06 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,967
You're worrying far too much about a connection that should be easily doable 95%+ of the time.
Most of the time, that connection will be fine. If the AMS flight is an hour late, it will be problematic. If you're buying this all on one ticket from KL, they'll have to re-book you if you miss your connection, which would fairly likely put you on the later WS flight. So I would just book the shorter connection.
This far out, there's also a reasonable chance that the schedule changes anyway. Let's say AC shifts their flight 30 minutes earlier and it's no longer a legal connection. You might then be able to get KL to re-book you on AMS-SFO non-stop. You'd have to check the KL forum for detailed info on KL's schedule change policy, but that's the kind of thing where the tighter connection could benefit you.
Most of the time, that connection will be fine. If the AMS flight is an hour late, it will be problematic. If you're buying this all on one ticket from KL, they'll have to re-book you if you miss your connection, which would fairly likely put you on the later WS flight. So I would just book the shorter connection.
This far out, there's also a reasonable chance that the schedule changes anyway. Let's say AC shifts their flight 30 minutes earlier and it's no longer a legal connection. You might then be able to get KL to re-book you on AMS-SFO non-stop. You'd have to check the KL forum for detailed info on KL's schedule change policy, but that's the kind of thing where the tighter connection could benefit you.
Mar 20, 2022, 5:55 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 366
https://www.yyc.com/News/tabid/91/ar...tion-Plan.aspx
The airport authority is getting a new CEO. Perhaps better days are ahead...
The airport authority is getting a new CEO. Perhaps better days are ahead...