Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (IATA: YOW, ICAO: CYOW) serves Ottawa, CA. It has 113 scheduled routes to 61 destinations in 12 countries, operated by 28 airlines.
- Terminal Access and Services: Travelers value the ease of access to the terminal and the available services. The single, recently expanded main terminal building is described as straightforward and efficient, with short walking distances between check-in, security, and gates.
- Cleanliness: Cleanliness is particularly valued by travelers.
- Security Wait Times (Generally): Security wait times are often short, with an average wait time of 3 minutes at 4 AM and rarely exceeding 20-30 minutes,. The CATSA Plus process with parallel divest stations is in place for Canada/International screening.
- U.S. Pre-clearance: Passengers flying directly to the U.S. clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at YOW, meaning they arrive in the U.S. as domestic passengers. The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app can further expedite this process,.
- Transportation Options: A variety of ground transportation options are available on Level 1, including taxis, public transit (OC Transpo Route 97), hotel shuttles, rental cars, and rideshares like Uber/Lyft,. The OC Transpo Route 97 is highlighted as an affordable and direct link to downtown.
- NEXUS Program: NEXUS members can use dedicated arrival kiosks to speed up border crossings.
- Security/Immigration Efficiency (Compared to other airports): While general security wait times are often low, the efficiency of security and immigration is sometimes viewed as unpopular compared to other airports.
- Limited Food Options in U.S. Pre-clearance Area: The U.S. pre-clearance area has limited dining options, so travelers are advised to eat before going through.
- CBP Hours of Operation: CBP hours are not adjusted for delayed flights, which can be an issue for passengers.
- Sources researched: flight-report.com, qsensor.co, yow.ca, secretflying.com, flightqueue.com*
Bottom line: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport offers a calm and efficient travel experience, particularly for domestic and U.S. transborder flights, with good facilities and convenient transportation links.
New & changed departures
4 changes to YOW's schedule in the last 90 days.
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Track all changesRoutes from YOW
61 nonstop destinations · 28 airlines.
Airlines at YOW
28 carriers operate scheduled departures.
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Airport routes
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) offers 113 flight routes operated by 28 airlines. Major carriers include Porter Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada and others. Popular destinations from Ottawa include Toronto Pearson Int'l, Toronto City Centre, Montreal-Trudeau, Halifax Int'l, Newark Liberty Intl.
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Common questions about YOW
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from YOW?
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport has 113 scheduled routes to 61 destinations in 12 countries, operated by 28 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
28 carriers operate scheduled departures, including Porter Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada.
Where is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport located?
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located in Ottawa, CA, at an elevation of 374 ft. Its IATA code is YOW and ICAO code is CYOW.