Latest news with #YVR
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Runway reopened, Vancouver airport fully operational after day of delays
An Air Canada flight departing for Toronto, bottom, taxis to a runway as a WestJet flight bound for Palm Springs takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Air traffic is running as normal at Vancouver International Airport after delays and cancellations hindered travellers Friday. More than 20 flights were cancelled throughout the day after crews were forced to keep one of the runways closed overnight Thursday. The closure had been the result of an 'unforeseen equipment issue' with an asphalt supplier, a YVR spokesperson told CTV News Friday afternoon. On Friday, Nav Canada said a temporary Traffic Management Initiative had been put in place to 'maintain a safe flow of traffic.' As of 7 a.m. Saturday, the north runway had reopened and was operating 'per standard procedures,' YVR said in an update.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Flight cancellations and delays at YVR
Vancouver Watch More than 20 flights at YVR were cancelled and others faced delays after crews were forced to keep one of the airport's runways closed Friday.
Vancouver Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Flying 12 hours in business class — an honest review of the $6000 experience
I recently flew 12 hours from Hong Kong to Vancouver on Cathay Pacific in Business Class . Let me preface this review by saying: any time you get to lie flat on a long-haul flight, it's a luxury. The lounges, service and in-air food are what truly set apart a memorable experience, especially for a frequent flyer. With a steep $6,000 price tag to go from HKG to YVR (or vice-versa), you're probably wondering: is it worth it ? I was, too, as it had been a few years since I'd been on a Cathay flight. I memorably flew with them for the first time in 2006, and was so blown away, I still have a paper dinner menu from that flight. Interest around international travel is up this year, as more and more Canadians opt to skip the U.S. The Hong Kong Tourism Board shared that Canadians' intent to travel to Hong Kong this year has increased by a whopping 30 per cent. The Asian metropolis has always been one of my favourite cities around the globe: a unique history, fabulous food and shopping, and a vibrant nightlife have kept me returning over the years. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Read on for everything you need to know about Cathay Pacific's Business Class experience. My 2025 experience kicked off with a visit to the Cathay Pacific lounges – yes, there are multiple — at HKG. As their hometown airport, expectations are high – and certainly didn't disappoint compared to what we might be used to at YVR (our limited offerings include the rather un-premium Plaza Premium lounge, the fairly decent Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, as well as a smaller Cathay Pacific one, to name a few). My favourite HKG Cathay option was The Pier Business Class Lounge, which includes the airline's first-ever tea room with blends by Jing , as well as the iconic noodle bar. Both were excellent options, and a special shoutout goes to the baristas working the coffee cart: after several excursions to HKG over the years, I'm convinced this is the only quality latte at the entire airport (avoid this airport's Blue Bottle at all costs, which I typically love). Relaxation rooms, shower suites and work stations are also available here. Upon boarding, the lead flight attendant came over to introduce herself, give me a tour of the pod and offer a beverage: the non-alcoholic Cathay Delight, made of coconut milk, kiwi juice and fresh mint is always a win – but the Laurent-Perrier brut is also nice for some bubbly. Initially, I was a bit disappointed I didn't have one of the new Aria suites – currently only available on the London to Hong Kong route and expected to roll out on the Vancouver planes later this year – but the overall experience quickly made up for that. Despite the pod appearing a bit dated, I appreciated the amount of storage space. If you like to keep several items handy – for me, it's a laptop , AirPods , chargers , vitamins and skincare – you won't be fussed. As a frequent flier, I always look forward to a long-haul flight amenity kit. Cathay partnered with British-based Bamford, offering mini-sized versions of the brand's cooling gel , multi-purpose balm and pillow mist , leaning into a wellness theme. Initially, I wanted to see products from a more well-known luxury brand – but the products were quality and completely elevated the overnight experience. The leather case was a nice touch, too, and easy to reuse as a makeup bag or for smaller toiletries. In-flight service began with an always-appreciated hot towel, warm nuts and a pretty swanky meal service for being 30,000 feet above the ground. Among the many options, I opted for an appetizer and main that are tied to two well-known Hong Kong Michelin star restaurants: the chilled abalone and cucumber with black vinegar from Duddell's and the pan-seared Chilean sea bass with saffron sauce from Louise , which is my all-time favourite restaurant in Hong Kong. The Duddell's abalone certainly lived up to the hype, and is arguably one of the best items I've enjoyed in the sky on any flight. Louise's sea bass was decent, however, a tad bland, and not quite to par with what I've come to know and love from the restaurant itself (which I highly recommend on a visit to Hong Kong). Regardless, it was still an elevated choice considering – and I would get it again, but maybe add a little salt. Cheese, Häagen-Dazs ice cream or fresh fruit followed, for some simple but solid dessert options (although the ice cream was very frozen – beware!). Dining has a leisurely vibe in-air on Cathay Pacific, which is ideal for someone who wants to immerse themselves in the entire multi-course experience. For those looking to get in a full night's sleep or get some work done, however, be mindful of the time to get dishes cleared. I'm a fast eater, so I opted to use the call button to speed up the process. Where the menu truly stood out was on the all-day options, which could be requested at any time during the flight. Noodles (a popular choice) and a burger with fries are on the docket, both of which were excellent. Key detail: the fries were delicious and not soggy. For those looking to indulge in a drink, the cocktail and wine lists were extensive, edging out Canadian competitors. The Chateau Lynch-Bages from Pauillac is a tried and true choice, but for those feeling experimental, Chinese wine – not readily available in North America – is available. On the non-alcoholic front, the Hong Kong-style milk tea appeared to be a popular choice with those on my flight. Wi-Fi on the flight was solid, at least for the time I was using it. For the movie watchers, Cathay's entertainment system offered a comprehensive cross-section of choice; however, the screen was a bit slow to react to my selection, something I assume will be updated in the new Aria suites. I opted to go with some relaxing music, which was a nice alternative. Following dinner and some work, it was time to get some shut-eye. Cathay provides a hotel-style pillow, 400-thread count cotton duvet and perhaps the most important details for a high-quality snooze — a mattress pad and eye mask. Combined with the Bamford pillow spray , I got in a full eight hours with zero interruption. The sleep was so solid, in fact, I nearly dozed through breakfast. I'm glad I didn't, though, as the pre-landing meal was also impressive. In-flight breakfasts are usually nothing to write home about, however, there were a few nice touches here, like warmed cherry tomatoes, a shockingly decent croissant with butter and jam and – small detail – a tea bag dish (oversteeped tea is a no-no). Congee, a traditional rice porridge found in South and East Asia, was also available and looked delicious. Guests were invited to make a chocolate selection from a box, a nice touch before landing. After 12 hours in the air, it was time to land in my hometown of Vancouver. Overall, I was rested and relaxed, which is the top marker of success on any long-haul business class flight. Despite some marginal room for improvement — which I believe will be corrected with the new Aria suites — Cathay proved they offer a solid and competitive product in the aviation space. The experience is worth it — but not at full price. My suggestion is to keep a flexible travel schedule and use Google flights to set alerts about price drops or leverage the points and miles within the Oneworld alliance system to fly free. Beyond that, stay tuned for the Aria suites to launch on the Vancouver route later this year to get the most value out of your flight. Hoping to score a great deal on your next hotel? Check out for exclusive savings on over one million hotels worldwide. Sign up for free here . Shopping Essentials , a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on Canoe . Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter .
CTV News
12-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Police respond to unfounded bomb threat at Vancouver International Airport
YVR is seen from CTV's Chopper 9 on Monday, June 4, 2018. (Pete Cline / CTV Vancouver)
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Statistics hint at surge in domestic tourism in B.C. as Canadians avoid U.S. travel
Hotelier Charles McDiarmid saw the first signs of how much business at his Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino was going to change this summer right after U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration, accompanied by tariff threats and warnings he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. Inquiries from across Canada, which usually come a little later in the year, started rolling in to the property from travellers suddenly more interested in staying on this side of the border for vacation in numbers that almost rival the post-COVID-19 boom in 2022. 'It started with a bang,' McDiarmid said. 'We're tracking a very significant surge in travel within Canada with Canadians staying in Canada looking for the quintessential Canadian experience, and I believe we're one of them.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. McDiarmid said an exchange rate with the Canadian dollar worth 72 cents to the U.S. dollar is another motivating factor for Canadians to stay home, but 'the No. 1 message' his staff are hearing from customers is that 'we want to support Canada,' instead of taking trips to Las Vegas, California or Oregon. Enough Canadians are abandoning U.S. travel plans for airlines to start paring back services, which has already been evident in passenger numbers at Vancouver International Airport. YVR passenger statistics show that travel on flights to and from U.S. destinations was down six per cent to the end of March, the most recent numbers available, almost 88,000 fewer passengers, bringing the total number to 1.3 million. WestJet on May 6 was the latest to suspend flights to nine U.S. cities including a new Vancouver to Austin route that was to start service in the second week of May but is now on hold until October. Airline spokesman Josh Yeats said the 'downward shift in transborder demand' prompted the suspensions. On the other hand, WestJet has also added new flights within Canada including a direct flight between Vancouver and Halifax to meet demand for domestic travel. The early sign of that domestic demand showed up as a three per cent increase in domestic travel through YVR from January to the end of March, with 73,070 additional passengers bringing the total number to 2.9 million people on flights between Canadian destinations. Travel to Asia Pacific destinations through YVR was also up 14 per cent, some 138,000 passengers for a total of 1.1 million, and nine per cent to Europe, 24,000 additional passengers for a total of 286,000. Yeats said WestJet has also increased frequency on routes between Vancouver and Calgary, Kelowna, Prince George and Comox, as well as Comox to Edmonton. Airline industry expert John Gradek said there will likely be more changes once summer demand shows them where they should use those planes they were using on U.S. routes. 'Within the next couple of weeks you'll probably see more Canadian services show up,' said Gradek, a professor of supply networks and aviation at Montreal's McGill University. 'You'll see new services from the Maritimes non-stop into Vancouver, maybe some more services from Manitoba, Saskatchewan directly into Vancouver.' Gradek added that the big question will be whether or not B.C.'s already busy hospitality sector will be ready to absorb that surge on top of rising international visitor numbers. 'Try to get a hotel in Banff or Kelowna or Kamloops,' Gradek said. 'At the peak of the summer right now is impossible.' From Metro Vancouver's perspective, Royce Chwin, CEO of Destination Vancouver, said the city has become practised at turning over large numbers of visitors, as evidenced by pop superstar Taylor Swift's tour stop last December that 'pushed our limits.' 'We can always use more (hotel) rooms, and we are working on that,' Chwin said. 'But we feel confident enough that we'll be able to look after most of the visitors' that arrive. Chwin said it's too soon to tell how much of a surge in domestic tourism the region will see, but Destination Vancouver knows that it will be coming on top of rising numbers of tourists from the U.S. Visitation from Washington state has been up nine per cent and from California eight per cent. American tourists 'really want to come to Canada, despite everything that's going on,' Chwin said. 'Their bigger concern is, 'Will we be welcomed?' ' McDiarmid echoed Chwin on their typical answer that U.S. visitors are welcome. 'Our elbows are up but our arms are wide open,' McDiarmid said. With files from Bloomberg News depenner@
