About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Yellowknife (YZF) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Yellowknife to Toronto. The right side wins overall because the Toronto approach delivers the more dramatic and iconic view — the CN Tower and Lake Ontario skyline on descent is one of the better urban arrivals in Canada. The left side at Yellowknife is excellent for Great Slave Lake but the right side's Toronto payoff edges it out for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Yellowknife in Yellowknife?
During takeoff from Yellowknife (YZF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Yellowknife Airport runways are oriented roughly east-west. Departing eastbound toward Toronto, the left (north) side gives you a clear view back over Yellowknife Bay and the broader Great Slave Lake, the largest lake entirely within Canada. The city's distinctive rock outcrops and the Old Town peninsula are visible on the left as you climb out. Notable sights include: Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife Bay, Old Town peninsula on its rocky point, Back Bay.
What can I see when landing at Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
When landing at Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Pearson's primary runways run roughly east-west. On a typical westerly approach to runway 23/24, the right (north) side gives you a clear view of Lake Simcoe and then Lake Ontario's north shore as you descend. The Toronto skyline including the CN Tower appears on the right side as you cross over the suburban sprawl of the GTA. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario north shore, Toronto downtown skyline and CN Tower, Lake Simcoe to the north, Highway 401 corridor.
How long is the flight from Yellowknife to Toronto?
The flight from Yellowknife (YZF) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.
What does the Yellowknife to Toronto flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast across the Canadian Shield, crossing the vast boreal forest of northern Ontario with countless unnamed lakes and rivers visible below. Hudson Bay lowlands appear as flat muskeg terrain. Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior's northern shore may be visible depending on exact routing. The transition from Shield rock and spruce forest to the agricultural patchwork of southern Ontario is a clear visual marker roughly an hour before landing.