Time To Get Through Vancouver Airport
 

I recall reading somewhere, and couldn't find it through searching, that when taking a flight out of Vancouver to Seattle and Portland, you need to allow extra time. I'm flying Horizon Airline both times.

Any advice? And why the extra time?

Thanks!

keith

Because you need to go through US immigration and customs at YVR. This is true for most flights from the major Canadian aiports that have "pre-clearance" to the US.

Thanks for the reply.

How much extra time would you suggest?

Well, once you've checked in at the Horizon counter, you need to:

1) Clear U.S. immigration counter
2) 2nd immigration check (turn in cards, sometimes get second set of questions)
3) Drop off bags
4) Go through security

Here's the rub:

Sometimes you can get through this entier process in 20 minutes, depending on whether it's a busy time or not. And sometimes it takes over an hour to an hour and a half.

You can't predict.

To be safe, I always arrive 2 hours before my flight is to take off.

If you are lucky and breeze through quickly, there are some restaurants, shpos, etc. on the other side to pass the time.

I agree with the last poster, there is no reasoning to customs lines so play it safe.