Connecting Through YVR

You may be eligible for YVR’s streamlined Connections Programs, depending on where you are arriving from and the airline you are flying. Most passengers arriving from Europe, the United States, and other selected countries do not have to reclaim their bags upon arrival at YVR. Check with your airline to find out if you have to reclaim your bags.

If you booked separate tickets or your airline does not participate in the Connections Program, you must follow the standard arrivals flow. Proceed through Canada Customs on Level 2, if arriving from outside Canada, claim your baggage, exit the arrivals area, and proceed to Departures on Level 3 to check in for your next flight.

If you are arriving from a Canadian city and your bags are through-checked to your next flight, you do not need to collect your luggage.

• From Canada to a Canada departure (ABC Gates): Upon deplaning, check the flight information screens for your gate and proceed directly to your next flight’s departure gate.
• From Canada to an international departure (D Gates): Follow overhead signage for “International Connections.” Prior to entering the international section of the terminal, you will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate to enter the D Gates/International Departures Area.
• From Canada to a USA departure (E Gates): Follow overhead signage for “USA Connections.” You will scan your USA departure boarding pass at an electronic gate, proceed through pre-board screening, and clear U.S. Customs at the preclearance facility before proceeding to your departure gate.

If your bags are not through-checked, please ensure that you reclaim your luggage from the Canada Arrivals baggage claim area before proceeding to check-in and security for your next departure.

If you are arriving from outside Canada, but not from the U.S., with through-checked bags and are eligible for the Connections Program, follow the connections signage on Level 4. Keep all boarding passes and passports ready, as you may be subject to security screening.

Note: Passengers requiring new Canadian study or work permits must instead follow the signage to International Arrivals on Level 2 for immigration processing.

• From an international (non-USA) origin to a Canadian departure (ABC Gates): Follow signs for “Canada Connections.” You will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate and complete your customs declaration at a kiosk to clear Canada Customs. Depending on your origin country, you may be required to go through security screening on Arrivals Level 4 before accessing the ABC departure gates on Level 3.
• From an international (non-USA) origin to an international departure (D Gates): Follow signs for “International Connections” on Level 4. You will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate for connection validation. Depending on your origin country, you may be subject to additional security screening before proceeding to the D Gates on Level 3.
• From an international (non-USA) origin to a USA departure (E Gates): Follow signs for “USA Connections” on Level 4. You will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate, descend to Level 3, go through pre-board security screening and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, and then proceed to the E Gates.

If your bags are not through-checked, or you are otherwise ineligible for the Connections Program, please follow signage to International Arrivals on Level 2 for customs clearance, baggage reclaim, and airport security before your next departure.

If you are arriving from the U.S. with through-checked bags and are eligible for the Connections Program, follow the connections signage on Level 4. Keep all boarding passes and passports ready, as you may be subject to security screening.

Note: Passengers requiring new Canadian study or work permits must instead follow the signage to International Arrivals on Level 2 for immigration processing.

• From a U.S. origin to a Canadian departure (ABC Gates): Follow signs for “Canada Connections.” You will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate and complete your customs declaration at a kiosk to clear Canada Customs before accessing the ABC departure gates on Level 3.
• From a U.S. origin to an international departure (D Gates): Follow signs for “International Connections” on Level 4. You will scan your next flight’s boarding pass at an electronic gate for connection validation before proceeding to the D Gates on Level 3.
• From a U.S. origin to a U.S. departure (E Gates): Follow signs for “Canada Arrivals” to descend to Level 2, go through Canada Customs, and reclaim your bags at baggage claim. Once you exit the customs hall, proceed to the E Gates.

If your bags are not through-checked, or you are otherwise ineligible for the Connections Program, please follow signage to International Arrivals on Level 2 for customs clearance, baggage reclaim, and airport security before your next departure.

• South Terminal Connections: If you arrived at the Main Terminal and your next flight departs from the South Terminal, or you are arriving from the South Terminal and connecting to the Main Terminal, you must claim all checked bags. Follow signs for the free “Courtesy Shuttle” on the Departures level to change terminals.
  • If you have a Canada-to-Canada connection with through-checked luggage and both flights arrive at and depart from the South Terminal, you will not need to collect your luggage.
• Pets and Firearms: Passengers travelling with pets in the cabin or cargo hold, or with firearms, may not be eligible to use certain connections facilities. Please confirm the process with your airline check-in staff.
• Facility Hours: Connection facility operating hours are subject to change. If the facility is closed upon your arrival, please follow the signs to arrivals or the directions of terminal staff.