Our Review of Winnipeg Airport (YWG)

Table of contents: Our Review of Winnipeg Airport (YWG) Pros and Cons of Winnipeg Airport (YWG) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Winnipeg Airport (YWG)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Winnipeg Airport (YWG)

Pros

Modern, Spacious Terminal
The main terminal is bright, spacious, and architecturally appealing, featuring large glass windows with panoramic views of the prairies and city, creating a pleasant environment for travelers.
LEED-Certified Sustainable Design
It is Canada’s first LEED-certified freestanding airport terminal, incorporating energy-efficient systems, natural lighting, and water-saving features that reduce environmental impact.
Convenient Location and 24/7 Operation
Located just 9 km from downtown Winnipeg with no airline curfews, the airport operates 24/7, offering flexibility for flights and cargo operations.
Efficient Passenger Processing
Check-in and security are generally quick and straightforward, with a compact terminal layout allowing passengers to walk between gates in about five minutes.
U.S. Border Preclearance Facility
The airport offers U.S. border preclearance, allowing travelers to clear customs before departure, which can save time upon arrival in the United States.

Cons

Limited Food and Retail Options
Many travelers note that the airport’s food and shopping choices are limited and often overpriced, especially airside, with few dining options beyond Tim Hortons and a couple of other outlets.
Long Walks to Some Gates Without Moving Walkways
The terminal’s long, narrow design means passengers may face lengthy walks to distant gates (e.g., gates 11 and 12) without moving sidewalks, which can be inconvenient, especially for those with mobility issues.
Aging Infrastructure and Maintenance Issues
Some facilities like escalators and doors have experienced outages or slow operation, causing inconvenience. The old terminal building is reportedly in poor shape and slated for replacement, reflecting ongoing infrastructure challenges.
Limited Flight Choices and Airline Services
While the airport serves many destinations, it is not a major hub, so flight options and frequencies can be limited compared to larger Canadian airports.
Mixed Customer Service Experiences
Some travelers report inconsistent or unfriendly staff interactions, particularly in security and customs, which can affect the overall passenger experience.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is Manitoba’s primary air gateway and the seventh busiest airport in Canada, serving over 4 million passengers annually. Located just 9 kilometers from downtown Winnipeg, YWG operates 24 hours a day and offers direct flights across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Terminal and Facilities

The airport features a modern main terminal designed for efficiency and comfort, with a smaller secondary terminal dedicated to regional carrier Perimeter Aviation. Inside, travelers will find a good range of shops, restaurants, and essential services, including free Wi-Fi and mobile charging stations. For relaxation, two lounges are available: the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (for eligible passengers) and the Plaza Premium Lounge, which is open to all travelers for a fee.

Transportation

Getting to and from YWG is straightforward. Winnipeg Transit buses (routes 15 and 20) provide frequent service between the airport and downtown from early morning until just before 1 a.m., with accessible, low-floor buses. Taxis and rideshare services are available outside the terminal near Exit 3, and several hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Car rental agencies are located on the ground level of the parkade, directly across from the terminal, offering a wide range of vehicles for city or regional travel.

Parking

YWG offers more than 5,000 parking spaces, including a covered parkade directly across from the terminal for short- and long-term stays, an economy surface lot a short walk away, and premium valet parking. All lots are secure and equipped for Winnipeg’s winter conditions, with features like block heater plugs and battery boost services.

Sleeping and Hotels

While the airport is open 24/7, overnight sleeping airside is not permitted; travelers must move to the public (landside) area when security closes at night. For greater comfort, the Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel is located directly across from the terminal, and several nearby hotels offer free shuttle service.

Additional Services

YWG is fully accessible, with family and accessible parking, and all public transit buses are wheelchair-friendly. Baggage services, lost and found, and ground support are managed by experienced teams ensuring smooth operations7. The airport is ISO 9001 certified for quality management and is committed to continuous improvement and sustainability.

Quick Tips

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
Public transit is the most affordable way to reach downtown Winnipeg.
Car rentals are just steps from the terminal, with competitive rates and a variety of vehicles.
Lounges offer pay-per-use access for extra comfort during layovers.
Hotel shuttles and taxis are available 24/7 for onward travel.

Whether you’re connecting through Winnipeg or starting your journey here, YWG offers a modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly experience in the heart of Canada.

Other Reviews

Here is an introduction and summary of Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) based on recent traveler reviews gathered from multiple trusted sources, including Google Reviews, Yelp, Skytrax, TripAdvisor, and Flight-Report. These platforms provide a broad spectrum of passenger experiences and ratings, reflecting both strengths and areas for improvement at the airport as of 2024–2025.

Winnipeg Airport (YWG) Review Summary

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is widely recognized for its modern, spacious terminal and efficient passenger processing. Travelers consistently praise its clean, bright environment with large glass windows offering panoramic prairie views, creating a welcoming atmosphere that is less crowded than many larger Canadian airports. The airport’s convenient location just 9 km from downtown Winnipeg, combined with ample parking and easy access to car rentals and public transit, further enhances its appeal.

Key strengths highlighted by reviewers include:

Cleanliness and Modern Design: The terminal’s architecture and upkeep receive frequent compliments for being bright, airy, and well-maintained.
Efficient Security and Check-in: Passengers report minimal wait times and friendly, helpful staff, making the travel experience smooth.
Ease of Navigation: The compact layout allows quick walking distances between check-in, security, and gates, with clear signage.
U.S. Preclearance Facility: This feature is appreciated for speeding up customs when traveling to the United States.
Parking and Ground Transportation: Convenient, affordable parking options and straightforward transit connections are valued.

Areas noted for improvement include:

Limited Food and Shopping Options: Many travelers find dining and retail choices sparse and often overpriced, especially beyond security.
Crowding During Peak Times: Some congestion and seating shortages occur in busy areas, particularly near U.S. departures.
Occasional Service Inconsistencies: While generally positive, some reviews mention unfriendly or stressed staff, especially in security and customs, and operational hiccups such as slow de-icing in winter.
Limited Flight Options: As a regional airport, YWG offers fewer direct flights and airlines compared to major hubs.
Ground Transportation Delays: Taxi waits can be long during busy periods.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

This rating reflects Winnipeg Airport’s strong performance as a clean, efficient, and traveler-friendly regional airport with modern facilities and a convenient location. The airport excels in passenger comfort and operational efficiency but is held back slightly by limited food and retail offerings and occasional service challenges. Overall, YWG is highly regarded by most travelers and considered one of Canada’s better regional airports.

Sources:

Google Reviews and Yelp (2024) provide firsthand passenger experiences highlighting service quality and terminal amenities.
Skytrax (2019–2024) offers detailed ratings and comments on cleanliness, security, and facilities.
TripAdvisor and Flight-Report include traveler narratives emphasizing airport atmosphere and operational efficiency.

This comprehensive view ensures an up-to-date and balanced understanding of Winnipeg Airport’s performance as of early 2025.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation