Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport sits roughly 22 kilometres northwest of downtown Toronto, straddling the boundary between the city of Mississauga and Toronto proper in Ontario. It is Canada's largest and busiest airport, serving as the country's primary international gateway. The site has hosted commercial aviation since 1939, originally as Malton Airport, and has been progressively expanded and modernised over the decades to handle long-haul intercontinental traffic.
Overview
Toronto Pearson International Airport sits roughly 22 kilometres northwest of downtown Toronto, straddling the boundary between the city of Mississauga and Toronto proper in Ontario. It is Canada's largest and busiest airport, serving as the country's primary international gateway. The site has hosted commercial aviation since 1939, originally as Malton Airport, and has been progressively expanded and modernised over the decades to handle long-haul intercontinental traffic.
Pearson International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Pearson is the principal hub for Air Canada and a significant base for WestJet, Porter Airlines and Air Transat. As Canada's main international gateway, it is served by a wide range of foreign carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Air France, Turkish Airlines and major United States network carriers connecting to hubs across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles Air Canada and most Star Alliance traffic along with many international carriers, while Terminal 3 serves a mix of SkyTeam, oneworld and other airlines. Pearson has five runways arranged in two parallel sets oriented roughly east-west and north-south, allowing simultaneous operations. The airport runs 24 hours a day, with night-time noise restrictions limiting movements during late hours.
Connections through YYZ need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Pearson International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare YYZ against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Chicago, New York, London, Montreal. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Pearson International Airport without guesswork
Plan YYZ around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Toronto to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at YYZ. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles Air Canada and most Star Alliance traffic along with many international carriers, while Terminal 3 serves a mix of SkyTeam, oneworld and other airlines. Pe
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for YYZ
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for YYZ.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at YYZ. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles Air Canada and most Star Alliance traffic along with many international carriers, while Terminal 3 serves a mix of SkyTeam, oneworld and other airlines. Pe
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Pearson International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from YYZ
Compare the carriers connected with YYZ, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from YYZ
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at YYZ
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersPearson International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at YYZ.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Toronto can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Pearson International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at YYZ depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Pearson International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around YYZ can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Canada
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Canada.
FAQ
Pearson International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Pearson International Airport is located in Toronto, Canada (North America), at coordinates 43.680°, -79.610°.
- Its IATA code is YYZ and its ICAO code is CYYZ.
- Pearson International Airport serves Toronto, Canada. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Pearson International Airport operates on America/Toronto local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Pearson International Airport sits at latitude 43.680° and longitude -79.610°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from YYZ include American Airlines, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Iberia, United Airlines, WestJet and 4 more.
- Tracked destinations from YYZ include Chicago, New York, London and Montreal, spread across 3 countries.
- Its address is 6301 Silver Dart Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5P 1B2, Canada, the phone number is +1 416-247-7678, the official website is http://www.torontopearson.com/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Canada. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.