Flying through YVR this winter? What you need to know before you go

For anyone flying out of town for the holidays, YVR wants to make sure the busy winter travel season runs smoothly.

Holiday travel season is here, and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is preparing for winter weather and a surge in passengers.

As conditions shift and temperatures drop, the airport is highlighting key systems and processes designed to keep flights moving — along with practical tips travellers can use to make their trip smoother.

How YVR prepares for winter weather

YVR says keeping aircraft moving safely in snow and icy conditions takes extensive planning, heavy equipment, and co-ordination across the airfield.

According to last year’s winter preparedness information, YVR uses up to 80 pieces of snow-removal equipment throughout the season, including:

• Specialized plows
• High-speed sweepers
• Snow blowers capable of moving up to 25,000 tons of snow per hour
• Multi-function trucks that can plough, sweep and apply de-icing solutions

The fleet is designed to clear an entire runway — the size of 20 to 24 CFL football fields — in under 20 minutes.

YVR also has 24/7 access to meteorologists, allowing teams to respond quickly to sudden temperature swings, freezing rain or snowfall.

For aircraft, the airport uses 28 de-icing trucks, including six hybrid vehicles.

De-icing typically takes about eight minutes for a widebody aircraft and four minutes for a narrowbody, not including movement in and out of the de-icing bay.

What you can do to make travel easier

Whether you’re heading somewhere warm or flying home for the holidays, preparation can make a big difference.

Based on last year’s top winter travel advice, passengers should:

• Check travel documents early to ensure they’re valid and not expired.
• Follow security rules — including the 100-millilitre liquids limit in carry-on bags.
• Pre-book parking or consider transit options like the Canada Line.
• Check your flight status at yvr.ca before leaving home — weather elsewhere can affect schedules.
• Have tech ready: digital boarding passes, charging cables and devices fully updated.
• Label bag

If you’re meeting arriving passengers, YVR suggests using the Cell Phone Waiting Area or the 30-minute complimentary parking option to avoid circling the terminal.

YVR says it’s focused on keeping operations running smoothly during winter conditions — but travellers still play an important role. Arriving early, planning ahead, and staying informed can help reduce delays and take stress out of a busy travel season.