The right side delivers the strongest bookends of the flight: Toronto's skyline and Lake Ontario at departure, and the dramatic North Shore Mountains during the Vancouver approach, while the left side is dominated by flat prairie and boreal forest for most of the cruise.
Flown YYZ to YVR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Vancouver is 2,079 miles (3,346 km), a flight of about 5 hours.
Boreal forest and lake country of northern Ontario and Manitoba, the wheat fields of the Saskatchewan and Alberta prairies, and the eastern front ranges of the Canadian Rockies near Jasper before the descent into the Fraser Valley.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
RIGHTDeparting YYZ on runway 23/24L, the aircraft typically banks right toward the northwest after takeoff, swinging the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario shoreline into view on the right side before the route heads out over the Canadian Shield.
Landing at YVR
RIGHTOn the typical easterly approach into YVR using runway 26, the aircraft descends west over the Fraser Valley with the North Shore Mountains rising dramatically on the right side just before touchdown, while the left side shows mostly flat delta farmland.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Vancouver International (YVR)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Vancouver. The right side delivers the strongest bookends of the flight: Toronto's skyline and Lake Ontario at departure, and the dramatic North Shore Mountains during the Vancouver approach, while the left side is dominated by flat prairie and boreal forest for most of the cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing YYZ on runway 23/24L, the aircraft typically banks right toward the northwest after takeoff, swinging the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario shoreline into view on the right side before the route heads out over the Canadian Shield. Notable sights include: Toronto downtown skyline (CN Tower), Toronto Islands, Lake Ontario shoreline, Pearson airport grounds receding below.
What can I see when landing at Vancouver International in Vancouver?
When landing at Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the typical easterly approach into YVR using runway 26, the aircraft descends west over the Fraser Valley with the North Shore Mountains rising dramatically on the right side just before touchdown, while the left side shows mostly flat delta farmland. Notable sights include: North Shore Mountains (Grouse and Seymour peaks), Fraser River delta, Strait of Georgia, Vancouver's North Shore coastline.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Vancouver?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Vancouver International (YVR) takes about 5 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 2,079 miles (3,346 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Vancouver flight path pass over?
Boreal forest and lake country of northern Ontario and Manitoba, the wheat fields of the Saskatchewan and Alberta prairies, and the eastern front ranges of the Canadian Rockies near Jasper before the descent into the Fraser Valley.