Travellers Gear Up For Busiest Flying Season

Heading home for the holidays? Or leaving?

You’re not alone: Travellers and airport staff alike are gearing up for the most active flying season of the year.

Saturday is expected to be the busiest day of the year at Pearson Airport, with 100,000 people checking in at the gates.

And Friday is the warm-up, with 95,000 people bringing their bags to the turnstiles. That’s about 10,000 more travellers than usual.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has listed the following rules and regulations to help travellers make it through security safely:

Allow Enough Time

• For flights within Canada, check in at least 90 minutes prior to departure.
• For flights to the U.S., check in a minimum of 3 hours prior to departure.
• For international flights, check in a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure.

The peak hours at Toronto Pearson are from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Passenger volume increases significantly during the winter holiday season, March Break, and the summer. Please allow extra time for parking, check-in, security screening, and luggage retrieval during these periods.

Save time by checking in from home. Many airlines that serve Toronto Pearson offer online check-in.

Identification Required

• For all flights to International or U.S. destinations, passengers require passports as identification to check in, clear security, and board an aircraft.
• For all flights within Canada, passengers require photo identification to identify themselves as the traveller named on the ticket.
• Note: For some destinations, passports must be valid for at least six months after your departure date.

For additional identification requirements, click here.

Check-in Process

You may choose to check in for your flight via a check-in counter, self-service kiosk, or website. In all cases, the following tips will help to expedite your check-in process:

• Have your documents ready as you approach the check-in counter or kiosk, including your boarding pass or flight information, and your passport or alternate identification.
• Be aware of weight and size restrictions for checked baggage, and have your baggage packed accordingly prior to arriving at the airport.
• For specific values, refer to your ticket information or contact your air carrier directly.
• Remove or tighten all straps on baggage, such as on duffle bags or backpacks.
• Ensure that all checked and carry-on luggage has your name and address on it prior to arriving at the airport. For security, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) recommends using your work address, where possible.
• Ensure that you have packed your own baggage and have removed all old bag tags to avoid confusion.
• Verify that your baggage does not contain anything on the CATSA restricted items list.

For a complete list of items not permitted through security and further travel tips, see the CATSA website.