Pearson Airport

[peanutgirl]

I have only 1 hour and 5 minutres to change planes and clear customs at Pearson airport. Aircanada says I need at least 1 hour and 10 minutes. Are they right?? Carnival cruise line made my ressie. Should I try and change it??? I do not fly in March often so I was wondering??

 

[MJGirl]

Don't really have an answer, just an opinion. If you are flying around the start of March Break, I would definitely allocate more time. March break starts here on March 10 officially, but some school boards schedule a PD day on the 9th. Pearson airport will be a zoo that weekend. Also, don't forget that Easter is in March this year too! If it were me, I might ask Carnival to allocate more time. Good luck either way! Take care .. Enjoy the cruise, and Merry Christmas

 

[OntFamily]

I'm assuming you've confirmed the flight times with A/C (it's not abnormal for soem travel wholesalers to give flight times that are slighly off by a few minutes). ie your connection time may actually be 70 minutes, not 65.

Regardless, even 70 minutes will be tight. Assuming the first leg of your flight is on time (hopefully it is a few minutes early), you will need to move quickly through Pearson (I'm assuming both legs of your flight are on A/C). Don't stop to buy coffee or snacks !!

When you arrive at the USA Customs area, let the A/C agent in the area know you have a tight connection. They will usually assist you, by bringing you to the front of the line.

 

[peanutgirl]

Thanks for the help. It was air canada that told me I was below the alotted time. I have a Call into a supervisor at Carnival so we will see. I lost my luggage in the custom's area of Pearson last cruise so I am shy this time.

 

[happycamper83]

I had a very tight connection (60-70 mins, I can't remember exactly) earlier this year, flying from Canada to the US. I made sure to sit at the front of the plane on my first leg of the trip so I could get out first, kept a very quick pace walking through the terminal, did not have any checked baggage (I didn't want to have to wait for it), and I still felt pretty stressed out about making it in time. You have to do the security thing all over again even if you've already done it, then the customs thing... long lines, not fun. I ended up making it to my gate in plenty of time, but only because my flight was delayed by 20 minutes. I imagine if it hadn't been delayed, I wouldn't have had any time to sit down at all.. just walk right on the plane (I don't think I would have missed it, but it would have been tight).

I did see several people get escorted to the front of line ups by AC staff - I assumed they were rushing to make connections... so they will try to help you out. But if you were delayed for any reason on that first leg, it could be trouble.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I would definitely as for more time. March is bad at the best of times and now with Easter (as someone else mentioned) it will be worse! I've gone through Pearson many many many times and I can tell you I usually wish I had more time no matter how much time I had between connections. This way you won't be as stressed.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

Oh gosh, me too! Except I have 75 minutes to make my connection. Not during TO's spring break at least, but the last Sunday in March. Hoping I'll make it (I'll try for carry-ons only)!

Good luck!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We just got back from Mexico on dec 23rd and we landed at 1:15am by the time we got off the plane got our luggage and cleared customs it was 1 1/2 hrs. KEEP in mind this was early in the morning and the place was dead. Get them to fly you in a few hours beforeor the day before and stay at one of the hotels there. Toronto is a big airport.

 

[peanutgirl]

Carnival just changed my air to Montreal with a 2 hour layover. I am so relieved. Thanks for everyones help and input.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Glad it worked out for you Peanutgirl.

 

[tlens]

Good thing! Customs at Pearson is terrible.

 

[laxcdn]

We go on Monday and have 1 hour 10 minutes to switch Westjet flights. I called and asked them and they said that it won't be a problem. But I find that we have to get our bags then go through customs. I guess we are still in the same terminal (3). I have a friend that is going on the same flight the same day, but to a convention in Orlando. So I am sure there will be a few of us trying to do it in that amount of time. Coming back I have 2 1/2 hours, but just read that post about bringing back booze and having it stolen out of you suitcase. I didn't even think about the duty free on the plane. I though we would do customs in Winnipeg both ways, but I guess the since we change planes that doesn't work.

 

[siobhan1997]

We were told the same thing by Westjet, but upon arrival at the customs line in Toronto, there was no way we would have made our connector, and we even had just carry on. Anway I left my party in line and went back to the Westjet counter and asked for an escort through customs so we could make the connector and they complied. There is a line that is used just for escorts, pilots and flight attendants. Do this and you will have no problem making it to your connector flight.

Have a great trip

 

[Echie]

We were told the same thing by Westjet, but upon arrival at the customs line in Toronto, there was no way we would have made our connector, and we even had just carry on. Anway I left my party in line and went back to the Westjet counter and asked for an escort through customs so we could make the connector and they complied. There is a line that is used just for escorts, pilots and flight attendants. Do this and you will have no problem making it to your connector flight.

Have a great trip

That's good to know, thanks. We have a tight westjet connection in Toronto too.