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Ottawa International Airport
Category: Hotels & Travel Airports Airports [Edit]
1000 Airport Pkwy PrivateOttawa, ON K1V 9B4
(613) 248-2125
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
19 reviews for Ottawa International Airport
19 reviews in English
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Review from Nicole L.
3/21/2012
YOW has the kind of clean that's reminiscent of secret elves dashing through the place in the middle of the night with their magic washcloths and spray bottles. Add free wi-fi, Tim Hortons, and the standard travel kiosks with their last-minute travel necessities, and you're guaranteed a comfortable stay.
Though we were only in to pick up a friend flying into Ottawa, I couldn't help but notice how welcoming the airport is -- nice displays, a waterfall at the baggage carousels, great signage to help you find where you need to go. Less utilitarian (ugh, PHL) and more soothing is always a plus for the bewildered traveler, imo.
The sit-in restaurant on the top level is a good place to linger over a pint and watch the planes fly in, but don't go there if you're a rush since the staff move like molasses. -
Review from HK T.
Ottawa, ON
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Free wifi, starbucks and tim hortons. Smoke shop for last minute items like magazines, drinks, and candy or chocolate for the trip.
No smoking section once you pass through security. -
Review from Susan G.
2/22/2012
Since my family has moved to Ottawa I've become a frequent visitor of YOW.
YOW is a small(ish) airport with friendly staff, a few food options, and free wifi. There isn't much more you could ask for from this little airport.
The one thing that always (pleasantly) surprises me is that the security staff are SO FRIENDLY. I almost don't think security should be that friendly. They're chatty, ask you about your travels, and always seem like they're having fun doing their job - which definitely isn't a bad thing. If they're going for intimidation though - they're failing.
If I can offer one tip when you're flying into the airport: don't get distracted by the waterfall. Walk towards it, but the stairs to the exit are before it! If you're like me, you'll aimlessly wander towards it and then miss the exit. Distracts me every time. -
Review from Christian L.
Ottawa, ON
5/24/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This airport is not well designed, its clean, but the parking to pick someone is crazy and stupid. In this case, the airport administration should have visited other airport around the world. Tampa Bay for example is so much better. Welcome to Ottawa!
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Review from Kyle S.
Port Williams, NS
2/10/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Spacious, free wi-fi, clean and efficient.
I'm not sure I have to say a whole lot more about it. These are the 4 things you look for in a good airport. There are also quite a few options if you're looking for a drink or some food while you wait to board. Always a pleasure flying through YOW! -
Review from Coy W.
12/14/2011
This place only really gets 3 stars for being extremely clean.
The airport is pretty small. The lineups get moved along quickly but once you're on the other side of the gate you can get really bored really quickly as there isn't much there. They have free wifi but it's extremely spotty. The food options on the other side aren't that good and there are only a few choices. -
Review from Wayne L.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The airport was mostly empty here for my connection between London and Washington DC, which was nice since it was uncrowded. But man do people move slow here. Both passengers, who apparently don't know how to efficiently move through a security line, and the screening agents. So be ready for a slow crawl to get through the "system".
Free Wifi is nice though. And since the airport was pretty empty I had no issues finding a seat next to a plug to charge up. Getting some Tim Hortons timbits and coffee is a plus too. -
Review from Chris Y.
11/10/2011
Of all the sights I saw after spending three months in Ottawa, "YOW" was the one place in Canada that I was most excited to see. Don't get me wrong; Parliament was not bad, but I think homesickness may have swayed my vote.
As happy as I was to be there, it is still an average airport. I found most employees to be friendly, but when I picked up my wife from this airport a few weeks before, she was nearly in tears because the Canadian customs officer had been so mean to her. Minus two stars for making my wife cry!!
Back to the objective review, it's a pretty small for an international airport, very clean, but somewhat lacking in concessions. The car rental garage is conveniently located directly across the street from the terminal loading/unloading zones. However, the airport is almost 15 minutes away from the nearest freeway, so it's not exactly convenient. -
Review from Ben B.
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
No beef with the Ottawa Airport from me!
It's clean, it seems to be pretty efficient, and it's actually not as industrial as many of the others I've been in which makes the wait times in departures a lot more manageable.
Security staff seemed professional and friendly, signage was pretty clear, and while I couldn't figure out the airport-wide free wireless (I gave up by the time I found the Porter Lounge), it's nice to know that people with a little more patience can likely enjoy some YouTube action before boarding.
No complaints!Listed in: Ottawow!
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Review from Kristin H.
Vancouver, BC
1/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This isn't a world class airport, and it's been awhile since I have boarded an international flight, but I really love the domestic departure area. It's always very quiet, surprisingly quiet, actually, and there are always plenty of seats around. Just as importantly, the renovation was completed with laptops in mind, so there are plenty of outlets for travellers to use to recharge their electronic devices.
The waiting areas are always impeccably clean, as are the washrooms. Compared to the domestic area at Pearson, this airport is a luxury! They could use more food options in the domestic departures area, but a hit of vitamins from a Booster Juice before the flight usually hits the spot.
Just be prepared to wait for your luggage for upwards of 40 minutes - hour if your flight comes in late at night. -
Review from Phil A.
Stittsville, ON
Modern airport with free wifi. Pilots seem to land in almost any weather.
Nice variety of stores.
Air Canada staff are very friendly, especially when you greet them with a smile. Happy people like happy people! -
Review from Michael H.
8/30/2008
This is a review of the employees of the 1998 Immigration Department...
You interrogated me for 5-6 hrs.
You threatened me with a more "thorough" exam.
You took my passport from me.
All because I told you I was a Consultant Engineer here for business meetings.
No. Im still not bloody laughing. -
Review from Darren M.
Ottawa, ON
12/2/2010 1 photo
I've flown through this airport a number of times and also met friends/family there and I've never had any trouble at here that can be attributed to the airport.
In fact, since the renovations I think this is one of the nicer airports.
I do think the International terminal is not the greatest and your options for food/beverages once you get through is quite limited (early or late you'll only have Tim's as your option) but the domestic area is huge and there are a few options.
Ottawa isn't a huge city and we don't have air travel like Montreal or Toronto so relatively speaking I think this airport is quite decent.
I've waiting there on the morning of Christmas Eve and never had a problem finding a seat in the domestic area too.
I've also got off a Bearskin flight recently and walked quite quickly to baggage and by the time I got to baggage my suitcase was already there.
The airport is fairly easy to get to using public transit (although the LRT doesn't extend to it!) but the transit way has buses which come every few minutes and they go downtown.
Compared to Toronto, Montreal and Calgary -- I don't mind flying through Ottawa's smaller airport one bit! -
Review from Mike H.
Burlington, ON
5/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a pretty good small airport with some nice shops and decent enough restaurants in the domestic area. Of the few times I've gone through here, I've found this place to be well organized, easy to navigate and have yet to have been faced with unreasonable lineups at security.
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Review from Nandan F.
Ottawa, ON
12/1/2010
The airport looks good and feels vibrant. It is one of the first airports across Canada that has recently received technology upgrades. The flow of people could be better especially in the departure section. The place needs a bit more seating space after security. I appreciate the free WiFi though! It has a few restaurants and bars, juice bar, coffee shop and some bad touristy shops. My biggest complaint is the painfully slow baggage claim.
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Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
11/22/2008 1 photo
I've never had any problems with the Ottawa Airport. Their security and baggage drop-off staff are very efficient. I also enjoy the convenience of the check-in kiosks that are relatively close to the entrance. They also have a few overpriced bookstores, bad touristy shops, a manicure salon,Tim Hortons and a couple restaurants and bars. Their baggage claim tends to be more slow than other airports. Like most city airports, it's located in the outskirts, but it's still easy to reach via car or bus 97.
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Review from Luisa D.
9/29/2010
Bright and airy, well laid out. Super friendly security - I did one of those body scans, not that I mind a pat down. No Starbuck's from what I can see. That's ok, Second Cup is better coffee anyway. Free wi-fi is very appreciated!
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Review from Rhino R.
Calgary, AB
10/31/2010 2 Check-ins Here
For the amount of repeat traveling that goes through this Capital airport, I would expect it to have a few more amenities and spots to sit when you have a few hours to pass.
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Review from Karen R.
Just love the self check in ATM's for air Canada. All was such a breeze!
