A guide to Canada’s busiest airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada’s largest airport, and in 2019 it became the 32nd busiest airport in the world. Flying there aboard a private charter flight ticks the right boxes for luxury and convenience; once you’ve arrived, here’s what you can expect from one of the best commercial and private jet airports in Canada.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA code: YYZ) is situated in the neighbouring city of Mississauga, 28km (or a 30-minute drive) from downtown Toronto, in Canada’s most populated province of Ontario. The airport covers 1,867 hectares and has five runways, an offering of cargo and maintenance facilities, and two passenger terminals able to handle domestic, trans-border, and international travellers.

In 2019, Toronto Pearson handled 50.5 million passengers travelling to and from more than 180 major and secondary cities around the world on both regular routes, and to seasonal destinations including Barcelona, Munich, Rome, Sydney, Miami, Daytona Beach, and Granada. Commercial, cargo, and private flights operate in and out of Toronto Pearson.

History of Toronto Pearson International Airport

During its 80-year history, Toronto Pearson International Airport has been known as Malton Airport, Pearson Airport, and Lester B Pearson International Airport (in honor of Lester B Pearson – Nobel Peace Prize laureate and 14th Prime Minister of Canada).

The first aircraft landed at the airport in 1939. From 1940, the airport was used by the Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Malton Airport became Toronto International Airport in 1958, when the City of Toronto sold the airport to the Canadian Government. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority assumed management of the airport in 1996.

Toronto Pearson terminals

Toronto Pearson has two active public terminals: 1 and 3. Since both Toronto Pearson terminals handle domestic, trans-border, and international flights, terminal operations are grouped for airlines and airline alliances. But what happened to Terminal 2, you might wonder? It became part of an expanded Terminal 1 in 2007 (now a 346,000sq m area), which makes it the biggest airport terminal in Canada. This terminal houses standard customs and immigration facilities.

Terminal 3’s Grand Hall measures 178,000sq m, and a third public terminal – the Infield Concourse (IFC) – provides additional bridged gates for Toronto Pearson flights as an extension of Terminal 3. The main air traffic control tower is situated in the infield operations area of the airport.

Toronto Pearson is one of the best private jet airports in Canada: its 800sq m VIP Terminal in the infield area of the airport handles a variety of aircraft charter flights to and from Toronto. Passengers flying by charter plane are offered exclusive services that can include a 24/7 concierge, private customs and immigration facilities, personalized catering, showers, direct handling of baggage, and VIP ground transportation from their private plane rental to terminal buildings, and on to a hotel or destination of choice.

Passengers can move with ease between the airport’s terminals and the Viscount Value Park Lot via the Link Train. The link operates 24 hours a day, with trains departing every four to eight minutes.

The three main cargo facilities at Toronto Pearson Airport handle more than 50% of total international air cargo in Canada. The multi-tenant facility covers 52,600sq m of warehouse space, a common-use cargo apron, and vehicle parking. The Infield Cargo Area (also known as the Cargo West facility) is connected to the passenger terminals by a four-lane tunnel.

Inside its impressive terminal buildings, Toronto Pearson offers all the amenities expected of one of the top commercial and personal jet airports in Canada, as well as a few you probably wouldn’t expect. Dozens of eateries offer everything from bar facilities, budget-friendly breakfasts and family restaurants, to artisanal coffee shops and healthy meals. In addition, six passenger lounges provide cooking stations, catered meals, drinks and snacks, computer stations, and a small meeting room.

The airport is a shopping mecca and the authorities have thought of your health, too, with a medical clinic, pharmacy, and health spa also on site. For families, there are nursing rooms and pods, and there is a large comfortable area where companion animals can relax, stretch, and have a toilet break.

Looking out for your health at Toronto Pearson

Since 2020, the airport has launched a number of initiatives to safeguard the health of airport users. These include installing upgraded filters in the air system and monitoring the air quality in the terminals 24/7, appointing a Chief Medical Officer for guidance and advice, and enhanced cleaning throughout the terminals.

Toronto Pearson ground transportation

An airport rail link – the Union Pearson Express – connects Toronto Pearson Airport with Union Station in Downtown Toronto. Trains leave the airport every 15 minutes between 5.27 am and 12.57 am. From Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 station, it takes 25 minutes to reach Union Station. Bus services operated by TTC, GO Transit, MiWay, and Brampton Transit, run 24 hours a day from the airport to a number of stations in Toronto.

Passengers also have the choice of a daily intercity Greyhound Canada coach service, car rentals, taxicabs and limousines, long-distance van and minibus shuttle operators, as well as Uber and Lyft services at designated rideshare pickup zones at both Toronto Pearson terminals.

For passengers who would like to travel by car, Toronto Pearson parking has 12,200 spaces available in garages adjacent to Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, and there are also plenty of parking lots available in the immediate area of the airport.

When you’re a charter plane passenger, your dedicated travel and concierge expert can arrange transport to and from the private jet rental aircraft of your choice.

Airport hotels and other accommodation nearby

Toronto Pearson airport hotels include the Alt Hotel (part of the Germain Hotels group) – which you’ll find next to Viscount station, accessible on the free Link Train – and the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, which is directly connected to Terminal 3.

Visitors to Toronto are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels close to the airport. The Shangri-La Hotel Toronto is a 202-room luxury hotel in a 66-storey tower on University Avenue at Adelaide Street. The hotel incorporates the historic Bishop’s Block – one of Toronto’s oldest remaining buildings. The Bisha Hotel Toronto, meanwhile, puts you within walking distance of some of the city’s most popular surf-and-turf restaurants, as well as the CN Tower, St Lawrence Market, and Graffiti Alley.

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto is a AAA Five Diamond award-winning hotel, close to the financial district and cultural attractions. For pure luxury, the Windsor Arms Hotel in the heart of Toronto’s fashionable shopping and entertainment district has been voted the No.1 hotel in Toronto by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

Visitors to Toronto are of course well-placed to enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Niagara Falls, and can also visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre for some retail therapy, the must-see Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum, and the Entertainment District around King Street West, which comes to life in the evenings. Why not book a helicopter charter flight for an exclusive sightseeing tour of Toronto’s downtown skyline and surrounding areas?

Book your private charter flight to Toronto Pearson

If you’re planning to travel to Toronto, please contact us at Air Charter Service. Our local private jet travel experts have all the advice you’ll need about the best private airports in Canada, as well as the most efficient routes and ideal private jet rental aircraft to suit all your requirements.

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