Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains
🛬 Landing at Victoria (YYJ)
YYJ is a small regional airport with a single terminal, located north of downtown Victoria near Sidney. It handles mostly domestic and short-haul flights, with connections to Vancouver, Calgary, and other Western Canadian cities, plus seasonal US service.
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About This Airport
Which side of the plane has the best views landing at Victoria International (YYJ)?
When landing at Victoria International (YYJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 27 (westbound) means you're descending toward the west with the aircraft's left side facing north. This gives you direct views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State—all prominent geographic features during final approach. Notable sights include: Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands (particularly San Juan Island and Orcas Island), Olympic Mountains (Washington), Patricia Bay to the north.
What can I see when arriving at Victoria?
Arriving at Victoria International in Victoria, passengers on the Left side enjoy views of Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands (particularly San Juan Island and Orcas Island), Olympic Mountains (Washington), Patricia Bay to the north. Landing on runway 27 (westbound) means you're descending toward the west with the aircraft's left side facing north. This gives you direct views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains across the water in Washington State—all prominent geographic features during final approach.
What factors affect the best window seat landing at Victoria International?
The best window seat landing at Victoria International (YYJ) depends on several factors: the approach path and runway in use, geographic features around Victoria (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening arrivals often offer the best lighting.