Moncton Intl Airport (YQM) Flights & Flight Status

While Fredericton may hold the title of New Brunswick’s provincial capital, the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) is the province’s main access point for air travel. As a bustling hub for Atlantic Canada, Moncton Airport connects you with daily flights to major cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, making it a convenient launchpad for your travels. Whether you’re eager to marvel at the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy or explore the charming landscapes of Prince Edward Island, YQM is the perfect starting point for your Atlantic Canadian journey.

How to get to and from the Moncton Airport

Getting to and from YQM is easy and convenient. It takes about 15 minutes from the airport to reach downtown Moncton, located 5 miles east. The airport is minutes away from the town of Dieppe, where you’ll find all the services.

Parking at YQM

Parking is pretty straightforward in Moncton. The main lots are all situated in front of the terminal. They’re patrolled, open 24 hours and advance reservations aren’t required. You can choose from a 1/2 hour rate, hourly, daily or weekly. I especially love how passengers can be dropped off or picked up at the terminal’s main doors without paying. The complimentary waiting area is across the street from the terminal, next to the Volkswagen and Audi dealerships.

Accessible parking spaces are available in short-term, long-term, and underground parking areas. Four underground parking spaces can be reserved in advance if you hold a disability permit. To reserve those, call the airport’s administration. Credit and debit card payments are accepted at all exit gates. If you’d rather pay cash, you can use the pay station inside the terminal building.

Ground transportation at YQM

Two companies provide metered taxi service to the airport – Air Cab and White Cab. Hail yours outside the terminal, next to the arrival doors. Don’t see any? Use the direct taxi phone beside the car rental counters in the terminal building. If you’d like a private car service, there’s Unique Corporate Car Service. Those staying at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dieppe and Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown can arrange a shuttle pick-up.

A unique on-demand transit service is available at YQM. Unlike regular transit, these vehicles don’t follow set routes. Routes are based on the bookings that riders make 30 minutes to seven days before your desired departure time. You’ll be told which stop to go to for pick-up and will get dropped at a stop close to your destination. Download the Blaise Transit app to book a ride for yourself.

Maritime Bus offers direct service from the airport to downtown Moncton. You can also take this coach-style bus to the major Maritime cities of Fredericton, Saint John, Halifax, Charlottetown, and several smaller outposts.

Car rentals at YQM

Six rental car companies operate out of the Moncton Airport: Hertz, Budget, Avis, National, Enterprise, and Alamo. Their information desks are on the main level of the terminal building. If you need to top up your vehicle with gas before returning it, there are two gas stations one and a half miles from the airport. Shell is on Adelard Savoie Boulevard, while Irving is on Dieppe Boulevard.

Airlines that service YQM

Air Canada, WestJet, PAL Airlines, and Porter Airlines offer regular, scheduled service throughout the year. If you’re looking to escape a cold and wet Maritime winter, look to seasonal airlines Air Transat or Sunwing to swoop you off to a sun-drenched destination like Orlando, Cuba, Cancun, Montego Bay or the Dominican Republic. Seasonal sun destination flights typically run from December until May.

Security at YQM

There are only four gates at YQM, so the security lines aren’t typically something to worry about. Still, you’ll want to give yourself enough time at the airport, as each airline determines a checked baggage cutoff time. It’s recommended that travellers arrive at the airport 90 minutes before their domestic departure time and two hours for international flights. There is no separate security line for Global Entry or NEXUS card holders.

Amenities at YQM

Due to its size, there is not much entertainment or food and beverage options here. Before security, there is a small children’s play area. There’s also a quiet room open 24 hours every day of the week for relaxation, meditation, and nursing, but you have to ask security to open it for you. And you won’t find a coffee shop before security.

After security, your prospects get slightly better, but not by much. There is no lounge to speak of, and though there are international flights, there’s no duty-free store, either.

For food and drink options past security, you’ve got two choices. There’s a Tim Hortons for coffee, donuts, and a limited food menu. Bistro Altitude has more food options, but it’s primarily sandwiches and all things fried. To escape the often crowded gate area, I like to head to their second-floor seating area to nurse a drink while taking in the views of the runway.

Layover ideas

While technically a city, Moncton has a population of less than 100,000, and it’s relatively easy to get around. Pretty much everything is less than a 20-minute drive from the airport.

If you’re kicking around before checking into your hotel, definitely scrub off those airplane germs at USVA. You’ll find saunas, outdoor pools, refreshing cold plunges and relaxation areas at this indoor-outdoor thermal spa. USVA also offers full spa services, so you can get a massage to work out those kinks from the airplane. Towels are provided, but you must bring your own swimsuit and sandals.

Because the food options are so lacklustre at the airport, consider Tony’s Bistro & Patisserie for one of the best lobster sandwiches I’ve ever had (and I’ve scarfed back plenty). This casual eatery has a pastry case to drool over, and will happily box up a lobster croissant sandwich to go.

Have a kitchen party at home

It would be a shame to visit the Maritimes and not share some seafood bounty with friends and family, wouldn’t it? Head to Moncton Fish Market to pick up a few fresh lobsters for the journey home. They’ll kit you out with a carry-on box with a handle that can fit under your seat. The lobsters are kept cold with frozen vegetables, so you’ll encounter no issues at airport security.

Where to stay near YQM

Minutes from the airport lie several hotels in Dieppe. The nicest, however, is the Crown Plaza Moncton Downtown, which offers shuttle service. I usually hightail it from the airport straight to Shediac, the lobster capital of the world and only a 20-minute drive away. Personally, I prefer to stay at the full-service Hotel Shediac, one of the town’s best hotels and within walking distance of the charming seaside village’s top attractions.

What to do around Moncton

Just a stone’s throw from the runway, Magnetic Hill wows with its mind-bending optical illusion. This natural phenomenon appears to pull vehicles uphill when in neutral, defying the laws of gravity. It’s a quick trip that’ll leave you scratching your head. Families might want to consider tacking on a visit to Magic Mountain, Atlantic Canada’s largest waterpark.

Craving a taste of local flavor? For an impromptu wine-tasting session, head to Magnetic Hill Winery, just minutes from the airport. Here, you can sample award-winning fruit wines crafted from local produce in its tasting room. The winery’s historic 1867 house and stunning views of the Bay of Fundy provide the perfect backdrop for an impromptu tasting session.

There are some great beaches near Moncton. My favourite is Parlee Beach Provincial Park, which sports the warmest sea water in all of Canada. It’s located just outside of Shediac. For landlubbers, Irishtown Nature Park is your ticket to tranquillity. This urban oasis, just 15 minutes from the airport, offers serene walking trails and a chance to spot local wildlife. Either option is sure to rejuvenate you for the next leg of your journey.