Min Layover Time in Toronto Entering US Citizens Headed for Vancouver?

[MamaBear58]

I am about to book a VERY reasonable flight for my family of 4 (370 pp/rt). We are all US Citizens flying from Philadelphia (on American 4075 · Canadair Reg. Jet Operated by Air Wisconsin as American Eagle).

Will 1 hour 16 mins be enough time to get our bags, clear customs, check our bags again and then make our flight to our final destination of Vancouver ( on WestJet 713 · Boeing 737)?

I'm thinking American wouldn't offer if if not, but it does say "note layover time".

Thanks in advance!

 

[Geomom]

I think it's going to be tight. You have to go through both customs AND security. Last summer (flying Air Canada from Boston with a connection in Toronto) we didn't have to pick up our bags, they checked through to Vancouver. (We weren't sure and went to the baggage area but our luggage never showed up.) It seems to be hit or miss with whether you need to pick up your bags and recheck them.

***Air Canada does currently list the minimum connection time at Toronto as 1 hr 10 min.

 

[gilsan]

I am about to book a VERY reasonable flight for my family of 4 (370 pp/rt). We are all US Citizens flying from Philadelphia (on American 4075 · Canadair Reg. Jet Operated by Air Wisconsin as American Eagle).

Will 1 hour 16 mins be enough time to get our bags, clear customs, check our bags again and then make our flight to our final destination of Vancouver ( on WestJet 713 · Boeing 737)?

I'm thinking American wouldn't offer if if not, but it does say "note layover time".

Thanks in advance!

That should be enough time.

 

[gilsan]

I think it's going to be tight. You have to go through both customs AND security. Last summer (flying Air Canada from Boston with a connection in Toronto) we didn't have to pick up our bags, they checked through to Vancouver. (We weren't sure and went to the baggage area but our luggage never showed up.) It seems to be hit or miss with whether you need to pick up your bags and recheck them.

***Air Canada does currently list the minimum connection time at Toronto as 1 hr 10 min.

They will be going through terminal 3 which is smaller than the Terminal 1 Air Canada. I agree it will be tight but doable. Make sure you are following the directions for connecting flights and get in the lines for connecting passengers.

Here is a link to the Pearson connecting guide https://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx#

 

[jenpink]

We had about that amount of layover last year in Toronto. Be prepared for a lot of walking. We kept moving the entire layover and they were already boarding on our connection by the time we got there. But we made it

 

[alli817]

It'll be tight but completely doable! You will clear US customs in Toronto and have to clear security again before you head to Vancouver.

 

[SuperDry]

If you are booking the entire journey on a single ticket/reservation, then you don't need to worry much. Each airport has a "minimum connect time" (MCT) published for each given situation, such as yours, which would be "inbound international to domestic connection with a change of carriers." These times take into account things like anticipated immigration/customs wait times, security lines, baggage transfers, and so on, assuming that the flights are on time.

When looking for flights, you won't even be given options that don't meet the MCT for your situation. It's all built into every airline and third-party website. And, if you book a connection on a single reservation (even if different airlines are involved) and for whatever reason miss the connection (whether it be due to a late-arriving flight, or airport conditions), you are automatically "protected" for that situation: they'll book you on the next available flight, regardless of usual capacity controls or fare rules, at no charge to you. The main thing you need to be aware of is what the "next flight" means for your situation: if your planned flights are such that you arrive at the cruise departure city just a few hours before the ship sails, then it may not do you much good if you mis-connect and the airline puts you on the next flight. But if you plan to arrive the day before the cruise, then you probably have several options available to get you there in enough time.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I'm going to say the opposite and say no, that's not enough time but of course YMMV. We did this in 2015 with Iceland Air which was Air Canada from RDU to Toronto and it was a complete nightmare. As noted, we had to clear customs, get our luggage, re-check it and we did so much walking it was nuts. In addition, we were given conflicting info and luckily I trusted my gut about the luggage and found it at the baggage claim area (we were originally told we did NOT have to claim and re-check it). I think we had at least a 3 hour layover prior to the flight to Reykjavik and we barely made it. The same coming home, it was another mad house. I understand it might be a little better now but I've had friends travel through Toronto (and seen other threads here on the DIS) and they've echoed some of the same concerns. I know I would not do it based on our experience especially knowing you have to do customs and luggage and technically they'll be boarding the next plane 30-45 minutes before the departure.

Heather

 

[gilsan]

I'm going to say the opposite and say no, that's not enough time but of course YMMV. We did this in 2015 with Iceland Air which was Air Canada from RDU to Toronto and it was a complete nightmare. As noted, we had to clear customs, get our luggage, re-check it and we did so much walking it was nuts. In addition, we were given conflicting info and luckily I trusted my gut about the luggage and found it at the baggage claim area (we were originally told we did NOT have to claim and re-check it). I think we had at least a 3 hour layover prior to the flight to Reykjavik and we barely made it. The same coming home, it was another mad house. I understand it might be a little better now but I've had friends travel through Toronto (and seen other threads here on the DIS) and they've echoed some of the same concerns. I know I would not do it based on our experience especially knowing you have to do customs and luggage and technically they'll be boarding the next plane 30-45 minutes before the departure.

Heather

Again that was through terminal 1, the flight the OP is asking about will go through Terminal 3 a smaller terminal. As a PP said the airlines wouldn't offer the connecting flight if it wasn't doable. We live in Canada and frequently connect in Toronto which includes clearing USA customs and going back through security. I think you need an hour to be safe but it is doable.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Again that was through terminal 1, the flight the OP is asking about will go through Terminal 3 a smaller terminal. As a PP said the airlines wouldn't offer the connecting flight if it wasn't doable. We live in Canada and frequently connect in Toronto which includes clearing USA customs and going back through security. I think you need an hour to be safe but it is doable.

I can totally appreciate your experience, especially since you are a FF through Toronto. I just know from my own experience another others traveling to Toronto I would personally not do it. If it was just a connecting flight without customs or claiming/re-checking luggage I'd totally go for it. Again, this is just my opinion and trying to give the flip side based on what I've read/heard/etc.,

Thanks,
Heather

 

[gilsan]

I can totally appreciate your experience, especially since you are a FF through Toronto. I just know from my own experience another others traveling to Toronto I would personally not do it. If it was just a connecting flight without customs or claiming/re-checking luggage I'd totally go for it. Again, this is just my opinion and trying to give the flip side based on what I've read/heard/etc.,

Thanks,
Heather

I looked at your connection and according to the Pearson website you had to change terminals that would not be fun. I have also heard not great things about Iceland Air and connections. Like I mentioned above the OP is in is remaining in Terminal 3, so they shouldn't have the same issues you did.

 

[MamaBear58]

Thanks all...we decided we didn't want to taking the risk, especially with a 10 and 7 year old in tow and luggage that we want to make sure gets on the ship the next day. We booked one with a layover of 2 and 1/2 hours, just to be safe. Rate was only another $42/pp/rt. On the way home I think we have just 1 and 1/2 hour, but I'm less concerned about that. We can just take the next flight and if the luggage arrives at our house a day late, no biggie. Thanks!