St John's Airport (YYT) Flights & Flight Status

A former air base, St. John’s International Airport (YYT) now serves as the gateway to the famously friendly province of Newfoundland and Labrador. North America’s most easterly airport is also the second largest airport in Atlantic Canada since it handles about 1.3 million passengers a year. There’s just one terminal and about a dozen gates (once you factor in the “A” gates).

It’s a joy to navigate this easygoing, three-level airport and the security lines are usually short and move quickly. YYT is even considered a “downtown” airport since it’s only about a 11-minute drive from the downtown core. Here’s everything you need to know about YYT.

Airlines that service YYT

Seven airlines fly out of here — Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Sunwing, Flair Airlines, Air St. Pierre and PAL Airlines. You can fly within the province to Deer Lake, Gander, Goose Bay and St. Anthony. Domestic flights go to Halifax, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton.

U.S. destinations include (year-round) Orlando and Tampa (seasonal). Always popular are the five seasonal offerings to Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Cayo Coco and Varadero. WestJet has resumed its much-loved overseas flights to London Gatwick. The quirkiest flight is to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, which belongs to France but is just off the southern coast of Newfoundland.

How to get to and from YYT and downtown St. John’s

In a capital city with a population of 112,000 that’s in a province of just 520,000 people, you don’t have to worry about traffic snarls. I find it to be a stress-free drive to and from the airport. There are usually plenty of parking spots, although the lots can fill up in winter.

Security

Although I always arrive compulsively early when I fly, it has never taken me more than a few minutes to pass through security here. The Verified Traveller line is great for those who have been pre-approved by Trusted Traveler programs like NEXUS or whose airline loyalty programs get them priority security. Passengers with accessibility needs can also use this lane. NEXUS only gets me to the front of the line, though — I still have to remove my laptop and liquids from my bag.

Parking at YYT

You won’t have to walk more than a couple of minutes from the terminal to your vehicle in either the short-term or long-term parking lots. Pre-pay at one of seven kiosks so you can take an express exit. Frequent flyers can sign six-month contracts and pay a monthly fee to park in the gold pass lot closest to arrivals. All these lots are outdoors but some covered walkways will shield you from the elements.

I love the new cell phone waiting lot found by the roundabout and gas station. Designed for people waiting for arriving passengers, this lot is free and has WiFi. It was created to ease congestion at the terminal and is conveniently near a Tim Hortons.

Rental cars at YYT

It couldn’t be easier to pick up a rental car here since all seven agencies have counters in the arrivals/baggage hall area. Choose from Budget, National, Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Hertz and Thrifty. Be aware that most companies won’t let you take rentals on the ferry to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon since it’s part of France. The rental car lot is just past long-term parking.

Turo, the world’s largest car sharing marketplace, is another option. Turo hosts can leave their vehicles in the short-term or long-term lots for guests to pick up. I love knowing I can easily refuel whatever vehicle I choose at the gas station that’s on airport property by the roundabout.

Ground transportation at YYT

City Wide Taxi cabs queue outside the arrivals area and there’s a ride app pickup area for people using Uber and Kabby. People travelling with large mobility aids can pre-arrange accessible taxi service through GoBus Accessible Transit or Wheelway Transportation. For public transit, Metrobus Route 14 goes to Memorial University. Several hotels offer free shuttles.

Services and amenities

YYT is small but mighty and has been expanding. There’s one outdoor pet relief area after you exit the terminal just past the baggage claim area, and another on the departures level between Gate 7 and 9 that’s just for service dogs. Both provide free waste disposal bags.

Before security, you can always nab an extra suitcase at Jellybean Harbour if you’ve bought too many souvenirs. After security, you’ll find a cozy Nursing Mother’s Area with rockers and couches, as well as two water refill stations, a children’s play area and a Best Buy vending machine. The Heritage Shop of Newfoundland and Labrador kiosk sells select arts, crafts, gifts and books from some of my favourite local craftspeople and suppliers.

Where to eat and drink

We love our Tim Hortons so there’s one before security and one after. Relay and George Street sell snacks, drinks, magazines and books. On the second floor departures level, there are now two restaurants — YellowBelly Brewery and O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub, both from the same owners — where I treat myself to fish and chips. O’Reilly’s has great runway views and hopes to offer open mic sessions. But passengers are always welcome to use the small stage where there’s an acoustic guitar, microphone and PA system.

I always get a dark chocolate-dipped oatcake from the Newfoundland Chocolate Co., which sells chocolate bars wrapped in pink, white and green labels (the colours of an unofficial provincial flag) with quirky local sayings like “come from away” and “loves it.” Sometimes I stock up on frozen cod and lobster at the Labrador Gem Seafoods kiosk. They pack orders in insulated bags with ice packs, or ship it for free across Canada if you spend a certain amount.

Things to do during a layover at YYT

If you find yourself here waiting for a flight, it’s easy to do some quick sightseeing. I love Signal Hill National Historic Site for its views of both the ocean (and sometimes even whales and icebergs) and downtown’s colourful “jellybean row” houses. You can tour Cabot Tower or even hike.

Another favourite getaway is Quidi Vidi, a photogenic fishing village/neighbourhood that’s pronounced “Kitty Vitty” and is minutes from Signal Hill. Drink a craft beer at the Quidi Vidi Brewery, shop at Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios or dine at Mallard Cottage.

Lounges

YYT is home to one lounge. Air Canada’s expanded and relocated Maple Leaf Lounge is now near Gate 10, boasts views of Signal Hill and even serves breakfast toutons (Newfoundland’s beloved fried bread). The lounge is open daily from 4 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. and offers free light snacks and a self-serve bar. You can’t buy lounge access at the airport, so sort that out at the time of booking if you don’t qualify other ways like through loyalty and credit card programs.

Admiring the art

You never know who’ll be tinkling the ivories at the JAG Hotel Public Piano. Painted by local artist Carla Kansala, it’s in the first-floor atrium. Everyone’s welcome to use it and then share photos on social media tagged #ComePlayWithMeNL.

The piano is near a statue called The Embrace by Canadian sculptor Luben Boykov that commemorates the kindness this province showed to people grounded here after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. When you clear security and take the escalator upstairs, pause to admire two ocean-themed digital mosaic artworks by St. John’s artist Vessela Brakalova. And while you’re waiting for your baggage, look for the eight large columns that were wrapped by Newfoundland’s Molly Margaret to showcase local culture.

YYT Hotels

There are two hotels on YYT property — the Best Western Plus St. John’s Airport Hotel & Suites and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. John’s Airport. You can walk to them in about 10 minutes but both have complimentary airport shuttles (as well as indoor pools and free parking). The Holiday Inn serves a free breakfast, but I prefer the Best Western because my kids love the waterslide and I love having a king suite with a separate bedroom.

Only at YYT

On the first floor of the terminal, military buffs can check out several model planes and read about the airport’s 1941 origins as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Station Torbay. The display is near the “Lil’ Matthew” children’s play ship, which is a playful nod to the ship called the Matthew that explorer John Cabot sailed from Bristol to North America for the King of England in 1497. In a nearby display case, visit a taxidermied Northern Chinese leopard named Qiu that warns people about the illegal trade in endangered species.

The airport’s third floor is mostly offices but there’s a little-known “observation deck” with views over the departure lounge to the runway. It’s a great place for a quiet moment. At the visitor information desk, be sure to grab YYT’s latest airport trading card, which is free and part of the North American Airports Collectors Series.