Toronto Pearson International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: Canada | Region: Ontario |
| Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport | |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
| IATA code | YYZ |
| ICAO code | CYYZ |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.gtaa.com |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.350, 118.700 |
| Ground | 121.650 (north) 121.900 (south) 119.100 (center) |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | 132.800 (Main Arr), 124.475 (Secondary Arr), 125.400 |
| Departure | 128.800 (Main Dep - South Dep), 127.575 (Secondary Dep - North Dep) |
| ATIS | 120.825 (primary) 133.100 (secondary) |
Toronto Pearson is Canada's busiest commercial airport. Air Canada is the dominant airline together with its regional subsidiary Air Canada Jazz. The airport is located West of the City in Mississauga and can be accessed from several major highways (401, 410 and 409) and there is a coach link from the downtown area. At present there is no rail link from Toronto to the airport.
The airport has 3 parallel East/West runways (23,24L,24R and 05,06L,06R) as well as two parallel North/South runways (33L,33R and 15L,15R). There are three terminals, most International flights operate from Terminal 3, with Air Canada using Terminals 1 and 2. Major International airlines using Toronto Pearson include British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Aeroflot, United, Continental, Northwest and Delta.
The airport can be quite slow at times and movements are dominated by A319/320s and Embraer and Canadair Regional Jets. There are numerous good spotting/photo locations and hassle from the Police is very rare (But not unheard of - especially when El Al flights are due in or out).
Official Spotting Locations
Terminal 1
Note there is no "official" spotting area at YYZ, it is tolerated in some places within the airport. There is a smoking area on the departures level roadway with views over the AC Jazz Dash 8 and CRJ ramp. The light is best for photography in the mornings.
Other Spotting Locations
FedEx Hill
This location is best for all runway 23/05 spotting
From Hwy 427 North/South take Derry Rd. exit and head west at the intersection. Follow Derry Rd. for approximately 5 kms past the Connie Restaurant . FedEx is at the next light at Bramalea Rd. Turn left on Bramalea and follow the road to the end. The hill is on the right.
From Hwy 407 East/West take the Bramalea Rd. exit and head South. You will cross Derry Rd. Once on the ramp it will split into to ramps Terminals and Airport Rd. Take the Airport Rd. and follow the road to the end. The hill is on the right.
Airside Spotting Locations
Terminal 1
If you are flying with Air Canada you can obtain a boarding pass from the machines or online up to 12 hours before departure, this means that anyone with an evening flight can spend all day using the departure lounge windows. Bags can not be checked in until nearer departure time however there are storage facilities on the check in level. There is no problem exiting the departure lounge via the arrivals channel.