Toronto Pearson International Airport

[Richard White]

Went through T3 international arrival last week. Haven’t used it for years and it’s a mess.
The whole arrival level is in desperate need of an update (it’s especially jarring when flying back from Asia).
It was a good intention for them to add some CBSA computer terminals in the arrival hallway (level 1?) but it actually created total chaos as passengers are unaware that there are more terminals downstairs at the actual immigration area. And they only put one employee there to direct the passenger. You can imagine the amount of yelling she had to do. Not exactly great first impression for visitors. (Sorry no photos. Didn’t want to get arrested by CBSA).

Departure was no better with the last round of reno already looking very dated. They have removed all the iPad (it was a dumb idea demo day 1) but all the dining tables are still there. They take up so much space and forced a lot of the queuing right into the walkways.
The OG tiled flooring really needs to go.
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I was through Terminal 1 this year and Terminal 3 last year. I much prefer Terminal 3.

I found Terminal 1 to be alot more complicated and sectioned off than Terminal 3 making the whole experience alot less pleasant.

 

[Woodbridge_Heights]

Travelled through T3 last week (Dep Nov 16, Ret Nov 23) and found the experience fine if dated. Yes the CBSA terminals in the hallway were confusing. I felt the were pointless unless you were connecting to a domestic flight and the hallway terminal saved you a long trip to the main terminal. Might be better to get rid of them and find another way to accommodate connecting travelers.

Customs was a breeze (we arrived at 5pm) and not overly busy. We used our nexus cards for the first time and had no issues.

Typical YYZ experience is that there isn't enough room at the gate area to accommodate queuing passengers boarding the plane and so the line spills out into the hallway where people are walking, or wraps around the seating area. This will only get worse as aircraft capacity increases. Narrow body gates designed for 160-180 passenger 737's/321's now have to deal with 200+ passengers.

 

[Ratazana]

T1 struggles started when they had to expand the security check zone for both US departure and International departure. Both require pax to navigate through a maze before getting to gates. (See map excerpt with blue and green lines)
For international, the original security zone was a lot closer to the gates and a lot more straightforward (see pic 2 below, blue shaded area). But the need to expand both departure security and transfer security resulted in the maze.

I was through Terminal 1 this year and Terminal 3 last year. I much prefer Terminal 3.

I found Terminal 1 to be alot more complicated and sectioned off than Terminal 3 making the whole experience alot less pleasant.

 

[Woodbridge_Heights]

T1 struggles started when they had to expand the security check zone for both US departure and International departure. Both require pax to navigate through a maze before getting to gates. (See map excerpt with blue and green lines)
For international, the original security zone was a lot closer to the gates and a lot more straightforward (see pic 2 below, blue shaded area). But the need to expand both departure security and transfer security resulted in the maze.
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All the more reason to build a dedicated transborder pier with an integrated security screening area.

 

[IRT_BMT_IND]

Travelled through T3 last week (Dep Nov 16, Ret Nov 23) and found the experience fine if dated. Yes the CBSA terminals in the hallway were confusing. I felt the were pointless unless you were connecting to a domestic flight and the hallway terminal saved you a long trip to the main terminal. Might be better to get rid of them and find another way to accommodate connecting travelers.

Customs was a breeze (we arrived at 5pm) and not overly busy. We used our nexus cards for the first time and had no issues.

Typical YYZ experience is that there isn't enough room at the gate area to accommodate queuing passengers boarding the plane and so the line spills out into the hallway where people are walking, or wraps around the seating area. This will only get worse as aircraft capacity increases. Narrow body gates designed for 160-180 passenger 737's/321's now have to deal with 200+ passengers.

One problem is that the GTAA removed gate seating and floor space to make room for more retail and the larger restaurant style seating with iPads and tables.

T1 struggles started when they had to expand the security check zone for both US departure and International departure. Both require pax to navigate through a maze before getting to gates. (See map excerpt with blue and green lines)
For international, the original security zone was a lot closer to the gates and a lot more straightforward (see pic 2 below, blue shaded area). But the need to expand both departure security and transfer security resulted in the maze.

T1 is laid out like a smaller version of Heathrow, and they both have the same rat-in-a-maze feeling to navigate.