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Toronto Pearson International Airport
Category: Hotels & Travel Airports Airports [Edit]
3111 Convair DrMississauga, ON L5P 1B2
(866) 207-1690
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
138 reviews for Toronto Pearson International Airport
138 reviews in English
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Review from Joe H.
3/26/2012 11 Check-ins Here
I really don't have anything too against this airport. i know the biggest thing probably against it is that there is no direct subway to the main city (or anywhere for that matter), but for me I can take a go bus directly to richmond hill. Bonus! (except it comes once an hour =P).
I do like the food options in the terminals that they have. My only concern goes to the little jazz terminal that you seem to have to walk a marathon to get to. They apparently only have kiosks for food there, and you really don't want to walk back to the main terminal to get anything to eat.
Highlights of the airport? I really like the super speed moving sidewalk in terminal one. Except that you have to get on at the beginning of it or else you don't get to ride and you have to take the regular speed one. I think the baggage claim area is nice and spacious. It's nice having high ceilings like that. Free wifi is also a plus... until rogers decides not to sponsor it.
Bad things? Um, I absolutely hate going through US customs in both terminals, I'm not sure how to make that faster =P. -
Review from Tara E.
5/25/2012 6 Check-ins Here
Things about Pearson...
-You are going to wait in line. Probably for a long time. If you can, get Nexus. It WILL matter at Pearson. (Waiting to be called in for my interview!)
-You will wait a LONG time for your baggage once you arrive back at Pearson.
-You will wait a long time in security.
-You will wait a long time in customs (I've often waited more than an hour.)
-People probably will not be nice. Especially if you're flying Air Canada. I have a history of rude people working for Air Canada. (I've had much better experiences with WestJet. If you're flying to the states, all bets are off.)
On the plus side, I can get there in under an hour on the TTC for $2.60. (Token, obvs.) On the negative side if there is a fire, and you're stuck on the subway underground, and arrive 60 minutes before your flight to Los Angeles Air Canada will tell you there is not enough time to get you through security because of the line up at customs/security. Even though technically you are there just before their time limit. And then you will cry at the airport.
Once you're through all that it's not bad. There aren't many good food options though ($10 for a crappy dry old sandwich? NO thanks), so I usually pack some food. I can't wait for Pearson to launch their new restaurants. LAX has great food options. I don't mind spending $15 for a salad if it's DELICIOUS. (And I'm at an airport. I probably wouldn't like paying that anywhere else.)
http://www.thestar.com...
Once you're through get a grande something, sit down, and chill out. Cause after what you've been though, your blood pressure is probably pretty high. -
Review from Ariel G.
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been to countless airports in the last 30 years. I used to love the old saucer shaped terminal 1 at Pearson. The services were much better and the vibe was excellent.
Travelling now is akin to being transported like cattle. The only difference is that we pay with money. And then we pay and pay. I find the fees that this airport charges are astronomical and seriously impact the price of air travel.
I am not quite at the point of routinely flying from Buffalo, but more and more I consider it.
Oh bring back the service and glamor of the old days! NOT! The airline will add some fees, and then add some fees, and then add some fees, and then add some fees....... -
Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
Pearson airport is not only one of the worst international airports, but also a national embarrassment. Anything from layout to efficiency to processing is so poorly executed and primitive. Staff is beyond rude.
Overall the airport is not welcoming at all, whether you are visiting Toronto or coming back home from another country. If you are leaving the country, it will definitely leave with a foul mood. Avoid this airport. Take Porter, and take another airline in NY. What a shame.
1 star for the p*ss-poor airport. 1 extra star for sparrows living in the airport. -
Review from Mike L.
5/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Free WiFi rocks! Have had fairly pleasant experiences in this airport through the years, and customs is usually pretty quick both directions. Maybe it's because I've been in some really horrid airports that I'm not quite as critical as some of the other reviewers.
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Review from Anna-Lena P.
5/23/2012
I totally dig YYZ!
What a wonderful efficient airport! I used it as a connection point to and from Europe to from the US and am blown away by the efficiency and cleanliness. The free wifi does help too and the fact that everyone here is super nice and kind.
Whoever vamped it up really saw and understood travelers needs and fulfilled them.
I wish there would be more like this on the North American continent ... -
Review from Vinny P.
5/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Meh. I've experienced better.
Maybe I'm used to US airports or perhaps my expectations are a bit high but I was underwhelmed here. From the food selections in my terminal, the signage directing me there and the very long wait for bags at customs, I just left feeling underwhelmed. Even the wifi dropped in and out a ton on me which made zoning out and using the internet not a worthy distraction to help me with my nearly 4 hour layover.
The bathrooms were clearly marked and clean enough. I wouldn't eat off the floors but they weren't gross so that is a positive in my mind.
Just kind of a passing through place. Nothing really to see here. -
Review from Gary M.
Innisfil, ON
5/21/2012
Air Canada got me home 6 hours late and dropped us off in the middle of the night at Toronto airport with no way of getting home or to our hotels. I flew from San Diego and they did nothing to make this right! I will never fly with this airline again!
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Review from Sam G.
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow.
I don't know who Pearson was or is but if I were them, I'd be either turning over in my grave or I'd be very, very ashamed to be affiliated with such a sh*tshow.
I wish I could tell you what terminal I landed in but I didn't have the time or the energy to comprehend such information. Why?
All the signage is crap. Layout is crap. And there are only a few one-way moving walkways which makes getting to your connecting flight an EXPEDITION. Please know this: I walk like a New Yorker. I'm used to walking long and fast. I'd like to think I'm in decent shape.
But this airport, I swear, was designed to work off America's fat of the land. I have absolutely NO idea how anyone other than someone in excellent health, young, with personal trainers can traverse this terrain in an efficient or comfortable manner. It's like they're weeding out the weak.
Again, I don't mind walking. But come on. I had a 1.5 hr layover and they still had to hold the plane for me. Again, why?
Getting off the plane and out to any sign of civilization took 15 minutes of walking down a very long hallway. It's cruel because it's surrounded by glass so you can SEE gates on the other side, but you just can't get to them. You can look but you cannot touch. No touchy touchy.
So after that torturous tease, you get to go on a fact-finding mission (should you so accept it) to locate your connecting gate. Oh, I'm sorry, are you a little tired from lugging your carry-on for a mile? Poor wittle princess. Well suck it up soldier, you have way more to go.
This is all true but I hope that it still will have comedic effect: my connection was at gate -95- out of all 99 gates. By the time I got to my gate (20 minutes of walking through concourse F), I was pretty sure I had walked all the way to Detroit ("Welome to America! How was your flight - er, walk?")
I'm not even going to talk about the customs area because the content is not suitable for young viewers.
I would kill for this mythical train I hear of that must exist in another terminal. I would love to have any time at all to get some food. I do not have the money to get treated like royalty in fancy lounges. Being in this concourse is worse than peasantry. Worse than indentured servitude. It's an Olympian battle. It requires a triumph of the will (good film - f*cked up ideology).
Rivaled only by O'Hare and Jf*ckinK in scoring so high on a craptitude test. If I can help it, ain't no way this'll ever be my touch down from point A to point B again. Kinda botched the job on this one, Canada, eh? -
Review from Karl R.
Terminal 3
I fly Terminal 1 a lot to keep my Aeroplan miles up and it's rare that I ever use Terminal 3 (Westjet's terminal). I came to pick up a friend coming in from Vancouver via Terminal 3 and looked forward to exploring a novel terminal. What a mistake. It's the most poorly laid out terminal I think I've ever experienced.
The parking aisles are narrow. Once you find parking, the signage to the elevators to the terminal is poor. The signage from the elevators to the terminal is poor. You emerge into the USA/International arrivals area. If you're new to the terminal, you have no idea this isn't the domestic arrivals. There's no signage in view to direct you to the domestic area.
Seating in both areas is limited, the domestic arrivals in particular.
T3 is really in need of a reno. -
Review from Hoa N.
2/24/2012
A BLUES SONG
I don't understand it
it's the dull international airport blues
I said I just don't understand it
I have the dull international airport blues
I used think it was something wrong with me
and then realized I had nothing to lose
I know that is something wrong with me
and I have nothing to lose
I gotta say that this airport is stinky
And it takes too long to get to
This airport is stinky
it takes too long to get to
Yeah this airport is stinky
it takes too long to get to
I mean a loony and a tooney
and my luggage is a victim too
i could eat at the Swiss Chalet
or some other kind of chain
I said I could eat and drink some crapola
or eat and drink at some other kind of chain
The security dudes and dudettes
are just kind of OK
Sprawling and personality-less
I ate at a Swiss Chalet
Should I feel sprawling and personality-less?
yeah, I just feel sort of OK
I don't know how to end this
except to say that it's pretty much OK -
Review from teresa k.
3/5/2012
not a bad airport, but a little hard to find certain gates.
In terminal 3, gates b10,7,8 are a hard right after security, but the signs are a bit unclear, or you could easily miss them after you're putting stuff back in your pockets after security.
they have enough restaurants on the other side of security but limited options once in the terminal.
make sure you know which terminal to go to before you get to the airport because the cabbies certainly don't have any idea. -
Review from Cynthia G.
Toronto, ON
2/5/2012 34 Check-ins Here
I travel to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport every week on business, and truth be told I look forward to it. I find it easy for me since over the years I've found many short cuts to make the experience much more enjoyable.
For example, being Super Elite for Air Canada (yeah couple years in a row now - SWEET)..... check-in is a breeze compared to people who line up for a very long period of time just to check the bag. This is not the way to start any trip, business or pleasure. So many Elite members do not realize that they can go to column A and check in. I'm always amazed how many people are in line in column B with a current Elite tag on the case. If your Elite move to column A !!
I think that the agents behind the Air Canada ticket counter for the most part very friendly and very helpful. If you treat people with respect you will get the same respect back, so for people who get mad, shout, rant and rave at the AC reps - shame on you, they are doing the best they can to get you on your way. Be calm and your trip will be much more enjoyable.
Then I found NEXUS (best money ever spent), and I fly through (excuse the pun) the security line. Mind you I do get a little upset that TSA let's overflow from the regular line into NEXUS line. What's up with that, I pay for this service and that is frustrating when the line is filled with non NEXUS members.
Then hop over to the elevator to head to the lounge. It always amazes me that place that run quickly has the slowest elevator ever to the AC lounge. Painfully slow !
Quick, coffee, breakfast or a quick drink and snack and then off to the gate I head -two more stops. One to grab my coffee for the flight and then popping into one of the newsstands to grab the latest released book or magazine and then I'm off to the gate.
I'm always amazed how painless the whole airport journey can be until there is a delay like the plane hasn't arrived at the gate yet or a weather related delay......those are always a little frustrating, but all in all the GTAA does a great job !
I used to spend a lot of time here at YYZ as I previously to work for one of the concessions, so I understand a lot of "the behind the scenes operations" of the GTAA and on the most part they operate a very good airport.
New retailers and food concessions coming in recently has made a great improvement for the frequent traveller that was much needed.Listed in: FOODLESS FEBRUARY CHALLENGE, Airports
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Review from Nilam G.
Willowdale, Toronto, ON
2/24/2012 22 Check-ins Here
The most inefficient airport in North America with the highest landing fees
Never check a bag if you are flying into YYZ unless you are okay adding an hour to your trip to wait
Plan to sit on the tarmac for 45 min as they "fix computer glitches" or "find a ground crew. The security line in all terminals is also unbeliveably inefficient with tons of staff sitting around and doing nothing.
Very few food options despite being Canada's largest airport. As a Canadian i am constantly baffled at how poorly Pearson is run.
Note: my sample size is quite large as i travel frequently -
Review from Rachel Z.
Good infrastructure, free wifi, these are my basic needs and I'm happy to give it a 4-star for meeting them.
Not a fan of the long line for security check though. Food selection is OK, I always enjoy a cheap cup of Tim Hortons coffee when I'm there. Also nice waiting area. -
Review from Jessica B.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I knew I was in trouble sitting on the tarmac and realizing I had to clear customs in 30 minutes. Fortunately Air Canada did too, booking me onto a later flight and giving me a breakfast certificate.
So grumpy pants went through customs where the questioning seemed a bit clueless. I was asked why I was in Canada. Scientific meeting. Oh, are you a scientist? No, I sell advertising for ____ magazine. Oh, you're a writer! Fine, I'm a writer.
At re-screening, an inordinate amount of time was spent patting down my tummy. Yes, lady it's ALL REAL and it's ALL MINE. Please contain your jealousy and unhand me.
Grabbed breakfast and thankfully got to fly home.
Huge plus: Fast, free WiFi. -
Review from Jennifer B.
1/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Pearson is big and intimidating, but they have lots of signage directing you which way to go. Plus, if you're on a US to Canada (or vice versa) flight, it's nearly impossible to get lost... they push you through the correct path.
My only complaint is the excessively long US Customs line. Every. Freaking. Time.
The worst I've seen was in August. I came in on an Air Canada flight and was connecting to the US via United (but on a different Itinerary) so this meant having to go back to the check-in counter at Pearson, re-checking my luggage, and going through US customs/security all over again. Typically the US connection option is much faster, but I screwed up royally by booking those flights separately. Next time, I'll use Expedia or something.
Anyhow, they knew we weren't going to make the United flight since it was approximately a 4 hour wait to get through customs that Monday morning. Yes, 4 hours. They ended up sending me over to the US Air counter to get on a later flight. That ticket agent was kind enough to allow me and my 1.5 yr old daughter to skip about 1/2 of the line and jump in behind their check in counter. Thus, we only had to wait about 90-120 mins to get through US Customs.
Just about every US-Bound flight was delayed because of the Customs line. They had about 6 open on a Monday morning, out of 20+ booths. I would consider this highly inefficient. Moral of the story? Try to give yourself several hours to make your flight.
Other than that, Pearson is okay. Security staff do their job quickly and efficiently. There aren't a ton of food options, but what is offered is edible. The restrooms are usually clean, and they actually have a Family Restroom offered for those of us with kids. Oh, and the baggage claim area, including the individual carousels, are clearly marked, which is more than I can say for our little airport in New Orleans. -
Review from Andrew B.
Toronto, ON
2/28/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Not the worst airport in North America.
The biggest detraction about Pearson is something it can't change, it's huge. And your departure gate will always be as far away from security as possible.
That being said, some of the quickest security lines for such a large place. Also, well cleaned.
I travelled both to and from using the TTC and did so from Parkdale in under an hour each way. Not bad for the fare price ($3 at time of travel). Not as smooth as Vancouver's Canada Line (20-30 mins) but not bad. -
Review from Leslie W.
1/10/2012 4 Check-ins Here
BOTTOM LINE: Slow, inefficient and drab. It's lucky to get 2-stars if only because there are worse airports out there. Oh, and get your Nexus card
DISCLOSURE: I travel fairly regularly and am one of "those guys" who actually likes to read airport ranking sites. A 5-star would be the Hong Kong Int'l Airport. The Chicago O'Hare may very well be the worst.
PROS: Generally friendly staff. Clean. Free Wifi. Decent website. No egregious shortcomings.
SLOW: Almost every process serves to slow you down here; whether it's the limited staffing to get people through security or immigration, waiting for baggage to arrive on the carousel, or getting from point A to point B.
INEFFICIENT: There are limited electronic methods to speed up the check-in customs process. Too much walking. Having only one place to check your baggages ensures never-ending lineups. Not having a direct train to and from the the city is pretty ridiculous (the upcoming Pan-Am games in 2015 looks to change that with a, likely, overpriced rail system).
DRAB: For one of the busiest airports in Canada, waiting for a flight here is like watching paint dry. Beyond the customary duty-free and magazine shops (and even then, their selection is often limited), where's the bling? I want retail, cafes, fine dining, massages, etc.!
Finally, I don't mind security personnel acting tough (but fair); after all, it's their job. But a recent "random" search on the US side introduced me to some world-class clowns. I was told it was "tough shit" I was chosen, and was asked at length why I wasn't carrying any "furry, wood-loving creatures" (this would've actually been funny were it not taking place in a backroom security checkpoint). Then the staff proceeded to do one of the most lackadaisical baggage checks I've ever seen. Unprofessional and inept; thanks for slowing me down and keeping me unsafe! -
Review from Sue Z.
1/10/2012 4 Check-ins Here
airports are a necessary evil in the world we live in right now. Who would've thought that man would actually make his dream of flying come true? now we're able to fly across continents in the matter of hours, while popping back a glass of cab, and enjoying the latest movies (not yet released on dvd).
so what i'm saying is, there's not much to complain about. really. if you do complain, send it to @firstworldpains. i call it like it is.
it's an airport, they're trying to let you on and off a flying fucking metal thing that weights wayyy more than it should. be patient. get there with extra time to spare, and you're good. it's slow? yeah, so? inefficient? not as inefficient as the workers at LAX. TRUST ME.
entering through customs, make sure you have certain information ready, where you're staying, why you're there, how you know the person. etc. the custom officer asked me all this, and i was wayyyy taken aback. alas, my stumbling over my answers didn't prevent her from letting me into canada. thank the maple leaf.
having dealt with all that angry nonsense known as the JFK and LAX airport-- Toronto is chill as hell. They've got wifi, they've got people that WILL help you, if you ask NICELY, and you can buy your public transport pass (the one that allows you access to all the public transportation in the city), exchange money, buy a coffee, etc etc. that's really all you need. all the schedules and passes are readily at your disposable at the information kiosks.
for all of you out there have been bitten by the wanderlust bug, enjoy the journey, and most of all, make sure to savor your destination. wherever you go. -
Review from Julia C.
1/6/2012
It has been a long while since I have flown through Pearson and I completely forgot this time around why I had been avoiding it so much. Well, 10 hours stranded at Pearson, getting stuck in LA overnight and all this time wondering wtf my luggage is, I now remember.
First off, pre-clearance = awesome idea....for customs and immigration. It certainly does not save the passenger (nor the airlines, considering how many tickets I had to change) any time or money. Expect lines up to 2.5 hours and if you are a special US immigration case (visa change, green card waiting period, etc.), an additional 1.5 hours. No other places (cept a few in the Caribbean and uhhh Ireland) have this pre-clearance thing, and probably because it truly sucks.
Oh yes, how could I have forgotten customs at Pearson?? Repressed memories, that's how. Of missing my flight on three, now four, separate occasions. Once, in the "special customs" area (green card waiting period), because the US immigration guy sat there chatting with his buddy, using my passport as a gesture aid when all he had to do was stamp it (it had already gotten the stamp approval so he literally just had to stamp it). For twenty minutes. I suppose he figured since I already missed my flight anyway waiting on that stamp, I wouldn't mind sitting there twenty more minutes while he held my passport hostage instead of say, getting some food or being able to use my cell phone.
If you have the misfortune of actually checking in at Pearson, good luck! Those Air Canada lines are intense. Also, good luck to anyone flying from gates 244-272 (US side). That is quite the walk from check-in area. Perhaps immigration believes people flying to Columbus and Memphis (two of the places I noticed while foolishly going after a bagel) need more exercise? I'd take it as an offence if I were you!
At least there is free wifi! Oh wait, that is when it's not dropping every few minutes when it's not in use or you migrate. You could also get food...unless you are on the US side, longingly staring across the glass wall (wtf glass wall??? does the airport really get re-sectioned that often???) at the much better selection on the Canadian side. If you have a long layover, stay on the Canadian side until about 2 hours before your US boarding to give yourself enough time through customs yet have access to the better food. Unless you want to risk having the agent bump you in customs line. I still missed a flight with a partial line skip because that was the one time in my life when my bag got physically searched after the scan.
So really, just avoid Pearson. There, now I have a written reminder of why I have always avoided in the past. -
Review from Nicole L.
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything was great until I landed at Toronto Pearson. I moved very quickly trying to get out of the airport as I just returned from Europe I was very sick of traveling at this point. The immigration was a disaster there were very tanned, braided, flip-flop wearing Canadians that came back from their Caribbean trip, hundreds of them in the line. The line was zipping left to right then right to left it moved very few seconds. It was good that it moved but it was fun when you had to walk back and forth the line the entire time. At the baggage claim there was no clear sign where to pick up I took a left and realized that it was on the far right.
On my way back, I was on a multi-airlines ticket so I walked up to United but they told me they couldn't find me. It turned out my flight back was with Air Canada. If they were going to have Star Alliance, why didn't they think of having a better communication? So apparently at Toronto you would first enter the US immigration before taking flight. That's quite strange. Thankfully, the immigration and security checks were slightly better leaving. I was able to get through quickly. It could be a more efficient airport. -
Review from Rohan S.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
There are things I like about the new T1 are YYZ.
I like there are plenty of self serve kiosks to check in, I like the clear signage, and the bright open spaces, but I dislike how drab and boring it is. As a building, it lacks a lot of personality.
However that being said, it's an efficient airport, even when overloaded with the Christmas rush. The domestic pier is easy to navigate, the Maple Leaf lounge is well appointed and there is plenty of seating at the gates.
Now if only airport designers only figured out how to deal with airport induced stupidity in people, flying would be a lot more fun. -
Review from Joe I.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I usually fly Delta from the US to or through Pearson, and its an okay airport. If you do customs in the Delta terminal its a four star airport. Customs through the Air Canada terminal? Two stars. I had an A gate the last time that I seriously was trying to figure out as I walked there how a airport gate could be in a basement. It was like airport purgatory. Even the staff working nearby seemed to be on some sort of probation or punishment stint having been banished to this remove and desolate location. There are tons of food options, the transportation between the terminals is efficient...it has its good, and bad...its pretty average.
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Review from Karen S.
12/13/2011
An extra star due to the free wifi! Free wifi is my standard for grading airports now. When I'm being good and accommodating, ensuring that I'm doing my part to ensure that flights leave on time and not inconveniencing my fellow passengers, I think I deserve to use the time waiting... and waiting... and waiting... to catch up on all the last minute emails and things that I inevitably leave to the end. Afterall, there is nothing super engaging to peak my interest anywhere in this particular airport. The shopping - I've seen better. The walk-ability is definitely not there. The airport is an endless walkway of grey and blahness. What they try to do to spruce the place up, like the dinosaur from the ROM at the arrivals area in Terminal One, or the bubble water art in the departure area, is almost lost in the cavernous space and soaring ceilings.
What I do appreciate besides the free wifi, is the general helpfulness of everyone who works at the airport. Maybe we're just Canadian and therefore 'nice'? Try asking people things at LaGuardia in New York. They might bite your head off. Cellphone lots. A long time in coming, it's free to park and wait for the arrival of a delayed flight. Pretty good for cheapos who don't want to greet their loved ones on arrival at gate. The same spaciousness that makes the place seem like a cave is appreciated in combination with the newness and general air of sterility in everything. In a public transportation hub where people from all degrees of regard for hygiene pass through, I like the clinically clean impression that this place leaves. -
Review from Coy W.
12/21/2011
This is a very very very bias review! I try to fly through Pearson as little as possible only because of the staff.
The airport itself is very large but it's outside of the downtown core and takes some time to get to. Pearson has some solid amenities with a large selection of food places (though overpriced), a big duty free shop, clearly marked signs, tvs around the gates and now free wifi! That would normally make it a 4 star for me.
However the following really irks me about Pearson...I always feel like sheep in a mosh pit at a heavy metal concert being herded by shepherds who hate their job and feel like they have somewhere better to be! I know that's not true for all their employees but a bunch that I've dealt with have always made people in and around me feel that way. -
Review from Cornelius V.
Calgary, AB
This airport pisses me off.
T1 was built from scratch a decade ago and it has 0% of the vision that brand new airports like Incheon have. The international terminal is a fucking joke. It's an O'Hare or JFK. Only ORD and JFK were built 30 years ago. Before design really mattered. This is supposedly new. There are no sitting spaces isolated from gates. Terminal-wide announcements regarding every single flight departure are made every five minutes. No couches. Just a giant horrendous duty free/scandanavian department store, a short staffed tim hortons with minimum 20+ people in line at all hours, and pay lounges. Incheon has a transit area where you can rest, check email on one of the free 25 computers (not kiosks, computers), and have a free shower ($3.50 for a towel). Don't get me started on Singapore. Even Narita puts some effort into making international travel comfortable. Toronto could lead and do something like this. But no. Why do something different when mediocrity will do? But to AC's fairness, the MLLs all have showers. But the MLL isn't free.
Every time I go through T1, there is some hapless employee opening or closing or abandoning a secured door, resulting in a very very loud high pitched ringing noise. Sometimes it will even just start doing it on its own. No one does anything. It just goes off for 5 minutes. Then it shuts itself off, or some half baked security "guard" shuts it off by smacking his hand on the alarm. This happens at least once every time I go through this airport. It's like the lil' chocolates they hand out on Swissair. Inevitable. Unavoidable.
Recently they took out fully operational and decent food outlets for "renovation". T1 was built 10 fucking years ago. The pizza place in the domestic hammerhead that had pretty good slices (that were reasonably priced, for an airport) is gone. So is the Thai wok place. It has been replaced with an Opa or Pita Pit or some store selling jam or some bullshit.
This airport is so obsessed with not having franchises, yet all of their food outlets are run by HMSHost. So you're going to get even more uninspired food choices. Finally, they allowed A&W, which means decent fastfood. But, because this is canada, this place can't be like SFO where there is a myriad of choice: some HMS style places, some independent sushi places, some ramen places, etcetc.
CATSA lineups in the evening are awful. They'll close lanes and shift lineups into other lineups. The CATSA people here give even less of a fuck than waitresses in calgary. It's that bad. Screeners have no idea what an "opt out" is. They tell me that I'm not speaking their language. Apparently I have to say "physical search". They don't know the difference.
The CCTVs. They're horrendous. The same ads every 10 minutes. And the horrific news programming of the CBC. Playing loudly. The commercials are better than the news they present. I'll tolerate this type of BS in Atlanta because I am not paying a $26 AIF and a $10 navcan and a $15-$25 CATSA charge. But in YYZ I'm paying $26 AIF and a $10 navcan and a $15-$25 CATSA charge. And yet they still need to advertise like this. Because my TV-B-Gone doesn't work on these things, I'll stand on the arm rests of some benches and then rip the power and coaxial cables from the tvs. I also try to wiggle my hand in so I can disconnect all dozen of the additional USB, coaxial, and power cables from the TV. Ma and Pa waiting for their flight to Edmonton and Billy McPherson returning home to Deer Lake think otherwise, but I'm really doing them a favor. I'm an improver.
Like Toronto itself, this airport is so mediocre that they put up billboards bragging about how they are "the most improved large sized airport in the world". I thought only Heathrow would be so insipid as to boast something this. But no. Toronto. Most improved airport. Congratulations. Built a brand new terminal only a few years ago, demolished another one, and yet it still requires "improvement".
This is a soulless, institutional, bureaucratic wasteland. I imagine government employees just feel safe, secure, and happy being in this building. I hate flying through this airport on my way back to Calgary. It depresses the hell out of me. It's even depressing when I'm leaving canada. I try going through US airports, even when transiting, despite the additional lineups and tedious transfer processes. There's just something about YYZ that sucks the soul out of me.
I type this as a security woman is louuudly snoring on the benches beside me. Refer to my uploaded photo. Most improved airport. -
Review from Chris D.
Etobicoke, ON
3/8/2012
Free wireless Internet is good. Slow baggage handling and damaging luggage is bad.
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Review from Dishan W.
11/27/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I'm a fan of Pearson, it's huge, pretty, comfy, clean, friendly, has multiple dining options, a big duty free and very circular roads. OK I admit the circular roads leading in and out of it can result in a few lost loops every now and then but overall Pearson for being one of the busiest airports in the world (especially outside of the US) does a good job of shuffling passengers around.
Now I've never had to travel on major travel days such as peak Holiday season but I have flown in summer where traffic is high without too much of a hassle. If you factor in US customs before you board (which I prefer than having to deal with them after a flight) and the privileges of a Nexus card (which I lack) flying to the US is easier than in most other cities around the world.
I feel that most problems encountered here are due to bad luck and long waits should be expected depending on the flight time and season. As an aviation fan I like seeing the various airlines and aircraft types that fly in to Pearson and I always find it a shame on the lack of major carriers here in Toronto that you can see in other major east coast cities in the US or even Vancouver (blame it all on the taxes), but the Emirates A380 sure makes for some fun plane spotting.
One can also appreciate Pearson more after having travelled to other busy airports especially in North America where flying is so dull and obtuse with very drab airport atmospheres. I give 4 stars for Pearson for providing high ceilings, bright colours and free wifi which make flying through here always a better than average experience.Listed in: My November 30
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Review from Roma M.
10/23/2011
As far as airports go there are definitely worse ones out there but for a large city airport, Pearson falls a little behind for travelers.
First of all, the transportation to and from the airport is laughable. Really? No direct subway connection? So we're down to bus, taxi or 'park 'n fly'. I guess we're still a little rural in that respect.
Rush hour is hell in the security checkpoint. You'll want to be prepared for inefficiencies that will arise here, so have your caffeine injection or triple shot latte in advance, because you don't want to be *that* person.
Once you're past security, you don't really want to have to eat in the airport because your options are really tiny and terrible (Tim Hortons, Starbucks and the Aramark frozen-box special).
I used to miss being wired in at this point and thank goodness they finally have free wifi, because the other options include staring at the abstract art, perusing the duty free shops or standing in line to board well before they call you. I also refrain from being *that* person.
Arrivals are dismal if you have to wait for someone to pick you up. Pearson is relatively environmentally-friendly, so I'll give them a break for looking like an empty, shelfless Costco in some areas but they could take a page from PDX, CLT, BCN and ORD.Listed in: My 30-Day Yelp-athon, Travel
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Review from Vincci L.
11/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A standard large airport. Lots of walking to get to baggage claim.
Signs are clear and visible. Tim Horton's at the domestic terminal to get my steeped tea fix in the morning. Large TV screens at the gates to help pass the time. Free wifi.
No complaints. -
Review from Myrem D.
Mississauga, ON
9/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Disclaimer: This review is ONLY for Terminal 3. Picking up friends/family.
The area is pretty small, so it does get packed. Don't bother coming on time. The way the customs/checks are , you will have to wait an hour at the least.
Parking from 6:30pm - 8:40 = $21.00
Bathrooms - FILTHY
Good for - people watching
Service - none
Phone service - This is why the review gets 2 stars. Very polite lad gave me directions to Terminal 3.
Would I return - Do I have a choice?
Proper Q: Why is it called Toronto Pearson when it's no where in Toronto?
M. -
Review from Elvis A.
2/10/2012
Accessibility:
Via Public Transport: Poor takes time up to an hour from downtown
Shuttle Service: Yes with set stops
Other Transport: Cabs have a fix charge and getting here via vehicle can be hit or miss as rush hour can take hours to go up a few KM (Forget about getting here on an a Friday from 4-6PM)
Location: reasonable distance from downtown core though it can get confusing once one is near it as the signs are not helpful.
I have missed the tight exit several times.
Hotel: within vicinity
Food: Several Chain offerings
Shops: Duty Free is decent and other souvenirs shops. Food is just blah.
Car Rental: Located across from the main terminals and off airport
Tip: Try the downtown airport as an alternate as apparently it can shave at least an hour for your commute.
As being one of the major hub for Canada and gone through a major renovation this one leaves a lot to be desired.
Just oodles of space but it is not very efficient. How can one have a world class airport without fast public transport access? That is set to change apparently in 2015 so time will tell.
Local flights area is OK whenever I have tried it. US flights can have long lineups so plan ahead.
Last trip was odd as due to the luggage regulation I precise packed a bag to be exact 23 Kg or 50 Lbs. I was asked to check in manually as AC online check in was down. Guess what the machine showed I had an extra 8 lbs! It took me by surprise (I had checked and rechecked the weight on the bag) so I stepped aside to repack just to be sure I tried another weighing machine at the counter and guess what it showed exactly 50 lbs!!! I was running late and who can win an argument with AC. What a way to swindle people and make them pay but can;t complain we get what we deserve for having only two major carriers for local flights. -
Review from Nicole H.
8/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
What an awful airport!!!
So disorganized and poorly signed. I suppose it's fine if you already know where everything is but I do not and to me, this place blows.
Also, the FILTHY restrooms and rude customer service people do nothing to help the place. Big whoop for free wi-fi, it's just about everywhere these days. -
Review from Laura S.
11/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Good:
* Full of friendly Canadians. Upon arriving, Airport Express staff was super-helpful. Upon leaving, gate agent was awesome. I think this is more to Canada's credit than Pearson, though.
Un-Good:
* Could not find bathrooms anywhere before going through customs/security. Since the whole process took 30-45 minutes, that was a long time to wait to pee!
* SUPER-confusing layout. Airport Express dropped me off at the wrong terminal when I was leaving and it took FOREVER and a train ride to get to where I was supposed to be. Then I ended up in customs to go to South Asia? And then customs yelled at me because I had not found a small piece of paper that they had hidden behind the Air Canada counter? No part of the experience mad any sense.
* Obnoxious layout of line to go through customs. Despite shortness of line, they didn't open up any of the barriers - and someone actually yelled at me for ducking under. Really !? -
Review from Jorge L.
11/20/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Well what can I say? Our airport is one of the best except for a large custom delay going to the US. Expect to wait for half an hour. Flying Air Canada? Expect more delays. Check in two hours before your scheduled flight or you'll miss your flight - or have a panic attack as the clock ticks and you wait in line helplessly.
Shoe shine service for a fee close to the terminals so old shoes will look fresh before your out of town meeting. There are decent restaurants inside just below the escalator after security and close to gates 173-174.
Not a good selection for Duty Free item though so do your shopping outside the airport. But it comes in handy if you forgot to buy jewellery for your waiting girlfriend at home (bad boy).
A big plus? It's got a free wi-fi, as in free free. -
Review from Sina N.
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why didn't Pearson impress me!?
Well, I found it horribly confusing to navigate...have you seen their signs?
No UX geniuses for sure. No interactiveness. No good shopping.
The only reason I give them a 2-star rating is the free internet.
It is rather bizarre that they have such terrible customer service. Especially the young and naive custom workers that can't keep a smile on their face while welcoming you to Canada.
Immigration was pretty cool.. but I found the security personnel to be obnoxious and rude toward some people.
The food at this airport is awful. There are no good options, other than pizza slices and sandwiches. No high-end, no medium-end. Just a big gusty MEH. I was expecting Pearson to be a bit cooler than this. -
Review from Emily H.
2/1/2012
Why you should read this review: I was an uber-slave to Pearson as a flight attendant for an undisclosed company, homebase YYZ. You think you were at YYZ a ton this past year? I was probably there more.
My immediate feelings towards writing this review was giving it a solid 1-star. But after thinking quite hard about this place with which I have such a bittersweet relationship, I think I actually have quite a few positive things to say about it too. For an airport its size, YYZ logistics works decently well. For the bitter travelers - things going wrong is really probably due to your particular airline or Operations Control. I think the actual establishment is just trying to move the hundreds of thousands of flights, passengers, baggage and employees to the near-best of its ability.
Negatives:
- It is way too far from the city! Although with that said, I don't see how the huge GTA could accommodate an airport this size without it being infinitely far away. I think this point could be written off so long as you're not the poor flight attendant commuting over an hour on the TTC for work.
- With the closure of T2, you think they would maybe try to rearrange the names of T1 and T3. This is a point of confusion for a lot of people. Poor TTC drivers get the same question a billion times a day.
- Lack of good restaurants. For a hub its size, YYZ needs some more food options, and healthier ones at that. It sucks being an FA or a frequent flyer stuck at the airport with the same Tim Hortons or Starbucks as your mealtime friend.
- US Customs line. Weekday mornings (MONDAYS!) are TERRIBLE, although I don't think this is the fault of YYZ. They need more Homeland Security staff here, for sure.
- SUPERSIZED (totally necessary though!) If you really don't know the airport, you are probably going to get lost due its size. Newcomers or infrequent travelers may struggle and tire themselves out from walking around, searching for where they need to be OR even for someone who can help them out.
Positives:
- Clean
- Spacious: sure, the check-in/baggage drop-off lines can still get extremely long (especially for the super long-hauls to Asia), but if YYZ wasn't the size it is, it would be a sardine can of Asian travelers.
- Aesthetically satisfactory: I used to think it was drab, and so hospital looking... but having seen other airports this size, I've stopped being a brat. With is high ceilings, modern fixtures, and infinite windows, it now has my seal of approval.
- Efficient (again, near-best effort)
- Inter-terminal train: Can you believe LAS McCarran Int'l having a fricking SHUTTLE BUS system? I've personally walked between the two Vegas terminals with my luggage too many times.
All in all, I think YYZ does well. And I guess even if you don't agree, too bad for you because you're stuck flying into it until YTZ Billy Bishop decides to expand into water and land Dreamliners into the city.
And just a friendly PSA: if your flight is delayed, please don't take it out on the flight attendants. They are not getting paid for the delay either. :) -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
9/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is a decent airport. I mean, it better be, the fees are fairly high here! But you can tell they've done a lot of work to revamp it over the last ten years, so it's gotten a great facelift. I love Terminal 1, the openness of the space and the beautiful layout inside. I haven't flown an international fight out of Pearson in a long time, so I can't remember what the other terminals are like anymore. I love that the baggage check area is so large (love that it's separated from those waiting for people for pick up so you can do the whole "walk out with your luggage runway strut" to your family :)
The bathrooms aren't as shiny as they used to be, but I guess that happens over time. And parking is quite expensive, but they do have a fantastic parking system that tells you whether there are free spots down the row so you don't have to drive up and down aisles.
Overall it's nice. I still think they should bring down those fees though. I don't really see any additional work happening at Pearson, so where is my $20 going? -
Review from Hank C.
6/9/2011
The airport has a very nice feature - express moving lanes that have creative use of expansions and more. I like this for the superlong walks shortened by a significant amount (roughly 2x the speed of walking on the regular moving walkways).
Overall, the airport is relatively clean and staff friendly, though I would appreciate better and more dining options in the international departure area. And more power outlets. Large duty-free shop in the Terminal 1 departure area. Signs are mostly clear, and bathrooms are clean (as of a morning flight, though).
Internet is free, if slow, though, courtesy of Rogers. One bright side of having to wait here.
