Vancouver International Airport

[[Category:]Vancouver International]

Country: Canada


Location	Richmond, BC
IATA code	YVR
ICAO code	CYVR
Airport type	Commercial
Website	[www.yvr.ca www.yvr.ca]
Overview map	[1]
Communications
Tower
Ground
Clearance
Approach
ATIS

Official Spotting Locations

Russ Baker Way

The only official location is a park off Russ Baker Way under the apporach to 26L. This runway is primarily used for airline departures and private aircraft. All movements can be logged from here with decent optics, but photography is limited.

Other Spotting Locations

Templeton Street

Left at the second traffic light from the airport (15-20 minutes walk). Faces North. Unofficial but popular location beside the approach to 26R, you will see many cars parked on a dirt track bside the road. All 26L movements can be logged and good photos can be had although the subjects are a bit high and the smaller types (Dash-8 etc.) will require a long lens.

"Avis" Lot

The most desirable location, this is the first turn left out of the airport by the blast screens. Excellent photos over the fence and all 08L/26R movements can be seen. However (there had to be one didn't there ?), the businesses on this road are private property and not very tolerant. You can get lucky and be left alone for hours or be unlucky and thrown out immediately. Worth the gamble though.

South Terminal

This is on the other (South) side of the airport from the main terminal and there is a parking lot which overlooks the ramp and the rather distant 08R/26L runway. Good for logging as everything at Vancouver passes this location sooner or later, and reasonable photographic opportunities.

Ferguson Road

When arrivals are on 08L, a long drive from the airport via Templeton Road (above) will eventually lead to a small gravel pull-off at the seashore and close to the threshhold. All arrivals as well as those using runway 12 can be logged and photographed although the location faces South and so is best in the early morning/late evening in the summer.

Main Terminal

Only ticketed passengers are allowed on the concourses. There are two 'public' locations from which the action can be watched, but not satisfactorily photographed. On the main floor by the entrance to the C gates are a few chairs facing the window. In the basement food court there are tables and chairs with a somewhat constricted view. Neither is ideal but could be a refuge on a (frequent) rainy day.

Locations to Avoid

Multi-storey car park

Anyone spotting from the top floor is visible to the control tower, with predictable results.

Regular Traffic

Wide range of North American and Asian airlines. Fewer European carriers - BA, LK and LH year-round, others during the summer. Situation changes frequently, refer to the airport's website for the latest list.