Toronto Airport: The Largest and Busiest Airport in Canada
When people talk about Canada's leading gateway, they almost always mean Toronto Pearson Airport, the hub better known by its IATA code YYZ. Its formal title is Lester B. Pearson International Airport, adopted in 1984 to honour Canada's 14th Prime Minister, who received the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1957.
Sitting roughly 17 miles (28 km) northwest of the city centre, the airport occupies land mostly inside Mississauga, with a slice of the complex spilling over into Etobicoke. This is the country's largest and busiest field, and it acts as the principal aviation hub for Ontario, the province whose capital is Toronto.
Passenger numbers tell the story: more than 50 million people passed through here in 2019. Traffic dropped sharply while Covid-19 disrupted travel, yet the airport still processed around 37 million flyers in 2022, holding on to its place among the most significant air hubs on the planet. Beyond moving travellers, Pearson ranks as the second-largest employer in the city and pours money into sustainability work, with the stated ambition of leading the world in greener aviation.
Toronto Pearson Airport Information
IATA Code: YYZ
ICAO Code: CYYZ
Location: Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC -4
Toronto Airport Layout
The site is built around two principal passenger buildings and a combined total of 106 gates. Across the wider complex you will also find five runways and roughly 30 taxiways.
Terminal 1 is both the newer building and by far the larger of the two. Having taken over from the old Terminal 2 and seen later extensions, it grew into the biggest terminal in the country and one of the largest anywhere. Air Canada, the national flag carrier, runs most of its operations from here, alongside fellow Star Alliance members.
Terminal 3 looks after services flown chiefly by SkyTeam and Oneworld carriers. The Infield Concourse (IFC) ties into this building, so travellers using IFC gates clear customs, collect bags, and complete check-in over at Terminal 3.
Airlines Operating at Toronto Pearson Airport
Pretty much every category of carrier shows up at YYZ: major international names, traditional full-service operators, domestic specialists, and budget brands all share the apron. It is the primary base for Air Canada and Air Canada Express, while doubling as a key hub for WestJet and Flair Airlines. FedEx Express treats it as an important cargo centre, and the field serves as a focus city for Air Transat, Lynx Air, and Swoop.
Taken together, scheduled and charter services from here link passengers with more than 155 destinations across the globe.
Parking Facilities at Toronto Pearson Airport
Both short-term and long-term parking are on offer to suit whatever a traveller needs, with garages serving Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 alike.
Choosing the Preferred Park option lets drivers lock in a specific space ahead of time. There is also the Pearson Airport Cell Phone Waiting Area, handy for swift pick-ups and drop-offs. Valet parking rounds out the choices, complete with extras such as car washing.
Transit Options from Toronto Pearson Airport
Reaching the city centre is straightforward, thanks to a broad mix of ways to make the trip. Among the choices on offer:
- A taxi ride of roughly 30 minutes
- The UP Express train, which reaches the centre in about 25 minutes
- Several airport bus services
- A private transfer booked in advance
- A rental car for complete flexibility
Services and Amenities at Toronto Pearson Airport
Befitting one of the world's major aviation hubs, the airport lays on a full spread of services and facilities, including:
- Retail shops and duty-free areas
- Restaurants and bars
- Baggage carts and luggage wrapping services
- Luggage storage facilities
- Meet & Greet services
- Pharmacies and medical services
- Banks, ATMs, and currency exchange offices
- Nursing rooms and pods
- Children's play areas
- Lost & Found offices
- Chapels and prayer rooms
- Pet relief areas
- Airport lounges and spa facilities
- Free Wi-Fi access
- Conference and meeting rooms
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Information desks and kiosks
- Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities
Toronto Pearson Airport Contact Information
Official Name: Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Address: 6301 Silver Dart Drive, Mississauga, ON L5P 1B2, Canada
Phone Number: (416) 247-7678 / 1 (866) 207-1690 (toll-free)
Official Website: https://www.torontopearson.com/en
The City of Toronto
As the biggest city in Canada and the capital of Ontario, Toronto enjoys a global reputation for its multicultural make-up, with no shortage of things to do for lovers of art, food, and travel alike.
That diversity shines through in the city's neighbourhoods, its architecture, and the sheer variety of places to eat. Landmark draws include the CN Tower, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Between a lively downtown core, a dependable public transport network, and a scenic waterfront, the city pairs modern urban living with a welcome dose of nature, which is what makes it such a rewarding stop in Canada.

