Hey folks, welcome to another episode of airport adventures!
Today I'm coming to you all the way from Canada's largest
airport, Toronto Pearson Airport.
And today is kind of a special episode because
I get to show you inside this airport, which is my home airport :)
Any trip I've been on started walking these doors over here
and jumping on a plane.
So come along, let's check out Toronto's Pearson Airport - Terminal one!
Enjoy the Easter Eggs! Only visible here!
(Background instrumental) Located in the neighbouring city of Mississauga,
YYZ is located about 23 km from Downtown Toronto.
The quickest way to get here is to use the very convenient
UP Express, which I covered in my previous video.
Easter Egg: Train is every 15 minutes. $9 w/ presto card, $12 without.
Around 50 million passengers use this airport annually,
and if you are one of them you may start your journey on the 1st floor
out of the international or domestic baggage claim.
The arrivals area is fairly spacious, with a Tim Hortan's, (CDN coffee chain)
Starbucks, 7-11 and even a bar.
there is also a fair amount of seating outside the international doors
You'll also find tourist information, currency exchange and atms.
Many of the CIBC atms here also dispenses USD
useful if you find yourself heading to the states.
Easter Egg: If you have a debit card, I recommend getting CDN$ from the ATM vs. the currency exchange.
If your plane is delayed or you need to stretch out after a long haul,
there's also a gym on the far end to pass the time.
outside these doors is where you'll find taxis.
One floor lower, you'll find the public transportation for buses to the subway and surrounding cities.
As a frequent user of public transportation, I must admit that the bus service has improved
vastly over the past few years.
Before you board, don't forget to pick up a PRESTO transit card from from one of the kiosks.
Back above ground, on the second you'll find a drugstore, which is above the domestic doors,
along with the walkway to the parkade, UP express and BLUE LINK Train
which takes you to terminal 3.
A fun fact is that when they built the new terminal 1,
they tore down the old terminal 1 and terminal 2
but never reassigned the numbers,
so the airport only has the two terminals: 1 and 3.
The second floor doesn't run the entire length of the terminal,
and appears to be more of landing than anything else.
Jumping to the second floor by the by the international doors,
you'll find a subway tucked away.
Ahh here we go, the third floor!
This is the floor you want to be on if you're leaving town...
perhaps to a sunny destination in the dead of winter,
or in my case further north for more winter.
Nonetheless, you'll find that terminal 1 is primarily used for
Air Canada and star alliance partners predominately if not exclusively.
The airport is designed with the check-in piers which we've seen at other airports.
They're fairly wide apart with enough wiggle room even when it get's a little hectic inside.
The large displays at the end of the piers make it relatively easy to navigate.
Easter Egg: Recommended checking time for domestic is 90 min; US is 120 min, INTL. is 3 hrs.
The terminal itself is separated into the D, E
& F gates for domestic, international and US, respectively.
AIr Canada's business class check is on the North side
while the American check in is on the South end away from the rest. (Due to US pre clearance)
Pearson Airport supports US pre clearance facilities
so once through these doors you are separated from the rest of the terminal.
The security for the D & E gates are relatively close together
and they did change the set up from when I was here a few months back.
One thing to point out is that in this area you'll find another Starbucks,
a Swiss Chalet (EE: Rotisserie chicken, highly recommended!) and other restaurants.
Other than this area there's not to much else in the way of food on this floor.
Just a friendly reminder though
that you can't bring any coffees or drinks bought here through the secruity screening.
and with that being said, let's jump to the other side!
I just made it through security and right
when you finish security, before you come down the escalator
that's where you go if you want to go to one of the lounges.
There is the Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge (Star Alliance)
and Plaza Premium Lounge on the opposite side
Right when you come down the escalator you are greeted with this very large
flower looking overhead.
With a very large display so you can check where your flight is
you can check whether it's on time or delayed and check where the gate is.
And here the terminal separates kind of like the letter 'Y'
and so once you know where your gate is
then you are able to go in the right directions.
Just before we head in the right direction
Here's a peek at the Maple Leaf Lounge which I was able to access with my status with Air Canada
This one of the largest lounges that they have.
One thing that I enjoy about this lounge, besides the shower if the variety of seating through out.
There's a range of chairs and quieter areas if you need to close you eyes for a bit.
They also offer a pretty extensive drink selection
but it was fairly late at night so there only a few light snacks to accompany them.
My flight ended up being about 4 hours delayed (Canadian winter's, right?)
So the lounge access was quite welcomed!
Back on the floor, where we started is where you find the US and international connections.
If you fly into the terminal simply follow the signs to your connecting
The terminal is not terribly difficult to navigate.
Down the escalators you either go left or right.
The area off to the right is generally used for the commuter flights to Ottawa , and Montreal.
There is a new Express maple leaf express lounge, along with another Starbucks,
There is a fair amount of retail outlets as well for those that like to window shop
along an area to remind you of the snowy peaks of Whistler!(Easter Egg: There's usually some promotion in this area)
Past the res taunts and down another escalator
you'll find Air Canada express regional gates with ground boarding.
This is mainly used for their turboprops.. maybe the odd CRJ
for flights within the province and eastern Canada.
It's a pretty cramped down here and it being this crowded is a usual sight.
Back at at the start of the terminal,
if you were to go left, it's pretty much just one long corridor with gates on your right.
The left side at times can be closed if it's being used for US destinations. (Note the door is closed ->)
If you have some time to spare, I highly recommend this end of the terminal.
This is where you'll find the majority of restaurants.
Easter Egg: Use a reusable travel mug for a cheap coffee fill up!
There's a couple burger joints, a Starbucks and timmies along some bar and
grill type restaurants.
There's also a variety of shops to hit up.
I personally enjoy the Rocky Mountains chocolates!
Overall, the terminal is very clean and wide
and bright with lots of natural light except for now because it's night time
I enjoy the fact that when a flight is boarding, passengers
aren't congesting the main walking area.
These horizontal escalators make it pretty quick to reach where you want to go.
Also, restaurants and shops are located fairly
evenly throughout the terminal so you really don't have to go far to pick up anything.
For my final tips, If you find yourself coming here,
I suggest spend no more time than you need in the check - in
then jump over to this side... there's really not much going on by the check in area.
Also I found the signage and directions very easy to understand. :)
and of course there's free WiFi and plenty of charging ports to be found!
Easter Egg: Finding my ideal sleeping seats is a bit more difficult... Too many arm rests!
And i think that about wraps up the domestic side of terminal 1.
Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed a look inside this terminal
be sure to give a thumbs up, subscribe to see more and maybe checkout one of these other fine airports!
Check out: YVR, HND, AKJ and more!
Again, thanks for watching and I'll see you around next time!