Canada is a destination for several international airlines, and the country’s major carrier Air Canada  is linked with national airlines around the world. All Europe’s principal airlines fly into Toronto or Montreal, while Vancouver is a gateway for carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and national airlines from the Far East.

Visitors who intend to see parts of the US as well as Canada can find plenty of connecting flights to such principal US destinations as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Flights between Canada and Europe take from five to ten hours; from Asia or Australia, across the Pacific, you may be in transit for as long as 25 hours. Older travelers or those with children may wish to consider a stopover for the sake of comfort (Hawaii is a popular choice). It is also a good idea to plan flights so that they account for international time differences.

Canada has 13 international airports, the busiest being at Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. It is also possible to fly direct into airports in cities such as Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and St. John’s, Newfoundland. All the major cities are connected with airports in the US. Several leading airlines offer special deals that allow visitors to fly to one part of North America and leave from another.

Flights to Canada from Europe, Australia, and the US can be expensive, especially during peak holiday periods such as Christmas, New Year, and between July and mid-September. It is always cheaper to book an Apex (Advanced Purchase Excursion) fare, which should be bought no less than seven days in advance, (most major airlines, including Air Canada, offer them). These tickets generally impose such restrictions as a minimum (usually seven days) and maximum (of 3–6 months) length of stay. It can also be difficult to alter dates of travel, and it is worth considering insuring yourself against last-minute, unforeseen delays or cancellations.

Charter flights sometimes offer a cheaper alternative, with savings of 20 percent on some tickets. Round-the-world fares are increasingly popular, as are package vacations which provide a variety of choices. The kinds of deals available range from fly/drive vacations with a much reduced car rental as part of the price of the ticket, to a guided tour, including all accommodations, transportation, and meals.

Just before landing in Canada you will be given customs and immigration documents to fill in. On arrival you will be asked to present them, along with your passport, to the appropriate customs and immigration officials.

The larger airports offer a better range of services, but most airports have shops, medical and postal services, foreign exchange bureaus, newsstands, and bookstores. The major car rental companies have outlets at the airport, and buses, limousines, and shuttle buses into town are available. Most terminals offer facilities for disabled travelers.

Visitors hoping to catch a connecting flight to another part of the country will have to claim and clear their baggage through customs before checking in with the connecting airline. Arrangements for transferring to domestic flights are usually made when you book your trip. Ask airline staff if you need more information; in large airports such as Toronto’s Pearson International there are three separate terminals.