Calgary International Airport – YYC

Worst international airport for people heading back to the USA. Your stuck inside each terminal in-​close by glass and have no access to all the stores within the airport. I guess you Canadian don’t want our US dollars spending within the airport.

Generally, the Calgary airport is clean, organized and overall the staff are helpful. It is not a huge airport and it is easy to navigate. Airports can be overwhelming, chaotic, confusing and unfriendly places, so big points for some sanity here. They have the basics in regards to food and shops, so there is a good chance that one’s basic needs (or wants) can be met. They offer free wifi — awesome! If one is looking for grand excitement there are not any stand-​outs. There is artwork and eye candy for some ambience. Reviewing an airport is very subjective. In good part, it depends on where you are coming from and personal taste.

Nice airport. Service is very good. Lots of shops, some places to eat or drink, even walk in clinic. You can easily find luggage carts. Been there around 10 times last years and never had a chance to say airport is overcrowded. Rather it is quiet. At this moment some new part of terminal is almost ready, so probably quite soon it will expand.
Free WiFi is available however in the area of waiting for customs officer interview the signal was very weak and disconnecting every 5 secs.
Boarding is divided into many stages which is nice, more than usual in Europe. At least when you travel with AirCanada it works this way. Obviously at first they board priority passengers, then passengers with children under 6, later on rest of passengers is divided into three zones depending on row they are seated. This is very good as this way you have lower probability that someone from row 15 while taking care of his cabin baggage is blocking access for people from rows like 35 etc.

This airport sucks. Check in takes forever– security is very disorganized– and the food/​drink options are pathetic at best.
I had lunch at the restaurant near the Alaska Air gates and ordered some chicken fingers thinking they were a safe option. I was dead wrong. They were clearly cooked elsewhere and then reheated in an oven/​microwave before serving.
The glassware was also filthy– lots of lipstick on it.
Do yourself a favor and have lunch offsite before visiting the airport.

They have Global Entry here but once you get through… It’s the longest security line I’ve ever seen… mainly due to the poor staffing I assume? I feel like I’m in The Middle East! It’s so weird and slow!!! I don’t understand how this amount of people (place is dead) can take sooo long! However, this town is a bit of a ghost town on the brink of bankruptcy so it makes sense I guess? If you are coming to Canada for a vacation, try YYZ or YVR because this airport sucks and so do the people that work at it!

Tiny and dated like the 80s. Not truly an international airport because the runways are too short and the terminal (there’s only one) is too small. There are bizarre and random closing times for Nexus lines and US customs. The «expedited» Nexus experience isn’t and each security person makes up their own rules (no consistency). The bridges (how you get off the plane) are frequently breaking down and planes get stuck on the runway. Bags take up to 40-​minutes to get to the carousel. The US cleared area/​terminal is like a maze for gerbils.
The taxi queue is the bizarrest one I’ve seen at an airport. It «closes» at some point (random). What this means is… there is a guy who stands there all day. When someone shows up in the taxi queue, he calls a cab. You then wait in the cold/​rain/​weather for this cab to come. He repeats this for EVERY SINGLE PERSON. One person. One call. At some point, this guy goes home for the day and there is no one to call cabs. So, unless you’ve parked your car at the airport or feel like walking for hours over open prairie, there is no way out (and there’s no hotel attached to the airport).
Finally, recent construction, random walkway/​exit blockages/​changes, and no signage makes it impossible to find your way around. Over the Christmas holidays I got lost in the gate area (and I see this airport twice a week) with an entire jumbo jet full of people from Toronto. It took us over 20-​mins to find the way out because all the exits were blocked by plywood. No greeters. No signage. No staff except one woman listening to music, doing homework, and ignoring everyone. No exit.
Way to represent, YYC!

Airport feels outdated. Seems like they’re renovating it though.
Small gate areas, not much seating. Barely any souvenirs
The only thing good I can say is that US Customs is prior to your flight so when you land you’re off and going like a domestic flight. So make sure you’re not cutting it too close to boarding.
Security was a pain. Other airports don’t require you to take out your liquids. I had my toiletry bag packed in my carry on suitcase and they had to go through the entire bag to find it along with some snow globes I had.
So YOU BETTER have it out in the tray.
Took forever to search. Not worth the hassle!
Not my best airport experience.

This is a nice airport. I have only seen the US terminal, so this review is about that terminal. I have flown to it 2 times and have enjoyed each time. The reason I haven’t given it more stars is because it is currently under construction. The final plans look good and I will probably upgrade my review then.

In some way the Calgary Airport is great. It’s not too big. Lots of different amenities and restaurants, both before and after security. It looks nice, and I see they’re doing some renovations so things keep improving. There’s also free wifi, which is fantastic.
But I have issues with this airport, which came apparent when I flew through here a few days ago. I was arriving at YYC for about 1 hour layover from Frankfurt, before traveling on to Edmonton. Of course landing in Calgary from Germany I had to clear Canada Customs and of course there’s a huge line up. They had two queues going, one regular and one for connecting flights. I of course went to the connecting flight queue, which didn’t seem to be moving and then I heard a volunteer say, «oh it doesn’t matter what line you go in.» Well then why even have a connect queue line. What’s the point? Also after being in Europe I really wish we had customs set up in a similar way that they do. They have a EU citizen line, and I think it would be great if Canada Customs (at all Canadian airports) had a line for Canadian citizens, then a line for US citizens, and then a line for International citizens. It would just make sense, but I digress.
Customs took a while, but I was still okay for time. I exited out to the arrivals area and then I couldn’t find a Departure screen or open information booth to tell me what gate to go to for my next flight. My boarding pass had been printed a day earlier while I was in Helsinki (my flight was Helsinki-​Frankfurt-​Calgary-​Edmonton) so there was no boarding gate information. I don’t understand why YYC wouldn’t have any departure or arrival flight information on the 1^st floor. I know that’s where domestic baggage claim is, but someone could come into the airport that way and not know where to go. So I went to the 2^nd level, where the checkin and departures are and still no departure/​arrival screens. So frustrating.
I still didn’t know exactly what gate to go to but I knew where security was, or I thought I did. I went to security, the lady at the very front scanned my boarding and let me through. Then I waited in line for 20 minutes before getting to the front of the x-​ray machine where my boarding pass was checked again and I was told I was at the wrong security gate. Apparently I was at the Westjet gates and the Air Canada one (where I was supposed to be) was at the complete opposite end of the airport. It would have been really nice if instead of signs saying meaningless things like «Concourse B and Course F» there was a sign say «Security — All Westjet Gates» and «Security — All Air Canada Gates.» I was so upset and about ready to cry. I don’t understand how I was let through the first time with my boarding pass when I was at the wrong gate.
There was a volunteer outside security and I asked where the Air Canada boarding gates were. She told me, on the other side of US Customs, basically at the opposite end of the airport. So I had to run through the airport to get to security, where I had to wait in line (again) and where I prayed to God, Thor, Superman, and every magical deity in existence to let me make my flight home. Thankfully, after security there was a departure screen so I could find out what boarding gate to go to, but seriously there should be departure/​arrival boarding screens well before security too. And thankfully my flight was delayed about 10 minutes so I had just enough time to make it to my flight.
I do like Calgary’s airport, and I’ve flown to and from here a couple of times before in the past as well. But there definitely needs to be more departure/​arrival screens and better signage. Even with the airport being under construction you can still have signs explicitly saying where people are. Maybe there could even be a general information map — like at a mall. I know all this stuff is available online, but sometimes you don’t get a chance to go online to check that kind of stuff. YYC needs to be set up so that anyone, regardless of whether they’ve been there before or not, can figure out where they’re going and where they need to get to. Because of it’s poor and confusing layout YYC only gets 2 stars from me.

Calgary airport hasn’t changed much since 2002 but looks to change in 2016 with the additional add on of the new International terminal.
With that being said this airport does have decent amenities before and after security with good food options but shopping is limited after you go through security.
Red hat volunteers are super friendly and helpful.
Parking rates more expensive than downtown parking but at least there are options of cell phone parking lot and 30 minute free for short term parking.
Overall not a bad airport but looking forward to 2016 and will update my review once the expansion is complete.

I really like this airport, but then again I like all the airports that I’ve been to in Canada. They are all clean, efficient and the staff are helpful and courteous. They really take the time to make the flyers experience a comfortable one, as we all know, flying can be a real nightmare. The design of the airport makes it convenient to get from one end to the other and little duty free shops are about 30 ft apart, so you can really get in all those Canadian products you may have forgotten to purchase while you were visiting. Comfortable chairs are everywhere to help enjoy the views of the surrounding area offered through large plate glass windows.

Grumpiest people going through security! Never want to fly through here again! They are so rude and I felt like I was a criminal for carrying the stuff I had. I’m a woman, I have a lot of liquids! Don’t judge.
Once I was through he gate, I was just standing there and the lazy staff in the golf carts asked me to move out of the way for doing nothing. Ever heard of going around people? It’s not my fault you’re too lazy to turn the wheel slightly to the left to GO AROUND people! Never been so mistreated in all my years of travel! I known review won’t do anything, but I hope staff gets a reminder that travellers are human and not cattle and deserve to be treated like humans with respect!

Cool little airport with a few art displays and even a little dollhouse/​play area for kids on the ground floor. The airport was under construction on the 2^nd floor. Airport isn’t as clean as I thought it would be. You can see the paint chipping off the walls and clumps of dusts on the ground.

Have you been to Vancouver International Airport or LAX? By comparison, if you have traveled via the Calgary International Airport consider yourself #blessed!
On this particular occasion, I was not travelling anywhere, I dropped off my dad for his international flight. From the moment you drive up to the airport, you get the sense that the airport tries its darnedest to be organized. There are spots strictly for drop-​offs and pick-​ups. A parking lot minutes away, so you can wait until your traveler can finally turn on their data and say they’re be ready in 10 mins, and then be there.
I also really appreciated the free 30 minutes or less parking! A perfect option for those assisting their friends/​family at check-​in. And when you’re leaving there are lines dedicated to credit card payments, cash only, short term and free parking, which makes it easy to be on your merry way!
The staff at the airport is extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the surroundings. My dad packed a flammable aerosol can (AKA bug spray), they were really understanding and allowed us to remove it and KEEP it! normally, that bugger would have been tossed in the garbage and we’d be scoffed at.
The airport is fully stacked when it comes to options to eat, shop and hang out until your flight departs. There is an abundance of outlets to charge all your devices and free wifi too. See? #blessed

The highlight of this small airport is the friendly greeters and concierges who are dressed in red vests and white cowboy hats. I enjoy how they welcome you and direct you to customs. There isn’t really anything exciting to tell about this airport, but it is clean and you don’t have to walk too far anywhere between gates. I wish they had separate customs processing lines for Canadian citizens and non-​citizens like most American airports have; as this could speed up wait times considerably. My average wait time, even though I’m a citizen of Canada, in customs is always 20 – 45 minutes.

I always like flying through Calgary, whether it be to make connections within Canada or to the US. I prefer going through customs here rather than the Edmonton Airport. I have always found the line ups shorter, and the Customs Officers friendlier. I don’t always like getting my luggage and then going through a set of doors to drop it off again and then having to go upstairs through security again. It would be great if we could drop off luggage and then go to the connecting gate. A minor inconvenience as I’ve always had enough time to make the next flight home. I find the food court after security was decent too (Sbarro for pizza and pasta, Chinese food, A&W, and I think a Subway).
One time I flew into Calgary and arrive at midnight. My flight to Edmonton wasn’t until 7AM and instead of getting a hotel, we hung out at the airport. I found there were comfortable chairs (not like YYZ) and I was able to catch a few zzzzz. When I wasn’t snoozing, I was walking around the airport which was brightly lit.
Wouldn’t mind flying through here again in the future.

It is the first time I flew into Canada ever from the USA and it was to Calgary, AB (YYC) from Salt Lake City (SLC) on Friday, 08/​21/​2015. The other two times were land crossings from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. Ain’t that a hoot?
I flew into Calgary Airport on 08/​21/​2015 since it was cheaper by $ 100 versus arriving at Edmonton (YEG) from Honolulu (HNL) in August 2015. Calgary was also my first stopping point into an extended stay weekend in the province of Alberta. The arrival process was seamless like most airports, although the custom border security portion was a little nerve wracking, but I made it through alright. It was probably the quickest entry ever, since I told the border agent that I was in Canada to run the 2015 Edmonton marathon and her eyes lit up. She then quickly stamped my passport and said good luck. I smiled and said thank you. It was pretty neat and albeit wicked cool. The facilities here at YYC are industry standard and it was great to be here to fly in and out of Calgary.
My experience here at the Calgary international airport was a good one. They didn’t deny me entry into Canada and had on time departure and arrival here. I flew on Delta airlines this time and it was as smooth as it was fun. Entry in and out of the airport was rather quick and the rental car counters are right there after you pass through Immigration and border control. Calgary international airport was rather a small to medium sized airport, but it draws flights from all points across the globe. The airport itself is as organized with security and safety like any other airport in the USA and overseas as well. The airport has a bunch of shopping options, including the duty free options as well. I actually bought a few things from duty free to take advantage of the generous current currency exchange rates with the U.S. Dollar. YYC airport has basically a variety of options for dining and shopping, as well as foreign currency exchange kiosks for your convenience.
My short time here at the Calgary international airport has been a nice and positive one. Hope to be back here sometime in the future. The terminal was clean and organized, as all airports should be. I did like the artwork when I arrived from SLC on Delta. I’m glad that border security in and out of YYC was light, especially when I was there. No questions for me when departing YYC, just a hello and that was it, since I was returning to the USA and I am a U.S. citizen. sometimes it’s good that way. The TSA lines, like in the USA are always a problem, but since I had a 6:45am departure, it was rather light on a Tuesday morning. Still, it was getting through security without being questioned or singled out for secondary screening — that’s the goal. For all the travels that came and went, coming to YYC Calgary international airport has been a good choice. Saved money and had a nice time passing through.
@ 35,000 feet.
Support local!
A+

Well it is under Construction now, and has been for some time. But it still has to operate for the Public.
They really need to add more food options, as one writer said, its basically Tim Hortons or Starbucks and one Pub type eatery IF you have the time to sit and order.
Security Lines take a bit of time. There is a AC Lounge here, though it to is Under Construction.
Luckily it is not too far to Downtown from the airport, Unlike Edmonton.

Overall, the Calgary airport is well planned and growing. Lots of construction.
The westjet area is really efficient and allows for easy access for checkin and arrivals.
Love the free 30 minute short term parking for dropping or picking people up.
If you are taking a taxi, it’s super convenient but if you are picking someone up, it can get frustrating trying to find a place to stop in the tunnel because it’s feels like it’s all occupied by taxis. Driving in circles is frustrating.
I like how they have a fast line for families with infants at checkin and security when the lines are long…

I was a strange American traveller, which apparently means you are not allowed in the nice, new part of the airport. As one of my fellow reviewers said best, it does look like a closed down mall. Pretty gross. Good news! A remodel of the international terminal is planned.
Other highlights:
1. Free WIFI that actually works pretty darn well.
2. A Starbucks that accepts U.S. currency. Not sure how that works.
3. Security and customs lines that are short as can be.
4. Easy access to and from the airport.
It’s not like you have a choice, but you won’t be disappointed by this airport.