Toronto’s Pearson Airport is clearly doing something right: this year it was again recognized as one of the world’s best airports by Airports Council International World, earning top honours for the eighth time in the past nine years. Not bad for a facility that opened on the site of 13 former farmers’ fields and welcomed its first flight in 1938.
Today’s Pearson Airport (airport code YYZ) is the second largest international airport in North America and now encompasses 4,600 acres, has more than 50,000 employees and serves as many as 47 million passengers per year.
There are two massive terminals, named simply Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (Terminal 2 being demolished in 2008 to make room for an $800 million expansion of Terminal 1).
As a hive for moving people, Pearson is a smoothly-oiled machine, designed to get you in and out as smoothly as possible. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve used it.
Why “YYZ”? Back when Canadian airports were first being established, the first Y indicated that yes, the facility had a radio beacon or weather station. Then they just added old railway communication abbreviations, in this case YZ for Malton, a Toronto suburb where Pearson actually is. These days, most passengers just want an airport experience to be efficient and hassle-free. But did you know there are some facilities that may make your experience more pleasant?
Here’s the need to know guide to Toronto’s Pearson Airport – info that may surprise you.
1. Ditch that winter coat: If your fantasies of your beachy holiday exclude your parka, then check out Excess Baggage Company, located pre-security in both terminals. They’ll gladly babysit your coat and anything else you want stashed (for a cost) while you sip margaritas under a faraway sun.
2. Need to de-stress? Be Relax Spas are located post-security in both terminals and offer 15-60 minute spa services such as massages, nail care and facials.
Courtesy of GTAA
3. Need to reflect? Everyone is welcome to visit the interfaith chapels located pre-security in both terminals and open 24/7.
4. Feeling hungry? Never fear, there’s never a food outlet too far – in fact, more than 80 throughout the two terminals both pre- and post-security. These include Starbucks (nine outlets) and Tim Hortons (eight); but the food options can be surprisingly varied and include Japanese, Mexican, an Irish pub and the Beerhive (with 13 beers on draft). And, of course, lots of “to go” options if you are in airline-food-avoidance mode. For a posher celebration, check out & More Restaurant at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, connected directly to T3.
Courtesy of Boccone Trattoria by Massimo Capra
5. Or if you agree there’s no better way to kill time than shopping, you’ve come to the right place. Dozens of stores, mostly post-security, sell everything from chocolate bars to Canada-themed souvenirs. Most of the high-end goods (think: Chanel, Dior, Chanel, Gucci) can be found post-security in T1. If you’re flying into Toronto, why not purchase a bouquet of fresh flowers for a loved one from Flowerette, just outside the Arrivals area in T1?
Courtesy of GTAA
6. Does travel give you a headache? If a drugstore has just joined your bucket list, never fear: DrugSmart pharmacy is located pre-security in T1.
7. And what’s all that buzz about? It’s not just the planes that have wings at Pearson. Fully one third of the massive area is green space (think of all that grass and wildflower fields around and between the runways) making it a perfect home for bees. The apiary, founded on the west side in 2015 in a non-active part of the airport, is now home to 15 hives and as many as a million bees, helping support food security and sustainable agriculture.
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