short layover in Vancouver - Toronto to O'ahu

[cate2]

My husband and I scored a great deal on flights to Hawaii with WestJet – both of us, round trip, for just $800 (not even because I used some westjet points)! We're flying out of Toronto in early February, with a layover in Vancouver... but here's the catch: we only have 1 hour and 16 minutes to catch our connecting flight to Hawaii!

Has anyone had experience with a similar layover in Vancouver? Is 1 hour and 16 minutes enough time to get through customs and catch our flight? Or should I be preparing for a mad dash through the airport? We are sitting in the first row extended comfort so should be able to get off the plane quickly and we are not checking bags but we've only been to Vancouver airport once before and had an overnight layover that time.

Would love to hear any tips or advice! Will we have a long distance to get to the US departures?

 

[mort1331]

So we did this a few years ago. Never been to Van airport before...you should go thru customs in TO, dont go outside of the control area in Van. We made that mistake, but all worked out. If its WJ all the way, they will make sure you make the connection,,or at least they should. No time for meal or snacks at airport prob, but quick stretch of the legs and walk. Enjoy

 

[bcwife76]

I'm in Vancouver, you will go through US customs at YVR, NOT in Toronto. The domestic terminal is the opposite end of the airport from the US terminal so you will need to sprint a bit. Having said that I'm pretty sure there is some sort of "express way" for you to go from domestic to US....let me see if I can find a link for you because there are connecting flights all the time and having you go all the way from domestic to US sounds like a pain (obvs I have never connected through YVR as it's my home airport).

 

[bcwife76]

Ok I'm not entirely sure where you go for your connection, but you absolutely will have to go through US customs before your second flight. Toronto to YVR is a domestic flight so no customs. Check out the YVR website as it does have info about connections. Also download the MPC app to get you through US customs faster. With any luck you just stay on the "secure" side and don't have to do security again which would save a bundle of time (security is always more time consuming at YVR than US customs).

 

[CPBv2]

We fly Winnipeg to Oahu through Vancouver regularly, usually on Air Canada. We often have a 1 hour 15 minute layover. We have always cleared US security and US Border control at Vancouver airport. For connecting flights security and Border control are at the same location. Your time in security is the bottleneck, so the faster you can get there, the better. It is actually pretty efficient. There is only one occasion where I almost missed the connection when I was travelling solo and my flight to Vancouver was delayed. I was literally running through the airport to the gate and the last one on (doing the walk of shame down the aisle). So it is doable, just be prepared to move as quick as you can. You will have 6 hours to rest on your flight if you do need to run.

 

[cate2]

Yes,

Ok I'm not entirely sure where you go for your connection, but you absolutely will have to go through US customs before your second flight. Toronto to YVR is a domestic flight so no customs. Check out the YVR website as it does have info about connections. Also download the MPC app to get you through US customs faster. With any luck you just stay on the "secure" side and don't have to do security again which would save a bundle of time (security is always more time consuming at YVR than US customs).

You're right if we don't have to do securtiy again (I don't know why I thought that we would but that is what I was thinking) it should be much faster! I'll check out the YVR website and download the app that morning.
Thank you!

 

[cate2]

We fly Winnipeg to Oahu through Vancouver regularly, usually on Air Canada. We often have a 1 hour 15 minute layover. We have always cleared US security and US Border control at Vancouver airport. For connecting flights security and Border control are at the same location. Your time in security is the bottleneck, so the faster you can get there, the better. It is actually pretty efficient. There is only one occasion where I almost missed the connection when I was travelling solo and my flight to Vancouver was delayed. I was literally running through the airport to the gate and the last one on (doing the walk of shame down the aisle). So it is doable, just be prepared to move as quick as you can. You will have 6 hours to rest on your flight if you do need to run.

Yes, maybe a good run will help me sleep! Thank you for your response - it's good to know that you've done probably the exact same connection often. I feel much more confident.