Connection in Toronto or Montreal on way to Vancouver?

[Jenhilmc]

We're looking at Air Canada flights from Atlanta to Vancouver. If we connect through Toronto or Montreal,  will we be duplicating customs processes (doing them in connection airport and Vancouver)?  We are traveling with kids, so we are trying to minimize the hassles.  Thanks.  

[princeton123211]

18 minutes ago, Jenhilmc said:

If we connect through Toronto or Montreal,  will we be duplicating customs processes (doing them in connection airport and Vancouver)?  We are traveling with kids, so we are trying to minimize the hassles.

No, once you clear immigration in either of those airports you will then be traveling as a domestic passenger within Canada. 

 

But be warned-- the delays in Toronto and especially Montreal lately have been insane with lost luggage, stranded passengers, and cancelled flights. And you'll have far less choices to pivot at either of these airports in case something goes wrong. 

 

You can practically fly literally anywhere from Atlanta direct-- why risk the connection through Toronto or Montreal? 

[d9704011]

24 minutes ago, Jenhilmc said:

We're looking at Air Canada flights from Atlanta to Vancouver. If we connect through Toronto or Montreal,  will we be duplicating customs processes (doing them in connection airport and Vancouver)?  We are traveling with kids, so we are trying to minimize the hassles.  Thanks.  

My recent (last two months) experiences connecting to Ottawa through Toronto and Montreal were just fine.  In my opinion, connecting through either one of these airports for a domestic flight to Vancouver ought not pose any special problem(s) for you.

[martincath]

Given that OP is just looking into this, it seems highly likely this is a 2023 cruise - so fingers crossed all the remaining issues at our airports will have improved.

 

Having said that - for all flights between top left and bottom right of the continent, using Seattle as the connecting airport if you cannot get a nonstop will give you the largest number of potential flights to YVR on the way here should anything go screwy and you miss the second leg and need to be found seats on another plane. 

 

Another good option to minimise total journey time, albeit at more risk if you do miss the connection, is to use the smaller airports like Denver, Salt Lake, or Minny-StPaul - less indirect routes than via ON/QC so lower total time in the air, and less busy airports mean even really tight timeframes can work, we've often had connections times of 36-45mins on the way to ATL.

 

Regardless of which US airport you choose, using one of those rather than a Canadian airport to connect in means a Domestic to Domestic transfer without the additional delays of immigration which makes for a definite improvement in the likelihood of you actually making the second leg...

 

 

[Jenhilmc]

There are currently no nonstop flights from Atlanta to Vancouver.  I was surprised,  having taken a nonstop a few times in the past.  Thanks for the advice!

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, Jenhilmc said:

There are currently no nonstop flights from Atlanta to Vancouver.  I was surprised,  having taken a nonstop a few times in the past.  Thanks for the advice!

 

Thanks for this information and, just like the reduction in Delta service to their MSP hub from DAY, it is surprising.  Those flights were well patronized, particularly during the Alaska cruise season.  

[em-sk]

 

Your three options in Canada would likely be Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.  You would clear Canadian customs at your first entry point into Canada.  Then it is a domestic flight from their forward.  If your on Air Canada through Toronto all the baggage transfer happens behind the scenes.  

 

The other thing to add is that Toronto-Vancouver is one of the busiest domestic routes in Canada.  There are a lot flights (at least hourly) with both Air Canada and WestJet.  Many of them are widebody.  That means if you miss your connection for some reason it is easier for the airlines to reaccommodate.  

 

Delta in years past did have a late afternoon flight from Atlanta that would arrive into Vancouver around 8 pm.  

 

If your not familiar with Canadian airlines.  WestJet is Delta's partner in Canada.  Air Canada is United partner in Canada.