How to Prepare for Holiday Travel
As one of the year’s busiest travel seasons fast approaches, here are some tips to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Packing and security
For details on what you can and can’t bring through security, stress-free screening, travelling with children, as well as tips on packing and lots of other handy air travel advice, visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website.
Our top tip for air travel during the holidays? Plan to wrap your gifts when you arrive at your destination! Sometimes the security screeners may need to take a closer look at one of your items and if it’s already wrapped, that means an early unwrapping.
International travel
If you’re leaving the country for the holidays, the Government of Canada travel website has lots of great information on health and safety, travel documents, and more.
Arriving at the airport
For domestic flights, airlines typically recommend you arrive at the airport to check-in a minimum of 90 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart.
For international flights, airlines typically recommend arriving 3 hours prior to departure (for flights departing YFC, this only applies to direct sun destinations as travellers on all other flights connect within Canada).
Construction
This summer, YFC broke ground on a major terminal expansion project. To accommodate construction, we’ve had to temporarily relocate some services, such as check-in, car rentals and parking. If you’re flying in or out of YFC, here’s what you need to know:
- Departures/Check-in: The entrance for departures moved to the opposite end of the terminal. Once inside, the check-in counters are located to the left (WestJet and Porter) and right (Air Canada). After check-in, simply follow the signs to baggage drop-off and security.
- Car rentals: The car rental counters have temporarily relocated. You will now exit the Arrivals door and turn to the right, where you will see car rentals in a temporary kiosk just outside the terminal building.
- Drop-off, pick-up, taxis: The road in front of the terminal is closed. Passenger drop-off and pick-up are located where short-term parking used to be, directly in front of the terminal’s former main entrance. This is also where taxis now park.
- Parking: All parking, both short-term and long-term, is located in the long-term parking lot. Rates for parking remain the same.
- Arrivals: For passengers arriving at YFC, arrival location and baggage remains the same. Upon entering the terminal, the luggage belt is located to the right. The exit is straight ahead, as before. If you need to speak with your airline, go to the temporary departures/check-in area, where the airline desks are now located.
Check out our expansion project website before you depart. And here’s a map showing the temporary location of parking, check-in, car rental companies, and more.
Travelling with kids
If you’re travelling with little ones, preparation is key! A few things that may help keep your holiday travel a fun experience for everyone:
- Try to arrive early if you can – knowing you have lots of time can help everyone stay relaxed.
- Check out CATSA’s tips to help families pack and info on what to do at the security screening.
- A new book always makes travel a bit more fun! YFC offers a free library (YFC Flybrary) in our departures lounge. The New Brunswick Public Library Service keeps this stocked with books for all ages, in English and French.
Travelling with pets
Pets are welcome here at YFC, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re travelling with a furry friend. First, check with your airline on their policies around transporting pets! Also, make sure you have an appropriate kennel with you as all pets need to be in a kennel when they are inside the terminal building – this helps to make sure that your pet, fellow travellers, and the people who work here at the airport are all comfortable and safe.
Stay Informed
To get the latest YFC updates: