Calgary International Airport is Canada’s 4th busiest aviation hub severing Calgary and Western Canada. YYC is the main gateway for those visiting the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park. Additionally the airport is the headquarters and the global hub for WestJet offering connections to the United States and Asia-Pacific. Global destinations are growing with a strong network.
Located 17km and northeast from downtown Calgary, several options allow travellers to reach the city centre. There is no direct air rail line to downtown Calgary.
Good to know …
Terminals information
Domestic Terminal
- A, B, C Concourses
- Serves flights within Canada
- Concourse C is mainly Air Canada flights with the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge located at the base.
International Terminal
- D, E Concourses
- D for International flights
- E for U.S. flights
Notes
- Need to travel quickly between Concourses? Board the YYC Line shuttle (small electrical vehicles driven by staff along corridors) travelling between each concourse. Essentially a bus network within an airport.
Pros
- Excellent Western Canadian Hub for connecting Canada and the western United States.
- Great access to the Rockies only a 2 hour drive away and one can even see the mountains in the distance.
- Growing international network means that Calgary International Airport is establishing itself as a major hub
- U.S. preclearance means a smoother trip for travellers heading to the states.
- Strong airline competition between WestJet and Air Canada helps with low prices and flights to smaller airports. Helpful for those wanting to avoid crowds at YYZ or YVR.
Cons
- A lack of a direct air rail link to downtown Calgary. Long overdue given YYC’s passenger growth.
- YYC can be very busy at times.
- Extreme weather like Chinook winds and severe storms can wreck havoc on travel plans.
Notes
- Given the high elevation of Calgary at 1,045m (3,428 ft) above sea level, runways at YYC are longer to compensate for the thinner air.