Connecting flights
Canada-Canada
If your flight originated in Canada and you need to take a connecting flight to another Canadian destination, you do not normally need to leave the restricted area or worry about your checked luggage (verify with your airline). You can confirm your departure gate number on one of the flight schedule display screens.
If for some reason you wish to leave the restricted area, remember to keep your boarding pass with you and to show up at the pre-boarding screening checkpoint far enough in advance of your flight.
Canada-United States
If your flight originated in Canada and you have a boarding pass for a connecting flight to a U.S. destination, you must follow the U.S. connections signs, go through pre-boarding screening, and then go through U.S. Customs. Your checked luggage will be transferred automatically by the baggage handling system. Note, however, that U.S. Customs officers are authorized to recall your luggage, if necessary, for manual inspection. If the Customs officers do not yet have the information on your luggage at hand, you will be asked to proceed to the waiting area.
Canada-International
If your flight originated in Canada and you need to take a connecting flight to an international destination and you already have your boarding pass, you do not need to leave the restricted area or worry about your checked luggage. You can confirm your departure gate number on one of the flight schedule display screens.
If for some reason you wish to leave the restricted area, remember to keep your boarding pass with you and to show up at the pre-boarding screening checkpoint far enough in advance of your flight. If you do not have your boarding pass, you need to obtain one at your airline’s check-in counter.
United States-Canada
If your flight originated in the United States and you need to take a connecting flight to a Canadian destination, you must clear Canadian customs. It is very important to remember that you must personally pick up your luggage, which you may then leave at the connecting-flight counter located immediately after you leave the customs hall.
You must then follow the normal procedure for Canadian departures and pass through the pre-boarding screening checkpoint “A.” Please note that liquids, gels and creams in containers larger than 100 ml must be carried in your checked luggage. Such items, even if sealed, will not be allowed through pre-bording screening checkpoints.
United States-International
If your flight originated in the United States and you need to take a connecting flight to an international destination, there are two possibilities:
• If your airline offers the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you must go to the special international connections customs counter.
• If your airline does not offer the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you must pick it up yourself from the carrousel, then follow the normal procedures for international arrivals, then for U.S. departures.
International-Canada
If your flight originated from outside Canada or the United States and you need to take a connecting flight to a Canadian destination, you must clear Canadian customs. It is very important to remember that you must personally pick up your luggage, which you may then leave at the connecting-flight counter located immediately after you leave the customs hall.
You must then follow the normal procedure for Canadian departures and pass through the pre-boarding screening checkpoint “A.” Please note that liquids, gels and creams in containers larger than 100 ml must be carried in your checked luggage. Such items, even if sealed, will not be allowed through pre-bording screening checkpoints.
International-United States
If your flight originated outside Canada or the United States and you need to take a connecting flight to a U.S. destination, there are two possible options:
- If your airline offers the option of automatically transferring your luggage and you have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, you will be asked to proceed via a connecting flights corridor, avoiding Canadian Customs. You will, however, have to go through U.S. Customs. Your checked luggage will be transferred automatically by the baggage handling system. Note, however, that U.S. Customs officers are authorized to recall your luggage, if necessary, for manual inspection. If the Customs officers do not yet have the information on your luggage at hand, you will be asked to proceed to the waiting area.
- If your airline does not offer the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you must pick it up yourself from the carrousel, then follow the normal procedures for international arrivals, then for U.S. departures.
International-International
If your flight originated from outside of Canada or the United States and you need to take a connecting flight to another international destination, there are two possibilities:
• If your airline offers the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you must go to the special international connections customs counter.
• If your airline does not offer the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you must pick it up yourself from the carrousel, then follow the normal procedures for international arrivals, then for international departures.