2 hour layover at Toronto - enough time?

[SnapesGirl]

Hi everyone! Need some advice for my trip next month - originally I was going to fly direct from Montreal to Orlando, but I would end up landing at 9pm and lose the entire day. Air Canada has a flight from Montreal to Toronto and then to Orlando (landing at 1pm) with a 2 hour layover in Toronto. Do you think 2 hours would be enough time? I've never done a connecting flight within Canada so I assume I would have to clear US customs in Toronto? Would I also need to get my check-in bag or it automatically gets sent to the next flight?

 

[hdrolfe]

According to Air Canada's website you need 1 hour 10 minutes in Toronto when connecting as you describe. However, I am not sure if things are actually working that well. I think going to the US would be ok, coming back probably not.

 

[badiggio]

Connections and customs can be tricky,though I think you should be ok.When going to Orlando I usually fly with United and do customs here in ottawa,with a connection in the U.S., and be there ,late morning early afternoon.I like to get that out of the way,asap, if possible

 

[Debbie]

If you are flying AC, you should not have to pick up your luggage. It should meet you in Orlando. (but I always triple check when I drop it off )

 

[BlancheNeige7]

You should be alright with 2h. Have your covid test results printed. It took us about 30 minutes to go through the US pre-clearance at Pearson last Saturday morning. It can get quite backed up. Let an agent know if it is tight.... they can sometimes help hurry things up.

 

[yowcruiser]

• Air Canada has been holding back flights as of late for misconnections due to customs clearance in Toronto. This is one of the main reason why they actually pushed the 8:30am departure to something closer to 10am in August - people on 6am flights out of Toronto/Montreal just could not connect with enough time. Today's flight was delayed by 2 hours as an example...
• In normal times, 2 hours is sufficient. As stated above, 70 minutes is the minimum connection time for Toronto
• Assuming all is on one ticket, you do not have to worry about picking up bags in Toronto
• You actually don't want too much time at the airport. In those COVID days, I'd rather keep moving than being static for too long... that is other than for being on the plane itself

 

[SnapesGirl]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated

 

[Susan2771]

We flew out of Toronto last Thursday and the line up for customs was a couple of hours. A number of passengers did not even make the flight because they were still stuck in the customs line. Our flight was 3 hours late in leaving and those passengers were not able to make it. We haveNexus and it was a breeze. It’s been reported a lot lately that Pearson has been a real mess the last few weeks. I didn’t know how bad until I saw it with my own eyes

 

[mevelandry]

Hi everyone! Need some advice for my trip next month - originally I was going to fly direct from Montreal to Orlando, but I would end up landing at 9pm and lose the entire day. Air Canada has a flight from Montreal to Toronto and then to Orlando (landing at 1pm) with a 2 hour layover in Toronto. Do you think 2 hours would be enough time? I've never done a connecting flight within Canada so I assume I would have to clear US customs in Toronto? Would I also need to get my check-in bag or it automatically gets sent to the next flight?

Considering you have to go through customs in Toronto... Seems a bit tight.

Unless you have Nexus...

 

[Baldy]

I would not take the chance.

We spent 2 1/2 hours in line for customs at Pearson on Monday. We heard travellers from other flights in line around us asking and being told they would not make their flights. We got to the gate right at boarding time despite arriving three hours early with no checked luggage. Once on board, we were told three checked in passengers did not make it through in time
(Silver lining for me, one of those people was supposed to be in the seat next to me, so I ended up having lots of extra room)

 

[CanucksRock]

I’m so thankful for Nexus!
…even in normal times YYZ customs can take forever. My mom & her husband were not paying attention on one trip, and went thru the regular line. I could not figure out why it was taking them forever

 

[SnapesGirl]

Update - Air Canada cancelled my direct flight from Montreal to Orlando so now I have no choice but to do the layover in Toronto. Fingers crossed everything is on time and ok!