The 2012 Skytrax World Airport Awards has named YVR International Airport as the best airport in North America, which is an impressive feat. Not only is it the best in North America, but it also made the international top ten list (ninth place), while no other North American airport made that list. An independent survey of 12 million passengers from 108 countries, covering 385 airports world-wide, was conducted to produce the results, which were announced in Vienna.
Vancouver placed first in the category of airports that handle 10 to 20 million passengers annually, while Auckland came in second. YVR boasts 62 airlines that travel to 99 destinations world-wide, and in 2011, 17 million passengers flew in and out of its terminals. It should also be noted that the Fairmont Vancouver Airport placed sixth in the World's Best Airport Hotel.
YVR provides travelers with all of the necessary amenities that they need to make their trip comfortable and entertaining. From the moment you enter the airport to the time you board your plane, you will be surrounded by world class art that could easily belong in a museum. The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe by Bill Reid is a large and impressive sculpture that's located in Terminal 3. There are Totem poles, carvings and figures throughout the airport that are fascinating and liven up the already pristine terminals. Other fun features are the two satellite aquariums from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Exhibits that house jelly fish and other marine life native to BC.
Spirit of Haida Gwaii in Terminal 3 — Photo courtesy of Myron Harris
There are also a number of restaurants, spas, book stores, and free Wi-Fi to use while you're in the airport. The Canada Line was completed just before the 2010 Winter Olympics and has since been the main method of transportation to and from the airport for those living in the GVR and downtown.
